Today, during a meeting with the Advisor to the Ministry of Post, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Mr. Md. Nahid Islam, at the ministry office, Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General Professor Luis Franceschi stated that Commonwealth countries will continue to stand by Bangladesh.
Mr. Nahid Islam mentioned that the interim government has received and continues to receive support from around the world. He clarified that the current interim government is not a caretaker government, but a revolutionary one. Therefore, its sole responsibility is not just to hold elections. Various commissions have already been formed for institutional reforms, and elections will be held after these reforms are completed. He also noted that the judicial process for the massacre during the July-August uprising is ongoing, and the government requires the assistance of the Commonwealth to ensure an impartial trial. Furthermore, he called for the support of Commonwealth nations in building a new Bangladesh.
Professor Luis Franceschi praised the current government’s efforts towards democratic reforms and assured that the Commonwealth would support the ongoing reform initiatives, including electoral process reforms, in every possible way. He emphasized the Commonwealth’s commitment to working with the interim government to build an inclusive, prosperous, and discrimination-free Bangladesh.
Franceschi also mentioned that the Commonwealth is always by Bangladesh’s side and is keen to work with the country in areas such as education, information technology, media, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Mr. Nahid Islam reiterated that the interim government is working to transition the country from an authoritarian or non-democratic regime to a democratic one. He stressed the importance of support from Commonwealth countries in this regard and remarked that the interim government is ready to take any action that serves the national interest.
The meeting concluded with discussions on mutual interests.
The Secretary of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications, Dr. Md. Mushfiqur Rahman, Acting Secretary of the Information and Technology Division, Dr. Muhammad Mehedi Hasan, Commonwealth Advisor and Head of Asia Dr. Dinusha Nihara, along with other senior officials from the ministry, were present at the meeting.