Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, MP, on Monday threw an open challenge to the chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)Begum Khaleda Zia to prove within 24 hours how the country’s interest had been compromised by the agreements signed with India, reports BSS. The minister was responding to a remark on Sunday made by the BNP leader. She said “The country’s interest has been undermined by agreements with India.” Speaking as the chief guest at the annual general meeting of the Sub-editors’ Council at the National Press Club auditorium the information minister said “All agreements and memoranda of understanding that were signed during the visit of Narendra Modi were done publicly.” Referring to Khaleda Zia’s two terms as prime minister of the country, he said “She should have known better but she prefers to lie. It is her habit to lie against the country and state and create a confrontational situation.” Referring to all the agreements the information minister said that through the 22 agreements and MOUs signed, the country’s economy would become more dynamic, incomes would rise, borders will be better protected, crimes and criminals will be dealt with more effectively and education and culture would flourish. “The sovereignty of Bangladesh is not so fragile that it could be scuttled away in a covered van or bus”, he quipped. Appreciating the critical role of sub-editors play, the information minister called them the “eyes and ears” of the media. “They have the immense responsibility of deciding what goes to print and which does not,” he said. Chaired by the president of the Sub-editors’ Council, Ashraful Islam, the meeting was addressed, among others by Md Sirajul Islam Mollah, MP, Altaf Mahmud, president, DUJ and Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, secretary general, BFUJ. Later in the evening, at a certificate distribution ceremony at the Bangladesh Press Council the information minister said that through objective and ethical practices journalists must expose the lies and provocation in politics.
