STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The government plans to hold elections for all tiers of local government bodies within a year, including city corporations, district councils, upazila parishads, municipalities, and union parishads.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, minister of local government, rural development, and cooperatives, told reporters after attending the third day of the DC conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka yesterday.

He emphasised that local government is the strongest foundation of democracy and a vital grassroots institution. He said that strengthening these institutions bolsters both democracy and the state.

The minister also asked deputy commissioners to work alongside the people, asserting that the citizens are the true owners of the country and that people at the grassroots determine the nation’s direction.

After discussions on power and energy at the conference, Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku told journalists that the government’s goal is to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity from solar energy over the next five years.

Regarding power outages, he said there is currently no load-shedding in the country and suggested that any electricity shortages are likely due to transmission line faults rather than load-shedding.

Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, PM’s defence adviser, said certain groups were trying to undermine the military by deflecting attention from their own failures and shifting blame in an attempt to create discord in civil-military relations.

The defence adviser further emphasised that a strong civil-military relationship built on mutual respect and trust is essential for the country, noting that the roots of this bond lie deep in the history of Bangladesh’s independence.

He made the remarks while addressing a session on the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Division at the DC conference, said an ISPR press release.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, in his speech, congratulated all concerned on holding a successful and impartial election. He noted that discharging duties in coordination with the civil administration has further strengthened public trust in the army.

Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan highlighted the navy’s activities in protecting maritime boundaries, while Chief of Air Force Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan presented future development plans, including the necessity of adding new aircraft

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