Politics should be a force for improving people’s well-being rather than merely a means of exercising political power, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said on Friday.
He urged political parties to demonstrate their commitment to public welfare through their actions.
Speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of a month-long tree plantation programme at the University of Barishal, the minister said governments alone cannot drive social progress and stressed the importance of sustained contributions from social organisations.
The programme was organised by the Ziaur Rahman Foundation to mark the 45th martyrdom anniversary of former president Ziaur Rahman.
“Politics is not simply about enjoying power. Political parties that are in office or seeking to form a government must prove through their work that politics is a process of changing people’s lives,” Swapon said.
He also called on the Ziaur Rahman Foundation to continue its social welfare activities, saying voluntary organisations have an important role to play alongside government initiatives.
Following the discussion, the minister planted a sapling on the university campus as part of the foundation’s month-long tree plantation campaign.
Replying to reporters’ questions about the prime minister’s upcoming visit to Barishal, Swapon said the visit would primarily centre on the tree plantation programme.
He added that the prime minister is also expected to meet senior party leaders and elected representatives from the country’s southern region to discuss regional development priorities.
The event was chaired by Barishal University Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Mamun Or Rashid.
Among those present were Prof Farhad Halim Donar, executive director of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation; Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, administrator of Barishal City Corporation; as well as university teachers, students, and leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
