One political group attempting to destabilise country: Commerce minister

A political group is making desperate attempts to destabilise the country, but such efforts will ultimately fail, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said.

Law enforcement agencies remain vigilant, while the public is equally alert to any attempt to disrupt stability, he said while responding to journalists after a meeting with newly appointed public prosecutors (PPs) and government pleaders (GPs) at Sylhet Circuit House tonight (13 November).

Asked about former Awami League MP Ranjit Sarkar, who is currently staying in India, holding a rally along the Goainghat border in Sylhet, Muktadir said activities carried out by an illegal MP were also illegal.

He said law enforcement agencies would remain on alert to prevent anyone from engaging in similar activities in the future.

The minister also said the fall of a government and its flight from power in the face of public anger would remain a memorable chapter in Bangladesh’s history.

He added that the government was pursuing various initiatives to create an investment-friendly environment in the country.

Earlier, addressing the newly appointed PPs and GPs, Muktadir urged them to prioritise cases involving drugs and online gambling to prevent accused individuals from exploiting legal loopholes to evade justice.

Describing drug abuse and online gambling as serious threats to society, he stressed the need to protect young people from addiction and curb the spread of online betting.

Cases involving these offences must be pursued diligently so that accused individuals cannot exploit legal loopholes to secure bail and return to criminal activities, he said.

Drug addiction was not merely an individual problem but also inflicted serious harm on families, society and the state, the minister said, adding that a significant proportion of crimes had links to drug abuse.

He also drew attention to the financial and social consequences of online gambling, particularly for low-income and working-class people who often lose their entire daily earnings through betting, leaving their families, especially wives and children, to bear the consequences.

Muktadir called on government lawyers to adopt a more vigilant and proactive approach to prosecuting drug-related and online gambling cases.

Addressing government law officers, including PPs, GPs, assistant government pleaders (AGPs) and assistant public prosecutors (APPs), the minister said they played a crucial role in ensuring access to justice for ordinary citizens.

He noted that most people seeking legal remedies were financially disadvantaged and urged government lawyers to ensure they received proper legal assistance without unnecessary harassment or hardship.

He called for a firm legal response to injustice and criminal activities, while emphasising the importance of honesty, integrity and professional responsibility.

Muktadir also cautioned against discrimination based on political affiliation or ideology. However, he stressed that cases against individuals accused of exploiting political identities to engage in terrorism, land grabbing, torture and oppression must be pursued seriously and without compromise.

Earlier, the minister inspected ongoing road development work in Muradpur under Ward 31 of Sylhet city.