‘Don’t criticise govt just for the sake of it’

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday urged political parties to criticise the government in a constructive way.

Hasan, also the publicity and publication secretary of the ruling Awami League, said, “Constructive criticism is necessary, and we value it. But blind and ill-intentioned criticism bring no good. A quarter always does criticism for the sake of it. It has no meaning.”  

Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (MANAS) organised the meeting at Jatiya Press Club, marking World No Tobacco Day with its founder President Dr Arupratan Chowdhury in the chair.

“The country’s people and the world are hailing the country’s astonishing development, but BNP cannot see it. They have made a habit of criticising the government every day without any reason. I urge them to not make themselves a laughing stock by making such unnecessary criticism.”

“Our country has left behind many countries including Pakistan, and in some cases India, in all economic and social indices. We have graduated from a least-developed country to a middle-income one,” the minister added.

On another note, Hasan said the government has imposed many conditions against consumption of tobacco, and the ratio of tobacco consumption has reduced significantly.

“I have not consumed tobacco in my entire life, as I promised my father that I would never do so,” the minister said.

He also urged the young generation to stay away from tobacco to live a healthy life.

State Minister for the Cultural Affairs Ministry KM Khalid and Acting Secretary to the Youth and Sports Ministry Dr Md Jafar Uddin addressed the meeting as special guests.

The organisers accorded reception to Hasan Mahmud and yesteryear film actor-turned-lawmaker Akbar Hossain Pathan Faruque for being non-smokers.

World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on May 31 to increase awareness on the negative impact of tobacco.