AL left economy fragile after 17 years of looting: Power minister

BOGURA, July 25 (UNB): Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku has alleged that the now-banned Awami League (AL) plundered the country's resources during its 17 years in office, leaving the economy in a fragile state that the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is now striving to rebuild.

Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar in Bogura on Saturday, the minister also accused the previous government of distorting history and neglecting the development of northern Bangladesh.

"The Awami League is the only party that distorted history and created its own version of historical events. Those who study history must counter such distortions," he said.

Tuku claimed that the fascist Hasina government deprived the northern region of development and said the current administration is committed to ensuring balanced development across the country, with special attention to backward regions.

He made the remarks while speaking at a seminar titled 'Development, Problems, Prospects and Way Forward for Five Northern Districts-Bogura, Sirajganj, Joypurhat, Naogaon and Gaibandha' organised by the Bogura History Study and Research Welfare Organisation at a hotel in Bogura.

The minister said Bogura once had several major industrial establishments, including a ceramic factory and Jamil Group Industries, but alleged that they were destroyed during the 1972-2025 period.