Advisor Zahed Faces Fierce Backlash Over Media Ban Threat; Power Crisis & Commodity Prices Fueled Netizen Anger.
Legal action will be taken against any news outlet that broadcasts or publishes statements by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, warned Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, the Information Advisor to the Prime Minister. He made these remarks on Tuesday (August 4) during a press briefing organized to highlight the progress of various government activities.
The Information Advisor’s comments immediately triggered sharp reactions among media personnel and on social media. Challenging the decision during the briefing, Senior Journalist Mohammad Shariful Alam Chowdhury, Editor and Publisher of the daily Ajker Kotha, raised strong objections, asking: “Does barring Sheikh Hasina’s statements from the media mean the current government is deeply afraid of her popularity? Why else adopt such autocratic behavior?” He further claimed that activity on social media clearly shows more than half the country’s population supports Sheikh Hasina and her party.
When asked about Sheikh Hasina’s statements regarding her return to the country, Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman dismissed them, stating: “Her statements about returning are mere bluster. In reality, she lacks the capability to do so.” Regarding foreign policy, he assured that the government maintains regular diplomatic engagement with major nations—including the United States, Russia, China, and India—and faces no geopolitical issues.
Power, Energy, and Commodity Market Situation: During the press conference, the Information Advisor also addressed the country’s food and energy sectors. He stated that the nation holds sufficient food reserves and expressed hope that the prices of essential commodities like tomatoes and green chilies would soon return to affordable levels.
In response to queries about inflated electricity bills, he advised affected consumers to contact their respective complaint centers to lodge official grievances.
Addressing ongoing power shortages across the country, he explained that an accident at an LNG terminal had disrupted the gas supply in areas outside Dhaka, impacting power generation. However, he assured that gas supplies are being restored in phases and the crisis will be overcome within a few days.
Outrage on Social Media: Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman’s remarks have drawn intense criticism across social media platforms. Netizens expressed strong anger, describing his statements as irresponsible and warning that they create severe embarrassment for the government. Many have demanded his immediate removal from office, warning that failure to do so could push the government into a deeper image crisis.
