Energy and Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku stated that a fascist government had ruled the country for the past 17 years, neglecting domestic resources and increasing dependence on foreign imports. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon after inspecting the Barapukuria coal mine in Dinajpur and holding discussions with officials.

The minister emphasized that the current government, elected by popular vote, is committed to using the nation’s own resources for the welfare of its people. He questioned why the country should import fuel when it has its own energy reserves. According to him, the government is prioritizing the extraction of domestic energy resources with the consent and participation of all relevant stakeholders.

Earlier, the minister held separate meetings with officials of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant and the Maddhapara Stone Mine, accompanied by several members of parliament and other senior officials. He also visited the sites to review ongoing operations and gather updates from the concerned authorities.