BNP will review telecom, all other policies if voted to power: Khosru

BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said if elected, BNP will review all policies including those related to the telecommunications sector.

“As telecom policy is critical, it must be formulated with the opinions of stakeholders. The type of licenses issued in this sector over the past 15 years has undermined the independence of BTRC. Major reforms are needed,” he said.

He made the remarks while speaking at a seminar titled "Challenges of Building the Future of Bangladesh: The Future of Domestic Entrepreneurs in the Telecommunications and Information Technology Sector," organised by TRNB at a hotel in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon.

He added that domestic entrepreneurs and digital security must be protected.

“Why can't domestic investors invest in a sector where there is so much profit? These factors must be considered when formulating policies,” he said.

The BNP leader assured that it will be the responsibility of the next elected government to protect the telecom sector.

He emphasized that there should be no discrimination between domestic and foreign entrepreneurs in developing spectrum and broadband under the new telecom policy framework to ensure the fastest, most secure network.

BNP chairperson's advisory council member Zahir Uddin Swapon said, “We need to consider digital sovereignty in policy formulation. Digital security must be ensured, and there can be no policy without accountability.”

Among others, Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of the Ganosamhati Andolon; prominent media personality Dr. Abdun Noor Tushar; and Fiber@Home Chairman Mainul Haque Siddiqui, also spoke.