Omar Faruk 

 Mohammad Ismail Zabiullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Administration with the rank of Minister and a member of the BNP Standing Committee, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to preserving religious harmony and building a merit-based civil administration.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while inspecting several Durga Puja mandaps across Lakshmipur Sadar, Kamalnagar, and Ramgati upazilas, where he exchanged festive greetings with members of the Hindu community. Earlier in the day, he met with local leaders of the BNP and its associate organizations in Lakshmipur.

Addressing attendees, the Adviser emphasized that merit and competence are being given top priority in civil service transfers, postings, promotions, and recruitment.

"We want to build a merit-based Bangladesh by leaving behind past divisions and partisan considerations," Ismail Zabiullah said. "No one will be deprived of a position or discriminated against solely because of their religious identity, nor will anyone receive preferential treatment on religious grounds."

He noted that in line with the government's 2026 election manifesto, monthly honorariums and festival allowances are being rolled out for imams, muezzins, khadims, priests, sebaits, and clergy members across Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian places of worship—a program slated to cover all religious institutions nationwide within four years.

During his tour, the Adviser visited key temples and mandaps, including Shri Shri Shyamsundar Jiu Akhra, Shri Shri Anandamoyee Kali Bari, Rakshakali Bari, Manasha Bari, Bijoy Sarani Trinayani, and Bhabaniganj Kundabari Puja Mandap in Lakshmipur Sadar. In Ramgati, he toured the Shri Shri Ramthakur Angan and Shri Shri Burakarta Ashram mandaps, as well as the Shri Shri Rakshakali Temple and Shri Shri Harinarayan Sebashram in Kamalnagar.

Addressing a gathering of local citizens in Kamalnagar, Ismail Zabiullah highlighted that political differences are natural in a democracy, but national unity remains paramount on matters of national sovereignty under the party's core philosophy of "Bangladesh First, Bangladesh for All."

The Adviser also inspected the proposed Tk 75-crore Technical Training Centre (TTC) project site in Char Sita Mouza under Ramgati Upazila, instructing officials to ensure timely and transparent execution. Additionally, while distributing medical supplies at the Hajirhat Union Health and Family Welfare Centre, he announced plans to progressively increase health sector allocations toward 5 percent of GDP and highlighted government initiatives to upgrade upazila health complexes to 150-bed facilities.