THE  EXTRAORDINARY  PROGRESS  OF  BANGLADESH

THE  EXTRAORDINARY  PROGRESS  OF  BANGLADESH

by Mubashir Ahmed Khan (2E)   29 February 2024

     Off and on, the news of the extraordinary progress of Bangladesh can be seen in Pakistani media. It has been mentioned several times that we Pakistanis should ask the Bangladeshis the secret of their rapid progress in recent years. Many years ago, some world renowned economists had predicted that there were some areas of the world which would always remain poor. Bangladesh was included in this area. By its financial successes, Bangladesh has proved this theory wrong.

     If we compare the progress of Bangladesh with Pakistan, Bangladesh is far ahead. Upto the year 2000, one Pak rupee was equivalent to two Bangladeshi Taka. Now it is the other way round. At present, two and a half Pak rupees are equal to one BD Taka. Pakistan grows cotton and exports mainly raw goods. On the other hand, Bangladesh does not grow cotton and imports it. However in garments export, Bangladesh has left behind not only Pakistan but India also. Bangladeshi garments may be easily seen in the big stores of Europe, UK, USA and other countries.

     The performance of Bangladesh in population control is really commendable. In 1971, the population of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) was seven and a half crore and that of West Pakistan stood at four and a half crore. Now the populations of Bangladesh and Pakistan are sixteen crores and twenty three  crores respectively.   Credit goes to Grameen Bank which has encouraged BD women to get loans and perform small business. In this way, the average household income has increased in Bangladesh leading to improved lifestyle. In one report, it is mentioned that in Bangladesh, a woman who would produce eight children previously, now gives birth to only three children. Business women have brought a tremendous change in the economy of Bangladesh. Comparing the literacy rates of Pakistan and Bangladesh, Mr. Hussain Haqqani ( the former Ambassador of Pakistan to USA), writes in his Urdu article published from London, in the daily newspaper Jang of 1^st February,2024, “the literacy rates in Pakistan and Bangladesh are 58% and 75% respectively.”

     The Government of Sheikh Hasina built more than six kilometer bridge on Padma River costing approximately 3.6 billion US dollars. The World Bank cancelled the loan promised for this project. However, The BD Government completed the Bridge with it’s own resources. Indeed, it is a tremendous achievement.

     Bangladeshis living abroad have been sending home a lot of foreign exchange to boost up the country’s economy. At present the maximum number of United Nations peace keeping personnel around the world come from the armed forces of Bangladesh. They also send to Bangladesh considerable amount of foreign exchange.

     In ship breaking industry, Bangladesh is competing with India which claims to be number one in this field. Ship breaking is a big industry with a lot of job opportunities for low skilled BD workers. So far as shipping is concerned, Bangladesh is performing extremely well. Though Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has shrunk to only six ships, but more than one hundred ships are owned and run successfully by BD shipowners.

     In the progress of Bangladesh, the vital role of BD Mariners cannot be overlooked. Many BD Mariners work on key posts in marine industry around the world. They not only send foreign exchange but also run with their own finances, schools, hospitals and social work institutions in Bangladesh. These BD Mariners are modest heroes who work behind the scene and are rarely visible. Hats off to BD Mariners who work hard professionally in many foreign countries and earning good name for their homeland, Bangladesh.

     However, in Bangladesh, sab acha nahi hai (all is not well). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sticking to the throne for the last fifteen years leading the country to one party (authoritarian) rule. According to the “Economist”, on the election day (07.01.2024), the turn out of voters was 28% (less than half in the election of 2018 when the turn out was 80% then). Opposition parties boycotted the election and a good number of opposition leaders were in prison. The ailing opposition leader Khalida Zia is under house arrest. Most Bangladeshis believe that the elections were flawed. UK, USA and other countries also have their own reservations about the transparency of the January election.

     The Government of Sheikh Hasina did not even spare Doctor Unus, the Noble Laureate and pioneer of microcredit in the country. His important role in the employment of women in Bangladesh cannot be described in words. A case of misappropriation of funds and money laundering has  been brought against him. Political power sometimes could be very cruel. Indeed, Dr. Unus could be an ideal President of Bangladesh.   

Mubashir Ahmed Khan (2E)                                           London  14.02.2024        

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