PM orders naming Dhaka road after ex-Qatari Emir
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to take steps to name a suitable road in the capital after former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died on 12 July.
Speaking in Parliament during a discussion on a proposal by Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman to name a road in Dhaka after the late Qatari leader, the Prime Minister said, "I have already verbally instructed the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives to identify a suitable road through the Dhaka city corporations and name it after the late Emir."
He thanked the opposition leader for raising the proposal.
Bangladesh observed a half-day state mourning on Wednesday following the former Emir's death, with the national flag flown at half-mast across the country.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad also travelled to Doha to convey Bangladesh's condolences on the passing of the former Qatari ruler.
Paying tribute to the late Emir, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh was honouring both the late leader and the people of Qatar.
"Qatar has supported Bangladesh in many ways throughout our development journey and continues to do so," he said.
He noted that Qatar has provided employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis, making a significant contribution to the country's economy through remittances.
Tarique also recalled Qatar's support for Bangladeshi expatriates during periods of regional tension in the Middle East.
"Even when Qatar itself faced challenges during the tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, it looked after our expatriate workers like its own citizens and ensured their safety," he said.
"In recognition of these contributions, the government declared state mourning and the national flag was flown at half-mast," he added.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani served as Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of the country's transformation into a modern state.