Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the government will prioritise merit in all sectors rather than lobbying.

“Our boys keep moving from place) to place (for lobbying) to get jobs. Jobs cannot be obtained like this… it is almost impossible,” he said.

The minister made the remarks in a brief speech at an iftar programme organised by the Thakurgaon District Association at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Farmgate.

He said young people should focus on self-employment, investment and small initiatives instead of pursuing lobbying.

“We have to arrange opportunities for self-employment. We must invest and start small initiatives,” Fakhrul added.

Emphasising the importance of merit, Fakhrul said people often seek recommendations for jobs through personal connections.

“We must give priority to merit. But we often hear people say, ‘He is my brother… please put in a word for him',” he said.

The Local Government Minister said he spends most of his day dealing with requests for recommendations.

“From 9am to midnight, it is mostly lobbying — requests for postings and similar matters,” he said.

The minister said while some requests may be necessary, giving them top priority will create problems.

Fakhrul also said various commitments for the development of his home district Thakurgaon will be implemented, including establishing a university, constructing a four-lane road and improving infrastructure to raise the living standards of local people.

He criticised the creation of divisions in the name of associations and called on everyone to work together in unity.

Members of the Thakurgaon District Association and political and social leaders from different sectors attended the programme.