United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has 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 July 12. Taking part in a discussion on a proposal moved by Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman in Parliament seeking the naming of a road in Dhaka after the late Qatari leader, the Prime Minister said he has already instructed the ministry in this regard. "I have already verbally instructed the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development to identify a suitable road through the Dhaka city corporations and name it after the late Emir," he said, thanking the opposition leader for raising the proposal. Bangladesh observed a half-day state mourning on Wednesday following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, with the national flag kept at half-mast. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad also travelled to Doha to convey Bangladesh's condolences on the death of the former Qatari Emir. Paying tribute to the former Qatari Emir, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is honouring both the late leader and the people of Qatar. "Qatar has supported Bangladesh in various ways in our development journey and continues to do so," he said. He noted that Qatar has provided employment opportunities for lakhs of Bangladeshis, making a significant contribution to the country's economy. Tarique Rahman also recalled Qatar's support for Bangladeshi expatriates during regional tensions 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 consideration of all these contributions, the government has declared state mourning for late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the national flag was kept at half-mast," he added. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died on July 12 at the age of 74. He 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.