Describing the national election in 2018 as “fair and participatory” – while speaking to the media – in the morning on election day, BNP changed its tune in the evening as results were coming in, Sajeeb Wazed, ICT Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has said. Posting a compilation of news clips on his verified Facebook page on Friday (May 19, 2023) night, Sajeeb Wazed highlighted remarks made by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain when voting started on election day in 2018, and how they “changed tune” later in the day – blaming the government for “their own failures.” The video posted by Sajeeb Wazed, who is also the chairman of Center for Research and Information (CRI), shows news clips featuring Dr. Kamal and Mirza Fakhrul, saying on national election day in 2018, that voting was being held “in a fair manner.” BNP leaders expressed satisfaction about the voter turnout as well, but when counting of votes began in the evening, they changed their position and announced boycott of the polls, the video says. Read more: Sheikh Hasina’s return ushered in a new era for Bangladesh: Joy In the video, Dr. Kamal is heard saying, “I find it encouraging that so many people have turned up to vote on this cold winter morning. Where I voted, voting seemed fair, but after seeing the results, we will decide whether to accept the results of the election or not.” BNP and its allies decided to boycott the election after losing by big margins, the video said, adding that since then, the party has failed to provide evidence to support its claim of irregularities in the 2018 national election. BNP-Jamaat and their allies continue to make allegations of “night vote” in discussions and talk shows but they never present proof validating their claim, the video posted by Sajeeb Wazed says. The video also mentions reports of Jamaat-e-Islami opening fire to capture a voting center in Banshkhali, Chattogram, during the 2018 election. An attempt was made to capture a center in Noakhali too, and BNP men carried out the attack, it says. An Ansar member was killed in Kushtia during the election, the video says. Read more: BNP more focused on ballot stuffing, capturing state power than on public safety: Joy The video also says there have been allegations in several media reports that BNP candidates did not get enough support from the center in the 2018 national election. In his post, with the video, Sajeeb Wazed wrote, “The leaders of BNP and Oikya Front lost the election by a huge margin. In the anti-Awami League media, a group is trying relentlessly to establish the 'night vote' theory. So far, they have not been able to present any specific evidence to support their claim. Representatives of international observer groups termed the election ‘fair.’ BNP itself is the reason for its defeat.”

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was one of the key figures behind organizing the Language Movement, for which he had to languish in jail, Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy wrote. Along with a tribute video, on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, posted on his verified Facebook profile yesterday, Sajeeb Wazed wrote: “On November 17, 1999, February 21 was proclaimed as the International Mother Language Day with 188 countries approving of the bill placed at an UNESCO assembly in Paris. “On impact, the world has been observing the International Mother Language Day since February 21, 2000.” “The history of Language Movement is traced back to the birth of Pakistan as a state,” he wrote. “Since the partition, the Pakistani rulers had employed a spectrum of measures to annihilate Bengali culture, art, and literature. That cycle of injustice heavily moved then young leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who later would turn into the Father of the Nation. He was one of the key figures behind organizing the Language Movement for which he had to languish in jail. “Upholding the glory of Bangla language was the mission he undertook himself around and finally led the nation to earn its freedom. That movement paved the path for our freedom and liberation. Following in his footsteps, his daughter Sheikh Hasina’s efforts earned our language another crown. Today February 21 is a cherished day across the entire planet,” Sajeeb Wazed wrote. Read more: President, PM lead nation in paying tribute to Language Movement heroes  

Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has called out BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for criticizing Somoy TV for its report on the convictions of party chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman. In a post on his verified Facebook page yesterday, Sajeeb Wazed wrote: “Somoy TV's report was based on facts. But Mirza Fakhrul could not swallow it and lashed out at the media. He labeled it as propaganda.” “Mirza Fakhrul, at numerous events, claimed there is no freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Now, is he respecting that freedom? Does the media not have the right to speak the truth that goes against BNP?” Read: Mirza Abbas had terror links under BNP regime, says Sajeeb Wazed Joy “This is not new for BNP. When in power, BNP shut down several newspapers and TV channels. Mirza Fakhrul's reaction clarifies that BNP's movement is only to bring back Khaleda-Tarique's rule. For them, democracy is just a buzzword,” he added. “That report on our leaders — Tarique Rahman and Begum Zia — is like back-stabbing our democratic movement against the government. As we continue our movement to restore democracy, they should abstain from airing such reports,” Fakhrul earlier said about Somoy TV at a press conference. While coming down hard on the TV channel, Fakhrul also admitted that “the channel is a mainstream news outlet and is accepted by people of the country as credible.”

On the eve of launching of country’s first elevated metro rail service, Sajeeb Wazed, ICT affairs advisor to Sheikh Hasina, took to his Twitter, announcing a new era into country’s transportation system. Linking the launching of much awaited metro service as “new era”, Sajeeb Wazed wrote “initially ten set trains with six coaches will run from Uttara to Agargaon.” With prime minister Sheikh Hasina set to inaugurate the service taking the first ride by herself, netizens on social  media, mainly city dwellers surrounding the areas that fall under the coverage, hailed the move. Read more: New Year: Joy wishes nation from Padma Bridge In 2022, the country witnessed some of its biggest engineering marvels become operational including the biggest infrastructure undertaking — Padma Multipurpose Bridge, a testimony according to netizens testifies to Sheikh Hasina’s unparalleled leadership capabilities.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son and her ICT adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy appeared and testified before the court on Sunday, in connection with a case filed over plotting to “abduct and kill” him. Mohammad Asaduzzaman Nur, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, recorded his statement. Sajeeb Wazed is the 10th witness in the case. On March 3, 2015, a case was filed with Paltan Police Station in connection with attempting to abduct and kill Sajeeb Wazed. Five people were accused in the case. They are – Jaijaidin founding editor Shafik Rehman, the daily Amar Desh acting Editor Mahmudur Rahman, vice-president of BNP's cultural wing Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) Mohammad Ullah Mamun, his son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar and Bangladeshi trader living in the United States Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan. Read more: Joy now a voice of youth in Bangladesh's policy reform circles: CRI All of them remained fugitive. On February 22, 2018, police submitted the charge-sheet against five people, including Shafik Rehman and Mahmudur Rahman, before the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court. On March 6, 2018, a court issued a warrant for the arrest of four people, including journalist Shafik Rehman, in the case. On the incident, Sajeeb Wazed on March 8, 2015 wrote on his verified Facebook page: “On Wednesday, March 4th I provided a victim statement in court before the sentencing of Rizve Ahmed Caesar, son of Mohammad Ullah Mamun, Vice-President of BNP’s cultural wing JaSaS. “Caesar was promised US $40,000 per month and given the first payment of US $30,000 in cash directly from very senior BNP leaders in Bangladesh. I cannot disclose their names because the investigation is ongoing. The BNP had planned to kidnap me and kill me here in the US. Read more: Sheikh Russel’s murder a stain on Bangladesh’s conscience: Sajeeb Wazed “Again, these are not the actions of a political party. These are the actions of terrorists. This is what you expect from a group that burns innocent women and children alive.” “Notice, however that the newspapers and our ‘civil society’ who never fail to speak against the Awami League are absolutely silent on this. The BNP can kill and kidnap, yet they will never blame the BNP directly…” he wrote. “When someone tries to kill me I take it very personally. I intend to pursue those responsible, no matter how high up they may be in the BNP. I will bring them to justice,” the post read.

People of Bangladesh are capable of solving their own problems, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy — conveying his note of optimism that youths will drive Bangladesh forward by overcoming the crisis gripping the world as a war rages on. Speaking at the sixth installment of Joy Bangla Youth Award at Sheikh Hasina Jubo Unnoyon Institute in Savar, he said, "You know that the world is undergoing a crisis. A war is going on, and so are problems. We dealt with the Covid-19 crisis just two years ago. Coming hot on its heels are a war, terrorism, and price hike. Financial pressure is building up." Addressing the fear among many about how the country would go forward amid all these problems, he said, "You (youths) are the examples of solving problems. There is no end to problems. We, Awami League, have been in power for 14 straight years. How many problems did we face?" "Power outage was the first one. How would we solve the load shedding problem? Then comes the economy. How will so many people be fed? How will this economy advance? We proved that all these problems could be solved," he said. Read: Young Bangla celebrates the power of changemakers at the grassroots Reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, he said, "Then came Covid. Everyone was scared. Apprehension set in across the whole world. But, what did we see? In Bangladesh, we managed it in our own way and with our own plans. We have dealt with it in a smarter way than most countries in the world, even better than some of the richest countries." "It fills my heart with joy seeing that you (youths) are making a robotic hub. It is brilliant. You are sending representatives to the UN to place demands on climate change. That is outstanding," he added. Praising everyone for working in unison, he said, "You are amazing! our country is an outstanding country. We fought and shed blood to liberate our country. We earned the capability to ensure food for 16 crore people. Within 10 to 15 years, we have enabled the transition of this country of 16 crore people from lower to middle-income status." "These youths, these winners of Young Bangla — you are the future! You will drive the country forward. I believe that you will transform middle-income Bangladesh into a high-income one. We will see that in our lifetime." "We will achieve it with our hard work. We will solve our own problems with our merit. If we have confidence and patriotism, it is possible to do anything for our country and the people," he added. Expressing the hope that youths would build future Bangladesh, he said, "The only word I am left with to express my feelings is 'outstanding'. Not just the awardees, but also the finalists and 600 participants are all victorious today." Read: Young Bangla: Recognising, grooming, connecting young changemakers "Undoubtedly, the way you are working for the country and its people is an example for all citizens and the world as well. Without reaching out to anyone for help, youths like you are working with your own efforts, with your own merit and thoughts. You are not waiting for anyone. This is our spirit." The sixth instalment of Joy Bangla Youth Award commenced at 3:00 PM on Saturday with the national anthem. A documentary on Young Bangla's activities was displayed in the beginning. Around 600 youth-led organizations applied for the award. Among them, 28 were given the tickets for the final round. In the end, 10 organizations were awarded under five categories. Two were honoured with lifetime achievement award. In the welcome speech, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and CRI Trustee Nasrul Hamid Bipu said, "Six years went by so fast. Today Young Bangla has 3.5 lakh members." Addressing youths, he said, “You are giving your best from different parts of the country. The jury board was represented by iconic people of the society. Heartfelt thanks to everyone!”  

Prime Minister's ICT Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy has condemned the ruling by the BNP-Jamaat government between 2001 and 2006, terming the period as "five years of Bangladesh's going backward". Sajeeb Wazed made this remark in a Facebook post from his verified account, accompanied by a visual report, which displayed a slogan criticising the BNP-led government, "No electricity, no water, Hawa Bhaban - money treasure". Taunting BNP leader Khaleda Zia's speech that termed the 2001-2006 tenure as 'awe-inspiring', the visual report mentioned that the tenure was 'awe-inspiring' indeed, as incidents such as "murder, repression, grabbing, politicization, incessant rise in price of essentials, unchecked plundering, corruption, money-laundering, extremism, and grenade attack" set a record in post-independence Bangladesh. The video also incorporated some testimonies of people, in general, against the BNP-Jamaat government.  Also read: Joy shares video report on ‘BNP’s money laundering’ One of the people interviewed said, "BNP displayed sheer failure in five years of running the state. It was the government during the tenure of which school teachers are killed, students are murdered, journalists are repressed, corruption pervades every sector." "I saw Tarique (son of Khaleda Zia) roaming around with 50-Honda. Now he owns brand-new cars. Where did these come from? These came through corruption," another person was heard to say in the video. Another person was heard to say that Tarique became one of the richest men in Asia by laundering money. Having turned Hawa Bhaban into a parallel powerhouse of the state, Tarique Rahman transformed it into an unwritten hub of bribe and percentage, according to the visual report.  Also read: Joy shares video on BNP-Jamaat's "anti-Bangladesh activities" Through massive politicisation and syndicate, they artificially increased the price of essentials and thus siphoned off thousands of crores of Taka from the public, said the video.

Praising the nation for realizing the Vision 2021, Prime Minister's ICT Advisor Sajeeb Wazed has urged the countrymen to channel all their efforts to make Vision 2041 a reality.In a victory-day post from his verified Facebook page, he wrote, "From realizing Vision-21 to building engineering masterpiece Padma Bridge, we made our 50th anniversary a gem in the history. Now is the time to channel our efforts to make Vision-2041 a reality."According to the Vision 2041, spelled out by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh would earn the high-income status by the year 2041, ensuring a per capita income of 12,500 USD. Also read: Sajeeb Wazed Joy pays tributes to martyred intellectualsPinning his hope on the youth force of the country for working out Vision 2041, he wrote, "With time, Bangladesh is getting younger - more vibrant with the indomitable youth force."Sajeeb Wazed Joy, whose birth coincided with the year of the country's freedom, also wrote, It’s time to hold our head high, march ahead, and excel ourselves to set newer heights. That would be our biggest tribute to the war heroes and heroines who made the sun of freedom rise through ashes and blood"."Let the country be younger in the days to come. Let's build Sonar Bangla, a wonder for the world. Vision 2041 is yours!" he concluded. Also read: Sajeeb Wazed Joy bags leadership award in IT

Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed has highlighted how Bangladesh harnessed the power of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to achieve its transformative socio-economic development during the last decade at the UN. Highlighting the success of the “Digital Bangladesh” vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said Bangladesh is a perfect example of how science, technology and innovation can drive growth and development. Sajeeb was delivering a keynote speech at a thematic panel discussion titled “Leveraging the Power of Science, Technology, and Innovation to fight multidimensional vulnerabilities and achieve the sustainable development Goals” on Tuesday. The discussion was held as part of the ongoing Preparatory Committee Meeting of the 5th United Nations Conference on the LDCs. The policy stimulated a high GDP growth in the country, which exceeded not only India and Pakistan, but also China in recent years. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh’s economy showed an upward trajectory. The per capita income has reached US$2227 overtaking India. The ICT Adviser said that the implementation of the “Digital Bangladesh” has helped the country quickly adapt to the new business and work environment imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.d Also read: Sajeeb Wazed appears online to encourage youth initiatives