Sajeeb Wazed, freshly re-appointed as the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Adviser to the Prime Minister, has accused the opposition party BNP of orchestrating a disinformation campaign. This emerges amidst a backdrop of pre-election violence that has gripped the nation. Wazed, in a tweet sharing content from the Awami League’s official X (formerly known as Twitter) account, stated, "BNP official twitter handles flooded with barrage of lies, disinformation and smears targeting arson victims, diplomats and Awami League.” The shared tweet with an accompanying video elaborates BNP and Jamaat's involvement in a disinformation campaign against the Awami League leadership, reportedly to obscure their role in recent arson attacks on public transport. Govt considering framework to hold those spreading disinformation accountable: Info State Minister Since October 28, the country has witnessed a surge in violence, characterized by the torching and vandalism of buses, derailing of trains, and attacks on civilians. According to Wazed, these acts, carried out in the guise of democratic protest by BNP and Jamaat, aimed to disrupt the January 7 national election. Govt has no discomfort over US statement about election: Quader Sajeeb Wazed, a prominent figure in the 2008 'Digital Bangladesh' declaration, has been instrumental in shaping the technological policies of the Awami League’s election manifesto. His return to the role of ICT adviser is seen as crucial in the pursuit of establishing a 'Smart Bangladesh', an initiative mirroring his previous achievements under the Digital Bangladesh movement.

Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed has been re-appointed as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Adviser (without salary) to the Prime Minister.“A gazette notification signed by Director General (Administration) of Prime Minister’s Office Mohd Ahsan Kibria Siddiqui was issued today (Sunday) in this regard,” PM’s Assistant Press Secretary MM Emrul Kayas told UNB. Look for new markets for Bangladesh's products: PM Hasina at DITF openingSajeeb Ahmed Wazed, popularly known as Sajeeb Wazed Joy, was also the PM’s ICT adviser earlier and he resigned from the post on November 29, 2023 ahead of the national election.Besides, another gazette notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain was issued bestowing the responsibilities on six other PM’s advisers who were appointed on January 11, 2024, the day Sheikh Hasina formed a 37-member cabinet. PM inaugurates month-long Dhaka International Trade FairAs per the gazette notification, Dr Mashiur Rahman is the PM’s economic adviser, Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury is the PM’s power, energy and mineral resources adviser, Dr Gowher Rizvi is the PM’s international affairs adviser, Salman Fazlur Rahman is the PM’s private industry and investment adviser, Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury is the PM’s education and cultural affairs adviser and Maj. Gen. (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique is the PM’s Security Affairs Adviser. EIB, CICA greet PM Sheikh Hasina on re-electionExcept Kamal Abdul Naser, five others were also advisers to the prime minister during her previous term.

Citing testimonies of Joj Mia, who was framed during the BNP-Jamaat led government to cover up their role in the gruesome August 21, 2004 grenade attack, Sajeeb Wazed, ICT affairs advisor to the PM, reminded all of the “state patronage provided to militants” and the “cabal of BNP leaders led by Tarique Rahman” behind the blast. Sajeeb Wazed posted a video on Twitter with the title: “How Tarique Rahman, BNP Hired & Unleashed Militants for 21st August Grenade Attack & Later Framed a Youth, named Joj Mia.” Known as a “Hawa Bhaban plot,” the carnage descended on an AL rally in 2004, when militants hurled grenades leaving at least 24 dead with then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaping death with ear injuries. Why Joj Mia should not be given adequate compensation: HC Hawa Bhaban was featured heavily in media reports as an “alternative powerhouse operated by Tarique” with access limited to his group of confidants including politicians, government officials, militants and businessmen, between 2001 and 2006. It was a well-orchestrated plan, executed through abuse of state power, a special court had ruled, delivering verdicts in the two cases filed over the grenade attack. According to the verdict, in the run up to the grenade attack, Tarique met militants, now serving sentences, and endorsed the plot that mainly targeted Sheikh Hasina “to make the Awami League leaderless.” But after the attack, a cover-up drama was concocted by then BNP-Jamaat led government that saw a youth presented before the press by law enforcement only to be unraveled by media investigations, the video posted by Sajeeb Wazed says.  Writ petition filed seeking Tk 10 crore as compensation for Joj Mia The video also contains confession of the dreaded militant leader Abdul Hannan who led the Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islam Bangladesh (Huji) that was found responsible for the attack, in which the convicted militant admitted to conspiring with BNP’s top brass in regards to the mission to “eliminate Sheikh Hasina.” The video provides flashbacks of the ordeals of Joj Mia and BNP-Jamaat’s “blatant patronage to militants to decimate Awami League and progressive groups.” August 21 attack: Legal notice served seeking Tk 10 crore as compensation for Joj Mia The video also contains interviews of senior journalists who unraveled the sham. BNP-Jamaat coalition’s last tenure had been described by Bertil Lintner as a “cocoon of terror" [Far Eastern Economic Review, Apr 4, 2002] and Eliza Griswold predicted an “Afghan style Islamist revolution” [The New York Times Magazine, Jan 23, 2005].

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.