Transport Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain has urged citizens to vote “Yes” in the upcoming referendum, warning that failing to do so could return the country to its previous state of stagnation.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon after inspecting Banglabandha Land Port and Immigration Checkpost in Panchagarh, he said, “To bring real change in Bangladesh, to prevent the government and its actions from following the same patterns of the past, people must vote ‘Yes’; this is a must. If we do not, we will lose the opportunity won at the cost of so much sacrifice, and we will return to the previous darkness.”

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kazi Md. Sayemuzzaman, Superintendent of Police Robiul Islam and officials from various departments were present during the visit.

Responding to questions about regional relations, the adviser noted that connectivity with China varies by country and direct road links through India are not currently feasible.

He added that ports in Nepal or Bhutan could be used in collaboration with Bangladesh’s Mongla Port.
On port activity, he said operations continue smoothly, with stone imports coming in from Bhutan, Nepal and India, although passenger traffic has declined nationwide due to visa restrictions imposed by India.
He expressed optimism that the situation would improve and that relations might strengthen under the government elected after the upcoming polls.