State must not function as tool of any government: Info Minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Thursday stressed the need to separate the concept of the state from that of the government, saying Bangladesh must move away from the long-standing political culture of treating the two as identical.

Speaking during an exchange of views with officials from different departments of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Secretariat, the minister said the state belongs to the people and should never be viewed as the personal instrument of any individual administration.

“The state is not a personal device of any individual or government. The collective will of the people is the driving force behind the state,” he said.

Zahir Uddin Swapan emphasised that the role of an elected government is to reflect public aspirations through effective welfare-oriented governance. He urged government officials to work towards building an efficient, accountable and technology-driven administrative system capable of meeting citizens’ expectations.

Highlighting the importance of administrative coordination, the minister said the scattered skills and capabilities of officials should be directed towards clear national goals. Drawing a comparison with science, he said just as ordinary light becomes stronger when concentrated into a laser beam, the combined sincerity and efficiency of public officials can become far more effective when properly organised.

He also underscored the importance of the Constitution and the rule of law in public administration, reminding officials that all government functions must operate within constitutional and legal frameworks.

The minister further called for greater transparency in administration, warning that a lack of openness creates distrust among citizens. He said rapid digitalisation across administrative levels is essential to ensure transparency and improve public service delivery.

Swapan also encouraged a more participatory administrative culture, urging officials to share creative ideas and constructive suggestions freely.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana and other senior ministry officials also attended the meeting.