PM orders naming a city road after Qatar's ex-emir Sheikh Hamad

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to take initiatives to name a suitable road in the capital after former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Taking part in a discussion on a proposal moved by Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman to name a road in Dhaka after the former Emir of Qatar, the Leader of the House said that he had already verbally instructed the concerned ministry in this regard.

"I have already verbally instructed the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives on Tuesday to identify a suitable road under the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) and name it after the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani," the Prime Minister said.

He extended sincere thanks to the Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of the government, for raising this matter on Wednesday.

Paying tribute to the late former Emir of Qatar, Tarique Rahman said, "By honouring the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, we are also expressing our respect to the people of Qatar. Qatar is a country that has supported Bangladesh's development journey in many ways and continues to do so."

By providing employment opportunities to millions of Bangladeshis, Qatar has become a valuable partner in Bangladesh's economic development, he said.

"Moreover, when tensions arose in the Middle East over the Strait of Hormuz and Qatar itself came under various attacks, it took care of millions of Bangladeshi expatriates as if they were its own citizens and ensured their safety," the premier added.

Considering all these contributions, he said, Bangladesh declared state mourning on Wednesday in honour of the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani while the national flag has been flown at half-mast.

Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passed away on Sunday, according to a statement issued by the office of the current Emir of Qatar on social media. He was 74.

Apart from observing state mourning at the death of Hamad, Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, went to Doha to convey Bangladesh's condolences and sympathy.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani served as the Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013.