Barakatullah Bulu, Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has stated that if his party comes to power, a strong effort will be made to divide Noakhali district into a separate administrative division.
He made these remarks on Monday (6 October) during a press conference organised by the Dhaka Noakhali District Association at the National Press Club.
Key Points from Bulu’s Statement
| Point | Details |
| Noakhali’s Growing Importance | Bulu highlighted that the district’s area is expanding by 2,000 square kilometres and that it is becoming a seaport hub. |
| Historical Significance | He stressed that Noakhali’s leaders were at the forefront during Bangladesh’s creation. He mentioned Sirajul Alam Khan, whose birth he claimed was pivotal for the birth of Bangladesh, and A S M Abdur Rab, who hoisted the national flag. |
| Notable Residents | Several prominent journalists hail from Noakhali, as does the residence of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, cited as the country’s most popular leader. |
| Administrative Vision | Bulu promised that, if BNP comes to power, Noakhali’s division will be the first priority after earlier administrative focus on Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh divisions. |
KM Mozammel Haque, former secretary and Senior Vice President of Dhaka Noakhali District Association, emphasised the district’s historical, geographical, and economic significance:
| Aspect | Details |
| History | Noakhali has a recorded history spanning 3,000 years. |
| Area and Population | Larger than Comilla by approximately 1,200 sq km with a population of 4 million. |
| Government Presence | Hosts several key government offices. |
| Prominent Residents | Many important figures of Bangladesh have their homes in Noakhali. |
| Economic Importance | Key contributor to the blue economy (river-port and maritime economy), industrial activities, and nearly 30% of Bangladesh’s GDP from business and trade sectors. |
Haque argued that these factors, along with the need for administrative decentralisation and bringing services closer to the people, justify the demand to establish Noakhali as a separate administrative division.
