Don't use ICT against national interests: Palak

State Minister for ICT Division, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, has urged young people not to use information and communication technology (ICT) against Bangladesh’s national interests.

“You (youths) will use technology to work for yourself, support your family, and contribute to the financial stability of your country. Don't fall prey to anti-state conspirators, and refrain from using technology against your country,” Palak said.

He made the remark after laying the foundation stone of Cox's Bazar Hi-Tech Park at Cox's Bazar Cultural Center in Ramu upazila of the district on Saturday.

He also urged the younger generation to get ready to defeat the adversaries in the current cyber war in order to build a smart Bangladesh by 2041.

“In 2012, the misuse of technology created a man-made disaster in Cox's Bazar,” said Palak, urging everyone to be careful so that a repeat of this type of crime does not happen in the future.

According to Palak, who believes that the Hi-Tech Park will help Cox's Bazar become a ‘Tourism-Technology City,’ the park “will be an employment destination for the youth of Cox's Bazar. With technology training, youth can join IT freelancers, BPOs, and e-commerce.”

At the time, the state minister handed over Made in Bangladesh laptops (Walton) to 24 free-lancers of Cox's Bazar and Sheikh Russell Jatiya Shishu-Kishore Parishad as a gift from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Among others, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Managing Director Dr Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mamunur Rashid, and Cox's Bazar 3 MP Shaimum Sarwar Kamal were present.