Dhaka, March 4 -- Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has called on deputy commissioners (DCs) to counter anti-government propaganda that seeks to discredit Bangladesh's socio-economic transformation on the Awami League's watch.

Ali made the call while addressing the conference for DCs in the capital's Osmani Smriti Auditorium on Monday.

Speaking to reporters later, the finance minister said, "I broadly had one message for them. As a country, we are at our zenith since achieving independence.

"Our development indicators are on the rise. There's no reason to be doubtful or negative -- it all stems from misleading propaganda."

He hit out at the BNP over the opposition group's constant attempts to downplay the progress during the Aw...