Sunday, 10 August, 2025
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday claimed that nearly 99 percent of the reforms currently being discussed by the government were originally presented by his party more than two years ago.
Speaking via video link at the National Council-2025 of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a pro-BNP platform, he said the BNP and its like-minded allies had fought to end dictatorship and create an environment where citizens could breathe freely, setting out a 31-point reform agenda for the nation.
Tarique said that if the BNP were given the public mandate to form the next government, it would require cooperation from all sections of society to implement these proposals, including reforms to the healthcare sector. “We will particularly need the support of doctors to implement the healthcare provisions in our 31 points. This cannot be achieved by the government, MPs, or party leaders alone. Every citizen’s contribution will be essential,” he said.
The DAB council was held at the Willes Little Flower School and College auditorium in Dhaka’s Kakrail.
Tarique argued that the people of Bangladesh believe the BNP is best placed to deliver a better future through an election and expect the party to bring about positive change. “We must take the first steps towards that change,” he said, adding that ensuring accountability across the country depends on establishing democratic practices in all sectors.
He said citizens from all walks of life are hoping for a transformation in the state system. “If we can gradually build a transparent, fair and democratic framework nationwide, we can ensure accountability at every level,” he said.
Referring to criticism that political parties lack internal democracy, he said DAB’s council demonstrated that this was “not entirely accurate”. He added that as DAB began practising internal democracy, BNP would also be able to introduce such practices at different levels within the party. “I firmly believe that, Insha’Allah, we can gradually establish accountability from the local level to the national level across Bangladesh,” he said.
Drawing on his long residence in London, Tarique cited the UK’s healthcare model as an example, noting that both doctors and patients there have access to justice when rights are violated. “Such a system of accountability is needed in Bangladesh, not only in healthcare but in all public services,” he said, stressing that citizens everywhere should be able to access the services they are entitled to.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, addressing the council, hailed Tarique as the “future prime minister” if the party wins the next national election. “Our acting chairman is both our present and future leader. The future prime minister of the country is sitting here today,” he said, prompting loud applause from the audience.
Fakhrul praised Tarique’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, as a distinguished physician, and urged Tarique to prioritise healthcare if BNP comes to power. With a population of 180 million, he said, providing adequate healthcare is a major challenge.
He also warned of a crisis in the pharmaceutical sector, saying industry representatives had told him that recent government policies were making it difficult for factories to operate. “Many companies that once competed internationally and exported medicines are now at risk of closure,” he said.
Fakhrul stressed that the BNP’s 31-point reform plan includes vital provisions for the health sector and argued that building a prosperous Bangladesh requires guaranteeing not only democracy and voting rights but also the rights to health, food, and survival.
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BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday claimed that nearly 99 percent of the reforms currently being discussed by the government were originally presented by his party more than two years ago.
Speaking via video link at the National Council-2025 of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a pro-BNP platform, he said the BNP and its like-minded allies had fought to end dictatorship and create an environment where citizens could breathe freely, setting out a 31-point reform agenda for the nation.
Tarique said that if the BNP were given the public mandate to form the next government, it would require cooperation from all sections of society to implement these proposals, including reforms to the healthcare sector. “We will particularly need the support of doctors to implement the healthcare provisions in our 31 points. This cannot be achieved by the government, MPs, or party leaders alone. Every citizen’s contribution will be essential,” he said.
The DAB council was held at the Willes Little Flower School and College auditorium in Dhaka’s Kakrail.
Tarique argued that the people of Bangladesh believe the BNP is best placed to deliver a better future through an election and expect the party to bring about positive change. “We must take the first steps towards that change,” he said, adding that ensuring accountability across the country depends on establishing democratic practices in all sectors.
He said citizens from all walks of life are hoping for a transformation in the state system. “If we can gradually build a transparent, fair and democratic framework nationwide, we can ensure accountability at every level,” he said.
Referring to criticism that political parties lack internal democracy, he said DAB’s council demonstrated that this was “not entirely accurate”. He added that as DAB began practising internal democracy, BNP would also be able to introduce such practices at different levels within the party. “I firmly believe that, Insha’Allah, we can gradually establish accountability from the local level to the national level across Bangladesh,” he said.
Drawing on his long residence in London, Tarique cited the UK’s healthcare model as an example, noting that both doctors and patients there have access to justice when rights are violated. “Such a system of accountability is needed in Bangladesh, not only in healthcare but in all public services,” he said, stressing that citizens everywhere should be able to access the services they are entitled to.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, addressing the council, hailed Tarique as the “future prime minister” if the party wins the next national election. “Our acting chairman is both our present and future leader. The future prime minister of the country is sitting here today,” he said, prompting loud applause from the audience.
Fakhrul praised Tarique’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, as a distinguished physician, and urged Tarique to prioritise healthcare if BNP comes to power. With a population of 180 million, he said, providing adequate healthcare is a major challenge.
He also warned of a crisis in the pharmaceutical sector, saying industry representatives had told him that recent government policies were making it difficult for factories to operate. “Many companies that once competed internationally and exported medicines are now at risk of closure,” he said.
Fakhrul stressed that the BNP’s 31-point reform plan includes vital provisions for the health sector and argued that building a prosperous Bangladesh requires guaranteeing not only democracy and voting rights but also the rights to health, food, and survival.
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