Case Explained: Tarique vows crackdown on crime, graft – Legal Perspective

As head of government, I want to draw the people’s attention to one thing: whether you voted for the BNP and gave it the mandate to form this government, or chose not to, or did not vote at all, you all hold equal claim to this government.

Tarique Rahman

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday declared that stabilising law and order and strictly controlling corruption are the top priorities of his government.

“The government is taking the highest measures to ensure peace and security in public life,” he said in his first address to the nation since assuming office on Tuesday.

In the 11-minute address, broadcast live on state-run BTV from 9:45pm, Tarique said the government began its journey with a fragile economy battered by corruption and misrule of the previous fascist regime, weakened governance structures, and deteriorating law and order.

Outlining his government’s vision, he stressed that the rule of law would be the guiding principle in running the state. “We want to turn the country into a safe land for every citizen. Building a self-reliant, safe, humane, and democratic Bangladesh is the goal of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party government,” he said.

The premier said he wanted to deliver a message to the nation that this country belongs to all, regardless of their party affiliation, religion, or caste, or whether they live in the hills or on the plains.

If our large population can be transfor-med into skilled manpower, it will become our human resource.

Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister

Tarique, also chairman of the BNP, and his 49-member council of ministers were sworn in on Tuesday afternoon following the party’s landslide victory in the 13th national election held on February 12. He chaired his first cabinet meeting at the Secretariat around 3:00pm yesterday.

In his address, the prime minister said all constitutional, government, and non-government institutions would operate strictly in accordance with established laws and regulations. “Not party influence or political force, but the rule of law will be the final word in governing the state.”

Reiterating the message of inclusivity, he said that under his administration, every citizen would enjoy equal rights, regardless of how they voted in the election.

“As head of government, I want to draw the people’s attention to one thing: whether you voted for the BNP and gave it the mandate to form this government, or chose not to, or did not vote at all, you all hold equal claim to this government.”

He said the BNP government believes that while political ideologies and religious identities may differ, the state belongs equally to all its citizens.

Identifying gambling and the spread of drugs as major drivers behind the deterioration of law and order, he said, “Law enforcement agencies are taking strict action on all fronts to curb gambling and drug abuse.”

Extending greetings to the nation on the occasion of Ramadan, Tarique said the holy month is a time for self-purification and reflection, urging businesses to uphold its sanctity and not to treat it as an opportunity for profiteering.

He said he has already directed the authorities concerned to ensure uninterrupted gas, water, and electricity supply for fasting people during iftar, sehri, and taraweeh prayers.

Tarique called on traders to remain vigilant so that essential commodity prices stay within the reach of ordinary people. “The BNP government is determined to dismantle all syndicates of irregularities and corruption in every sector,” he said.

Tarique said the government’s position towards all businesses — small, medium or large — is “simple and clear”: it aims to take necessary measures to protect the interests of traders and consumers.

The government is open to receiving suggestions and complaints on the steps it should take to stabilise the market, he said.

“Buyers, sellers, recipients — this government belongs to all. This government is yours. You have entrusted it with the responsibility of running the state through your votes. You are the strength of this government,” Tarique added.

Addressing traffic congestion, the prime minister said gridlock in divisional cities, particularly in Dhaka, has become severely unmanageable, inflicting immense suffering on the public. “Alternative measures have become necessary to ease population pressure in the capital,” he added.

He said initiatives are underway to overhaul the country’s railway system so that people can stay in their own districts or homes and still go to work, go to the court, and conduct business activities efficiently and on time.

“As part of this plan, the activities of the rail, shipping, road, and bridges ministries are being reorganised and integrated first,” he said, adding that if railway communication across the country can be made easy, affordable, and safe, people’s dependence on city-centred living will decline and the environment will also improve.

Tarique said there is no end to the challenges facing the nation, but alongside those challenges lie many possibilities.

“If our large population can be transformed into skilled manpower, it will become our human resource,” he said. By equipping themselves with skills, people will not only strengthen Bangladesh but also gain access to opportunities in the global market, he added.

“In this competitive technological age, to survive with dignity and prosperity, we must each become proficient in some field or skill.

“To the millions of students and young people of our country, I say this: the government stands ready to provide every possible form of support so that you may build yourselves with merit, knowledge, and science.”

He further said his government began its journey with a clear commitment to ensuring employment and a climate conducive to work.

The prime minister also urged everyone to remain conscious in offices to avoid unnecessary or excessive use of gas, electricity, and water.

“But before calling on all government and private officials, employees and the general public to practise austerity, I wanted to set an example through the ministers and MPs. In the first meeting of the BNP parliamentary party, we decided that no MP elected from BNP will import tax-free cars using government facilities or take plots.”

Tarique said he had earlier told the people that if allowed to run the state, the BNP government would follow Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) ideal of justice, and that the decisions of the BNP parliamentary party reflect it.

He said that after returning to the country on December 25 last year, following nearly 18 years abroad, he had announced a plan for the nation and its people.

Before the February 12 national election, he presented many aspects of that plan to citizens while visiting different parts of the country.

He said that through their votes, the people have placed their trust in the BNP. “It is now the responsibility of the BNP government to seize this opportunity and fulfill all commitments.

“We have already begun implementing our plans and fulfilling promises, In Sha Allah. On this journey of fulfilling our commitments, we look forward to your continued support in the days ahead,” he added.