Difficult times ahead for the country: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that difficult and important times lie ahead, and failing to act seriously could cause significant harm to the country and future generations.

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion on the 45th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in the capital's Khamarbari on Sunday, May 31.

"Ziaur Rahman moved the country forward with gradual planning and followed that roadmap to take up programmes," the prime minister said.

He added that the government will only succeed when party members cooperate with the government. Ministers working alone will not bring success. All party units and associate organisations must play their roles. "Just as cooperation brought victory in the election, the same cooperation is needed now," he said.

Tarique Rahman said the aspirations of the people after the Liberation War were never fulfilled. Everyone knows what happened in Bangladesh over the past 17 years. During that time, democracy was killed across the judiciary, education and health sectors, and the nation has witnessed it. The BNP government has taken office in a somewhat similar situation.

The government's manifesto was BNP's before February 12, but now it belongs to the people. The hopes and aspirations of those who voted for it must be fulfilled. The BNP government is running the country based on Ziaur Rahman's philosophy and will continue to do so. The manifesto has also maintained that continuity. To be successful in the eyes of the people, leaders and activists at all levels must work to implement the manifesto, he said.