Tarique says law and order, corruption top priorities

Bangla Press Desk: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said restoring law and order and tackling corruption would be his top priorities, describing the two issues as central to resolving many of the country’s problems.

“First, we have to ensure law and order. Everyone must be able to stay safe on the streets,” he said while addressing the winners of a reel production competition based on visions for Bangladesh. “And corruption—we have to address it, no matter how,” he added.

Tarique Rahman said corruption exists at multiple levels and must be tackled through different approaches. “If we can properly address these two issues, many other problems will be solved to a large extent,” he said.

The programme was held at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan, where Tarique Rahman’s daughter Zaima was also present and spoke to the audience.

During an interactive session, participants raised various questions, which the BNP chairman answered openly. Queries were also raised regarding the proposed family card scheme, including whether widows would be eligible beneficiaries.

In response, Tarique Rahman said single mothers, widows, women facing marital difficulties and women abandoned by their husbands would be included under the scheme.

He criticised the current social safety net system, noting that around 138 projects are being run but are not functioning effectively. “Resources are being wasted. One person is receiving multiple forms of support while another is receiving none,” he said.

He added that the BNP plans to streamline the system through family cards and make it universal. “A farmer’s wife will receive it, a van driver’s wife will receive it, and the wife of an office executive will also receive it,” he said.
BP/TI