Tarique Rahman reaches new heights of global acceptance

Six months have been completed since the BNP government, which came to power under the leadership of Mr. Tarique Rahman following a landslide victory. The first six months of a new government’s tenure are important because the public hands responsibility to a new government with massive expectations. The public places its trust in the new government with the hope that it will overcome the failures of the previous administration and fulfill their aspirations. The public grants a new government a 100-day grace period, which is referred to as the “honeymoon period.” All across the world, there is a honeymoon period at the start of a new government’s journey. Generally, during this timeframe, the government plans the improvement of the public’s standard of living along with resolving the country’s problems and crises for its full term. Once six months pass, the evaluation of the government begins. The people of the country start evaluating how well it is doing, how poorly it has performed, and how much it will be able to accomplish in the future. This evaluation is most applicable during power transitions through normal democratic processes.

After the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus took charge, it was expected that the work of restoring state institutions and an economy hollowed out by Ms. Sheikh Hasina would proceed quickly. The people of the country saw that during his one-and-a-half-year tenure, some reform committees were indeed formed, but the economy could not be put back on its feet. Rather, the country’s economy sank further to the bottom.

When the BNP under the leadership of Mr. Tarique Rahman came to power in the February 12 election, the country’s economy was at rock bottom. He had to begin his journey from there. He had to take a difficult path to economic recovery. In the midst of this, the Iran war severely impacted the fragile domestic economy, to say nothing of the global economy. The energy crisis took a severe turn. This crisis could not be managed completely and still remains. However, Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman acknowledged this crisis and expressed regret to the people of the country. This is the first time a head of government has been seen expressing regret to the citizens without denying reality.

The Prime Minister informed the nation that rapid efforts are being made to resolve the crisis. The people of the country know the root cause of this crisis. They also know that resolving this crisis overnight is difficult and that they must remain patient. On the other hand, the government inherited the miserable state of the macroeconomic system. Nothing comes out of zero, but a new journey can be started from zero. For that, time and proper action plans must be adopted and implemented rapidly. The government is doing just that.

The Prime Minister’s adviser, Mr. Nazrul Islam Khan, stated that while the six-month achievements of Mr. Tarique Rahman’s government may not be sufficient, it is not as though nothing has been done at all. He left the judgment of the government’s six months of work to the public. On the other hand, top BNP leaders expressed hope that in the next six months, the country’s progress will become visible, and in the following six months, further progress will be seen. The picture presented on behalf of the government on the occasion of its six-month completion contained no exaggeration; it was a picture of reality. However, slip-of-the-tongue comments by certain ministers have placed the government in embarrassing situations. A leash must be kept on their speech. One cannot act with arrogance simply because one has become a minister or an MP.

Within the government’s six-month term, it has become clear that Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman’s acceptability in the international arena has reached unique heights. The manner in which the heads of government of Malaysia and China welcomed and honored him during his visits to those two countries was unimaginable. During a bilateral meeting with Mr. Tarique Rahman, Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping stated, “Both your father and mother were good friends of China.” When one of the world’s most powerful individuals says this to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, nothing remains to be understood about the height of Mr. Tarique Rahman’s dignity and acceptability.

The achievements of the Prime Minister’s visits to these two countries are substantial. The interest China has shown in investing in Bangladesh is unprecedented. China will invest in funding projects including the Teesta Barrage, Ganges Barrage, and the construction of a second Jamuna Bridge between Jamalpur and Gaibandha, along with many other projects. Work has already begun on the Chinese Economic Zone in Anwara, Chattogram. In the same area, a Korean Economic Zone has commenced operations. All of this is made possible due to Mr. Tarique Rahman’s acceptability in the international arena.

Middle Eastern countries have also become interested in Mr. Tarique Rahman. Last Monday, Saudi Arabian Ambassador Dr. Abdullah Zafer H. Bin Abiyah handed over an invitation letter from Saudi Crown Prince Mr. Mohammed bin Salman to the Prime Minister to visit Saudi Arabia. When one of the world’s most influential figures, Mr. Mohammed bin Salman, extends an invitation to visit Saudi Arabia, it is not difficult to gauge Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman’s level of acceptability. Meanwhile, the President of the United Arab Emirates has also invited Mr. Tarique Rahman for a visit. The Japanese government has likewise extended an invitation for him to visit.

On the other hand, regarding the historic alliance formed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye through the Makkah Agreement, discussions are taking place in Turkish media about Bangladesh’s inclusion in it. It can be seen that Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman’s acceptability in the international arena has reached an extraordinary height. His “Bangladesh First” policy has gained acceptance among all. This acceptability will lead the country’s economy toward rapid improvement. Investment, trade, imports, and exports will increase on a large scale. This will gradually become visible in the coming days.

It must be remembered that the present government began its journey with a fragile and unstable economy. It will take time to repair and rebuild this economy. We are optimistic that with the international acceptability Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman commands and the way he is working, the country will swiftly move from a state of ruin toward development and progress. The fate of the country’s people will change. However, the primary task of the government is to address and quickly resolve the ongoing problems and crises faced by ordinary people. By controlling the gas and electricity crisis, rising prices of essential commodities, and the law and order situation, the government must appease public anger and provide relief.