Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said time has come to move beyond protests and instead focus on rebuilding Bangladesh, while assuring people that his government is working relentlessly to resolve the ongoing gas and electricity crisis through both immediate and long-term measures.
Speaking at a discussion marking the 2nd anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, he called on people to remain vigilant against conspiracies aimed at derailing the country's rebuilding efforts and reaffirmed his government's commitment to fulfilling the aspirations for which people had struggled and sacrificed.
"There have been movements, struggles, discussions and debates. Now is the time to rebuild the country and move it forward. We must patiently and calmly remain alert to those who want to create conspiracies and make the people aware of such attempts," Tarique Rahman said.
The BNP organised the discussion titled "Seventeen Years of Relentless Struggle for Democracy and the Blood-soaked July Awakening" at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in the capital with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.
The Prime Minister said the success of the July uprising belongs to the people of Bangladesh, not to any individual or political party.
He said the government will gradually implement the plans it had placed before the people for rebuilding the country. "The people now want us to deliver on our promises. They want peace on the streets, education for their children, healthcare, security and employment or business opportunities according to their abilities. This is what the people expect," he said.
Tarique Rahman said people also want to be able to exercise their political rights at the proper time.
"We have seen many things in newspapers over the past few days. I do not think any citizen who believes in democracy wants such things to happen in the country. Let us devote ourselves to fulfilling the aspirations of the people," he said.
The Prime Minister said various attempts were made to mislead people about the July movement.
“We have made our position absolutely clear from the very beginning – the credit for the success of the July movement belongs to the people of this country from all walks of life. It is not the credit of any individual or any single political party,” he said.
Recalling the movement, Tarique Rahman said people from all walks of life had united for change, making the movement successful.
He said BNP and other democratic political parties remained on the streets throughout the past 17 years and never abandoned the people during the struggle against what he described as an authoritarian regime.
"The July-August movement succeeded because the people wanted change. Just as Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971 because the people wanted an independent and sovereign country, the July uprising succeeded because the people stood together," the Prime Minister said.
He said the ultimate goal of every democratic movement in the country's history, from the Liberation War to the July uprising, had been to establish the people's political and economic rights.
Tarique Rahman said those rights include the freedom to speak, express opinions and elect representatives through a free and fair voting process, alongside ensuring employment opportunities and economic security for citizens.
He said BNP had first placed its reform proposals before the nation under the leadership of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia, which later evolved into the party's 31-point state reform agenda following consultations with other political parties.
The Prime Minister said the people endorsed the reform proposals by giving BNP a mandate in the last election. "This is no longer BNP's 31-point agenda. It has become the people's 31-point agenda," he said.
He acknowledged the hardships people are facing due to ongoing gas and electricity shortages, saying the government is not trying to make excuses but is working continuously to resolve the problems through both immediate and long-term measures.
Tarique Rahman also detailed a series of initiatives to increase gas supply and restore electricity generation disrupted by years of neglect in the sector.
"We are not trying to evade our responsibility by making excuses. The problems exist. We know that, and we want to address them," he said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that people across the country are facing hardships due to shortages of gas, electricity and fuel, saying the crisis has affected households and industries because of the country's battered economy and years of mismanagement in the energy sector.
He said rebuilding a sector that had been "devastated by years of looting" will naturally take time.
Tarique Rahman alleged that the previous "fascist" government had treated the energy sector as a means of plundering, leaving it in a fragile state after years of corruption and mismanagement.
Despite the challenges, he said, the government is making every effort, using its experience and expert advice, to bring the country out of the crisis.
The Prime Minister said discussions have already begun with neighbouring Myanmar to import natural gas to help ease the shortage.
He also said Bangladesh is in talks with Malaysia's state-owned energy company Petronas to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a container-based transportation system.
Recalling his recent visit to Malaysia, Tarique Rahman said he discussed the issue with Petronas and recently spoke directly with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim seeking cooperation.
He said Petronas held a virtual meeting with Bangladeshi officials on Monday evening and discussions have progressed well.
Although the company already has a long-term commitment with Japan, it is trying to arrange LNG supplies for Bangladesh by October, the Prime Minister said. "If we can ensure gas supply to our industries, it will significantly improve the situation," he said.
He said the government is also trying to arrange gas supplies for around eight power plants that are currently unable to operate because of fuel shortages.
"If gas can be supplied to those plants, about 4,000 megawatts of electricity can be added to the national grid within three to four hours," Tarique Rahman said, describing the current problems as the result of years of neglect and poor planning.
He aleged that the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX), responsible for exploring the country's oil and gas resources, had been virtually paralysed over the past 17 years, with exploration work left largely to foreign companies.
To reverse the situation, the Prime Minister said the government has already decided to procure two drilling rigs for BAPEX so it can accelerate exploration in areas with potential gas and oil reserves.
The exploration process is already underway and, although it will take some time, he expressed hope that the country will see positive results in the near future.
Tarique Rahman said ensuring uninterrupted supplies of electricity and gas is among the expectations of people who struggled and sacrificed for the country over the years, including those who took part in the Liberation War, democratic movements and the July uprising.
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to restoring stability in the energy sector and reducing people's suffering through sustained reforms and investment.
The Prime Minister said the government inherited a fragile economy, a weakened healthcare system, a divided administration and a severely damaged education sector after assuming office.
He said the situation became even more difficult with the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East shortly after the new government took office.
Tarique Rahman also stressed the need to invest in young people through sports, education, science and cultural activities to keep them away from drugs and other harmful activities.
He said creating opportunities for the younger generation to develop their talents will be more effective than relying only on law enforcement or treatment programmes.
Calling on party leaders and activists to focus on serving the people rather than seeking personal gains, the Prime Minister said the government's priority is to deliver on its commitments and fulfil the aspirations of the people.
He also assured continued support for those injured and affected during the July movement, saying the government will provide treatment, rehabilitation and employment opportunities within its capacity.
Tarique Rahman concluded by paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Liberation War, democratic movements over the years and the July uprising, and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.