Let us pledge to dedicate ourselves to public service: Tarique Rahman to party members

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today (18 October) urged his party leaders and activists to dedicate themselves to serving the people, saying it should be the guiding principle of the party's future politics.

"Let us transform ourselves today. Let every BNP leader and activist take a firm vow to serve the people. Let us pledge to dedicate ourselves to public service — this should be our political oath for the days ahead. Let this be our future policy, our goal and purpose of politics," he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking virtually from London at a discussion and medical camp marking the 26th founding anniversary of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation in Gabtali, Bogura.

He said BNP's politics must be centred on standing beside ordinary citizens in their times of need.

"Most of us present here are involved in BNP politics. But my call today is not just to those gathered here — it is to every follower of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia across Bangladesh. Let us shape our politics in such a way that through it, we can extend a helping hand to ordinary people in every corner of the country," Tarique said.

He said BNP leaders and workers must stand beside the people in their times of distress so that the party becomes a symbol of their trust and confidence.

Tarique called upon the party's rank and file to dedicate themselves to public service and rebuild the organisation with that spirit as a pro-people political force.

"Let us shape our politics in such a way that people feel BNP is always with them. Our goal and purpose are one — to serve Bangladesh and its people," he said.

Tarique also expressed his deep gratitude to the physicians who travelled from Dhaka to Gabtali to provide medical services to around 7,000 people at the camp.

He also outlined his party's broader plans to improve healthcare and education in Bangladesh if voted to power, promising faster access to treatment and effective reforms to empower citizens.

Tarique said BNP aims to build a 'people-centred government' focused on service and efficiency.

The BNP leader said his party plans to introduce a 'Prevention First' approach in healthcare by forming teams across the country to raise public awareness about heart disease, diabetes, kidney problems and other major health risks.

"We want to build a nationwide prevention team that will teach people how to stay healthy before they fall ill — telling them what to eat, what to avoid and how to live a healthy life," he said.

The BNP leader also said a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy will be launched to make better use of existing health infrastructure.

"While public hospitals are often overcrowded, many private hospitals have unused capacity. Under our proposed policy, we'll work with private hospitals to treat patients waiting in long queues at government hospitals. The government will bear the costs," he explained.

Through this partnership, Tarique said, it would be possible to start providing widespread medical services within three to six months instead of waiting years to build new public hospitals.

He also said his party plans to introduce a Family Card for women to help them become financially self-reliant, and a Farmers' Card to support those working in agriculture.

Tarique said BNP also envisions major reforms in education. "From childhood, students will be encouraged to learn multiple languages, take part in sports and cultural activities, and gain practical skills so they can become self-reliant and find jobs right after completing their studies."

Through the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, he said his party has been working to stand by ordinary people for the past 26 years. "We may not have achieved everything we hoped for, but our efforts have never stopped — and they never will."

Tarique's wife, Zubaida Rahman, vice president of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, also spoke at the programme, praising the foundation for serving humanity and standing by people over the past 26 years.

"Every member of this foundation has shown extraordinary humanity and selflessness. They rush to serve people from one end of the country to the other whenever needed. We have seen their tireless dedication whenever the nation needs help," she said.

Zubaida expressed hope that the foundation will continue to stand by people in their times of need in the days ahead. "The Ziaur Rahman Foundation will set an example through the continuation of its service to humanity."