PM Tarique pays tribute at National Memorial, vows to build Bangladesh envisioned by martyrs

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, along with members of his cabinet, paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar this morning (18 February).

After entering the memorial premises at 10:55am, Tarique first placed a wreath at the altar as the prime minister and observed a brief silence.

Later, he paid tribute again together with members of the newly formed cabinet.

Afterwards, the prime minister signed and left a message in the visitors' book, in which he pledged to establish a "safe, humane, democratic and sovereign Bangladesh".

The prime minister said that following the end of fascist rule and oppression, the country had embarked on a new democratic journey through a free and fair election decided by the direct votes of the people.

He paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, stating that their supreme sacrifices made an independent Bangladesh possible.

He also remembered all those who lost their lives in movements to establish democracy throughout the country's history — from the war of independence in 1971 to what he described as the 2024 struggle to protect the country and people's freedom.

"I and we believe the martyrs aspired to establish a safe, humane, democratic, and sovereign Bangladesh," he wrote in the visitors' book, adding, "We have begun work to build the Bangladesh envisioned by the martyrs."

The prime minister concluded by praying for the forgiveness of all martyrs and seeking divine guidance to implement every programme announced to the public.

He also planted a parijat sapling on the memorial grounds before leaving for Dhaka with the cabinet members.