PM prioritises law, order and anti-corruption
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that his government is prioritising restoring peace and security in public life by improving law and order and strictly controlling corruption.
"The new government has started its journey amid a fragile economy battered by corruption and misgovernance, a weak governance structure and a deteriorating law and order situation," he said while addressing the Independence Award-2026 distribution ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital this afternoon.
"(Now) restoring peace and security in public life by improving law and order and strictly controlling corruption is one of the top priorities of our government," said the Prime Minister.
"We achieved an independent Bangladesh in exchange for countless lives. That Bangladesh has now crossed 55 years. Over these years, while we have many achievements, there are also shortcomings," he added.
Stressing unity to build a prosperous country, Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, said, "To build our expected self-reliant and prosperous Bangladesh, there should be no revenge, vengeance, or unnecessary disputes."
Quoting Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's remark - "National unity is our strength, division is our weakness" - he said, "Our opinions and paths may differ, there may be debates and disagreements among us on various issues, but our differences must not turn into hostility".
He urged all to remain alert, saying, "Anti-Bangladesh elements are still waiting for an opportunity".
At the outset of the award distribution ceremony, Tarique Rahman recalled the country’s Liberation War martyrs with deep respect.
He also expressed deep love for those who were injured and disabled during the war, saying the courageous role of the freedom fighters is still an inspiration for the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister also paid deep respect to those who sacrificed their lives, and who were injured and subjected to repression and torture at every critical moment of the nation from the 1971 Liberation War to the 2024 uprising.
About the country’s highest national civil award ‘Independence Award’, he said the proclaimer of the country’s independence Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman introduced the award in 1977 to honour those who have made or will make remarkable contributions to the country and its people.
Recalling the contributions of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and all other national leaders of the country’s Liberation War, he said, “If we, for narrow partisan interests, hesitate to respectfully remember the roles of our national leaders in history, future history will not forgive us”.
“I believe that hesitation to accept historical truth reflects a sense of inferiority,” the Prime Minister added.
Congratulating all the distinguished individuals and institutions who received the Independence Award this year, Tarique Rahman said, “Your remarkable contributions to various fields for the country and its people have enriched Bangladesh”.
Noting that the contributions of the award winners would remain a source of inspiration for generation after generations in Bangladesh, he hoped that beyond the boundaries of Bangladesh, their contributions and achievements in respective fields would be recognized globally in near future.
