Tarique Rahman reveals BNP’s 7 plans to fight corruption

Tareque Rahman.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has commented that corruption has stifled the daily lives of millions of people. At the same time, he revealed BNP's 7 plans to fight corruption more vigorously in the coming days. He outlined these plans in a post on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday (December 9) on International Anti-Corruption Day.

In the post, Tarique Rahman wrote, 'You don't need to go far to understand how corruption is crippling Bangladesh. You will understand if you talk to a graduate who has gone out to find a job based on merit. Look at the farmer who has been struggling to get a basic government service for months. Listen to how a young man's family suffers after going to the hospital. Or see the suffering of entrepreneurs who are forced to pay bribes to keep their businesses afloat. Why food prices rise, why good education is not available in schools, why there is no safety on the streets - the same reason behind everything: corruption. It has stifled the daily lives of millions of people.’

He wrote, ‘The fight against corruption in Bangladesh is not new, it has been a topic of discussion for ages. International Anti-Corruption Day reminds us of that fight, and also reminds us of the time when Bangladesh made real progress. And that time came mainly during the BNP regime. President Ziaur Rahman set about restoring discipline in the administration, clean government services and liberalizing the economy - which reduced irregularities and abuse of power. Then, during the time of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, modernization began in government institutions; new procurement policies, strict financial laws, strong audit systems, and clear oversight.’

The BNP leader wrote, ‘The biggest step was the formation of the ‘ACC’ in 2004; an independent commission, where the government cannot interfere if it wants. The World Bank, ADB all said - this is a big progress in accountability in Bangladesh. The TIB survey also showed - the situation improved between 2002 and 2005. People themselves said - corruption has decreased. This is not a story, it is proof of the reforms of that time.’

Tarique Rahman also highlighted the major changes that BNP can be proud of in his Facebook post. According to him, BNP 1. Strong financial management: budget control, audit, banking and anti-money laundering laws. 2. Transparent procurement policy: competitive tendering, government procurement within the rules - which later forms the basis of the country's largest transparency law. 3. Open market: telecom, media, aviation; where competition increases corruption, reduces opportunities for the common man. 4. Decentralization of power: administration is less complex, less arbitrary, more accountable to the people.

The party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman also highlighted BNP's plans to fight corruption more vigorously in the coming days. They are: 1. Independence of institutions: courts, ACC, Election Commission, government services; no one should be under political pressure. 2. Complete transparency: open tendering system, asset declaration, real-time audit, strong Right to Information Act. 3. Justice and law and order reform: professional policing, speedy case disposal, digital evidence. 4. E-governance: licenses, land, payments; reducing opportunities for bribery by bringing everything online (corruption can be reduced by 30–60% according to global standards). 5. Whistleblower protection: providing security to those who dare to expose irregularities. 6. Moral education: including the practice of honesty in the curriculum from schools and colleges and 7. Strong financial monitoring: digital expenditure tracking and independent audits, strict oversight by parliament.

In the Facebook post, he also wrote that the fight against corruption will definitely be difficult after many years of mismanagement. But the history of Bangladesh proves that when honest leadership, discipline and public support come together, change is not impossible. If the people give responsibility - BNP is ready to lead that fight again.