Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is taking strict action whenever there is any negligence in the government’s work, said his Political Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday.

“Whether someone is a bureaucrat or a political figure, the prime minister is taking a firm stance against anyone who neglects their responsibilities,” Rizvi said.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion titled ‘Bangladesh of Tomorrow’, held at the CRAB auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Saturday morning. The event also featured the unveiling of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Five-Month Development Journey, a book edited by Rotarian M Nazmul Hasan.

Rizvi said books serve as lamps that dispel darkness and have played an indispensable role in the progress of human civilisation.

“Today, we are speaking into microphones, television cameras are recording images, audio is being recorded and journalists are documenting our statements. All of these are contributions of science,” he said.

He noted that theories and concepts developed by scientists were published in books, allowing subsequent generations to study and build upon them.

“Every year and every century, new discoveries have been made by studying and developing the knowledge contained in books. There is therefore no substitute for books,” Rizvi said.

Highlighting the importance of reading, he said a lack of reading, knowledge and even basic education would leave both people’s inner worlds and their understanding of the wider world in darkness.

“A book is a passport to the world of the mind. Once we obtain this passport, we can dispel darkness not only from our inner world but also from the world around us,” he said.

Rizvi highlights government’s five-month record

Speaking about the government’s first five months, the BNP leader said various discussions and criticisms had emerged about the elected government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

However, he said the book documented the government’s activities and achievements over the five-month period, supported by statistics and details of various events.

“The nation knows and has witnessed these developments. But when all the information is compiled and presented in a well-organised manner, it becomes an important historical document,” Rizvi said.

He highlighted several government initiatives, including the Family Card and Farmer Card programmes, canal excavation and the planned introduction of a Health Card.

The book also provides a brief account of steps taken by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to address the country’s gas shortage, he said.

Rizvi said Tarique Rahman had begun working to fulfil his pre-election pledges immediately after taking office.

“He is travelling across Bangladesh, visiting fields, markets, river ports and other areas. He is working day and night and personally monitoring whether his election pledges are being implemented,” he said.

‘No negligence will be tolerated’

Rizvi said the prime minister was not showing any leniency when it came to ensuring that government officials performed their duties.

“If anyone neglects their responsibilities, he is taking tough action. Whether they are members of the bureaucracy or political figures, he is taking a firm stance against negligence,” he said.