Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday warned party leaders and activists that a difficult and important time lies ahead, and called for their support in implementing the party’s election manifesto to make the government successful.

“I would like to tell everyone that a very difficult time lies ahead of us. At the same time, a very important period awaits us. If we let this crucial and challenging time pass lightly, it will cause a great loss,” he said while addressing a discussion.

The Prime Minister said the loss will not be for any individual but for the country and future generations. “So, let us work together to build the country in the way Shaheed Zia wanted and move it forward along the path he envisioned. We must run the country in line with that vision,” he added.

BNP organised the discussion programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in the capital’s Farmgate area, marking the 45th death anniversary of party founder and former President Ziaur Rahman.

Tarique Rahman said Ziaur Rahman wanted to make Bangladesh self-reliant by gradually developing every sector of the country, and the BNP’s election manifesto reflects that vision.

He said the people gave their verdict in favour of the party’s manifesto in the February 12 election and it is now the responsibility of the government to implement those.

The Prime Minister said government programmes will not succeed through the efforts of the ruling party MPs and the cabinet members alone.

“Our 214 MPs and 50 cabinet members, including myself, cannot make these programmes successful through our efforts alone. We need the support of all of you,” he said. “The government can succeed only when party workers support every positive initiative, and help implement programmes at the grassroots level.”

Tarique Rahman said the current administration is a political government with a clear ideology, vision and manifesto.

He said BNP presented its plans to the people before the election, and voters endorsed those plans by giving the party a two-third majority.

“Until February 12, it was BNP’s manifesto. But after the election results, it became the manifesto of the people who voted for it. It is now our responsibility to implement it,” the Prime Minister said.

Referring to Ziaur Rahman’s contributions, he said many of the policies outlined in the manifesto were inspired by the former President’s initiatives.

Tarique Raman said the manifesto includes programmes similar to Zia’s canal excavation project, as well as plans to expand education, promote industrialisation and create employment opportunities.

He said BNP has also taken plans to revive closed factories and establish new industries to strengthen the country’s economic foundation.

Recalling the party’s political struggles, the Prime Minister said BNP leaders and activists worked tirelessly before the February 12 election to secure victory and that their responsibilities has not ended with the formation of the government.

“Our hard work must continue. Just as we succeeded through an election, we must now succeed in implementing our goals and commitments. Only then can we become a truly successful government in the eyes of the people,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said many party leaders and activists might think they have no direct role because they are not MPs, ministers or elected representatives.

But he stressed that maintaining organisational discipline, carrying out political activities properly and keeping the party strong are important contributions to the government’s success.

The Prime Minister urged party leaders and activists to take a fresh pledge on the occasion of Ziaur Rahman’s death anniversary to do that.

“People have given their verdict in favour of our manifesto. Let us work together to implement that manifesto and ensure the success of the government. That will be the best way to pay proper respect to Shaheed Zia,” he said.

Tarique Rahman also stressed the need to strengthen family education and social values to address what he described as a decline in moral standards in society.

He said after returning to Bangladesh following 17 years abroad, he felt there was a gap in the family and social values that he had experienced during his childhood.

The Prime Minister said he has already discussed the issue with officials concerned, including those in the information and education sectors, and directed them to explore ways to promote social and family values among younger generations.

He said respect for elders, helping people in need, speaking politely and other moral values should be passed on to children to help build a stronger society.

Recalling his father, Tarique Rahman said many people around the world recognised Bangladesh through the name of Ziaur Rahman, which made him proud as a son.

Sharing a personal experience from 1986, when he travelled to Saudi Arabia with his mother to perform Umrah, the Prime Minister said an Indonesian man waiting beside him for a lift at a hotel immediately associated Bangladesh with Ziaur Rahman.

“He did not recognise Bangladesh straight away, but as soon as I mentioned the country, he said ‘Ziaur Rahman’. At that time many people in the Muslim world identified Bangladesh through Ziaur Rahman,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said after Bangladesh was once described as a “bottomless basket”, Ziaur Rahman’s leadership and hard work helped improve the country’s image abroad.

“Within a short period, Shaheed Zia worked tirelessly to take Bangladesh to a position where people around the world associated Bangladesh with his name,” he said.

Earlier, several speakers highlighted different aspects of Ziaur Rahman’s life and contributions, describing him as a leader who laid the foundations for Bangladesh’s political and economic development.

In his address, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who presided over the programme, said Ziaur Rahman stood by the people during the country’s difficult times, both during the Liberation War in 1971 and following the political changes of 1975.

He said Zia introduced major political and economic reforms and laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s development.

“Ziaur Rahman was like a lighthouse. He worked in every sector and gave the economy a strong foundation. He was a legendary leader,” Fakhrul said.

He urged BNP leaders and activists to learn more about Ziaur Rahman’s life and work, and draw inspiration from his vision for the country.

The discussion was moderated by BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku.

BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Dhaka North BNP Convener Aminul Haque, Dhaka South BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani, Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Islam Moni and Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib, among others, addressed the programme.

Economist Prof Mahbub Ullah, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Mamun Ahmed, National University Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Md Lutfor Rahman and Bangladesh Open University Pro-VC Prof Dil Rowshan Zinnat Ara Nazneen also spoke.

The programme began with the recitation from the Holy Quran followed by a munajat seeking salvation of Zia’s departed soul.

A one-minute silence was also observed in memory of the BNP founder.