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Tarique Rahman Outlines BNP’s Vision for Bangladesh

Sunday, 25 January 2026 , 03:47 PM

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Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged a 'zero-tolerance' policy toward corruption and a total overhaul of public security if the party wins the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election 2026 and the Referendum, scheduled to be held on February 12.

Speaking to a massive crowd at the Polo Ground on Sunday, Tarique Rahman emphasized that a BNP-led government would ensure the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of political affiliation.

Addressing the election rally, the BNP chief positioned anti-corruption measures and public safety as the cornerstones of his party’s manifesto.

"Corruption is a crime. No matter who commits it, the law will be applied equally. Inshallah, no one will be spared," he declared.

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Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman speaks to a massive crowd in Chattogram. -Collected Photo

Tarique Rahman pointed to the party’s historical track record, specifically the 2001-2006 Khaleda Zia administration, claiming that even internal party members were held accountable for wrongdoing during that period.

A key highlight of the speech was the revival of the plan to officially designate Chattogram as Bangladesh’s commercial capital.

He noted that while the initiative was started by Begum Khaleda Zia, it remained unfinished.

"If the BNP forms the next government, we will implement this move as quickly as possible," he promised, adding that the designation would catalyze trade and create significant employment opportunities across the country.

Highlighting what he termed a "new political plot" to disenfranchise the public, Tarique Rahman urged supporters to remain alert.

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He encouraged a proactive approach to election day, famously suggesting that supporters offer Tahajjud and Fajr prayers before heading straight to polling centers to stand in line at dawn.

"I urge you to stay alert so that your right to vote, to speak, and to live is not snatched away again," he told the cheering crowd.

The rally marked Tarique Rahman’s first public appearance in Chattogram in 20 years. After greeting the audience in the local dialect—"Onera Ken Achon?"—he reflected on the city's historical ties to his family, noting that his father, Ziaur Rahman, announced independence from this very city.

Sectoral dependency on gas (excluding electricity) is significant: industry 44%, residential 13.5%, commercial 12.7%, and transport 17.7% (SREDA, April 2024). Industry, the largest consumer, is most vulnerable. Although only 13.5% of households rely on piped gas for cooking, these belong to the most privileged groups, and shortages could spark social unrest. In transport, shifting from CNG to petrol or LPG would be relatively painless, while commercial use can be redirected to LPG. Piped gas must be metered and priced at import parity, with households choosing between LPG and electricity depending on affordability. These transitions demand careful planning.

Industry’s heavy reliance on gas makes it the sector most at risk. While low-energy industries may adapt to LPG, costs will be prohibitive for energy-intensive sectors such as textiles, cement, ceramics, and steel re-rolling. Rising energy costs, combined with higher labour expenses and shrinking margins, could force garment factories to close, undermining export earnings. Currently, 41% of natural gas is used for grid electricity and 17% for captive power. If the planned 2,400 MW of nuclear power and 9,000 MW of coal-fired plants operate at full capacity, gas could be redirected to industry. Painful though it may be, reallocating gas is unavoidable. In the short run, Bangladesh may need to rely again on oil-based plants, while scaling up LPG supply and distribution is essential.

These measures may ease the crisis but will not reduce import dependency or the strain on foreign currency reserves. Indigenous gas production must be prioritised, alongside exploration for new reserves. Since Bibiyana’s discovery in 1999, Bangladesh has failed to find another significant field. Governments have favoured quick fixes like rental power and imports, while underfunding BAPEX, which lacks the resources and expertise to succeed. This policy must change. International reservoir management companies should be engaged to reassess production and exploration using existing geological data. Coal and renewable energy also offer potential to reduce import dependency.

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All hopes will lose steam without a sustainable energy plan

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M. Tamim M. Tamim

By M. Tamim

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While there are signs of improved planning and greater transparency in the power sector, long-term success remains uncertain due to the slow growth of renewable energy and continued reliance on fossil fuels. FILE VISUAL: ANWAR SOHEL

Bangladesh stands at the brink of a major energy crisis, the consequence of decades of emphasis on power generation without securing a sustainable supply of primary energy. As early as 1996, the nation’s energy policy warned against single-fuel dependency on natural gas and recommended developing coal resources in the northwest to diversify supply and serve the energy-starved western region. Yet, despite clear signs of gas shortages by 2007, exploration efforts remained minimal. Since the Bibiyana discovery, the “BAPEX-only” policy has yielded negligible additions to reserves, while production has steadily declined since its peak in 2016–17. Current output from national oil companies and IOCs is about 1,500 mmcfd (70%), supplemented by just over 1,000 mmcfd of LNG imports (30%), against a demand of 4,000 mmcfd. Industries, long reliant on cheap indigenous gas, are now struggling under severe shortages.

The most pressing concern is the decline of Bibiyana, which supplies nearly 40% of total gas. At 18 years old, the field is nearing depletion, and output could collapse within the next few years. Bangladesh lacks the infrastructure to expand LNG imports beyond current capacity, and no new facilities are expected before 2029. Any disruption to the existing FSRUs would have equally devastating consequences.

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No development strategy can succeed without resolving this primary energy crisis. Shortages will intensify after LDC graduation, compounding industrial, financial, and trade challenges. Decades of neglect cannot be reversed overnight: import infrastructure, exploration, fuel switching, and renewable deployment all require time. In the short term, LPG and oil remain the only viable stopgap solutions. The critical task for policymakers is to manage a transition from entrenched usage patterns to more market-based alternatives.

PHOTO: BSS

Sectoral dependency on gas (excluding electricity) is significant: industry 44%, residential 13.5%, commercial 12.7%, and transport 17.7% (SREDA, April 2024). Industry, the largest consumer, is most vulnerable. Although only 13.5% of households rely on piped gas for cooking, these belong to the most privileged groups, and shortages could spark social unrest. In transport, shifting from CNG to petrol or LPG would be relatively painless, while commercial use can be redirected to LPG. Piped gas must be metered and priced at import parity, w

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