The government has laid a strong foundation for building a democratic, discrimination-free and prosperous Bangladesh during its first 150 days in office by restoring public confidence, rebuilding institutions, stabilising the economy and delivering on key election pledges, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Saturday, reports UNB.
Addressing a press conference at the PMO to mark the government's first five months in office, he said the administration, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had achieved "multi-dimensional and unprecedented successes" despite inheriting what he described as a devastated economy, weakened institutions and a dysfunctional governance system. "The government's achievements over the past five months have opened a new chapter in Bangladesh's political history and paved the way for building a humane, discrimination-free, secure, merit-based, prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh," Mahdi said.
He said after assuming office through a direct mandate from the people, the government gave top priority to rebuilding democratic institutions, restoring economic stability and strengthening good governance.
The spokesperson said the government's achievements can broadly be grouped into five areas: earning people's trust and confidence, protecting the interests of all sections of society in line with the election manifesto, successfully addressing immediate challenges, safeguarding national sovereignty and democratic freedoms, and providing statesmanlike leadership.
He said effective measures to control inflation, restore discipline in the financial sector, recover laundered money and ensure transparent, cost-effective implementation of development projects had reinforced the government's commitment to good governance.
The PMO spokesperson also highlighted ongoing efforts to rehabilitate flood victims and rebuild the health and education sectors, which he said had been severely damaged over the previous 17 years.
Among the major achievements, he said, were the swift disposal of several high-profile criminal cases, including the verdict in the Ramisa rape and murder case within 19 days and another child rape case in Meherpur within 29 working days.
Mahdi said courts had also delivered verdicts in 10 death reference and appeal cases under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act within a month on a priority basis.
He said law enforcement agencies arrested Mozzaffar Hossain, a convicted killer in the assassination case of former President Ziaur Rahman, after he had remained absconding for 45 years. Mahdi said initiatives had also been taken to bring back several other fugitives, including former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed, through Interpol.
The spokesperson said Parliament passed 94 reform-related bills within its first 25 working days, transforming ordinances promulgated by the interim government into law, while legislation relating to the July-August mass uprising and counter-terrorism had also been enacted.
Highlighting economic indicators, Mahadi said inflation had fallen to 8.71 per cent while foreign exchange reserves stood at US$36.58 billion.
He said remittance inflows had reached record levels, including $3.75 billion in March, reflecting growing confidence among overseas Bangladeshis.
The spokesperson said the government had withdrawn monthly charges on prepaid electricity meters to provide relief to consumers and announced plans to upgrade upazila hospitals to 101-bed facilities alongside establishing primary healthcare units in every union and urban ward.
He said the government planned to expand ICU services, pathology facilities and emergency care at upazila hospitals while launching door-to-door health screening programmes.
Mahdi said a nationwide programme to plant 250 million trees over the next five years had been launched, while 250 environment-friendly electric buses would initially be introduced in Dhaka.
He also noted the introduction of AI-based traffic management in key areas of the capital, automated cargo release at Chattogram Port and plans to relocate four inter-district bus terminals outside Dhaka to ease traffic congestion.
The spokesperson said implementation of the government's election pledges had already begun through the rollout of Family Cards, Farmers' Cards and Sports Cards, while a pilot Probashi Card programme would be launched soon.
He said the government had also declared 2026-27 as the Nazrul Year, banned the use of the Prime Minister's photographs on government banners and festoons, expanded scholarships for students and introduced several education and youth-focused initiatives, including a nationwide primary school football tournament involving 22 lakh students and startup competitions for secondary and higher secondary students.
