Govt committed to restoring democracy, economy: Fakhrul

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the government remains firmly committed to restoring democratic institutions, revitalising the economy and implementing the commitments set out in the July National Charter, reports UNB.
"Democracy is facing mounting challenges across the world and Bangladesh is no exception.Our responsibility is to practise democracy, nurture democratic values and build a liberal, non-communal and humane society," he said.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day Bengal Delta Conference 2026 organised by the Dacca Institute of Research and Analytics (DAIRA) at a hotel in the capital on Friday, Fakhrul paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 War of Liberation and those who lost their lives during the 2024 student-led mass uprising, describing their sacrifices as the foundation for a democratic and inclusive Bangladesh.
"I salute the young people who created history through their movement and made it possible to remove fascism," he said, also remembering those who sacrificed their lives for democracy.
Describing himself as 'a political activist' rather than an academic, Fakhrul, who also serves as the BNP secretary general, said his participation in movements against dictatorship and authoritarian rule had profoundly shaped his conviction in democratic governance.
Fakhrul said Bangladesh is going through a critical period marked by economic and political challenges, compounded by global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East, as well as the lingering effects of economic mismanagement and money laundering.
"We are striving to turn the economy around," the minister said, adding that the government had inherited a fragile economic landscape marked by rising unemployment, sluggish investment and a weakened banking sector.
He said the current government is working to restore economic stability while rebuilding democratic institutions, noting that political parties had reached broad consensus on constitutional reforms through the July Charter, aimed at creating a more stable and development-oriented political framework.
"Our leader Tarique Rahman is committed to implementing the July Charter, and we are equally committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people through our election manifesto," Fakhrul said.
Highlighting the government's priorities, he said programmes such as Family Card, Farmers' Card, social safety allowances, support for religious leaders, canal excavation projects and incentives for agriculture are beginning to generate positive economic impacts.
The BNP leader also said the latest national budget reduced taxes and tariffs in several sectors to encourage industrial growth, while giving greater emphasis to agriculture and the creative economy by integrating ethnic communities and local innovators into mainstream economic development.
On political reforms, he said a parliamentary committee has already been formed to work on constitutional amendments, reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening democratic institutions.
Fakhrul also underscored the government's commitment to inclusivity, saying members of ethnic communities, including the Santal, Marma and Chakma, had been nominated to Parliament to ensure broader representation in the democratic process.
He further emphasised regional cooperation, saying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to attract greater international participation in Bangladesh's economic development.