Tarique pledges 'safe Dhaka', 40 more playgrounds

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman promised on Sunday to build a "safe Dhaka" and add 40 playgrounds to the city if elected, reports bdnews24.com.
He made the promises while speaking at a rally at the ECB Chattar in Mirpur under the Dhaka-17 constituency around 3:45pm, after launching his election campaign in Dhaka.
"If my party is elected, Inshallah, we will transform Dhaka and cities across the country into safe places," he said.
"Cities where mothers and sisters are safe, people feel secure and pursue their livelihoods without any worries. Beautiful cities where residents can breathe," he added.
He also promised to build at least 40 playgrounds across Dhaka city.
"This will give our children a place to play, and our elders, mothers and sisters somewhere to walk and move around in the evenings or whenever they need," he added.
Tarique recalled his childhood spent in the localities that make up the Dhaka-17 constituency.
"My children were born here, and my brother's and my own weddings were held in this area," he said.
Tarique also promised to build a road stretching from the ECB Chattar to Jasim Uddin.
UNB adds: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday announced that his party would restore the name Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) if voted to power, saying the force's historic identity linked to the Liberation War was unjustly removed after the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy.
"After the brutal massacre of army officers at BDR headquarters in Pilkhana in 2009, the fallen, defeated, fugitive and ousted fascist forces changed the name of the Bangladesh Rifles, an institution deeply linked to the memories of our Liberation War," he said.
While addressing a views-exchange meeting with retired army officers and family members of those killed in the 2009 BDR mutiny at a city hotel, Tarique bemoaned that even the traditional uniform of the BDR was altered.
Tarique also said BNP plans to consult the army to declare February 25-the day of the Pilkhana massacre-as 'Shaheed Sena Day', 'Army Martyrdom Day' or a 'National Mourning Day', so that such a tragedy never occurs again.
The BNP Chairman said several recommendations have already been placed by senior retired army officers ahead of the meeting, including the formation of a National Security Council and reforms to certain provisions of the Army Act.
Based on the committee's findings, Tarique said each recommendation will be carefully examined and implemented gradually with sincerity.
He reiterated BNP's commitment to implement the 'One Rank One Pay' policy for retired members of the armed forces, saying the provision has already been included in the party's election manifesto and will be implemented if the party is voted to power.
Referring to the past 15 years, he said questions remain about how the army's honour and role were affected during that period, including after the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, in which 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed.
The BNP Chairman categorically stated that the army will never be allowed to be used for political interests if BNP comes to power.