Stay calm, austerity amid Middle East crisis: PM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday sought to reassure the public that Bangladesh would remain stable despite mounting global uncertainty driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, while urging citizens to curb unnecessary spending.
Speaking at the Independence Award-2026 ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, Rahman said his government was working to keep the economy steady even as fuel prices rise worldwide.
He noted that, unlike many countries, Bangladesh has not increased domestic fuel prices in order to shield citizens from additional financial pressure.
The decision, he said, has come at a significant cost. The government is spending hundreds of crores of taka daily in subsidies in the fuel and energy sectors to maintain price stability and prevent wider economic disruption.
Rahman described his administration as accountable to the people and committed to protecting public welfare during a period of global volatility.
He said the government had assumed office at a time when the economy was weakened by corruption, mismanagement, and fragile governance structures, alongside a deteriorating law and order situation.
Restoring stability, he said, remains a central priority. Strengthening law enforcement and enforcing stricter anti-corruption measures are key elements of the government’s agenda as it seeks to rebuild institutional confidence.
The prime minister also pointed to demographic pressures, noting that Bangladesh’s large working-age population presents an urgent challenge.
Creating sufficient employment opportunities for this group, he said, is critical to sustaining economic stability and growth.
Earlier at the ceremony, Rahman conferred the Independence Award-2026 on 15 individuals and five institutions in recognition of their contributions to the country. Among the recipients was former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Zaima Rahman, granddaughter of the late former prime minister Khaleda Zia and daughter of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, received the posthumous Independence Award 2026 on her behalf.
The ceremony was attended by senior political and state officials, including Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and Shafiqur Rahman, head of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Members of the cabinet, lawmakers, judges, chiefs of the armed forces, diplomats, and senior civil and military officials were also present.
Family members of the prime minister, including his spouse Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, attended the ceremony, along with Selima Islam, the sister of Khaleda Zia.
The event, organized by the Cabinet Division, took place as the government attempts to project economic stability at home despite growing external pressures tied to global conflict.
