BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said Bangladesh must take ownership of its own development, as global leaders like Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, or Narendra Modi will not come to solve the country’s problems.

He said, “Trump won’t come from America, Xi from China, or Modi from India to push us forward. We must take our own steps to shape the country’s future.” 

Fakhrul commented at a discussion titled ‘Empowerment of Bangladesh: Leadership, Unity and Path to Growth’, held in Dhaka today (April 19).

Emphasising national unity, Fakhrul recalled the country’s spirit during the Liberation War and the recent student protests of 2024. 

“Just as we stood together during the war, and again when students were shot at, we must come together now to overcome the challenges ahead,” he said.

Reflecting on the country’s progress, Fakhrul noted that while Bangladesh had a food deficit of 2.8 million metric tonnes during independence, today that deficit is nearly gone. 

“This success belongs to our farmers and agricultural scientists,” he said.

Addressing the newly imposed US tariffs on Bangladesh, he called them a “serious challenge” that must be addressed quickly before they deepen the country’s economic strain.

Fakhrul also highlighted the sacrifices of low-wage rural women and farmers, stating, “The women earning Tk 15,000 a month, those working the land day and night—these are the people driving the country forward. If we fail to consider their welfare, true progress will remain out of reach.”

He expressed cautious optimism for the future, saying, “There will be problems, but there will also be solutions—if we’re willing to face them together.”

Mentioning Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, Fakhrul added, “He’s trying. I thank him for that and hope he succeeds.”

Ending on a hopeful note, Fakhrul urged, “Let’s stand up for ourselves. No one else will do it for us.”

BDST: 1535 HRS, APR 19, 2025
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