Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged political leaders, citizens and stakeholders to move beyond what he described as a “culture of revenge” and instead concentrate on national progress and constructive engagement.
He made the remarks during a view-exchange meeting with journalists covering the BNP beat at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka. He said Bangladesh currently does not face any environment that restricts media freedom and called on journalists to cooperate in addressing broader social and national challenges.
Emphasising a change in mindset, the Prime Minister said retaliation does not resolve past grievances. “If something happened to me, taking revenge will not bring it back or restore what was lost. We must move away from this mentality and think about what we can do for the country, society and people,” he said.
He added that while success may vary, the effort to improve the country should continue with sincerity and determination.
Tarique Rahman also said the government is committed to maintaining media freedom and constructive engagement with journalists. Referring to the historical context of June 16, 1975, he recalled the shutdown of most newspapers under the one-party BAKSAL system and said such restrictions no longer exist.
The Prime Minister also spoke about social issues, particularly rising drug abuse among young people. He said enforcement alone is not enough and stressed the importance of sports, cultural activities and education-based initiatives to guide youth positively.
He highlighted the decline in playgrounds and recreational spaces, saying young people need proper facilities to channel their energy productively. He also called for more science fairs, debates and cultural programmes in schools and colleges.
Tarique Rahman urged journalists to support the government’s efforts, saying cooperation from the media is essential for understanding public needs and improving governance.
