Prime Minister Tarique Rahman Pledges Comprehensive List of Liberation War Martyrs

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Prime Minister Tareque Rahman announced that his government has initiated the creation of an accurate and comprehensive list of martyrs from the 1971 Liberation War, fulfilling a key electoral promise. Addressing the National Parliament on Wednesday, the Prime Minister criticized previous administrations for failing to document the martyrs properly, asserting that earlier attempts were marred by political bias rather than historical accuracy.

Speaking during the question-and-answer session chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, Prime Minister Rahman detailed the government’s systematic approach to the task. He noted that the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs is currently collaborating with historical researchers and stakeholders to develop a realistic action plan. This initiative, he explained, is designed to ensure that victims of the genocide receive proper state recognition and that the historical record remains beyond reproach. When questioned about the methodology, the Prime Minister emphasized that his party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, views honoring the legacy of Liberation War heroes—including the independence declaration of late President Ziaur Rahman—as a sacred duty.

Beyond historical preservation, the Prime Minister outlined a national strategy to foster youth development and physical fitness. Addressing the need for athletic infrastructure, he announced that the government will launch the “Prime Minister Gold Cup” for primary school students starting next year, following the success of a recent football tournament that saw participation from 2.2 million children. The program is expected to expand to secondary schools as the initiative progresses.

Responding to concerns regarding the lack of playgrounds in urban centers, the Prime Minister stated that the government has issued nationwide directives for local administrations to identify open spaces suitable for sports. He added that the administration is committed to reclaiming public parks and playgrounds in the capital currently occupied by illegal encroachers, noting that efforts to clear these spaces are already underway.

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Turning to the country’s economic infrastructure, the Prime Minister reported significant growth in the operational capacity of the Chittagong seaport. Data presented to the house indicated that cargo handling rose from approximately 45 million metric tons in 2010 to over 138 million metric tons in 2025, while container handling increased from 1.34 million to 3.4 million TEUs during the same period. Prime Minister Rahman highlighted that the government is moving forward with the Bay Terminal project, which will allow larger mother vessels to dock directly, thereby reducing transshipment costs and accelerating import-export activity.

Regarding the management of the port, the Prime Minister addressed concerns over administrative integrity. In response to a query from lawmaker Kamal Hossain, he affirmed that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption. He pledged that any individuals found involved in illicit activities at the port would face legal consequences, as part of a broader, sustained effort to ensure a transparent and efficient environment for national trade.