Tarique: Unfortunately, I have to spend many years abroad

He has cited his UK experience to stress need for accountability in Bangladesh

BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman virtually addresses the National Council-2025 of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at Willes Little Flower School and College premises in Dhaka’s Kakrail area on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Photo: UNB

BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday reflected on his long years abroad, stressing that his experiences overseas, particularly in the UK, have shown him the critical importance of accountability in ensuring basic public services—something Bangladesh still struggles to achieve.

Speaking virtually at the National Council-2025 of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a pro-BNP doctors’ platform, Tarique said, “Unfortunately, I have to spend many years abroad. I have an experience that since there is accountability in this country [the UK], when a patient goes to the government hospital, he gets a minimum service.”

He added that this minimum level of service should be universal—everyone, regardless of their status, deserves to receive the service they are entitled to when accessing public institutions.

Drawing from his time abroad, Tarique highlighted how the UK’s state system ensures justice for doctors facing abuse and for patients denied proper care through established accountability mechanisms.

He expressed hope that Bangladesh could gradually build a transparent, fair, and democratic system throughout the country, saying, “If we can gradually build a transparent, fair and democratic system everywhere, we will be able to ensure accountability at all levels.”

Tarique also challenged the notion that democratic practices are absent in political parties, pointing to the DAB council as evidence that democracy is taking root within BNP-affiliated groups.

“Although Bangladesh gained independence more than 50 years ago, the democratic process has been repeatedly obstructed,” he lamented.

His experience abroad makes him confident that, Bangladesh can implement accountability from local to national levels and improve public service standards to meet citizens’ expectations.