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Published : 10 Jan 2026, 09:47 PM
The editorial leadership of Bangladesh’s foremost news outlets have conveyed their hope that the "plan” of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will be translated into reality.
Tarique exchanged greetings with the senior editors on Saturday at a hotel in Dhaka.
During the session, the editors shared their expectations with him on democracy, independent journalism, and other issues.
They advised that financial irregularities in banks be stopped, commodity prices remain within the reach of ordinary citizens, and the police force be trained in ethics to become a service-oriented institution.
Toufique Imrose Khalidi, editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com, said: “Spending 17 consecutive years abroad is a very difficult experience. When you are certain that you cannot return home even for a day or two, it is particularly challenging.
He noted that while he had spent time overseas himself, he always possessed the security of knowing he could return to his homeland at will.
Tarique arrived in Bangladesh on Dec 25 last year, concluding a period of self-imposed exile spanning more than 17 years.
During a reception on his arrival, he shared his vision for the country, succinctly saying: “I have a plan.”
Drawing on those remarks, Khalidi said: “You have arrived; you have come with a vision; you have spoken of a plan. You have a plan.
“I just hope that your dream is realised, that your plan is implemented.”
He extended his congratulations, hoping that those dreams and plans reach fruition and wishing the chairman well.
During the gathering, the editors also ventilated their specific professional expectations and shared their thoughts on what the media would require from a head of government should the BNP form the next administration.
‘TARIQUE DOESN’T KNOW HOW POPULAR HE IS’
Offering “Red Rose greetings” to the assembly, veteran Jaijaidin Editor Shafik Rehman shared poignant reflections as he nears his 91st year.
He noted that at his age, he occasionally grapples with memory lapses -- which he playfully termed “Hasina disease” -- and feels a compulsion to speak at length, though he would keep his remarks concise.
“I simply want [Tarique] to know that he himself does not realise what he truly is,” Rehman said.
“Socrates once said -- Know thyself. At the end of my life, I understand the profound value of that advice. Understanding oneself is essential; with that knowledge, much can be achieved while still alive.
He noted that the late president Ziaur Rahman was unaware of the sheer depth of his public support until his funeral procession drew an unprecedented sea of mourners.
He drew a parallel to the recent passing of Khaleda Zia, where the entire nation appeared to transform into a sprawling prayer ground.
Remarked remarked that Tarique remains largely unaware of the fervour he commands. He recounted his own time in incarceration, where fellow inmates and even members of the police force frequently enquired about the leader’s welfare.
He reflected that although Tarique was in London at the time, the level of devotion and reverence shown by the public was nothing short of extraordinary.
Rehman also observed that Tarique now appears to follow time discipline and bears signs of influence from his years in the West, describing him as a changed man -- a transformation he said bode well for the country.
He criticised policies of the previous government, referring to the treatment of Khaleda, including alleged harassment, denial of family visits during imprisonment and the absence of proper medical care.
Setting out his expectations if the BNP returns to power, Rehman urged Tarique to ensure an end to looting of banks, keep commodity prices within public purchasing power and rebuild the police as a service‑oriented institution grounded in ethics.
‘WE WANT DEMOCRACY, FREE JOURNALISM’
Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, congratulated the newly-appointed chairman, and wished him health and success.
Highlighting his expectations as a journalist, he said: “We want democracy, independent journalism, and good governance.”
Anam said Bangladesh’s biggest future challenge was climate change, an issue he felt political parties were not discussing enough, despite its visible impact in coastal areas. He urged Tarique to treat climate change as a top priority.
He also pointed to water resources, saying Bangladesh was rich in water but continued to pollute its rivers, and said the issue required urgent attention.
‘TARIQUE HAS RADICALLY CHANGED’
Matiur Rahman, editor-in-chief of Manabzamin, reflected on his first interview with Tarique 23 years ago, noting that the leader has undergone a radical transformation during his time away.
Speaking about the state of the media, he said journalists wanted the freedom to write and speak openly. He added that, although the media had become more independent since Aug 5, 2024, it still faced constraints due to “mob violence”.
He highlighted that attacks on media offices, including arson, made it difficult to uphold democratic values, and journalists often felt caught between competing political loyalties.
Rahman said Tarique’s transformation was linked to his exposure to how media operates in Western countries, and that change was evident in his outlook.
He warned that Bangladesh is facing an existential crisis, with extremism on the rise, and asserted that currently there is “no alternative” to Tarique to guide the country away from this threat.
‘A CLIMATE FOR JOURNALISM’
New Age Editor Nurul Kabir said democratic transformation of society and the state required not only democratic politics but also a democratic environment for journalism.
He said political parties claiming to support democratic change carried the responsibility of ensuring space for democratic journalism.
Seminars could be held to discuss the ways in which such an environment was undermined, he added.
Kabir also referred to people imprisoned for dissent, saying newspapers and the Editors’ Council had repeatedly raised the issue of ensuring their legal rights, but past governments had failed to honour their commitments.
Addressing Tarique, he said unless the injustices of the previous government were prevented from recurring, the state would fail to set an example of fair treatment towards journalists and media workers.
