Dhaka: Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan stated today that the February 12 election marked the restoration of democratic rights for the people of the country, following a prolonged period of deprivation from democratic practices. He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the prize distribution and reception ceremony of the ‘Election Debate Competition 2026’ at the FDCI in Tejgaon, organized by Debate for Democracy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Nazrul Islam Khan highlighted the severe damage inflicted on various state institutions due to politicization, nepotism, corruption, injustice, and the appointment of incompetent individuals to key positions. He noted that the newly formed government’s commitment to ensuring good governance and accountability represents a positive beginning towards addressing these issues.
While distributing prizes among the winners, Khan emphasized the crucial role of youth participation in democratic processes. He urged young people to unite in efforts for national reconstruction, stressing the need to strive for achievable goals within realistic parameters. He remarked that implementation requires collective cooperation rather than the efforts of a single individual.
Khan also addressed the extent of institutional damage, noting that it had exceeded expectations and resulted from politicization, nepotism, and corruption. He emphasized that overcoming these challenges and moving forward is the only viable option. He acknowledged the frustration among the youth and stressed the importance of collective efforts in fulfilling their legitimate aspirations.
Drawing from his experience in the labor movement, Khan expressed his willingness to endure hardships for the future success of the country, his colleagues, and future generations. He described national rebuilding as an essential task that requires time and cannot be accomplished overnight. He highlighted the country’s large youth population as a significant strength, urging for their skills, values, and ideas to be harnessed to facilitate national progress.
Using water management as an analogy, Khan explained that just as excess water can be conserved and utilized during scarcity through proper planning, national challenges can also be resolved through organized and thoughtful initiatives. He encouraged young people to not only dream but to take active steps toward implementation, stressing that regret alone is insufficient. He conveyed hope that debates and discussions would help guide the way forward.