Tarique Rahman stands out as one of those rare world leaders who returned to his homeland after enduring a 17-year political exile in England. The overwhelming love and respect he garnered from the people of Bangladesh is truly remarkable. However, whether he can maintain this affection and what lies ahead for him will hinge on his political acumen and integrity.
The political unrest in Bangladesh began with widespread protests in July and August 2024. Following the historic exile of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to India, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus stepped in, aiming to restore democratic institutions and organize elections.
However, despite these noble intentions, the transitional period has been riddled with obstacles.
The interim administration is grappling with political infighting, economic hardships, and uncertainty across various socio-economic and political fronts.
Since the interim government took office, the country has faced social upheavals, political fragmentation, a decline in law and order, and sluggish economic growth. Public unrest aimed at the current interim government has intensified considerably.
In the midst of this turmoil, Tarique returned to his homeland on December 25, 2025, filled with hope to unite the nation under a shared vision: “Bangladesh is on top of all.”
Yet, one pressing question remains: Can he achieve this on his own, or will he need the collective support of the people of Bangladesh?
An ideal political leader, while not without flaws, should place the needs of the public above personal interests and lead with a balance of compassion and intelligence.
They must respect institutions and uphold core values while fostering unity amidst diversity, all within the framework of democracy.
In a democratic society, citizens play a vital role by championing these qualities through their votes and active participation -- a long-standing aspiration in Bangladesh.
Thus, it is crucial to identify a strong leader who not only possesses the knowledge and skills to navigate both national and international issues but also excels at tackling challenges and devising strategic solutions to advance the nation’s prosperity during these trying global times.
The pressing question is whether Tarique has the potential to emerge as the next trusted political leader in Bangladesh under the current national and geopolitical pressure.
Establishing mutual relations
The current regional and geopolitical landscape is quite critical, and Tarique has a pivotal role to play in establishing mutual relations through both bilateral and multilateral initiatives.
His task of re-establishing ties with India will be particularly challenging, especially in the wake of the severe damage to political relations following the ousting of the Hasina government.
Additionally, major global players such as the US, the EU, Russia, and China are crucial strategic partners for Bangladesh. Tarique will need to cultivate strong relationships with these nations to foster stability and sustainability in Bangladesh, which presents its own set of challenges.
Tackling unemployment
In several of my articles, I have aimed to shed light on the key challenges hindering Bangladesh's progress, and one of the most pressing issues is unemployment.
If millions of young people are not provided with suitable jobs through market-driven education that equips them with the right skills, and if a significant number of individuals cannot seek opportunities in overseas markets, then societal challenges will continue to loom large.
Thus another crucial question is how Tarique plans to tackle this problem. To effectively address the issue of unemployment in Bangladesh, it will require clear, strategic policies accompanied by targeted investments, particularly foreign direct investments. This is undoubtedly a formidable task.
Addressing corruption
Corruption continues to be a significant challenge in Bangladesh, impacting governance, economic growth, and public trust. It often shows up through bribery, misuse of power, political favouritism, and ineffective accountability measures within public institutions.
Although there have been occasional anti-corruption initiatives and legal reforms, their enforcement has often been inconsistent, undermining their potential impact.
This corruption drives up the cost of public services, deters foreign investment, and exacerbates social inequality, putting ordinary citizens at a disadvantage.
Tackling corruption in Bangladesh requires bolstering independent and democratic institutions, upholding the rule of law, enhancing transparency, and cultivating a political culture that prioritizes integrity, accountability, and active citizen participation in governance.
Bringing about a cultural revolution
Since gaining independence, Bangladesh has needed a cultural revolution to reshape its society. However, entrenched cultural norms, social values, and power structures have hindered progress toward social justice, political reform, and national development.
Unlike merely pursuing political or economic reforms, fostering cultural change tackles the belief systems and everyday behaviours that influence how individuals think, comply with authority, and interact with one another.
This raises the question: Can Tarique spearhead a cultural revolution with a strategic vision like that of Singapore, China, and Vietnam?
I hope that he will contribute to the creation of a state and society free from extortion, usurpation, and corruption. At his gathering on a return day to his motherland, a remarkable 90% of attendees were ordinary people expressing their love and respect for him.
The individuals seeking to gain party positions through unethical means, such as extortion and tendering, must be blocked and controlled.
If he truly aims to foster an ideal society, he must keep a close watch on these people who might have a vested interest in gaining from his favour.
One crucial point to understand is that, despite strong public support, he must not squander the trust that people are willing to place in him by allowing even 1% dishonesty in his own political party.
Following his 17-year exile, the public anticipated a clear, strategic, and impactful speech upon his return. I hope he will share that vision with the people soon.
It is essential to note that Tarique’s father, President Ziaur Rahman, was a visionary leader whose work remained unfinished due to his tragic assassination. The aspirations he held for the nation now fall to his son.
As the current leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), he is responsible for fulfilling his father’s dreams through effective and insightful leadership. Here’s hoping that his journey ahead in the nation-building process is successful.
Dr ASM Anam Ullah (PhD) is an Australian academic, human rights activist, political analyst, and OHS and industrial relations expert.
