Staff Correspondent

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today said the aspirations of the July uprising, the Liberation War and the anti-autocracy movement would be fulfilled if the government fully implements the 31-point programme announced by BNP.

“We have presented a manifesto and we must implement it in full. We have given the 31-point programme. If we can implement it completely, the July uprising, the Liberation War and the anti-autocracy movement will attain their true fulfillment,” he said.

The finance minister was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) marking the ‘July Mass Uprising Remembrance Programme 2026’.

Recalling his experience during the July uprising, Amir Khosru said thousands of leaders and activists had spent difficult days in prison. Those detained had very limited information about the situation in the country during the mass uprising, he said.

He said the news that Sheikh Hasina had left the country reached the prisoners soon afterwards, triggering a strong reaction inside the jail. When the jail superintendent requested him to help maintain calm, he appealed to the prisoners to remain peaceful, which helped ease the situation.

The finance minister said people’s expectations are now much higher after years of movements, struggles and sacrifices.

“People have long experienced a lack of voting rights, human rights, rule of law and economic equality,” he said, adding that business and commerce had been concentrated under the patronage of a particular group, depriving ordinary people of adequate opportunities to participate in economic activities.

He said BNP had formulated its manifesto taking into account these expectations of the people and outlined plans to establish citizens’ rights and build a “new Bangladesh”.

“If the 31-point programme is implemented, the sacrifices of July, the spirit of the Liberation War and the objectives of the movement for restoration of democracy will be fulfilled,” Amir Khosru said.

He said two issues have been given particular importance in the BNP’s declared programme — “Bangladesh First” and “democratisation of the economy.”

Explaining the concept of “Bangladesh First”, he said its fundamental objective is to give the highest priority to the country’s independence, sovereignty and the interests of its people.

On economic democratisation, the finance minister said every citizen should have the opportunity to participate in economic activities and enjoy the benefits of development.

“Political democracy alone is not enough; democracy must also be established in the economy,” he said.

Amir Khosru said the government is placing particular emphasis on the creative economy to bring rural artists, artisans, sportspersons, cultural workers and people from various professions into mainstream economic activities.

He stressed the need to create opportunities for skills development, access to loans, design support and market expansion for people engaged in these sectors.

“If we can bring the sports economy, small entrepreneurs and traditional industries into the mainstream economy, people’s incomes and living standards will improve,” he said.

He also emphasised connecting traditional rural products such as shital pati and pottery with modern markets.

Describing the country’s economic situation when the government assumed office, the finance minister said the economy was in a difficult condition, with major crises in the banking sector, stock market and government financial management.

“We did not start from zero; rather, we started from minus,” he said.

Despite financial constraints, he said, initiatives such as the Family Card, Farmer Card and primary healthcare programmes have been undertaken.

The Family Card, he added, would help deliver assistance to low-income families and contribute to improvements in their health, education and nutrition.

Amir Khosru said a comprehensive support system covering citizens from birth to death must be ensured to realise the spirit of the July uprising.

“Effective initiatives must be taken to improve the living standards of women, children, workers, persons with disabilities and people from all sections of society,” he said.

The finance minister said the true objectives of the July movement would be achieved only when the government is able to fulfill the expectations of the people.

BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Ekramul Haque chaired the discussion.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque and Dhaka-7 lawmaker Hamidur Rahman Hamid attended the programme as special guests.