BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has referred to the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman as “future Prime Minister” of Bangladesh.

He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing the national council of Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), BNP’s professional body for medical practitioners, held at Willes Little Flower School and College auditorium at Kakrail in Dhaka.

Speaking to the gathering of doctors, Fakhrul said, “Today, our acting chairman is not just a temporary leader; he is our future leader, future helmsman and the future Prime Minister of Bangladesh. I want to draw his attention to the issue of healthcare. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, is also a renowned physician and a graduate from among your ranks. I believe she will also give this issue the attention it deserves, because ensuring healthcare for 180 million people is a huge responsibility.”

At that moment, the auditorium echoed with applause from attending doctors, showing their support and welcoming Tarique Rahman as their prospective leader.

Commenting on the country’s pharmaceutical policy, Mirza Fakhrul noted that pharmaceutical manufacturers recently informed him of a serious crisis.

“There’s a dire situation. The current health ministry’s assistant adviser is proposing policies and laws that are practically pushing the industry to the brink of closure,” he said.

He also highlighted the obstacles faced by specialists wanting to contribute to the country’s medical advancement.

“Dr. Farid told me he wants to work in cancer treatment, an area he specializes in after training in the UK. But he’s unable to proceed with his plans. Many of you, highly talented doctors, want to establish a ‘Center of Excellence’ here; yet, we are not being allowed to make it happen,” Fakhrul lamented.