The BNP government has completed its first six months in office, facing the difficult task of matching high public expectations with the realities of governance.
The administration inherited a host of challenges, including a measles outbreak, a prolonged economic slowdown, deteriorating law and order and institutional weaknesses. While it has taken steps in economic management, public health, diplomacy and reforms, many of the issues that shaped its early months remain unresolved.
Inflation continues to weigh on households, the banking sector remains under strain, and questions persist over law and order, administrative effectiveness and the pace of state reforms.
The government says more time is needed to complete reforms and bring stability. However, political analysts say its ability to deliver visible improvements in people’s lives will ultimately determine whether public confidence can be sustained.
In the assessment of Kazi Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, a professor of political science at Dhaka University, “the situation in the country has improved compared to before.”
He said the government had managed various crises, including the global energy crisis, relatively well. He also praised government efforts to implement commitments and ensure accountability in decision-making.
While acknowledging that governing a crisis-hit country was not easy, he viewed the government’s overall performance and diplomatic decisions positively, saying some areas had improved compared with last year.
Economy remains biggest test
The government’s biggest challenge remains the economy, with inflation entering its fifth year and leaving millions of people and thousands of businesses financially weakened.
GDP growth shows little sign of reaching the government’s 6.5 per cent target for the current fiscal year. At the same time, weak revenue mobilisation has limited the government’s ability to provide greater support to the economy.
The banking crisis has added to the pressure, with the state having to use taxpayers’ money to contain financial instability.
“Six months are neither too short nor long enough to evaluate the performance of an elected government,” Centre for Policy Dialogue Executive Director Fahmida Khatun told TIMES.
“However, the initial moves show the signs.”
She said the government appeared to be addressing some inherited structural problems, but “lacked coordinated, firm and timely decision-making”.
The economist cited the decision to keep prices unchanged, which created complications in March-April, and questioned the recent interest rate cut as inflation remains above 8 per cent.
Lower borrowing costs alone are unlikely to revive investment when factories are facing weak orders and energy shortages, she said, adding that investors also need improvements in the cost of doing business, energy supply, logistics and access to finance.
She said the central bank’s move to cap banking spreads had raised concerns over policy intervention, particularly among investors who remember earlier lending-rate restrictions.
“Recent fiscal reforms, deregulation and capital market initiatives may improve the investment climate, but businesses will ultimately judge them by how predictably they are implemented,” Fahmida said.
Energy remains the biggest concern for the economy, while shrinking fiscal space is also becoming a challenge, she added.
“Structural problems need some time to be resolved. However, there is no room to waste even a day,” she said.
Diplomacy: rebuilding confidence
On the foreign policy front, the government has sought to advance its “Bangladesh First” policy while maintaining relations with major development partners and global powers.
Dhaka has continued engagement with Washington, New Delhi, Beijing, Moscow, Kuala Lumpur and Middle Eastern countries, while maintaining regular communication with Japan and European nations.
The government has attempted to maintain a balance among major partners while prioritising national interests.
The election of Foreign Adviser Md Khalilur Rahman as president of the 81st UN General Assembly has been viewed as a significant diplomatic achievement.
Former ambassador Mehdi Hasan said Bangladesh’s foreign policy direction appeared positive.
“The foreign policy direction is positive. The PGA election is a major achievement as it has enhanced Bangladesh’s image and standing on the global stage,” he told TIMES.
He said the government was maintaining a “critical balance” among major development partners.
Referring to Bangladesh-China relations, Hasan said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s June visit to Beijing focused mainly on strengthening economic ties and received strong backing from the Chinese leadership.
However, China later invited Bangladesh to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, but Dhaka decided against joining the platform for strategic reasons, he added.
Reform promises under scrutiny
Six months into the BNP government, much of the state reform expected after the mass uprising remains incomplete. The lack of visible progress in implementing the referendum verdict has fuelled frustration among political groups and sections of the public.
Around 68 per cent of votes in the referendum supported the July National Charter’s constitutional reform proposals. Opposition parties–Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party–have repeatedly demanded their implementation, arguing that the government has yet to take effective steps despite the public mandate.
The government has also faced criticism over alleged partisan appointments and postings in the Election Commission, administration and local government institutions. Critics have identified these moves as a cause for concern, saying that widespread politicisation has fuelled serious resentment among the people.
At the same time, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s simple lifestyle and people-oriented approach have drawn positive attention, which political observers say may help build public confidence, but the government will ultimately be judged by visible progress in reforms.
Government defends record
BNP Standing Committee member and acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed argues that six months was not enough to assess a government’s success or failure, as much of the period was spent establishing administrative functions.
“You need more time to evaluate results, identify shortcomings and make corrections.”
Rizvi claimed that the government had already achieved significant progress, with ministries working in line with the election manifesto. He cited canal excavation, Family Cards, Agriculture Cards, Health Cards and the waiver of agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000 as measures benefiting farmers.
Despite the continuing Middle East war, he added that the government was working to address fuel and electricity shortages.
Law and order remains a challenge
Maintaining law and order, which the new government inherited from the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration, remains another major test.
Although the government has pledged police reforms and greater institutional neutrality, incidents of crime and conflict in some areas have raised concerns.
Steps have been taken to reorganise some police units and increase monitoring, but experts say improving public security will require stronger coordination, institutional reform and effective implementation.
The coming months will be crucial for the Tarique’s administration as it faces the challenge of converting promises into results and restoring public confidence, observed political analysts.
