Independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 constituency Dr Tasnim Jara has pledged to ensure world-class education and healthcare, alongside resolving gas and other civic crises, if elected.

She made the commitments on Saturday afternoon while attending the manifesto reading programme organised by the Assistant Returning Officer’s office at Khilgaon Model College.

Earlier in the day, Dr Jara carried out electioneering in the Dasherkandi Bazar area. Following the campaign, she joined the manifesto event and formally presented her election manifesto.

Addressing the gathering, she said that upon being elected, laboratories and libraries would be established in every school in the constituency to modernise the education system. To strengthen healthcare services, she pledged to recruit the necessary workforce at Mugda Medical College Hospital and reinforce community clinics.

Identifying drug abuse as one of the major problems in Dhaka-9, Dr Jara said initiatives would be taken to curb narcotics, with strict action against drug traders. She also assured support and rehabilitation for individuals struggling with drug addiction.

Before unveiling her manifesto, Dr Jara criticised what she described as long-standing discrimination against Dhaka-9 residents.

“Dhaka-9 is the heart of this city, yet we are treated unequally. We pay the same taxes and utility bills as Gulshan and Banani, but receive third-class services,” she said. “Leaders come during elections, take votes, and then disappear. The state sees us only as a source of revenue—there is time to take money, but no time to provide services.”

She further stated, “I am not a professional politician; I am a daughter of this area. My message is clear—days of neglect for Dhaka-9 are over. We pay equal taxes, and our rights are equal. We will claim what is rightfully ours.”

Dr Jara later outlined six key problems and their proposed solutions while reading out her manifesto.

Earlier, on 24 January, she had published the manifesto on her verified Facebook page.