Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday called for patience and cooperation from all sections of the people, saying the government will work tirelessly day and night to rebuild the country and meet public expectations.

“You have formed this government through your mandate. As this government has been established by your votes, if we get your support, Inshallah, we will work day and night with full commitment to build the Bangladesh you expect. I seek the support of all democracy-loving people in this regard,” he said.

PM Tarique’s canal re-excavation drive in Dinajpur evokes memories of Zia

The Prime Minister made the call while speaking at an iftar mahfil and a views-exchange meeting with distinguished guests and political leaders, organised by the BNP’s Dinajpur unit at the local Circuit House.

Tarique said that during the election campaign he travelled across the country and heard the same message from people everywhere.

“I have heard one thing from the people: over the past many years, their expectations were not met. They hoped the country would move forward and see more development work, but nothing significant like that happened anywhere,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said the country now needs collective effort and patience to move forward. “So, I urge everyone today to work hard together to build the country. But before starting this work, there is another task we must do — we need to act with patience.”

He noted that problems that accumulated over the past 15 to 16 years cannot be solved quickly.

“If certain problems were not addressed over the last 15 or 16 years, they cannot be solved in one month or even 15 months. It will take time,” the Prime Minister said.

Tarique added that the current government belongs to all people, whether they voted for it or not.

“You elected this government through your votes. Whether someone voted for us or not, this government belongs to everyone and wants to work for the country and its people,” he said.

In Dinajpur, Tarique recalled memories of his grandmother’s home while outlining his plans for the development of the area.

He said he will soon meet industrialists from across the country to discuss how establishing factories can contribute to national progress.

The Prime Minister assured that establishing industries in Dinajpur will also create employment opportunities for the unemployed.

He highlighted that although his government has been in office for less than a month, work has already begun to fulfil election pledges. Among initiatives started are agricultural loan waivers, Family Card distribution, honorariums for religious leaders, and canal excavation programmes. He also announced that farmer cards will be distributed next month.

The Prime Minister revealed plans for a 20,000-kilometre canal excavation programme nationwide, which will help resolve water issues across Dinajpur and the country, ensure irrigation for agricultural lands, and address arsenic problems by raising groundwater levels.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, and local BNP leaders, among others, spoke at the programme.

The local BNP arranged the event following the Prime Minister’s visit to the district to launch a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara canal in Kaharol upazila.

Before the iftar mahfil, the Prime Minister distributed 20 Black Bengal goats under the rehabilitation and alternative employment programme for people engaged in begging.

Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur.

The nearly 12-kilometre Sahapara canal was originally excavated by then-President Ziaur Rahman, Tarique’s father, in 1977.