United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday assured that his government will gradually implement all its election pledges ‘at any cost’ to change people’s fortunes and promote the development of the country. “We will fulfil the promises we have made to the people one by one. These are the commitments that will change the fate of people and transform the destiny of the country. We will try to implement them at any cost,” he said while addressing the formal launch of the Family Card Pilot Programme at T&T Playground in Banani in his constituency. The Prime Minister described the day of launching the Family Card as an emotional one, as it allowed him to fulfil a promise he had made to the people before the election. Tarique Rahman said his government understands that the people of the country have many expectations from the elected administration. At the same time, he said, taking into account the realities and the current global situation--including circumstances in the Middle East--it might take longer in some cases to implement certain pledges. The Prime Minister urged the people of the country to face the evolving situation following the Middle East crisis with patience and to build the country in a positive and constructive way. “We will not move away in the slightest from the promises we have made. It may take a little more time in some cases to implement the pledges due to the current global situation,” he said. Tarique Rahman expressed his firm belief that his government will gradually be able to deliver the Family Card to women heads of all four crore families in Bangladesh within the next five years. He highlighted the importance of empowering women, saying, “Women make up half of Bangladesh’s population. We firmly believe that if we leave this half behind and fail to empower them—socially, educationally, and economically—the country cannot move forward.” Recalling the efforts of previous BNP governments, Tarique said when former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was in office, she ensured free education for women from school up to intermediate level across Bangladesh. “We want now to economically empower this educated female population and build their financial stability. With this goal in mind, even before forming the government, we planned how to empower women and improve their economic wellbeing. As part of that plan, we have started the phased introduction of the Family Card across Bangladesh,” he said. Tarique, also the Chairman of BNP, said his government wants to play a play responsible role. “We want to play the role of a responsible government— an administration that works for the people and for the country. We want to remain accountable to our people.” He said his party BNP made a promise to the people of Bangladesh before the elections that if elected, they would launch the Family Card programme. “By Allah’s grace, with the support of the people, we began fulfilling this promise within less than a month of forming the government.” Farmers’ Card to be distributed next month  In addition to the Family Card, the Prime Minister said his party made several other promises, including one priority commitment--the Farmers’ Card. “Just as we were able to provide Family Cards to 37,000 women at today’s event, Inshallah, we will distribute Farmers’ Cards to our farmers next month,” he said. Tarique reminded the audience that his party also promised the country’s farmers that, if elected, they would waive agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000, including interest. “By Allah’s grace, loans of up to Tk10,000 were waived with interest last week. These are the promises we made to people — promises that will change their lives and the country’s future,” he said. Earlier, he formally launched the government’s Family Card programme for women-led households, fulfilling his election pledge to support women’s empowerment, economic inclusion and social justice. Just three weeks after the formation of government following a massive election victory, the Prime Minister launched the Family Card at T&T playground in Banani (adjacent to Korail slum) in his constituency. Tarique Rahman first handed over a family card to Pervin Begum at around 11:19am. Later, 16 other women also received the cards from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister formally launched the Family Card programme by pressing a button on a laptop at 11:30am, after which the selected recipients automatically received the money in their accounts. The programme began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and readings from other religious scriptures at around 10:44am. BNP’s theme song, “Prothom Bangladesh Amar, Shesh Bangladesh” (“My First Bangladesh, My Last Bangladesh”), was also played. State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Farzana Sharmin, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Milton, and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yousuf spoke at the programme, with Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain in the chair. Cabinet members, members of parliament, diplomats, senior civil and military officials, and other dignitaries were present at the function. The Prime Minister, along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, arrived at the venue earlier at 10:32am and spoke with several women who had come to receive family cards. The program reflects the government’s pledge to advance national progress and fairness in society by strengthening women’s roles and formally acknowledging them as primary family representatives within social welfare initiatives. In its pilot stage, the programme is being rolled out in 15 wards across 13 city corporations and unions spanning 13 districts across the country, according to the Social Welfare Ministry. Under the pilot programme, each selected household will receive a monthly allowance of Tk 2,500 through the Government-to-Person (G2P) digital payment system directly to the women’s mobile wallets or bank accounts.

A two-day training workshop organised by the BNP for its Members of Parliament (MPs) ahead of the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad began on Friday. BNP Chairman, Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the workshop at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan at around 10:30am. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman joined the training workshop with BNP lawmakers. The opening session was attended by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and AZM Zahid Hossain, among other senior leaders. Tarique Rahman delivered the welcome speech at the programme. His daughter Zaima Rahman was also present at the workshop. BNP leaders said the workshop will brief newly elected MPs on parliamentary procedures, rules of conduct, bill drafting and review, analysis of budget documents and the functioning of parliamentary committees. Experienced lawmakers will share their experiences with the new MPs to help them carry out their duties effectively in parliament, they said, adding that the main aim of the workshop is to strengthen the efficiency of the government and the ruling party in parliamentary activities. The first session of the 13th parliament will begin at 11am on March 12 after President Mohammed Shahabuddin convened the session on February 23. BNP organised the workshop to prepare its MPs for the upcoming parliamentary session. Parliamentary experts, academics and senior lawmakers will discuss the responsibilities and roles of MPs and cabinet members to ensure the effective functioning of parliament. The two-day workshop has been arranged in several sessions. On the first day, ministers, state ministers and advisers joined the morning session, while MPs from parts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka and Faridpur divisions attended the afternoon session. On the second day, MPs from Dhaka district, Mymensingh, Faridpur and the remaining areas of Dhaka division will attend the morning session, while MPs from Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram divisions will take part in the afternoon session. A total of 209 BNP lawmakers were elected in the 13th parliamentary election, including 146 who are serving as MPs for the first time. A senior BNP leader said the workshop will also guide MPs on how to raise points of order, take part in debates on bills, present problems from their constituencies in parliament, discuss the President’s speech and ensure regular attendance during parliamentary sessions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday switched off half the lights at his Secretariat office and lowered the air-conditioner use, urging all government offices and institutions to be more frugal in electricity use. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman took the initiative shortly after he arrived at his office in the morning. “The Prime Minister reached his office at around 9:10am. After entering the room, he switched off about 50 per cent of the lights and adjusted the air-conditioner to 25.1 degrees Celsius to reduce electricity consumption,” he said. Rumon also said the Prime Minister asked officials to switch off half the lights and lower the air-conditioning level when he entered the Cabinet meeting room. The Prime Minister’s Office is located in Building No. 1 of Secretariat which houses several departments under the Prime Minister as well as the Cabinet Division. Following the Prime Minister’s initiative, lights were immediately reduced and air-conditioner settings lowered in other rooms of his office. He said the Prime Minister also called upon all ministries, government offices across the country,m as well as private institutions, shopping centres and commercial establishments to use electricity more efficiently and frugally. The Prime Minister also urged people across the country to reduce the use of artificial lighting during the day and make better use of natural sunlight by opening curtains and windows at offices and homes, Rumon added. He said the Prime Minister has asked the Power and Energy Minister to take proper steps to ensure the efficient use of electricity and to seek expert opinions on what further measures can be taken. The Prime Minister took the initiative amid rising fuel prices and growing concerns about the supply of petroleum fuel and natural gas — the two main sources used to generate electricity in the country — due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, which has spread to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments. Bangladesh, which already faces energy shortages, depends heavily on the Gulf region for its primary energy supply. The country imports most of its petroleum fuel, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) either directly or indirectly from the region.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday praised the patriotism and professionalism of the members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party and assured continued development of the force. The Prime Minister made the remarks during a courtesy call by the Director General of Ansar and VDP, Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat, said PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. During the meeting, they exchanged greetings and discussed the force’s ongoing activities and future plans. The Prime Minister commended Ansar and VDP personnel for their tireless efforts in maintaining peace and security and serving the public interest. He directed the force to continue its public service activities in the interest of national peace, security and stability. The Director General briefed the Prime Minister on various development initiatives undertaken by the force. The Prime Minister said the ongoing development of Ansar and VDP would continue in the coming days. He also called upon members of the force to remain fully prepared to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to take swift action for removal of advertisements and banners in Dhaka that displayed congratulatory messages with his picture. The Prime Minister gave the directive in the morning, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. “On his way to his Secretariat office, the Prime Minister ordered the immediate removal of a banner showing his picture in front of Police Plaza at Hatirjheel, and it was taken down immediately,” Rumon said. He added that the Prime Minister also instructed the authorities to remove quickly all billboards and advertisements across the capital that displayed congratulatory messages with his picture. A few days ago, Rumon said, while travelling along Bijoy Sarani, the Prime Minister noticed an LED screen showing a congratulatory message and immediately ordered its removal. He said the Prime Minister reached his office at the Secretariat around 9:10am today and later held a meeting with Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque. Rumon said the Prime Minister instructed increased patrolling in coastal and Bay of Bengal areas to prevent piracy, robbery, illegal trade, and to protect fisheries, ensuring fishermen’s safety. Vehicle speed increases The Additional Press Secretary said a report was submitted to the Prime Minister today, showing that vehicle movement speed in the capital has improved as people are now following traffic signals. “A report has been submitted to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on traffic congestion and vehicle speeds in the capital. It shows that vehicle movement has improved because top officials including the Prime Minister are now following traffic signals without taking advantage of VIP protocol,” he said. PM Tarique asks Coast Guard to continue public service, disaster response efforts Rumon said previously, the average speed on Dhaka roads was 4.5 km/h, roughly the pace of walking. Since taking office, he said the Prime Minister has reduced VIP protocol and started following traffic signals. Rumon said the report, covering the past 14 days, shows that vehicle speed has increased to 5.3 km/h as the President, ministers, and state officials now follow traffic rules. Rice price monitoring After learning about the rise in coarse rice prices, a staple for low-income people, the Additional Press Secretary said the Prime Minister  on Monday instructed the relevant ministries and authorities to take immediate action. “Yesterday (Monday), when Prime Minister Tarique Rahman learned about the rise in coarse rice prices, immediate measures were taken and the market has already started showing a positive impact,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday asked the Bangladesh Coast Guard to continue its public service and disaster response work to ensure peace and security. “The Prime Minister directed the Coast Guard to continue its public service and disaster response activities, particularly in the coastal and riverine areas to ensure peace, security and safeguard public interests,” said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister gave the directive when Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque paid a courtesy call on him at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat. Rumon said Tarique Rahman highly appreciated the patriotism and professionalism of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and their tireless efforts in serving the nation. He said the Prime Minister also urged the force to maintain the highest level of preparedness to protect the country’s sovereignty. The Director General briefed the Prime Minister on various development activities of the Coast Guard. The Prime Minister assured that the ongoing development initiatives of the force would continue in the future.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday talked to experts about overhauling Dhaka's traffic management system to ease chronic congestion in the capital. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat in the morning, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. “The Prime Minister exchanged views with a group of experts led by Buet Professor Shamsul Haque and sought their opinions on how to reorganise the traffic system to reduce gridlock in Dhaka,” he said. Rumon said the Prime Minister also spoke to architects about renovation and development work at the graves of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Tarique Rahman listened to their views on the proposed plans, Rumon added. Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher and Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmad also met the Prime Minister separately, he said. PM enquires about Bangladeshis in Middle East amid Iran crisis State ministers concerned were present during the meetings. Rumon said the Prime Minister arrived at the Secretariat from his Gulshan residence at 9:13am.  

The first cabinet meeting was held at the conference room of the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. After the cabinet meeting, Rumon said, the Prime Minister went to the Osmani Memorial Auditorium from the Secretariat to distribute the Ekushey Padak 2026 at a ceremony held there.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Abida Islam has said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman envisions a nation built on economic and social inclusion, with the ambitious goal of transforming Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy. A cornerstone of this strategy is the ‘Family Card’ scheme, which she cited as a prime example of social inclusion designed to advance women’s rights. The High Commissioner emphasised that the government, led by Tarique Rahman, is firmly committed to upholding democracy, the rule of law and human rights through its vision for an inclusive nation. Speaking at a panel titled ‘Bangladesh Election: What Next?’, the High Commissioner explained that the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy focuses on maintaining friendly relations with all nations while strictly safeguarding Bangladesh’s sovereignty and national interests. She said the government is dedicated to implementing meaningful changes to improve the lives of all Bangladeshis, said the Bangladesh High Commission in London. The High Commissioner pointed out that on reforms there are many similarities between the BNP’s election manifesto and the July Charter. She described the country’s recent national parliamentary election as a definitive milestone in its democratic history. The discussion, organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), took place on Tuesday in a committee room of the British Parliament. Chaired and moderated by British MP Apsana Begum, the panel featured distinguished speakers, including Baroness Winterton, UK Trade Envoy for Bangladesh, Chietigj Bajpaee, Senior Research Fellow for South Asia at Chatham House; and Sohela Nazneen, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). The event was attended by prominent figures, including former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, MP Rupa Huq, as well as leading journalists and human rights activists. Baroness Winterton congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his new role, affirming the UK’s eagerness to strengthen trade relations. Reflecting on her recent visit to the country, she said Bangladesh’s immense growth potential is best achieved within a stable democratic environment. Regarding the repatriation of assets allegedly laundered from Bangladesh to the UK, Baroness Winterton confirmed that the British government is providing active support on the matter. Given the political climate, Chietigj Bajpaee said, the BNP’s electoral victory was widely anticipated.  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the party’s iftar programme scheduled to be held on February 28. Jamaat Secretary General Miah Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim on Wednesday met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office at the Cabinet Division. “During the meeting, the Jamaat leaders invited the Prime Minister to attend the party’s iftar programme scheduled to be held on February 28,” said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.