United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday made surprise visits to several ministries at the Secretariat soon after arriving at his office on the first working day. The Prime Minister arrived at the Secretariat at around 9:05am and immediately began the visits, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He first went to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, where he entered different rooms, spoke to officials and staff, and advised them to prevent wastage and ensure efficient use of resources. He suggested reducing unnecessary use of lights, limiting air-conditioner usage, and making better use of daylight by opening curtains to cut electricity consumption. The Prime Minister also told officials that loving the country truly means caring for it from the heart. “This country belongs to all of us,” he said. During his visits to different ministries, he also advised officials and staff to maintain cleanliness of offices, including desks, chairs and other furniture, and to take proper care of government assets. “Government property is the country’s property, and it must be preserved with care,” he said. The Additional Press Secretary said the Prime Minister also visited the Ministries of Water Resources, Health and Family Welfare, Environment and Forest, Social Welfare, Fisheries and Livestock, and Housing and Public Works. Officials and employees appeared surprised by the sudden visits, with many seen becoming alert and active. After completing the visits, the Prime Minister returned to his office and attended a meeting of a special committee on the farmers’ card programme. Agriculture Minister Aminur Rashid, along with secretaries and senior officials of the relevant ministries, were present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official vehicle carried the national flag for the first time on Thursday since he assumed office. The flag was seen on the Prime Minister’s car as he travelled to and from the National Memorial in Savar early in the morning to pay tribute to the martyrs marking Independence and National Day. Since taking charge on February 17, the Prime Minister had been using his personal white car, which does not carry the national or prime ministerial flag. However, on Thursday, he used the designated official vehicle bearing both the national flag and the Prime Minister’s flag, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister left his Gulshan residence early in the morning and reached the National Memorial at 5:53am. Rumon said the Prime Minister maintained a limited protocol during the visit. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan received the Prime Minister on his arrival at the memorial. The Additional Press Secretary said members of the Cabinet, chiefs of the three services and other senior officials travelled to Savar by bus this time. He said an estimated 4,500 litres of fuel are usually used to transport VVIPs and VIPs at such state events. “Considering fuel savings, limited protocol and fewer vehicles were used this time, and the VIPs travelled by bus,” he added.   Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the memorial at 5:56am. After placing the wreaths, they stood in silence for a while as a mark of respect, while a contingent of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute and bugles played the last post. The Chief Justice, Cabinet members, chiefs of the three services, war-wounded freedom fighters, family members of martyrs, diplomats and senior civil and military officials were present. Later, the Prime Minister placed another wreath at the memorial along with members of his Cabinet. As BNP Chairperson, he also paid tribute with senior party leaders. The Prime Minister also exchanged greetings with war-wounded freedom fighters, family members of martyrs and other guests present at the memorial, and signed the visitors’ book. Later, he went to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and paid tribute at the graves of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia by placing wreaths. He first paid tribute as Prime Minister along with Cabinet members, and later as BNP Chairperson with party leaders. He later returned to his residence in Gulshan.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday chaired a meeting to address traffic congestion in the capital and discuss measures for modernising the city’s traffic management system. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony. During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to tackle the capital’s persistent traffic problems and improve overall traffic management. PM orders ministry to arrange loan support for outbound students Senior officials from the relevant ministries and agencies attended the meeting.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed the authorities concerned to facilitate loans for students intending to pursue higher studies abroad. State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Hoque  Nur disclosed this while talking to reporters after a meeting with the Prime Minister at Secretariat on Tuesday morning. “The Prime Minister instructed us to provide loans of up to Tk 10 lakh through the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment for students intend to go to countries like Korea, Japan, China and Germany, particularly to support bank guarantees or solvency requirements,” he said. Nur said the Prime Minister asked to designate Probashi Kallyan Bank, a bank under the ministry, to provide the loans so that they could be disbursed directly through the ministry. The state minister said discussions were also held on the potential challenges and opportunities for Bangladesh’s labour market in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict. “Although a significant portion of our labour market depends on the Middle East, we expect that Bangladesh will not face major setbacks. Rather, there could be increased demand for our workers as infrastructure rebuilding will be needed,” he said. Nur said the Prime Minister also stressed the importance of learning  third languages noting that many Bangladeshi workers are forced to take low-paying jobs due to language barriers. The state minister said discussions were also held on expediting the process of sending 100,000 workers to Japan under an existingMemorandum  of Understanding , as well as exploring opportunities in Europe. He said the Prime Minister earlier instructed the Foreign Ministry to persuade European countries to provide consular services in Bangladesh to ease visa processing. “Some countries have already started offering consular services here, and the Prime Minister has asked to ensure that others do the same,” he said. Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and other senior officials attended the meeting, presided over by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman resumed office at the Secretariat on the first working day after the Eid holidays. His Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the Prime Minister reached his office at 9:01am. “After arriving, he exchanged Eid greetings with officials and staff and then began his official work,” he said. The Additional Press Secretary said Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister for Civil Aviation Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani and Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, along with secretaries and senior officials of different ministries, exchanged Eid greetings with the Prime Minister. As part of the day’s schedule, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Krishna Srinivasan met the Prime Minister. The meeting was held at around 10am at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Economic Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder were present.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday urged people to stand by the helpless and underprivileged on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, sharing the festive happiness with all sections of society. In a message on the occasion of Eid, he greeted the people of the country and expressed hope that Eid-ul-Fitr will further strengthen national unity, mutual harmony and solidarity. “On this joyous day of Eid, let us stand by the helpless, the poor, and the underprivileged, and share the happiness of the festival with everyone. Let this be our commitment,” the Prime Minister said. He urged all to be inspired by the great ideals of Eid and work together to build a humane, developed, peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh. He prayed to Almighty Allah to shower the joy, mercy and blessings of Eid-ul-Fitr upon all. The Prime Minister also prayed that Allah will guide the country and the nation towards peace, progress and prosperity, and ensure the welfare of the entire Muslim Ummah. He said the true significance of Eid lies in reflecting the lessons of Ramadan in personal, family, social and state life. “Eid calls upon people to forget all divisions of rich and poor, young and old, and to be united in bonds of love and brotherhood.” Tarique said the holy month of Ramadan teaches restraint, sacrifice, service and self-purification.  He also said the month-long fasting helps people develop self-discipline and feel the suffering of others, creating a spirit of compassion and mutual cooperation in society. Noting that Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two biggest religious festivals for Muslims, the Prime Minister said after a month of fasting and spiritual practice, Eid-ul-Fitr brings messages of joy, peace, harmony and brotherhood to people’s lives. “On the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, I extend my heartfelt greetings and Eid Mubarak to the people of the country and all Muslims around the world,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will continue to stay at his private residence in Gulshan instead of shifting to the official residence Jamuna. “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will stay at his own residence in Gulshan. He is not moving into the official residence Jamuna,” said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister feels comfortable living in his relatively small house in Gulshan. “After returning to the country, he moved into this house, and it has been arranged accordingly,” he added. The previous Prime Minister’s residence at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar was damaged during the mass uprising on August 5, 2024, and was later turned into a museum by the interim government. During that period, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus used the State Guest House Jamuna as his official residence. After Tarique Rahman took oath as Prime Minister, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works prepared Jamuna as the official residence for the Prime Minister. However, he has decided not to move into the residence. Rumon said the state functions of the Prime Minister will be held at Jamuna. “Two Iftar programmes hosted by the Prime Minister for diplomats and religious leaders have already been held there.” He said he Prime Minister will exchange Eid greetings with diplomats, distinguished citizens and people from all walks of life at 10am on Eid day at Jamuna.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman continued his official duties from his Gulshan residence on Wednesday, keeping a close watch on government activities across the country amid the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. “The Eid holiday has begun. The Prime Minister is staying at his Gulshan Avenue residence and carrying out urgent official work from there. He is also keeping track of the situation across the country,” said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister is regularly seeking updates on the ongoing canal excavation programmes including whether the work is progressing as planned and is speaking with the relevant ministers to ensure proper supervision. Rumon said the Prime Minister has also contacted mayors and administrators of various city corporations, urging them to maintain cleanliness during the Eid holidays. “The Prime Minister has also taken updates on Eid travel fromministers and state ministers concerned ,” he added. Despite the public holiday on Tuesday, the Prime Minister attended office at the Secretariat, where he chaired a Cabinet meeting and a meeting of the Farmers’ Card implementation committee. The Eid holiday began on Tuesday and will continue until March 23. Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on either on Friday or Saturday, depending on the moon sighting. 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur. The programme was launched at around 12:27pm at Balrampur village under Ramchandrapur union of Kaharol upazila. After reaching the canal bank, the Prime Minister first looked at a map of the canal and then moved forward to cut the soil of the canal. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the excavation of 54 canals across the country by launching the digging of the 12-kilometre Sahapara canal in the district. Later, he planted a tree sapling on the bank of Sahapara canal. The initiative brings back a programme first introduced by BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman who started canal excavation work across the country. After introducing the Family Card programme earlier, the Prime Minister launched the canal revival initiative to fulfil another election pledge made by the BNP ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. Accompanied by ministers and BNP leaders, Tarique Rahman personally began re-excavating the Sahapara canal cutting soil with a spade. By cutting the first soil from the canal, he formally launched the nationwide programme, marking the start of similar activities across the country. By digging the canal with his own hands, the Prime Minister evoked the memory of his father, BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Nearly five decades ago, he had taken a similar initiative by personally digging canals to improve irrigation and increase agricultural production. Several thousand local people enthusiastically watched as the head of government himself dug the canal, following in the footsteps of his late father. The Prime Minister arrived at Syedpur Airport from Dhaka by air at 10:15am. From there, he travelled by road to the Balrampur Sahapara area in Dinajpur. Leaders and activists stood along both sides of the road to greet him as his motorcade passed. This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit outside the capital since assuming office as Prime Minister on 17 February. He also addressed a public meeting near the canal at Sahapara. The programme was jointly organised by the Water Resources Ministry and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain, among others, spoke at the programme. The Sahapara canal is about 12.2 kilometres long and is connected with the Punarbhaba River. According to local leaders, the canal was first excavated in 1977 by then president Ziaur Rahman with the participation of local villagers and party activists. PM Tarique’s canal re-excavation drive in Dinajpur evokes memories of Zia Speaking to journalists before the inauguration, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister and Dinajpur-6 MP Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said once the entire canal re-excavation is completed, around 31,000 farmers in the region will benefit directly while nearly 350,000 people will gain overall benefits. He said the re-excavation would help solve the area’s waterlogging problem, increase crop production and improve the local economy.

The stage is set in Kaharole upazila of Dinajpur for the inauguration of the Sahapara canal re-excavation programme by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. All preparations for the programme have been completed. A banner on the stage reads: “Public gathering marking the inauguration of the re-excavation of Sahapara canal under the nationwide programme for excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals and water bodies.” The programme is being jointly organised by the Water Resources Ministry and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad said the Prime Minister will first inaugurate the excavation of the Sahapara canal upon arriving at the venue. After the inauguration, he will go to the stage set up beside the canal and address the gathering. Tight security measures have been taken across Balrampur union ahead of the programme. Members of the police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the area since morning. The Prime Minister left Dhaka on a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at around 9:30am and reached Saidpur Airport at around 10:15am before heading to the programme venue.