Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed a rally at the Moulvibazar Government High School ground today. Photo: PMO

MOULVIBAZAR, June 17, 2026 (BSS)- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called upon the people to remain vigilant against those who are threatening the government that it should not be given time.

“Those who are saying that BNP should not be given time are speaking for their own interests. We must remain alert against them as the people have decided that BNP will govern the country for the next five years,” he told a rally at Moulvibazar Government High School ground.

Criticizing a political party without naming it, he said, “Many elders are present here. Do you remember what they did in 1971? Do you remember what they did in 1986? During the long years of political struggle in between, we did not see them anywhere.”

Tarique Rahman mentioned that many leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies including Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal embraced martyrdom, faced jail in false cases during the fascist regime. 

Referring to the people’s mandate for the BNP on February 12 general election, Tarique Rahman said the people gave their verdict in the last election in favour of BNP to rebuild the country, guide it in the right direction as the autocrat left the country fragile.

The prime minister arrived in Moulvibazar from Sreemangal at around 3 pm. At the event, he distributed Family Cards among marginalized women.

By pressing a button on a computer, he also formally launched the third phase of the Family Card distribution programme in Moulvibazar’s 19 wards and in various upazilas of 21 other districts through an online connection.

Before distributing the cards, he planted mango and neem saplings at the Government High School grounds in Moulvibazar. Earlier in Sreemangal, he planted jam (black berry) and krishnachura saplings at the Victoria High School grounds.

At the event, the prime minister also handed over housing support for tea workers, scholarships for their children, and cheques of one-time financial assistance to poor, disadvantaged, disabled, and marginalized people.
Noting that Bangladesh won its independence in 1971 through the martyrdom of its people, he said, “Who freed the country from autocratic rule on August 5, 2024? The people of Bangladesh did. Therefore, the people of Bangladesh will also rebuild the country. 

Quoting former premier Khaleda Zia, he said, “When Khaleda Zia was told to leave the country she candidly told that soil of Bangladesh is my first and last address.’ 

“Can you remember that? For all of us, Bangladesh is our first and last address,” Tarique Rahman said adding “So if we want to move the country forward and build it, we must all work together hand in hand.”

Since assuming office February 17, Tarique Rahman said, his government started implementing many electoral pledges such as Family Cards, Farmer Cards, waiving farmers’ loan up to Taka 10,000 each, honorariums for muezzins, imams, and other religious leaders, school uniforms for students, and sports competitions.

He said people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation will be benefited from the schemes.

The Prime Minister also recalled the development initiatives carried out in the region by the late Finance Minister M. Saifur Rahman and remarked that the district had seen little development over the past decade and more.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain chaired the meeting while Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Whip GK Gaus, Moulvibazar-3 MP M Naser Rahman and BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, who joined online from Keraniganj, also spoke.

After concluding the Moulvibazar event, the prime minister left for Sylhet by road at around 5:30 p.m.