Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury addressed as the chief guest a function to distribute Family Card at Ward No. 41 of Patenga in the city this morning. Photo: PID

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 10, 2026 (BSS) - Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the ‘Family Card’ scheme for female as household head was a first step of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s plan towards establishing a welfare-oriented state.  

“BNP has not only made promises and does not believe in rhetoric rather it is committed to fulfilling all the pledges one after another the party gave to the people,” Amir Khasru said while addressing as chief guest a function to distribute Family Card at Ward No. 41 of Patenga in the city this morning.  

In this context, the Finance and Planning Minister said that successful execution of Family Card programme within one month of assuming office by a government has proved that any giant economic scheme can be implemented if there is proper leadership and good attitude. 

State Minister for CHT Affairs Barrister Mir Md Helal Uddin, Abu Sufian MP were special guest at the function held at Biman Bandar High School Ground at Patenga with Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Dr. Shahadat Hossain in the chair. 

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Meah made welcome address at the function attended by senior officials of the administration and a large number of women of the area. 

Speaking at the function, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury vehemently announced that Bangladesh will no longer allow an economy only for any privileged and any particular class, rather BNP government with the able leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is committed to have an economy to ensure welfare of marginalized communities and building a more inclusive economy. 

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury emphasized that the economy should not only benefit a few privileged individuals but also focus on uplifting the disadvantaged and downtrodden class of the society. 

Execution of the Family Card programme has also indicated the country’s resilient economic capability, he added.  

“The Family Card programme to a female head of a family is a government’s vision to empower women, making them economically self-reliant and socially dignified”, the finance minister said referring that tireless labor and services a female person used to provide in a family have never recognized and honored. 

He said initial target group of the family card program is very poor class and then gradually poor to low and middle-income group will be brought under the coverage. 

In addition to the distribution of family card, he said BNP government has started massive work to implement all of its pre-election pledges and pro-people welfare oriented programs like Farmer’s Card, Health Card and Canal Excavation scheme. 

All segments of the population will enjoy the fruits of the comprehensive programs as part of government’s broader economic activities, he said. 

The finance minister said 5,775 family cards are being distributed in Chattogram on first phase and gradually eligible female of other areas will get the card. 

He assured that services for the poor will be implemented without political bias, aiming to provide assistance directly to the people without the need to navigate government offices or political channels. 

The minister also mentioned the waiver of agriculture loans amounting to approximately Tk 12,000 crore for poor farmers for agricultural production to stabilize commodity prices. 

Addressing the function as special guest, State Minister for CHT Affairs Barrister Mir Helal stated that this day is significant for Bangladesh’s history as previous government failed to fulfill their promises and even tried to mislead the people through false rhetoric. 

Praising Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for his prudent commitment and undertaking people’s need-based socio-economic programs, Mir Helal said “Execution of family card scheme is a glaring example of premier Tarique Rahman’s sincerity and feelings towards the interest of the masses.” 

The family card programme is the first step towards integrating women into the mainstream of the economy, enhancing their financial independence, self-worth, and societal standing.

Later, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury distributed big size replicas of Family Card to five selected women of the area. 

Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Mohammad Ziauddin, member of the BNP’s International Affairs Sub-Committee Ishrafil Kahsru , city BNP Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman and Director of Divisional Social Welfare Department Minhazur Rahman, among others, were present at the occasion.