Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had a packed schedule on his first day in office on Wednesday, with hardly any respite throughout the day.
He woke early, offered prayers and, after breakfast, prepared for the day’s engagements. He first travelled from his Gulshan residence in his white Toyota car to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, where he paid tribute to the Liberation War martyrs at around 11:15am.
From Savar, the prime minister went to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and laid wreaths at the graves of his parents — former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Members of the cabinet accompanied him at both locations.
He then proceeded to the Secretariat, where he began his first official work at his office at the administrative headquarters on Wednesday afternoon.
Upon his arrival, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar and other senior officials of the Cabinet Division welcomed him with flowers and exchanged greetings. He also enquired about their well-being.
After nearly 19 years, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the Secretariat. Strict security arrangements were put in place from the morning, and officials and employees were allowed entry only after thorough checks at each gate.
The prime minister worked from his designated office on the third floor of the newly constructed Building No 1 at the Secretariat. Several important programmes were scheduled on his first working day.
At 3:00pm, he chaired the first meeting of the new cabinet, followed by a meeting with ministry secretaries. At both meetings, he issued directives on upcoming plans and several key issues.
He offered Zuhr and Asr prayers at the Secretariat. His address to the nation was recorded there for broadcast on Bangladesh Television. By the time he completed his engagements, it was evening, and he returned directly to his Gulshan residence.
The speech was initially scheduled to be aired at 6:30pm on BTV. However, following the sighting of the Ramadan moon and due to Taraweeh prayers, it was broadcast at 9:45pm.
Meanwhile, BNP media cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon said the prime minister would use his own car, instead of a government vehicle, and arrange driver and fuel at his own cost. On Wednesday, he travelled to Savar, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and the Secretariat in his personal Toyota car.
Considering traffic congestion, the prime minister has reduced the size of his motorcade. Previously comprising 13 or 14 vehicles, it has now been reduced to four. He is using a car without the national flag, although the flag will be used for state functions or during visits by foreign dignitaries.
The media cell member also said the prime minister has decided to hold cabinet meetings at the Secretariat instead of the Prime Minister’s Office, as meetings at the latter often cause congestion due to ministerial movements and inconvenience to the public.
It is learnt that the prime minister has also instructed the relevant ministry to discontinue the practice of deploying uniformed police along both sides of roads during his movement in the capital.
