Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said his government will not be deterred by any obstacle in its efforts to rebuild Bangladesh as long as it enjoys the support of the people.
“We want to rebuild this country and take it forward. The source of the BNP’s political strength is the people. As long as the people stand by the BNP, the government will not be deterred by any obstacle,” he told Family Card beneficiaries at Batajor in Gournadi upazila, Barishal.
Rahman urged citizens across political, professional, and religious lines to support the rebuilding effort. He invited several beneficiaries to share their experiences, with women saying the monthly support eased household expenses, education, and medical costs.
Encouraged by their remarks, the prime minister said the Family Card programme has already made a difference and will be gradually extended nationwide to empower women and reduce hardship.
“If the people, especially the women of this country, stand by the BNP government, we will be able to expand the programme across Bangladesh,” he said.
The premier expressed confidence the initiative would bring social change by improving women’s access to education and strengthening their economic position.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusivity, saying “We want to move forward together in peace with people of all religions. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians have lived together peacefully for centuries. We want to preserve that tradition and rebuild the country without discrimination.”
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon and local leaders attended the programme. Later, the prime minister left for Barishal city to inaugurate a tree‑planting drive on the bank of the Sagardi Canal near the Thirty Godown Memorial.
7,000 families in each upazila to receive Family Cards
Female members of 7,000 families in every upazila across Bangladesh will receive Family Cards, Tarique said at an exchange meeting with the beneficiaries in the upazila around 11am.
“Before the election we promised that if the BNP formed government, four crore families nationwide would be given Family Cards. We have already started distribution in line with our electoral pledge,” he said.
He also informed that 41 lakh families will receive Family Cards in the current fiscal year, with allocations made in the 2026‑27 budget.
He recalled that former prime minister Khaleda Zia had made education free for women from grade one to grade eleven and said the current BNP‑led government will extend free education for women up to graduation level, along with scholarships for meritorious students.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister joined a tree plantation programme beside the newly excavated Sarikal canal in Batajor union of the upazila.
