Leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliate organisations in greater Chattogram are preparing a warm welcome for Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, who is scheduled to visit the port city on 9 August.
This marks the prime minister’s maiden visit to Chattogram since assuming office on 17 February. The day-long itinerary includes reviewing major development projects, leading flood rehabilitation initiatives, and holding high-level organisational meetings, reports BSS.
Tarique is expected to arrive in Maheshkhali at 9am. His first engagement involves reviewing the operations of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the coal-fired power project, and the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA).
Following these inspections, he will travel by helicopter to Baharchhara beach in Banshkhali upazila.
Rehabilitation Initiatives
At 12 noon, Tarique will lead a government-organised programme to assist victims of recent floods. He is set to distribute relief materials and hand over keys to new homes to 100 families who were rendered homeless by the disaster.
He will later proceed to Hathazari. Following a brief respite at the Jilla Parisad Dak Bungalow, he will attend another rehabilitation event at the government college ground.
On behalf of the local MP and State Minister for Land, Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Tarique will allocate grants of Tk1 lakh each to 30 families for rebuilding flood-damaged homes.
Additionally, he will present Tk10,000 to 15 individuals with disabilities as a gesture of goodwill.
Religious and courtesy visits
During the visit, Tarique will stop at Al Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari to pay a courtesy visit to Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari.
He will also visit the Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Mainul Islam Madrasa in Hathazari to pay his respects at the grave of the late Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi.
Organisational engagement
In the evening, Tarique will chair an organisational meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the city. He will engage directly with grassroots leaders from the three BNP units (Metropolitan, North, and South) and 11 affiliated organisations.
Nazimur Rahman, member secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan BNP, noted that specific criteria have been established for attendees, including senior leaders who have long served the party.
Lion Helal Uddin, member secretary of Southern District BNP, added that although no public meeting is scheduled, thousands are expected to gather due to the prime minister’s popularity.
Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, state minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs, stated that the visit reflects Tarique Rahman’s political philosophy of inclusivity and his dedication to alleviating the hardships of the general populace.
Tarique is scheduled to depart for Dhaka at 9:20pm.
