Prime Minister Tariq Rahman will host an iftar in honour of diplomats at the State Guest House Jamuna on Friday, marking his first formal Ramadan gathering since assuming office.
Ambassadors, representatives of foreign missions in Dhaka, Cabinet members and Members of Parliament are expected to attend the event, according to officials familiar with the preparations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun issuing invitations and coordinating arrangements for the programme, officials said.
Sources within Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said the government has planned a series of specialised Ramadan events this year.
They said former Prime Minister BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia traditionally hosted iftar gatherings with madrasa orphans and Islamic scholars at the start of Ramadan, while the present administration has chosen to organise different groups in separate programmes.
An iftar event for leaders of various political parties is also being planned, party insiders said.
Prime Minister Tariq Rahman is expected to begin official government operations from the State Guest House Jamuna after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
On Eid day, he will exchange greetings with BNP leaders, activists and the public at Jamuna.
A separate session with diplomats is also scheduled later that day, according to officials.
After the holidays, the prime minister will conduct official work from the Secretariat, the Tejgaon office and the Jamuna guest house.
However, he will continue to reside at his private residence in Gulshan.
Party insiders said the arrangement follows the precedent set by his father, former President Ziaur Rahman, who maintained his office at Bangabhaban while living at his residence on Mainul Hossain Road in the cantonment.
The State Guest House Jamuna was vacated on 28 February by former interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
Since then, the Public Works Department has been carrying out renovation and maintenance work to prepare the facility for the prime minister’s official use.
