Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has issued a stern warning against elements conspiring to attack factories and vandalise industrial facilities, declaring that the public will unite to deliver a fitting response to anyone attempting to ignite chaos, just as they did during the 2024 mass uprising.
“We will stand against the conspirators with all our strength, side by side with the people, working families, and labourers of this country,” Trique declared during a roadside rally at the Katakhali intersection on the Khulna-Mongla highway on Thursday, whilst travelling to the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali in Bagerhat.
“Just as the people of Bangladesh gave them a fitting answer in 2024, they will do so again,” he said.
The prime minister alleged that those who had failed to improve citizens’ lives over the past 15 to 16 years, depriving them of voting rights whilst siphoning national wealth abroad, were now operating from across the border to instigate domestic unrest and sabotage industrial infrastructure.
He iterated that whilst conspirators seek to derail national progress, his administration’s sole focus remains focused on nation-building, guided by a “Bangladesh First” principle.
Addressing labour welfare, Tarique announced that the government-formed Wage Board has formally commenced operations.
He expressed confidence that a revised minimum wage structure would be established within the next one to two months.
Recalling Khulna’s historic legacy as a premier industrial hub, the prime minister outlined ambitious plans to build thousands of factories across the south-western and north-western belts, spanning Khulna, Bagerhat, Kushtia, Chuadanga, and extending northward to Panchagarh.
Earlier in the morning, Tarique Rahman attended the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on economic and infrastructure cooperation between the Invest Bangladesh authority and the Chinese state-owned enterprise China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) in Mongla.
Following the signing, he laid the foundation stone for a Tk4,068 crore mega-project tasked with constructing two modern container jetties and associated infrastructure at Mongla Port.
Modernising the port, he emphasized, will transform it into the primary economic engine for the region, backed by expanded freight links connecting Panchagarh directly to the Bay of Bengal and rapid gas supply infrastructure for surrounding industrial zones.
Shifting focus to youth development in the afternoon, the Prime Minister officially launched the second season of the Natun Kuri Sports 2026-27 competition at Khulna District Stadium.
Stressing that nurturing adolescent talent is essential to building a prosperous state, Tarique advocated for a balanced approach combining sports, arts, culture, and foreign language acquisition alongside standard academic curricula.
“This Bangladesh is yours to build and shape,” he told the young participants.
“You must ensure Bangladesh stands proud and strong on the world stage. Each of you is an ambassador for Bangladesh and an owner of this nation.”
The nationwide initiative saw 16,23,218 children and adolescents register online, with events inaugurated simultaneously across 503 upazilas.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque and Parliamentary Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul MP accompanied the prime minister as he enjoyed physical demonstrations by students from the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Pratishtan (BKSP) alongside traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances performed by visiting students.
Before departing for Dhaka by helicopter at 5:22pm, the prime minister exchanged greetings with well-wishers gathered at the Khulna Circuit House grounds, capping a regional tour.
