Keep faith in BNP govt, development initiatives: PM Tarique
Thousands of BNP leaders and activists greeted the Prime Minister with applause when he reached the stage after releasing fish fry.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged the people of the country to keep faith in the BNP government and its development initiatives, saying his government would continue working in the interests of the country and its people.
"Keep faith in us. BNP was with you, BNP is with the people of Bangladesh, and BNP will remain with the people of Bangladesh," he said while addressing a public gathering in Kishoreganj's Pakundia.
Tarique said the government was formed with the support of people and would not take any step against the interests of the country and its people.
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"You supported us in the 12 February election and placed your trust in the BNP. I clearly want to say keep that trust," he said.
'Want to build Bangladesh as a welfare state'
The PM said his government wants to establish Bangladesh as a welfare state by implementing people-oriented programmes aimed at improving the lives of people, particularly those living in rural areas.
"Our goal is to establish a welfare state, and that is why we have taken various measures. We have already started programmes, including the Family Card, which I have outlined before you," he said.
Tarique said the government is taking a range of measures to improve people's livelihoods, including canal excavation, support for farmers, free education for women up to the honours level, and assistance for schoolchildren from poor families.
He said the government was also taking initiatives to make imams, muezzins and other religious leaders self-reliant.
'Remain alert against those creating disorder'
Tarique urged people to remain alert against those attempting to create disorder on the streets, saying ordinary people suffer the most from such activities.
"If disorder is created on the streets, ordinary people suffer the most. Their businesses are affected, their jobs are affected and their livelihoods are affected. But those who create disorder benefit," he said.
He called upon people to take a collective pledge to resist anyone working against the country's interests or obstructing programmes taken for the welfare of the people.
MP Fazlur Rahman and other local BNP leaders were present at the gathering.
'Protect water bodies, ensure sustainable fisheries'
Tarique called for greater public awareness and coordinated efforts to save rivers, canals, haors, beels and other water bodies from pollution, saying safeguarding the environment is essential to protecting the country's fisheries resources.
"If we are truly conscious and want to protect our environment, and if we want to save our fish, then we must also pay attention to protecting the environment. We must safeguard our natural environment," he said, pointing to the growing pollution of water bodies by plastic bottles, tissue paper and other waste.
The PM made the remarks while inaugurating National Fisheries Fortnight-2026 at the George Institute Mini Stadium in Achmita union of Katiadi upazila. He released fish fry into the Old Brahmaputra River in Pakundia as part of the National Fisheries Week.
The fortnight is being observed across the country on 16-30 August under the theme "A self-sufficient country through silver fish, Bangladesh first."
Tarique said fisheries play a vital role in meeting the country's nutritional needs while creating employment through fish farming, catching, transportation, processing and marketing.
"There is a very important issue closely linked to fisheries, that is the environment. For whatever reason, we are seeing that the environment of our canals, rivers, haors, beels and other water bodies is gradually being degraded by various forms of waste generated by our daily activities, including tissue paper, plastics and discarded water bottles," he said.
The PM reached Pakundia around 11:30am, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.
After arriving in Pakundia, he released fish fry into the River near the Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat.
Earlier, Tarique left his Gulshan residence in Dhaka at 9:15am for Kishoreganj.
On his way from Dhaka, hundreds of party leaders and activists, children and women gathered on both sides of the road to greet him, Rumon said.
