Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday formally launched the government’s nationwide campaign to plant 25 crore or 250 million trees, fulfilling a key electoral pledge of the BNP-led administration.
The programme was inaugurated at around 2:55 p.m. at the Malumghat reserved forest area in Cox’s Bazar, where the prime minister planted a sapling to mark the occasion.
Earlier in the day, Rahman visited Dulahazara Safari Park, where he also took part in a tree-planting programme in the presence of cabinet members, lawmakers and senior government officials.
The visit marks the prime minister’s first official tour of Cox’s Bazar since assuming office. Senior administration officials, local representatives, and BNP leaders welcomed him upon his arrival at Cox’s Bazar Airport at 9:55 a.m.
During his daylong visit, expected to last around 12 hours, the prime minister is scheduled to participate in 11 programmes across the district. His arrival has created a festive atmosphere in different parts of Cox’s Bazar.
Earlier, after inaugurating the re-excavation of the historic Patli Canal in PMkhali, Rahman addressed a roadside rally where he reiterated his government’s commitment to implementing its election pledges.
“BNP’s politics is about serving the people. We have begun delivering on our promises even before the ink on the ballots has dried,” he told the gathering.
Referring to the recently announced national budget, the prime minister said that no commodity prices had increased following the budget announcement.
“The opposition is expressing concern because taxes have been increased on alcohol and cigarettes,” he said.
Later in the day, Rahman is scheduled to visit Pekua to pay his respects at the grave of Wasim Akram, recognised as Chattogram’s first martyr of the July movement, and meet members of his family.
He is also expected to lay the foundation stones for the proposed Pekua municipality and Matamuhuri Upazila.
In the afternoon, the prime minister will address a public rally organised by the BNP at the bus terminal in Chakaria, where extensive preparations have already been completed.
His itinerary also includes visits to the Marine Drive road and Cox’s Bazar beach area, followed by a meeting with distinguished citizens at the auditorium of Long Beach Hotel.
The prime minister is expected to return to Dhaka by air at around 10:00 p.m. after completing the scheduled programmes.
Security has been tightened across the district ahead of the visit. At the same time, residents have expressed enthusiasm over what is being regarded as one of the most significant high-level state visits to the country’s premier tourist destination in recent years.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
