Tarique speaks at Chakaria rally during Cox’s Bazar visit

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is addressing a public rally in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria as part of a one-day visit to the coastal district.

He is scheduled to return to Dhaka later on Saturday night after completing his engagements.

The prime minister reached the rally venue near the municipal bus terminal after attending other programmes during the day, including development and public outreach events organised in Cox’s Bazar.

He began his Cox’s Bazar visit in the morning, travelling by air along with his wife Zubaida Rahman.

During the day, he inaugurated the re-excavation of the Patali Canal and attended a civic reception.

He later visited the Dulahazara Safari Park and launched a nationwide tree plantation programme at the Malumghat reserved forest area, targeting the planting of 250 million trees across the country.

The prime minister also visited the grave of slain July Uprising protester Md Wasim Akram in Pekua Upazila before laying foundation stones for the newly formed Pekua municipality and Matamuhuri Upazila.

Following the Chakaria rally, he is expected to attend a civic reception at Long Beach Hotel in Cox’s Bazar before departing for Dhaka by air.

After more than a decade and a half in London, Tarique returned to the country on Dec 25 last year.

Following the Feb 12 election, in which the BNP secured a decisive majority, he was sworn in as prime minister, marking his first visit to Cox’s Bazar since taking office.