I Want to Turn Bangladesh into a Welfare State: PM

Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has said the government’s goal is to change the fate of the people and establish Bangladesh as a welfare-oriented state. “Our goal, our objective is to change the fate of the people of Bangladesh. We want to build Bangladesh as a welfare-oriented state,” he said at a programme in Pakundia, Kishoreganj, yesterday. He said the government would implement programmes including canal excavation, tree plantation, Family Cards and Farmers’ Cards, providing school uniforms and new books, repairing schools, and providing financial assistance to imams and muezzins.

The PM said the BNP’s politics was aimed at benefiting the people, particularly those living in rural areas. He urged people to resist those who obstruct government programmes or create disorder. “Now is the time to work. Now is the time to move the country forward,” he said, calling for collective efforts to rebuild the country.

Ten-year plan to tackle power crisis

Blaming the previous Awami League government for the current electricity and energy crisis, the prime minister said people across the country were suffering from power shortages because of its “unplanned planning” and “unplanned various measures.” He said the government would present a 10-year plan to solve the electricity crisis when parliament resumes on the 27th. “Any crisis must be faced with patience. We have to formulate plans with a cool head and gradually tackle the crisis,” he said. He warned that attempts to create disorder by exploiting the power crisis would mainly harm ordinary people by affecting their businesses, jobs and livelihoods.

Call for vigilance

The PM urged people to remain alert against those spreading rumours and creating confusion. “We have to see what they did in the past. Based on their past, we have to keep an eye on them,” he said, referring to their roles in 1971, 1986, 1996 and during the people’s movement of the past 17 years. He said the people wanted peace, discipline, the rule of law, employment, education and healthcare, and urged them to remain patient while the government worked to achieve these goals.

Fisheries and welfare programmes

Earlier, Mr. Rahman inaugurated National Fisheries Week 2026 by releasing fish fry in the Old Brahmaputra River at Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat in Pakundia. He later announced plans to renovate unused ponds, haors, baors and other water bodies and distribute them among young people for fish cultivation and employment. In the afternoon, he inaugurated Family Card distribution and honorarium programmes in Kishoreganj. Honorariums were provided to 444 religious workers, including 432 imams, muezzins and khadems, 10 temple priests and two church priests.

Family Card funds were also sent to 457 women in Latibabad Union. The prime minister additionally handed a job appointment letter to a physically disabled beneficiary and provided grants to meritorious students and distressed and disabled people.