Prime Minister Tarique Rahman Arrives in Barishal on First Official Visit, Receives Grand Welcome

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived in Barishal on Monday (13 July) for his first official visit to the division since assuming office, receiving a warm welcome from thousands of party leaders, activists, and supporters.

His motorcade reached Gournadi at around 10:00 a.m., where he was welcomed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, MP for Barishal-1, along with local political leaders.

Thousands of BNP leaders and supporters lined both sides of the road, applauding and cheering as the Prime Minister arrived. Standing inside a red-and-green bulletproof bus carrying the slogan "Bangladesh First," Tarique Rahman waved to the crowd in response to their greetings.

In line with his instructions, no welcome arches, banners, or festoons featuring his photograph were erected during the visit.

Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister departed his Gulshan residence in Dhaka at 6:00 a.m. for the road journey to Barishal.

According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, the Prime Minister's itinerary includes a tree plantation program along the newly excavated Sarikal Canal in Batajor Union under Gournadi Upazila, where he will also participate in a Family Card distribution program.

Later, he is scheduled to attend another tree plantation event beside the Sagardi Canal near the Trish Godown Memorial Site in Barishal city.

The day's engagements will conclude with his participation in the BNP's organizational meeting at the Barishal District Shilpakala Academy.

The visit marks Tarique Rahman's first official tour of the Barishal Division as Prime Minister, making it a significant political event for both the government and the ruling party.