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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Barishal on a day-long official visit on Monday and inaugurated a tree plantation programme in Batajor Union of Gournadi upazila.
The prime minister reached the newly excavated Sarikal–Batajor Canal at around 10:00 am, where he planted saplings of neem and coconut trees to launch the programme.
The canal, locally known as the Batajor Canal, runs beside Batajor Bazar and connects to the Miar Char River through the Sarikal River.
As the prime minister arrived, farmers and local residents, including homemakers gathered along the canal bank to greet him. He responded by waving to the crowd.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the programme, the prime minister urged people to take proper care of the newly planted trees.
“Planting a tree is not the end of the job,” he said. “Around 2,500 saplings will be planted today. Everyone must take care of them.”
“Just as you care for a newborn child every day, you should nurture these young saplings with the same attention,” he added.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, along with local BNP leaders and activists, accompanied the prime minister.
After the tree plantation programme, the prime minister joined a Family Card distribution event in Batajor, where he handed over the cards to women heading eligible households.
Following the Gournadi programme, he departed by road for Barishal city. Thousands of BNP leaders, activists and supporters lined the 34-kilometre route to welcome the prime minister.
Later in the day, he is scheduled to inaugurate another tree plantation programme along the Sagardi Canal, adjacent to the Trish Godown Memorial in Barishal city, before attending an organisational meeting at the Barishal Shilpakala Academy.
The visit marks Tarique Rahman’s first trip to Barishal as prime minister following the BNP’s victory in the 13th parliamentary election. It is also his first visit to Gournadi in 22 years, having last visited the upazila in 2003 as the BNP’s senior vice-chairman.
Ahead of the parliamentary election, Tarique Rahman visited Barishal on February 4, when he addressed the party’s election rally at Bell’s Park.
