Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally assumed office at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the capital’s Tejgaon area on Saturday by planting a sapling on the premises, following his swearing-in ceremony on 17 February.
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman entered the PMO through the main gate at around 10:10am and commenced his official duties after planting a ‘Swarna Chapa’ flower sapling,” the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli told BSS.
After planting the sapling, the Prime Minister offered a special prayer, expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah, the press secretary said.
He then began his responsibilities at the PMO after completing the formal proceedings related to the government’s agenda, he added.
Upon his arrival at the PMO, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and other officials received him, Shibli said. The Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser, Brig Gen (retd) Shamsul Islam, along with other officials, was present on the occasion.
Before entering his office in the main building, Tarique Rahman exchanged greetings with officials serving at the PMO. He particularly enquired after the wellbeing of senior officials who had served at the PMO during his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia's tenure.
Earlier, the Prime Minister had carried out official duties at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Friday following his swearing-in ceremony as the country’s 11th Prime Minister.
Tarique Rahman, who is also Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took the oath as the nation’s 11th Prime Minister five days after his party secured a landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election, winning 209 of the 297 seats.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and secrecy to Tarique Rahman and members of his Cabinet at the South Plaza of the Sangsad Bhaban on Tuesday.
His Council of Ministers comprises 25 ministers and 24 state ministers.
Tarique Rahman’s assumption of office marks a significant political shift in Bangladesh, with the new administration prioritising economic reform, regional diplomacy and national stability.
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