Prime Minister Tarique Rahman -File photo

CHATTOGRAM, Aug 9, 2026 (BSS) - The Chattogram city unit of BNP has made extensive preparations to receive Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman during his visit to Chattogram today.

The city's main roads and flyovers have been freshly painted and decorated, while numerous roads have been adorned with arches, banners and festoons. Leaders and activists from various units of the party are also preparing to welcome the prime minister.

According to the schedule, the prime minister will inspect major development projects in Maheshkhali, attend rehabilitation programmes for recent flood victims in Banshkhali and Hathazari, meet Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari in Fatikchhari and visit the grave of Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi in Hathazari. 

He will later travel by road to Chattogram and attend an organisational meeting at Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View hotel at 7:15 pm. Around 600 grassroots leaders and activists from the three organisational units of BNP in Chattogram are expected to attend the meeting.

This will be the prime minister's first visit to Chattogram since assuming office.

Chattogram BNP sources said Tarique Rahman will hear the views of party leaders and activists at the meeting, with grassroots leaders expressing enthusiasm about the opportunity to share their views with him.

Ershad Ullah, MP and convener of Chattogram city BNP, told BSS today that leaders and activists from various levels of the organisation were excited about the prime minister's visit.

Chattogram city BNP Joint Convener (office in-charge) Shawkat Azam Khawaja said the entire 53-member convening committee, along with conveners, senior joint conveners and member secretaries of 41 ward BNP committees, would attend the meeting. Representatives of Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Mahila Dal, as well as long-time party workers who currently hold no official positions, are also expected to attend.

He said invitations had already been extended to the party leaders and activists. Around 350 people from the metropolis and another 250 leaders and activists from Chattogram city and the North and South districts are expected to attend the meeting.

Nazimur Rahman, member secretary of Chattogram city BNP, told BSS that arrangements had been made in line with directives from the party's central leadership.

"Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is eager to hear from everyone and is ready to seek opinions from anyone he chooses," he said.

MP Mohammad Abu Sufian said Tarique Rahman said,"Following the martyrdom of President Ziaur Rahman and the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman is also a highly regarded leader among the people of this region. The people's affection for the Zia family is profound."

Meanwhile, Salauddin Kaiser Lavoo, former joint organising secretary of Chattogram city BNP, told BSS that he was excited to attend the organisational meeting. "This is indeed a moment of great joy for us," he said.

Hamidul Hoq Mannan, former general secretary of Boalkhali upazila BNP, told BSS that the occasion was significant for the party's grassroots leaders and activists.

"Today marks a significant moment in our political landscape, and I will endeavour to share my thoughts before the prime minister. I am filled with joy and anticipation regarding this occasion," he said.

Seven locations, including Banshkhali, Fatikchhari and Hathazari, have been designated for the prime minister's visit. 

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Miah said police, RAB, BGB and the Special Security Force (SSF) were engaged in preparations for the prime minister's arrival.

"Intelligence agencies are also fulfilling their responsibilities. Adequate security measures have been taken to ensure the prime minister's safe movement," he added.