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Published : 17 Jun 2026, 04:15 PM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced a tough government stance against the laundering of public money abroad.
He made the declaration on Wednesday afternoon while addressing a Family Card distribution programme at the Victoria High School ground in Sreemangal.
“From today, we will take a hard line against those who have laundered money from this country and those who seek to send the people’s money abroad,” he said.
“If we all keep our eyes and ears open, no one will be able to smuggle the country’s wealth overseas. Together, we will work hard and use that money to change the fortunes of the people.”
Asking whether those present supported the government’s efforts to improve people’s lives, the prime minister received a resounding “yes” from thousands of tea workers and residents gathered at the venue.
“By the grace of Allah, on this joyous day, let our pledge be one and the same: we will work for Bangladesh first. And let me add another slogan — we will work, we will build the nation, Bangladesh first, Bangladesh for all,” he said.
The programme began with recitations from the Holy Quran and scriptures of other faiths. It was organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare. The national anthem was played first, followed by the BNP party anthem.
The prime minister personally handed Family Cards to 10 women representing beneficiary households. He later inaugurated the third phase of the Family Card programme by pressing a button on a computer.
He also distributed grants of Tk 200,000 each for tea workers’ housing, scholarships for their children, and financial assistance cheques for people with disabilities.
Referring to the Family Card programme, the prime minister said: “Bangladesh is our first address, and Bangladesh is our last address. Our only task is to change the lives of the people and transform the destiny of the country.”
“Let us build this country ourselves. We must turn the 400 million hands of our 200 million people into productive hands. Only then can we change Bangladesh’s future.”
‘Be Alert To Those Spreading Confusion’
The prime minister criticised what he described as attempts to mislead the public about government welfare programmes.
“Do you know what they say? They ask where the money for the Family Card programme will come from, where the money for the Farmers’ Card programme will come from,” he said.
“In front of all of you, I want to tell them: today tea workers received Tk 200,000 for housing, their children received Tk 10,000 in scholarships, and patients received Tk 50,000 for treatment. Have you ever heard of or seen such support before? Did the previous government ever provide it? No, it did not.”
“Whose money is this? It is the people’s money. We have seen how, for 17 years, public funds were siphoned out of the country. Instead of spending it on the people, one party sent it abroad.”
Addressing critics of the Family Card and Farmers’ Card programmes, he added: “We will not allow public money to be laundered anymore. Public funds will be used for the people.”
“Public money will be spent on the country, on improving its future, and on serving the people. There will be no shortage of funds.”
Mentioning allocations in the proposed 2026–27 budget for the Family Card and Farmers’ Card programmes, he said: “A party is calling this budget anti-people, despite the removal of duties on 60 products. Can those who describe such a budget as anti-people ever be the friends of the people? They cannot.”
He urged people to remain vigilant against those trying to create confusion, whether inside or outside parliament.
“If these groups get the chance to create unrest, we will not be able to implement the Family Card programme. We will not be able to continue supporting persons with disabilities, poor students, or maintain tax relief on 60 essential products. People must remain united and alert against anyone who obstructs these efforts.”
‘Foes of Democracy Stayed Together’
Tarique said national unity was essential to sustaining development and welfare initiatives.
“If we want to continue development, if we want to place Family Cards in the hands of mothers and sisters, Farmers’ Cards in the hands of farmers, upgrade Upazila health complexes from 50 to 100 beds, and ensure education for future generations, then the people must remain united. If the people stay united, no conspiracy will succeed.”
“If the people remain united, no one will be able to destroy democracy in Bangladesh. We know who destroyed democracy in the past. Before independence, during independence, and afterwards, all those who conspired against democracy stayed together. Publicly they claimed otherwise, but behind the scenes they always worked together.”
He said that the BNP had always stood with the people.
“The BNP’s greatest strength is the people. That is why the party has always said that all power originates from the people.”
“We have seen many people leave the country when people rose up to defend democracy. Khaleda Zia never left you behind and went elsewhere. She always said Bangladesh was her first and last address. We are soldiers of Khaleda Zia.”
The programme was chaired by Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof AZM Zahid Hossain.
The visit marked Tarique Rahman’s first trip to Sreemangal in more than two decades.
