Tarique sets off for Barishal, his first as prime minister

The day-long tour includes development events and a meeting with BNP leaders and activists

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has set off for Barishal on a day-long visit.

His motorcade left his Gulshan residence by road at 6am on Monday and was passing through Gopalganj around 8am, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said.

"The minister will complete a day-long schedule in Barishal before returning to Dhaka in the evening," Ruman added.

The premier's itinerary includes a tree-planting event at 10am beside the newly excavated Sarikal-Batajore canal in Gournadi Upazila, followed by a Family Card distribution event in Batajore Union at 10:40am.

At 1pm, he will take part in a tree-planting programme at the 30 Godown Liberation War massacre site under Barishal City Corporation, before meeting BNP leaders and activists at Barishal Shilpakala Academy auditorium at 3:30pm.

He will offer Zuhr prayers and have lunch at the Circuit House at midday.

Tarique is visiting the division for the first time since the BNP's majority win in the February election made him prime minister.

He had previously visited Barishal on Feb 4 as part of the party's election campaign, when he addressed a campaign rally at Bell's Park.