Tarique pledges jobs, social support at campaign rally

Staff Reporter :

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday outlined a series of economic and social initiatives, including job creation, overseas skills training, family support cards and stipends for religious leaders, while addressing a public rally in Sylhet’s Sherpur area of Moulvibazar Sadar upazila.

The rally marked Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh after 17 years and was part of the BNP’s ongoing election campaign ahead of the national polls.

Huge number of the party’s leaders, workers and supporters were gathered in every rally of Tarique Rahaman across the region.

During his speeches at several rallies in Sylhet, Moulvibazar and nearby areas, Tarique accused a political party of misleading people by promising them “paradise.”

“Allah is the owner of Hell, Allah is the owner of Paradise, Allah is the owner of this world, and Allah is the owner of the Kaaba,” he said. “Can anyone give what belongs to Allah? They cannot.”

Addressing the gatherings, Tarique said job creation for young people is central to his plan for the country.

“When I returned after 17 years abroad, I told you I have a plan. A major part of that plan is to create jobs for unemployed youth—educated, semi-educated and less educated—so they can stand on their own feet on a strong foundation,” he said.

He stressed that the BNP’s approach goes beyond employment to increasing earning capacity, particularly for those seeking work overseas.

“For the young generation, we do not just want to create jobs; we want to make them economically capable,” he said.

“If you go to London, the Middle East or any other country, we will provide skills training and language education so you can secure jobs quickly. Without skills, income remains low; with training, earnings increase.”

Tarique also spoke about the hardships faced by tea workers in the Sylhet region, especially women, whose wages he said are inadequate to support their families.

Referring to around 130 tea estates in the area, he said the BNP plans to introduce family cards that would provide food support or cash assistance.

“We want to give family cards to families—especially women—so they can run their households with dignity,” he said. “This will not be limited to tea workers; wives of day labourers and farmers will also be included.”

He added that, alongside agricultural support for farmers, the BNP intends to expand the family card programme nationwide, though details on funding and implementation were not specified.

Tarique also announced plans to introduce government stipends for imams, khatibs and muezzins serving in mosques and madrasas across the country.

“They stand with us in sorrow and in joy, in life and even at the time of death,” he said. “We want the government to ensure stipends so that imams, khatibs and muezzins can live with dignity and self-respect.”

He said the BNP’s policies would prioritise farmers, women, youth and religious leaders, describing them as vital pillars of society.

Tarique Rahman said his party would introduce family cards for four crore households if his party comes to power.

He made the remarks during an interactive discussion with youths at a hotel in Sylhet in the morning.

The BNP leader said the card would be issued in the name of the female head of each family and would provide a monthly allowance of Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500, along with essential food items.

Tarique also promised to modernise technical education to enhance skills for people seeking overseas employment and stressed the importance of learning foreign languages.