PM Tarique Rahman Orders Immediate Removal of Congratulatory Billboards

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to swiftly remove all billboards, banners, and advertisements across the capital that feature congratulatory messages or his photographs.

Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said the instruction was issued on Tuesday morning. While leaving his Gulshan residence, the Prime Minister noticed a banner displaying his picture in front of Police Plaza at Hatirjheel. He immediately ordered its removal, and it was taken down on the spot.

Ruman added that several companies had put up similar congratulatory advertisements with the Prime Minister’s image on billboards in different areas of Dhaka. The Prime Minister has asked the relevant authorities to remove them as quickly as possible.

A few days earlier, while travelling through Bijoy Sarani, he had spotted a congratulatory message with his photograph on an LED screen and ordered its immediate removal at that time.

The Prime Minister attended office at the Secretariat today, arriving at 9:15 am.

Meanwhile, following reports of rising retail prices of coarse rice, he directed the concerned ministry and authorities to take prompt action. The matter came to his attention on Monday.

Separately, a report on traffic congestion and vehicle speed in Dhaka was presented to him today. According to Ruman, the report highlighted that traffic movement has improved since the Prime Minister and other high-ranking state officials began travelling without special VIP protocol.

The absence of VVIP protocol, which previously disrupted traffic flow, has contributed to increased vehicle speed. Previously, the average vehicle speed in the capital was around 4.5 kilometres per hour — roughly walking pace. Over the past 14 days, since the Prime Minister assumed office and started following traffic signals, the average speed has risen to 5.3 kilometres per hour, as traffic is no longer halted for VVIP movement. Following his example, the President, ministers, and state ministers are also adhering to traffic signals.

Ruman said the Prime Minister has reviewed the report.