(BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called upon the country’s people to take a vow to rebuild the country.

“From today, our only task should be nation-building and rebuilding the state. Let this be our pledge,” he said.

“We have one goal and one purpose. We do not just want to dream. We want to make plans. We want to adopt plans that will move the country forward and change the people’s fate,” the premier added.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing a public rally this afternoon after inaugurating the re-excavation programme of Khorddo Canal at Waruk Bazar area of Tamta Dakshin Union in Shahrasti Upazila in the district.

As the Prime Minister stepped onto the stage beside the canal to address the rally, thousands of leaders, activists, and supporters standing on both sides of the canal welcomed him with loud slogans and applause.

Referring to the canal excavation initiative, Tarique Rahman said, “Forty-eight years ago, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman initiated this canal excavation programme. Today, let us all make a pledge to move the country forward.”

Quoting from the Holy Quran, he said, “Allah says that He helps those who help themselves. If we don’t excavate this (Khorddo) canal, how will our farmers get water? They will not. Through the canal excavation, farmers will benefit”.

“In the same way, if all of us work together, if the 40 crore hands of Bangladesh’s 20 crore people work together, InShaAllah, we will be able to transform Bangladesh into a dignified nation in the world,” the premier continued.

Stating that the BNP government is committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people before the election, he said, “Just as we made promises to the people before the elections, we will gradually implement all the promises in the future.”

Noting that the country’s people are the source of BNP’s political strength, the BNP chairman said, “Your strength is our strength. As long as you stand beside us, our journey of building the nation will continue, InShaAllah.”

Calling upon everyone to work together to take the country forward, Tarique Rahman said, “Let our pledge today, at this canal excavation programme, be ‘Korbo Kaj, Gorbo Desh; Sobar Agee Bangladesh (we will work to build the country, Bangladesh first’.”

At one stage, he asked the crowd, “Are you with me in building this country?” In response, the people waved their hands and shouted, “Yes, we are!” Hearing this, the Prime Minister said, “Alhamdulillah.”

Earlier, he arrived at the Khordda Canal site by road around 2:40 pm and unveiled a plaque of the re-excavation programme.

Later, the Prime Minister inaugurated the re-excavation work by cutting soil with a spade. He planted saplings on the bank of the canal.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, local lawmaker Mominul Haque, Chandpur BNP General Secretary Advocate Salim Ullah Selim, Shahrasti Upazila BNP President Ayat Ali Bhuiyan and Vice President Abu Yusuf Rupam were present on the occasion.

Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman excavated this Khorddo Canal in 1978. After 48 years, the canal is now being re-excavated by his son Tarique Rahman.