Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on Tuesday inaugurated the Family Card distribution programme in Thakurgaon.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the morning at the premises of Rahimanpur UI Alim Madrasa in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila, organised by the district administration, where the minister attended as the chief guest.

Initially, the Family Card distribution programme has been launched in 14 unions across the country. As part of the initiative, the programme also began in Ward No. 2 of Rahimanpur Union in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.

Speaking at the event, Mirza Fakhrul said the Family Card is not merely an identification card but a symbol of strength and empowerment. He noted that through the card, female heads of families will not only receive financial benefits but will also gain stronger social recognition, contributing significantly to women’s empowerment.

He further said that the programme would gradually be expanded to include all female heads of families across the country, adding that even families of government officials and employees would be brought under the initiative.

The minister also said that the country had been deprived of many development initiatives over the past 15 years, and the government has begun working swiftly to address those gaps. Efforts are underway to fulfil several long-standing demands of Thakurgaon residents, including reopening the local airport, establishing a medical college and university, and improving communication and education infrastructure, he added.

Mirza Fakhrul also said that as part of the BNP’s election pledges, agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000 for farmers have already been waived. He added that a canal excavation programme will begin on the 16th of this month to facilitate water conservation during the monsoon season.

The Family Card programme was one of the key pledges made by the BNP ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, aimed at placing the cards in the hands of mothers across the country. The nationwide rollout marks the implementation of that commitment.

As part of the inauguration, invited guests symbolically handed over Family Cards to several women from Ward No. 2 of Rahimanpur Union.

Among others present at the programme were Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana, Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khairul Islam, and Thakurgaon district BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin.