Housing, basic services for Korail residents

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said his party wants to build multi-storey buildings and hand over registered flats to long-time residents of Korail slum if it returns to power.

Speaking at a doa and milad mahfil at the Mohakhali T&T Colony field, Tarique said, “We want to construct tall buildings here. We want to register the names of the people who live here and provide each family with a flat in their own name. Those who have lived here for many years will receive those flats so that they have a permanent place to live in Dhaka city…”

The BNP chairman also said he wants to establish two schools and a playground for children in Korail, along with basic healthcare facilities. “If Allah helps us, then Inshallah we will be able to implement every one of these tasks.”

The Korail residents arranged the programme seeking divine blessings for the departed soul of Khaleda Zia, BNP’s late chairperson and former prime minister.

Tarique said Korail holds a personal connection for him, calling himself “a son of the area”.

He recalled that the house where he grew up after independence was later demolished during the autocratic regime of Awami League. “As long as I live, I will stand by you.”

Outlining future plans, the BNP chairman said his party wants to introduce a “Family Card” for women to help households run with dignity, and a “Farmer Card” to support agriculture.

Tarique, who is contesting the 13th parliamentary election from Dhaka-17 with the paddy sheaf symbol, is set to visit the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) in Sylhet on Thursday to formally launch his election campaign after offering fateha there.