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programmes, Tarique said there would be no shortage of funds if money laundering was curbed.

“If we all keep our eyes and ears open, no one will be able to launder the country’s assets abroad. We will use that money to improve people’s lives. People’s money will be spent on the people, not smuggled out of the country,” he said.

“Let our pledge on this joyous day be one thing: work for the country and put Bangladesh first.”

The prime minister also coined a new slogan: “Korbo kaaj, gorbo desh, shobar jonno Bangladesh” (“We will work, we will build the country -- Bangladesh for all”).

The PM formally inaugurated the programme’s third phase by handing over Family Cards to 10 women representing beneficiary families.

He also distributed Tk 200,000 each in housing grants for tea workers, scholarships for their children, and financial assistance cheques for people with disabilities.

Tarique said his government’s sole objective was to improve people’s lives.

“We have to build this country ourselves. The 40 crore hands of our 20 crore people must be turned into productive hands. Only then can we transform Bangladesh,” he said.

He criticised those who described the budget as anti-people despite the government’s decision to remove duties on 60 essential products.

“This is a people’s budget. We have allocated funds for ordinary working people, yet some describe it as an anti-people budget,” he said, arguing that such criticism undermines efforts to improve people’s lives.

“When a budget contains measures for the welfare of citizens and relief for consumers, can those who oppose it truly claim to be friends of the people? The answer is no,” he said, urging people to remain alert to what he called attempts to create confusion and instability both inside and outside parliament.

He said public unity was essential to sustaining development and protecting democracy.

“If people remain united, no conspiracy can succeed, and no one will be able to undermine democracy in Bangladesh,” he said.

The prime minister also claimed that forces opposed to democracy had historically worked together while maintaining their differences in public, while the BNP had always stood by the people.

“The greatest strength of the BNP is the people. That is why we always say that the people are the source of all power,” he said.

State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Moulvibazar district BNP Convener Faizul Karim Mayun, lawmaker Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Additional Secretary Kamal Uddin Biswas, and beneficiaries Shiuly Rani Das and Wajeda Begum also spoke at the programme, which was chaired by Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain.