President's Thakurgaon visit postponed

The visit of newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to his home district Thakurgaon has been postponed. He was scheduled to visit Thakurgaon on August 30 and 31 for a two-day tour.

The matter was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon, August 25, by Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Mohammad Rafiqul Haque.

The deputy commissioner said the President's visit had been postponed due to unavoidable reasons. However, a new schedule may be determined within the next day or two.

Preparations for the President's visit had already begun on the part of the district administration. Various departments had been instructed to remain prepared regarding administrative arrangements, accommodation and vehicles.

Earlier, on Monday, August 24, a letter from the President's Office's protocol branch to the Thakurgaon deputy commissioner informed that the President would visit Thakurgaon on August 30 and 31. He was scheduled to return to Dhaka on August 31. The detailed schedule and the approved list of entourage were to be sent later.

This was expected to be Mirza Fakhrul's first visit to his home district Thakurgaon after taking oath as President. As a result, there was widespread interest among locals regarding the visit. Besides the district administration, various government departments had also started preparations.

In the presidential election held in Parliament on August 20, BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir won with 255 votes. He defeated Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance candidate and Liberal Democratic Party chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed.

Later, on the evening of August 21, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as the country's 23rd President at the historic Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban.