Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a courtesy meeting with Inter-Parliamentary Union Secretary Anda Philip on Tuesday afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat in the capital. Philip praised Rahman’s leadership and said his regular attendance at National Parliament sessions conveyed a strong commitment to parliamentary democracy.

Rahman said the country had restored democracy after a long struggle and that the February 12 election had helped facilitate a democratic path. He said the government was committed to protecting every citizen’s constitutional rights and ensuring essential public services. He also described women’s empowerment as a government priority.

Philip said he had read the BNP election manifesto and praised its education initiatives and community-based programmes. He expressed interest in stronger experience-sharing and cooperation between the IPU and Bangladesh’s National Parliament. Philip hoped the Speaker’s participation in the IPU’s 153rd Assembly in Tanzania would deepen ties. Rahman said the government planned free education for women through honours level, stipends for female students, and a Family Card project aimed at women’s financial independence and greater household decision-making participation.