President Mirza Fakhrul to Visit Sylhet for First Time

Sylhet is preparing to welcome President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during his first visit to the city since assuming office as the country’s 23rd president.

During his one-day visit on Tuesday, the president is scheduled to visit the shrines of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) and attend a civic reception organised by the Sylhet City Corporation.

The visit has prompted extensive security and beautification measures across the city. Roads along the planned route have been repaired and cleaned, while several structures have been repainted and other beautification works carried out.

Around 1,200 police personnel are expected to be deployed to ensure security during the visit.

For many Sylhet residents, the visit is being viewed as more than a formal state programme. They see it as an opportunity to communicate directly with the head of state and highlight local development priorities and civic concerns.

The civic reception is expected to bring together prominent citizens, teachers, journalists, business leaders, professionals, political figures and representatives of various sections of society.

Residents may raise issues involving development, transport, healthcare, tourism, environmental protection and urban management.

Sylhet plays an important role in Bangladesh’s economy through remittances, tourism, education and cultural activities. The region is also home to a large expatriate community and has an international airport, giving it strategic importance for connectivity and investment.

According to the schedule, President Mirza Fakhrul will arrive at Osmani International Airport at 11:15am. He will travel by motorcade to Sylhet Circuit House at 11:50am, where he will receive a guard of honour.

At 12:30pm, he is scheduled to visit the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA), followed by a visit to the shrine of Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) at 1:25pm.

He will later attend the civic reception organised by the Sylhet City Corporation before returning to Dhaka.

As president, Mirza Fakhrul is expected to perform his constitutional responsibilities above partisan politics and in accordance with the Constitution.

His first visit to Sylhet in his constitutional role is therefore expected to carry a different significance from his earlier political visits to the city.

Local residents are looking to the president to take note of longstanding concerns involving healthcare, education, transport, infrastructure, environmental protection, tourism, expatriate investment and unplanned urbanisation.