The government has banned the use of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's image on banners, festoons, and billboards prepared for official programmes, according to an official directive issued on Sunday.

The Cabinet Division on Sunday issued a circular in this regard with immediate effect. According to the newly issued circular, the Prime Minister's photo—whether in 3D or any other form—must not be used on banners, festoons, or billboards prepared for any government programme.

Instead, ministries, divisions, and government agencies have been explicitly asked to give priority to the actual subject matter of the event while preparing any publicity materials.

The circular, which was signed by Deputy Secretary Tania Afrezi, stated that banners, festoons, and billboards should contain only necessary and relevant information.

Furthermore, they must be designed in a way that clearly reflects the purpose, message, and core theme of the event.

The Cabinet Division described the matter as highly important and instructed all ministries, divisions, and government offices to implement the directive immediately.

Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu told the media that Tarique Rahman had personally noticed his own photographs on banners and festoons prepared for a ministry's programme marking a national day while travelling from his residence to the Secretariat on Wednesday morning.

Following this observation, the Prime Minister later instructed the Cabinet Secretary to ensure that his photograph is no longer used in publicity materials for government observances or programmes organised by ministries.

Hasan Shiplu added that it was following this direct instruction from the Prime Minister that the Cabinet Division issued the formal circular banning the use of his image on banners, festoons, and billboards for all official events.

With Inputs from UNB