Dhaka, March 24 -- A lingering festive atmosphere has marked the reopening of government offices at the Secretariat after a week-long break for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Officials and employees began arriving from around 8:30am on Tuesday, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reached the Secretariat at 9am.

Many returning staff were seen exchanging greetings and embracing colleagues, while some who had travelled back directly from their villages arrived with travel bags in hand.

With Independence Day falling on the last day of the week, many had extended their holidays by taking leave on the preceding two days, meaning the usual pace of work had yet to fully return.

The Cabinet Division said IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivas...