Dinajpur, March 16 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur.

The programme was launched at around 12:27pm in Balrampur village under Ramchandrapur union of the upazila.

The initiative brings back a programme first introduced by BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman who started canal excavation work across the country.

After introducing the Family Card programme earlier, the Prime Minister launched the canal revival initiative to fulfil another election pledge made by the BNP ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.

Accompanied by ministers and BNP leaders, Tarique Rahman persona...