A day-long “Universal Pension Fair and Information Exhibition” was held in a festive atmosphere in Narail, aimed at increasing public participation in the universal pension scheme and bringing its various financial-security benefits down to the grassroots level.
Jointly organized by the National Pension Authority (Finance Division, Ministry of Finance) and the Narail district administration, the fair was formally inaugurated with a discussion session at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at the District Shilpakala Academy grounds. A vibrant cultural program was also held at midday to mark the occasion.
Speaking as chief guest at the discussion session, Narail-1 lawmaker Biswas Jahangir Alam said, “This universal pension scheme is a historic, landmark step by the current government to secure ordinary people’s financial future. To ensure no one has to depend on others in old age, it’s important to join this scheme while young and still earning. Local elected representatives and the administration need to work together to raise public awareness about this.”
Presiding over the event, Narail Deputy Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Abdul Salam said in his remarks, “Our main goal is to bring marginalized and low-income people, private-sector employees and expatriates in Narail district under pension coverage. The district administration has taken special initiatives to bring the scheme’s message and services down to the union level.”
Speaking as special guest, National Pension Authority Executive Chairman Dr. Md. Suratuzzaman said, “The universal pension isn’t a temporary savings scheme — it’s a long-term social security system fully backed by government guarantee. The process is being run in an extremely transparent, digital manner, so subscribers can manage their accounts from home.”
After the discussion session, invited guests toured 23 stalls set up by various government and private offices and banks at the fair.
For the convenience of visitors, detailed information and instant registration services were provided for the pension scheme’s four main categories: “Probash” for expatriate Bangladeshis, “Pragoti” for private-sector employees and organizations, “Suraksha” for self-employed and informal-sector workers, and “Samota” for low-income individuals. A large turnout of local, aware citizens and members of the public was seen throughout the day-long fair.
Among others attending as special guests were Munshi Abdul Ahad, member (fund management) of the National Pension Authority; A.F.M. Fazle Rabbi, joint secretary of the Finance Division; Additional Superintendent of Police Nurul Alam Siddiqui, representing the district superintendent of police; Md. Mostafizur Rahman Alek, administrator of Narail District Council; Additional District Commissioner Ahsan Mahmud Rasel; and other local dignitaries.