Dhaka, Feb. 18 -- The newly formed cabinet led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has begun its inaugural meeting to set the course for the new administration.

Tarique is presiding over the session, which began at 3pm on Wednesday, his first official day in office.

He is set to hold a separate meeting with secretaries after the cabinet discussion.

Earlier at 12:35pm, the premier arrived at his office in Building No. 1 of the Secretariat.

Newly appointed ministers and state ministers from different ministries also arrived at the Secretariat, where they met officials of their departments and exchanged views before reaching Building No. 1 shortly before 3pm.

The meeting is now in progress, and security has been tightened around the buildi...