The government has banned the use of the Prime Minister's photo, including three-dimensional (3D) representations or any other artistic format, on banners, festoons and billboards prepared for official events.

The Cabinet Division on Sunday issued an order in this regard with immediate effect, describing the matter as "highly important".

The order came after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman noticed his own photographs on banners and festoons prepared for a ministry's programme while travelling from his residence to the Secretariat this morning, the Press Wing of the Prime Minister's office said.

The Prime Minister later instructed the Cabinet Secretary to ensure that his photograph is no longer used in publicity materials for government events.

The order said publicity materials for government programmes must instead focus on the theme and purpose of the event, presenting only relevant and appropriate information.

It instructed government offices and agencies to ensure that the design of banners, festoons and billboards clearly reflects the objectives, message and subject matter of the event, rather than featuring images of the Prime Minister.