United News of Bangladesh

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman has announced that he will resign from his post and contest the parliamentary election from Jhenaidah-1 (Shailkupa) constituency on the paddy sheaf symbol. “I will submit my nomination papers for the parliamentary elections along with everyone. I want to become an MP for the development of the area and for building a terror-free Shailkupa,” he said. He made the remarks at a prayer meeting on Saturday organised by Shailkupa Upazila BNP to pray for the forgiveness of the soul of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and for the recovery of former Prime Minister and BNP’s chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Md Asaduzzaman said, “We will contest the election on the paddy sheaf. Alhamdulillah, we have been informed about this by the top leadership of BNP. From December 28, I will work with you in the polling field for 24 hours.” Addressing the leaders and activists, he said, “Women activists of a party are going door to door selling tickets to heaven. But we believe that Allah is one and unique. On the Day of Judgment, it will be decided who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. Yet a particular party is selling tickets to heaven in the hope of votes, which is blasphemy. All of you go door to door and dispel this idea among the people.” Upazila BNP General Secretary Humayun Babar Firoz, Organizing Secretary Mustafizur Rahman Turki, Co-General Secretary Bablu Mollah and other leaders and activists attended the prayer meeting.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Saturday alleged that a few political parties are trying to fish in troubled waters by holding people hostage to serve their narrow political interests. “The people of this country earned independence in ’71 and secured their right to speak freely in ’24 through immense blood and sacrifice,” he said. Speaking at a workers’ meeting in the capital, the BNP leader also said attempts are now being made to snatch away those rights achieved in 1971 and 2024. “A few political parties are trying to hold the people of Bangladesh hostage to gain political advantage. They want to muddy the waters and fish in them,” he said. Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee member, called upon party leaders, activists and the general public to remain alert to tackle the plots against the country. He warned that any attempt to create unrest in Dhaka city will not be allowed, saying the BNP will resist all such efforts. “Our leader Tarique Rahman announced that he would be coming to Bangladesh… After that announcement, a murder took place, followed by a series of incidents one after another. This means it is a planned design,” Abbas observed. He said such activities were aimed at “snatching away the democratic rights of the people” that were achieved in 1971. “We will not allow those rights to be taken away. We will restore our right to vote at any cost.” The BNP leader also warned against any attempts to disrupt the next election. “Those who try to foil the polls will receive their answer through the election process itself. The election will be held in this country, and it must take place.” The meeting was organised at the Sadeque Hossain Khoka Community Centre in Gopibagh by the Dhaka South City unit of the BNP as part of preparations to welcome Tarique Rahman on his return home on Thursday, ending his nearly 18 years in exile in London. Abbas told the meeting that the return of the BNP Acting Chairman symbolises the return of democracy to Bangladesh. “He is coming to restore democracy. Do not be misled by what others say.” Mirza Abbas calls attack on Hadi part of wider conspiracy In an oblique reference to Jamaat-e-Islami, he said the party does not want Bangladesh to remain peaceful as it had opposed the country’s birth. “Those who do not wish well for the country and do not love it may look like human beings, but they are devils in human form. They opposed Pakistan in 1947 and opposed Bangladesh in 1971. They do not want peace in the country. Even if they remain silent for some time, their claws and poisonous fangs grow again. Their activities are systematic and continuous,” the BNP leader said. He said undemocratic forces will not be able to survive in the face of democracy and warned those engaged in conspiracy to be cautious as the people of the country knew them well. “Several newspaper offices and a number of institutions were torched and burned down. Who are these people? Do they love the country? They are enemies of the nation and enemies of the country. They must be stopped,” Abbas said. He also criticised the government and law enforcement agencies for failing to prevent arson attacks and mob violence. “When we went to meet the head of this government, we repeatedly said that we had extended a hand of cooperation to you. But you did not accept that hand of cooperation,” the BNP leader said. He also alleged that the interim government was siding with anti-Bangladesh forces working to destroy the country. “So many incidents are happening—where are the arrests? Where are the law enforcement agencies? They are nowhere to be seen on the ground.” The meeting was chaired by Dhaka South BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin. Candidates and leaders from several Dhaka constituencies, including Nabi Ullah Nabi, Ishraque Hossain, Hamidur Rahman Hamid, Habibur Rashid Habib and Sheikh Robiul Alam, also addressed the programme.    

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed deep shock over the death of AK Khandker Bir Uttam, a key hero of the Bangladesh Liberation War and former planning minister. In a condolence message, Fakhrul said, “I deeply sympathise with the bereaved family of AK Khandker over his demise.” He recalled that late AK Khandker, who served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Liberation Forces, was the first Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force and played a brave and heroic role during the Liberation War of 1971. For his exceptional contribution to the war, Fakhrul said AK Khandker was awarded the ‘Bir Uttam’ title and the Independence Award in 2011. “He will always be remembered by the nation for his outstanding contribution to the Liberation War and the freedom of our motherland. His devoted role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and independence will remain an exemplary legacy,” the BNP leader said. Mirza Fakhrul falls ill “I am deeply saddened by his passing and pray to Almighty Allah to grant him a place in Jannah and give patience to his grieving family,” he added. The BNP Secretary General also prayed for the eternal peace of AK Khandker’s soul and expressed profound sympathy to his family, admirers and well-wishers.    

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday urged vigilance to prevent the killing of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi from being politically exploited to create chaos. “We have strongly condemned this brutal killing. But fallen fascist forces or anyone trying to disrupt the election must not be allowed to use this incident for political gain. Everyone must remain vigilant,” he said. Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, made the remarks while talking to reporters before attending Hadi’s namaz-e-janaza. He also called upon the people of the country to remain alert to prevent any conspiracy aimed at delaying or disrupting the upcoming election. Later, on behalf of BNP, Salahuddin along with party Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and many other leaders and activists attended the janaza of martyr Osman Hadi. Hadi’s namaz-e-janaza was held at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday afternoon. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, advisers, leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Inquilab Moncho, National Citizens Party (NCP), and chiefs of the three services were, among others, present. Mirza Fakhrul falls ill Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. He was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir suddenly fell ill on Friday night and is currently receiving treatment at home. “The BNP Secretary General developed a viral infection (fever) late Friday night. Following doctors’ advice, he is receiving treatment at home,” BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said on Saturday. He also said Fakhrul is resting as per his doctor’s instructions. BNP pays homage to Osman Hadi Fakhrul attended an emergency meeting of the party’s Standing Committee on Friday night and later briefed journalists on the decisions taken at the meeting at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan

Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, left for London on Saturday morning (December 20, 2025), aiming to return to Bangladesh Thursday with her husband and daughter. BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon said Zubaida departed Dhaka at 8:30am on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-201 from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. “She has gone back to London. InshaAllah, she will return to the country on Thursday with Tarique Rahman and their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman,” Rumon said. Zubaida came to Dhaka on December 5 from London to stay beside BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia who has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. Read more: Zubaida visits gun-attack victim Hadi's family As a member of Khaleda’s medical board, Zubaida remained at the hospital round the clock and supervised treatment activities. The BNP chief was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 due to her deteriorating health. As her condition worsened, she was shifted to the Critical Care Unit under a medical board made up of local and foreign specialists, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder. Medical board member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Friday said Khaleda Zia’s physical condition became much more stable and expressed hope that she would gradually recover. Following the encouraging improvement in Khaleda’s condition, Zubaida has decided to return to London to prepare to come back to Bangladesh permanently with her family after 17 years abroad. Read more: Zubaida visits Evercare Hospital to monitor Khaleda’s condition On September 11, 2008, Zubaida travelled to London with her daughter Zaima to support Tarique Rahman’s advanced medical treatment abroad.

Strongly denouncing the wave of violent attacks at different parts of the the country, including those targeting media houses, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday night alleged that a long-identified vested quarter is deliberately trying to push Bangladesh into chaos to establish 'a new form of fascism'. Speaking at a press conference after an emergency meeting of the BNP Standing Committee at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also condemned the killing of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and urged the pace-loving political and social forces to unite to foil all attempts to obstruct the democratic transition. “Inquilab Moncho Chief Sharif Osman Hadi died prematurely while undergoing medical treatment in Singapore. We strongly condemn and express our deep abhorrence over this cowardly killing. We once again demand the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and that they be brought to justice without delay,” Fakhrul said. Following this tragic death, Fakhrul said, a group of unruly people carried out arson attacks late last night on the offices of several newspapers, including Prothom Alo and the English daily The Daily Star. The BNP leader said these attacks seriously endangered the lives of journalists who were on duty at the two newspaper offices. He also said an attack was carried out on Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age and president of the Editors’ Council, describing him as a prominent and courageous journalist involved in the anti-fascist July movement and other democratic movements in the country. Besides, Fakhrul said, various cultural institutions, including Chhayanaut, were also attacked. “We strongly condemn and express our deep hatred for these heinous acts. These incidents prove that a long-identified vested quarter wants to push the country towards anarchy in a planned manner. They are trying to create a new form of fascism by destroying our voting and democratic rights earned through immense bloodshed,” he said. Fakhrul lamented that these activities are being carried out openly, right under the nose of the government. “People also believe that the government’s role has not been satisfactory. As a result, the country’s image abroad is being damaged,” he said. The BNP leader said almost all political parties have protested against Hadi’s killing and are putting pressure on the government to arrest the killers and ensure justice. “In this situation, we believe that these disgraceful attacks are part of a conspiracy to create uncertainty around the upcoming national election and to obstruct the process of democratic transition,” Fakhrul said. On behalf of the peace-loving people of the country, he said BNP wants to warn those despicable conspirators that it will not allow anyone to destroy the country won at the cost of so much blood. The BNP leader urged all democratic, political and social forces to remain united against anarchy created by vested quarter. “This evil force must be resisted through unity. There is no alternative now but for all political and social forces opposed to chaos to unite in order to resist this conspiracy. Through such unity, we ensured the fall of fascism and secured an interim government and a national election. In continuation of that struggle, we once again call upon all patriotic forces to unite,” he said. Fakhrul cited a series of violent incidents following Hadi’s death, including attacks on the Indian High Commission office and its staff residences in Khulna and Chattogram, arson and vandalism at Prothom Alo and The Daily Star offices in Dhaka and Rajshahi, vandalism and arson at Dhanmondi 32, the Chhayanaut office and the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, the destruction of shops in Uttara, attacks on the house of an Awami League leader, the killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh over allegations of religious desecration, vandalism and arson at the residence of late Chattogram mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury and the house of former minister Bir Bahadur, and the attack on New Age Editor Nurul Kabir. Hadi, a prospective candidate for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election from the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan, Dhaka. He initially underwent surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and was later admitted to Evercare Hospital. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he passed away on Thursday night.

BNP on Friday paid tributes to Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi as his body arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from Singapore in the evening. On behalf of the party, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and Acting Chairman’s adviser Dr Mahdi Amin paid the tributes to Hadi by placing a wreath on his coffin at the airport, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Earlier, the duo along with some interim government advisers and senior leader from different parties received the mortal remains of Hadi, who passed away in a Singapore hospital on Thursday. The Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-585 carrying Hadi’s body landed at 5:48 pm, having departed from Singapore’s Changi International Airport at 2:03 pm, Bangladesh time. Hadi, a prospective candidate for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election from the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan, Dhaka. He initially underwent surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and was later admitted to Evercare Hospital. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he passed away on Thursday night.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s physical condition became more stable on Friday after a small medical procedure was successfully carried out on her, said her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain. “Alhamdulillah. As I told you yesterday (Thursday), by the mercy of Allah and everyone’s prayers, her condition was stable. I would like to add that compared to her previous condition, she is now much more stable following the treatment of the medical board,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while briefing reporters about Khaleda’s health condition outside Evercare Hospital. Dr Zahid said a small medical procedure was carried out on the former prime minister on Friday in the operation theatre of the hospital. “She was able to receive it very successfully. The procedure went smoothly.” He said Khaleda is now receiving treatment at a Critical Care Unit cabin that has ICU facilities, under a medical board made up of specialist doctors from home and abroad. “At this moment, her condition is stable. This means her condition has not deteriorated,” the BNP leader said. Khaleda Zia integral to an important chapter in Bangladesh history: Prof Yunus Dr Zahid said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and the wife of late Arafat Rahman Koko Syeda Shameela Rahman and other family members urged the country’s people to pray to Allah so that Khaleda continues to remain stable and moves towards full recovery with the treatment being provided by the medical board. The BNP chief was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November with several health complications. Three days later, she was moved to the Critical Care Unit after a lung infection was detected. Her treatment is now being supervised by a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with the involvement of both local and foreign specialists.    

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday urged patience, responsibility and national unity following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho and a July Movement activist, who died on Wednesday while receiving treatment in Singapore. In a statement, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the nation is mourning Hadi’s death amid public anger over the failure to ensure his safety. He said while grief and anger among students and the public are understandable, no group should exploit the situation for political gain, warning that such actions could derail the movement from its proper course. Osman Hadi no more Dr Rahman underscored the need for safeguarding media freedom, describing attacks on journalists as attacks on democracy and the rule of law, and stressed that protests must remain peaceful and lawful. He also demanded quick identification and exemplary punishment of those responsible for Hadi’s killing, urging citizens and students to act with restraint and responsibility, adding that national unity and democratic processes are the only way forward during this critical period.