United News of Bangladesh

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Sunday said they look forward to working together with Bangladesh in a forward-looking manner to strengthen people-centric cooperation in all domains.  "So, I think, of course, people-to-people exchanges are a very important part of our bilateral relations," he said, noting that they really hope to take forward things working together in a positive, constructive and forward looking manner. The High Commissioner made the remarks while responding to a question after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. During the meeting, the High Commissioner reiterated their position that they look forward to engaging with the new government in Bangladesh. "We want to strengthen our people's centric cooperation in all domains, working together in a positive, constructive and forward looking manner. And based on our mutual benefit and mutual interest," he said. "So that was the conversation that we had and we really look forward to it," said the High Commissioner. The High Commissioner also met Stare Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "It was my first meeting with the new Foreign Minister and Minister of State after the formation of the new Government in Bangladesh. So, it was more of a courtesy meeting and an initial exchange of views," he said. The High Commissioner referred to their recent high level communications with Bangladesh since the election. On February 13, a day after the elections, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. "They also spoke on the phone later that day," said the High Commissioner. Later, on February 17, when the new government was sworn-in, the Speaker of Lok Sabha visited Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony, representing the government of India. He also had a bilateral meeting with the new Prime Minister. "During the meeting, our Speaker handed a letter from Prime Minister Modi to Prime Minister Rahman," said the High Commissioner. In all these communications, he said, they expressed the desire to build on their historic ties with Bangladesh and strengthen the multifaceted bilateral relations. "We also underlined our commitment to support a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh," Pranay Verma said.  

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Sunday said teachers would no longer need to take to the streets to realise their legitimate demands, as the government is giving the highest priority to the education sector and will implement justified claims of teachers and employees in phases. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with the Teachers-Employees Unity Council at the conference room of the Ministry of Education, the minister said although there are certain budgetary constraints, other demands of teachers will be placed before the Prime Minister. “As many issues could not be incorporated into the new budget, it is not possible to implement all demands immediately. However, the government is sincere in this regard,” he said. Referring to allegations raised against officials and employees of the ministry, Milon said the complaints would be reviewed and resolved gradually. “Discussions are also underway regarding school managing committees and governing bodies.” “The issue of not allowing one individual to hold responsibilities in multiple institutions will be considered at the managing committee level,” the minister said. On the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), Milon said recent changes in the recruitment system would be reviewed and necessary decisions taken accordingly.  “We will assess where corrections are needed. The government is firm in its position – we neither engage in corruption nor allow it. Transparency and accountability will be ensured in the education sector,” he said. The minister also said meetings would soon be held to decide on financial matters, including retirement benefits and welfare trust issues. “Education is receiving the highest importance at the policy-making level of the current government. Education-related issues also received priority at the recent cabinet meeting.” State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj said the written demands submitted by teachers have been taken seriously. “Among the various demands, standing issues have been identified and initiatives taken for resolution. We do not want to take abrupt decisions. We seek long-term solutions through consultation so that teachers do not have to return to agitation over the same demands five or seven years later.” Highlighting teachers’ dignity, Hajjaj said proper evaluation of their responsibilities in classrooms would be ensured and the government is aware of the expectations of the teaching community. Chairman of the Teachers-Employees Unity Council and Cumilla-2 MP Selim Bhuiyan, along with other teacher leaders, were present at the meeting.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday filed two separate cases against former Jessore-1 MP Sheikh Afil Uddin and his wife Tahera Sobha, accusing them of amassing wealth worth about Tk 62.31 crore. The cases were lodged at the ACC’s Dhaka Integrated District Office by Assistant Director Syed Maidul Islam, ACC Deputy Director Aktarul Islam told UNB. According to the first case, investigators found assets worth Tk 45.43 crore in Sheikh Afil Uddin’s name, including immovable properties valued at Tk 1.47 crore and movable assets worth Tk 43.91 crore. ACC to file case over Tk 1,325cr loan scam involving Bashundhara Group, National Bank officials His lawful income was only Tk 7.60 crore, leaving unexplained wealth of Tk 46.26 crore. In the second case, Tahera Sobha was accused of acquiring illegal assets. Investigators found her movable and immovable properties valued at Tk 18.55 crore. Including expenditures, her total assets stood at Tk 19.23 crore, while her lawful income was Tk 3.18 crore, leaving unexplained wealth of Tk 16.05 crore. Besides, the ACC issued asset disclosure notices to the couple’s three sons — Sheikh Kutubuddin, Sheikh Tamim Uddin, and Afnan Uddin — after finding evidence of suspicious assets worth around Tk 50 million in their names. Case against 8 NHA officials over allocation of luxury flats for 2 ACC commissioners

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Sunday instructed field-level police officers to take tough action against extortion, robbery and drug-related crimes. Speaking at a virtual meeting from Police Headquarters with all unit chiefs, metropolitan police commissioners, range DIGs and district superintendents of police, the IGP emphasised that law and order must be maintained at any cost. He said legal action should be taken against anyone involved in extortion, terrorism or drug offences, regardless of political affiliation. The IGP also directed the Highway Police to intensify measures to prevent highway robberies and urged district police to cooperate closely to stop such crimes. Additional IGPs from the police headquarters were present during the meeting.  

New Burimari Express train service will begin operating from Burimari within the next 180 days, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said on Sunday. He made the announcement while speaking to journalists after a meeting with administrative officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Lalmonirhat in the afternoon. The minister said the government is working to implement Lalmonirhat Airport, four-lane road, economic zone and Teesta master plan as promised to people. He added that work on the projects will be accelerated through coordination among different ministries to ensure swift completion. Dulu also announced that a ‘Family Card’ programme will initially be launched in eight upazilas as a pilot project. Under the scheme, the poorest families will be identified in phases and brought under the card system to receive necessary facilities and benefits. He said discussions with local officials focused on development initiatives that can be implemented in Lalmonirhat within the next 180 days. Members of Parliament Hasan Rajib Pradhan and Rokon Uddin Babul were present at the meeting.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Sunday reduced the retail price of furnace oil supplied by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) by Tk 15.90 per litre, effective from midnight. Under the new rate, furnace oil will be sold at Tk 70.10 per litre, down from the previous price of Tk 86 per litre, according to a BERC media release. The commission said the price was re-fixed in line with Sections 34(4) and 34(6) of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003. BERC noted that BPC had submitted a proposal on January 20, 2024 seeking a revision of furnace oil prices. Subsequently, state-run oil marketing companies also proposed increases in their marketing and composite transportation charges. Among them, Meghna Petroleum Limited submitted its proposal on May 26, 2025, Standard Asiatic Oil Company Limited on June 3, Jamuna Oil Company Limited on June 26, and Padma Oil Company Limited on July 11. A public hearing on the proposals was held on January 29 this year. Stakeholders and interested parties were allowed to submit written opinions until February 3 following the hearing. After reviewing and analysing all proposals and opinions in detail, the commission exercised its authority under the law to re-determine the price, the release said. As per the new decision, the marketing charge for furnace oil has been set at Tk 0.72 per litre for Padma Oil Company, Meghna Petroleum, Jamuna Oil Company and Standard Asiatic Oil Company. The composite transportation charge has been fixed at Tk 1.20 per litre. BERC said the revised retail price of furnace oil will come into effect nationwide from 12:00am Sunday night. Furnace oil is a high-viscosity, cost-effective, and energy-dense residual fuel derived from petroleum refining, primarily used in industrial and heavy-duty applications. Its key uses include powering industrial furnaces, boilers, and kilns for heating, steam generation, manufacturing, and as a fuel in marine vessels and power generation plants

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday said Dhaka and Beijing have been engaged in long-standing discussions over the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, expressing the hope that work on the long-awaited initiative will begin soon. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. The Chinese Ambassador described the recently held election as smooth and orderly and found it as the victory of democracy. He said the high-level visits between the two countries would continue. On February 17, 2026, Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Tarique Rahman on his inauguration as Bangladeshi Prime Minister. Li Qiang wrote in the message that China and Bangladesh are neighbors enjoying long-standing friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partners. Friendly ties between the two countries go back a long way. Over the past 51 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Bangladesh have always respected and treated each other as equals, pursued mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win results, setting a fine example of exchanges between countries, Li said. The Chinese government supports the new Bangladeshi government in exercising smooth governance. Li said he stands ready to work with the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to carry forward the long-standing friendship, enhance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and exchanges in all sectors, elevating the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new level, so as to bring more benefit to the two peoples.

A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced four people to life imprisonment for violating a young girl at Kamrangirchar in Dhaka in 2009. Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Munshi Md Mashier Rahman pronounced the punishment. The lifers are—Shahidul Islam, Saiful Islam, Nizam and Manir Hossain alias Sentu. Among them, Saiful was tried in absentia. The court also fined Tk one lakh each, in default, to suffer one year more in jail. 5 arrested in Dhaka for breaching election code; awarded jail terms, fines The court also asked the Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka to deposit the fine money after selling the assets of the convicts. According to the prosecution, the 25-year-old victim along with her friend went to Beribadah at Ashrafabad in Kamrangirchar on September 25, 2009. At one stage, her friend went to her home leaving her alone in the area. Later, the convicts picked up the girl to a boat and violated the girl in turns on boat. Meanwhile, the convicts kept the girl confined to a room of the house of one Salam Contractor. Being informed, the parents of the girl rescued her from the house and took her to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. Biman MD, his wife, sent to jail for torturing domestic help A case was filed with Kamrangirchar Police Station. Sub-inspector of Kamrangirchar Police Station Shafiqul Islam Shikdar submitted chargehseet against them on October 31, 2010.

The Election Commission will hold by-elections to two parliamentary seats -- Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3-- by April 14 next, said Election Commissioner Rahmanel Masud on Sunday. “The by-election to Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 will be held soon, Inshallah. We are making arrangements so that the polls can be completed before April 14, that is, before Pahela Baishakh,” he told reporters at his office in the city’s Election Bhaban. Masud said the Commission is trying to complete the elections ahead of Pahela Baishakh as the rainy season and storms are common after that period. “We hope we will be able to do it before that,” he added. Replying to a question about postal ballots, the commissioner said postal voting will remain in place for the by-election as well. “Postal ballots will continue in the by-election. One ballot had already been issued earlier (for Sherpur-3), but voting did not take place. For Bogura, we will send postal ballots again,” he said. Asked about the timeframe for registration, Masud said those who have already registered will receive ballots directly (for Bogura-6). Regarding the election to reserved women’s seats in Parliament, Masud said the process has effectively begun. “The voting for reserved seats has already started in a sense, as it is mainly conducted by the parliamentary parties. Whomever the parties nominate can be considered elected. Formally, it must be completed within 90 days of the oath-taking, and we will do that, InshAllah,” he said. Saudi Arabia issues 1.4m visas for Bangladeshis, 750,000 for work When asked about the schedule, he said it will be announced soon within the stipulated 90-day period. “Time is still there. Political parties have already begun the nomination process. We will complete the formalities,” he said. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman contested the February-12 general election from two parliamentary constituencies – Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 and he was elected from the two seats. But Tarique Rahman has left Bogura-6 seat for by-election and took oath as a member of parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency.  Besides, the EC on February 04 last cancelled the election to Sherpur-3 constituency, following the death of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nuruzzaman Badal. The elections to 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies (except Sherpur-3) were held on February 12. The EC published a gazette of 297 elected MP candidates on February 12, keeping the election result of Chattogram-2 and 4 constituencies withheld in line with the court’s decisions. On Tuesday, 296 newly elected MPs took oath as Tarique Rahman who was elected from two constituencies left Bogura-6 for by-election. The 296 newly MPs include 208 BNP ones, 68 Jamaat MPs, seven independent MPs and six NCP MPs, two Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis MPs, one MP each of Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Ganaodhikar Parishad, Ganasamhati Andolan, Khelafat Majlish and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said his priority would be to focus on work rather than making premature statements. “We want to talk less and work more,” he said, underscoring his preference for results-driven governance. Talking to reporters shortly after taking charge of the Planning Ministry, Amir Khosru made it clear that his approach would be centred on action and careful assessment rather than immediate public pronouncements. Finance Minister Amir Khosru unveils ambitious reform plan on day one He stressed that he had only just assumed office and needed time to review ongoing programmes and consult officials before outlining detailed plans.  “I have just arrived. There is no benefit in speaking too much in advance. Let me settle down, review the situation and speak with officials. In due time, everything will be communicated.” The minister, who is also in charge of the Finance Ministry, said he had assumed responsibility only days earlier and was still in the process of understanding the scope of his ministry’s workload, existing commitments and institutional challenges. He emphasised the importance of making informed and evidence-based decisions rather than offering speculative remarks. “I have just entered the office. It is important to review everything carefully and hold discussions with the officials. After proper review, it will be easier to present objective and substantive statements,” he said. Responding to vollies questions about his plans and priorities, including long-term economic targets such as transforming Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2034, the minister refrained from offering immediate specifics. Instead, he reiterated that any meaningful policy direction would emerge only after thorough evaluation. The minister assured that transparency and timely communication would be maintained once the review process was complete. Economy suffering from ‘overregulation’, says Amir Khosru “There is no reason for concern. Everything will be shared in due course,” he said. “It is important to settle down first, review the situation and then speak based on facts.” Amir Khosru also responded cautiously when asked about concerns over overcosted or delayed development projects, which have been a longstanding issue in the country’s public investment landscape. He said such matters were already part of an ongoing administrative process and would be addressed through proper institutional mechanisms. “All issues are in process. It has only been two days since I assumed office. These matters require careful review and discussions. After reviewing everything, we will speak in a more substantive manner,” he said. The minister stressed that making statements without adequate assessment could lead to incomplete or inaccurate conclusions, and reiterated his commitment to providing fact-based information once internal evaluations were completed. “For the sake of saying something, I do not think that is appropriate. What is needed is objective and substantive statements,” he added. The Planning Ministry plays a central role in shaping Bangladesh’s development agenda, including approving and monitoring projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP), formulating five-year plans and coordinating long-term national economic strategies. The minister’s remarks come at a time when Bangladesh is pursuing ambitious economic goals, including sustaining high growth, improving project efficiency and strengthening institutional capacity to support long-term development.