United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday announced its election manifesto, declaring that it will prioritise 26 key areas in running the government over the next five years if given the opportunity to lead the country. Ameer-e-Jamaat Dr Shafiqur Rahman unveiled the manifesto at a hotel in Banani. The 26 priority areas include safeguarding Bangladesh’s national interest, building a humane country based on equality, justice and fairness, empowering youth and prioritising their leadership in state governance, ensuring a safe and participatory environment for women, improving law and order, establishing a corruption-free state, and promoting merit-based recruitment. The manifesto also pledges to bring perpetrators of extrajudicial killings to justice, uphold fundamental human rights, and create large-scale employment in sectors including agriculture and industry. The manifesto strongly opposes corruption, fascism, authoritarianism, unemployment, and extortion. Other priorities highlighted include carrying forward the spirit of the July Uprising in governance, creating a sustainable and transparent economy, ensuring a cohesive democracy, revolutionising agriculture, guaranteeing adulteration-free food, and implementing the “Three Zero Vision” — zero environmental degradation, zero waste, and zero flood risk. Want to see peace in hill areas, says Jamaat Ameer On journalists’ welfare, the manifesto states that the wage board will be revised and implemented to bring media salaries in line with government officials, ensuring fair compensation for media professionals. Regarding governance reform, Jamaat pledged to implement necessary changes to the administration and governance system to shape a “new Bangladesh.” “We are committed to establishing a discrimination-free state and ensuring equal rights for all citizens. Laws and policies containing discriminatory provisions will be promptly reformed or repealed,” the manifesto reads. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami said its foreign policy will be guided by mutual respect, fairness, and equality. The party pledged to develop peaceful, friendly, and cooperative relations with neighboring and regional countries — including India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Thailand — based on mutual respect and fairness. It also emphasised that strengthening ties with the Muslim world will be a top priority. The event was attended by diplomats from various countries, leaders of political parties, senior journalists, business leaders, and representatives from different professions.

Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday (December 08, 2025) said his party intends to form a national government if it comes to power, even if it secures 200 parliamentary seats independently, aiming to safeguard national interest and ensure political stability. He made the remarks while briefing reporters after paying a courtesy call on European Union Ambassador Michael Miller in Gulshan. Ambassadors and diplomats at the meeting also included Swedish Ambassador Nicholas Wicks; Norwegian Ambassador Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen; German Ambassador Dr Rüdiger Lotz; Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro; French Deputy Head of Mission Frédéric Inza; Dutch Deputy Head of Mission Thijs Woudstra; EU Deputy Head of Mission Baiba Zarina; and Sebastian Rieger Braun, First Secretary at the EU Delegation. Read more: 'No govt in 54 years has worked for people’s welfare': Jamaat's Mujibur Rahman During the meeting, EU representatives asked about issues including the Rohingya crisis, public security, the party’s election manifesto, and its 100-day plan after assuming office. In response, the Jamaat chief assured them that his party would work to build an ‘inclusive Bangladesh’, if elected. “We will not exclude any political party. A national government is essential for the next five years to restore the economy, ensure stability, establish the rule of law, and curb corruption,” he said. He also outlined two conditions for joining the national government: no member would be allowed to engage in or tolerate corruption, and equal justice must be ensured with no political interference in the judiciary. Read more: Now Jamaat replaces election candidate in Lalmonirhat-3 Speaking about holding the national election and referendum simultaneously, Shafiqur Rahman said voter awareness was still not adequate for two major ballots on the same day, warning that both processes could be hampered. He recommended keeping them separate. Responding to allegations of using religion in politics, he said religion is part of Jamaat’s ideology, not a tool. “We do not exploit religion. Those who suddenly appear with caps and prayer beads only during elections are the ones using religion,” he said. He reiterated that the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for February must not be postponed. “We believe the election should be held on time, in February.” Read more: Jamaat leader Parwar pushes for referendum before national election The Jamaat chief also reaffirmed the party’s support for the proportional representation (PR) electoral system, saying it has been demanded in the interest of the people and that Jamaat would implement it, if elected.