United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said he firmly believes that no autocrat will ever again be able to rise in Bangladesh. He made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page at night. “I firmly believe that no autocrat will ever be able to rise again on this soil. That is the greatest strength of August 5, 2024. That is our commitment,” Fakhrul wrote. Reflecting on the political struggle against the previous government, he said the country had fought for more than a decade against what he described as a brutal autocracy, led by Sheikh Hasina, and against what he termed a decaying state system. The BNP leader claimed that millions of families were devastated during the movement, thousands of people were subjected to enforced disappearance, countless others were killed, the education system was destroyed, the economy was severely damaged and people’s future was pushed into darkness. “We never gave up. We were led by Khaleda Zia,” he said. Fakhrul said in July 2024, thousands of people took to the streets, standing for freedom and democracy. He alleged that hundreds of young people were killed to suppress the movement and claimed that even children standing on balconies and rooftops were not spared. The BNP secretary general also alleged that Sheikh Hasina ordered gunfire from helicopters and that her forces carried out those orders. Stating that no autocrat is stronger than the power of the people, he said Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee on August 5, 2024, in the face of the mass uprising led by students and the public. Fakhrul said this marked the beginning of a “new Bangladesh,” followed by the formation of an interim government. According to him, a United Nations investigation uncovered evidence of what he described as serious crimes committed during the Hasina administration, while Bangladesh’s tribunal also established those crimes, leading to a verdict and its execution. The BNP leader further said nearly six months ago, his party formed the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman through a popular mandate. He said the government had since faced a series of major challenges, including the Middle East conflict, shortages of gas and oil, a measles outbreak and global economic pressures. “Even then, we have not stopped. We believe that, InshaAllah, we will take this country further forward,” Fakhrul said. He said he had repeatedly spoken about his beliefs, ideals and the sacrifices made by his predecessors, political leaders, comrades and younger generations. The BNP leader said those sacrifices were made in pursuit of a dream, to build a self-respecting, developed, prosperous and confident Bangladesh based on the ideals of liberal democracy. “I still dream that dream today. Even at the age of 78, my belief remains unshaken,:Bangladesh can do it,” he said. Fakhrul added that his faith lies in the spirit of 1971, his confidence in the youth of 2024, his political ideals in Ziaur Rahman, and his belief in liberal democracy and Bangladeshi nationalist politics. “My confidence is in the BNP, because history bears witness that time and again, after grave crises, we have brought this nation back to the path of light,” he said. Fakhrul expressed hope that, inspired by the sacrifices of the martyrs and the dreams, talent and hard work of millions of people, Bangladesh will become a country governed by the rule of law, democracy and human dignity.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday inaugurated a five-day free eye treatment camp in Thakurgaon and assured that initiatives will be taken to organise such eye camps in every upazila across the country. He said the government is working continuously to improve healthcare services in Thakurgaon, with the district hospital already upgraded from 250 beds to 600 beds. Fakhrul, also BNP secretary general, said admission of students to Thakurgaon Medical College will begin from next year. Thakurgaon Diabetic Association, with support from Nepal, organised the eye camp. The minister said healthcare-focused development activities are being implemented as quickly as possible. “Initiatives will be taken to arrange such eye camps in every upazila, and efforts will also be made to ensure regular continuation of these programmes,” he added. Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal in Bangladesh Pratik Karki, Chairman of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) Prof Dr Chet Raj Prant, Chairman of Biratnagar Eye Hospital Padma Narayan Chaudhury, Thakurgaon-3 MP Zahidur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Rafiqul Huq, Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain, District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, physicians and eminent personalities were present at the event. During the five-day camp, underprivileged and low-income people from different parts of the district will receive free eye examinations, treatment and necessary medical advice. More than 3,000 patients have already registered.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday directed the officials concerned to prioritise long-term national needs, accountability and public welfare in planning and implementing development projects, saying government spending must deliver tangible improvements to people’s lives. Speaking at a review meeting at the Secretariat, the minister said every stage of project formulation and implementation there should be focus on public interest, efficiency, transparency and long-term national priorities rather than short-term visibility or popularity. The meeting reviewed ongoing projects and unapproved new schemes included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the 2026-27 fiscal year under the Local Government Division and the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division. State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki attended the meeting as special guest. Officials presented an overview of the ADP implementation status for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years, highlighting the progress of ongoing projects and identifying areas where projects could be restructured or revised. The LGRD minister said development initiatives should be evaluated based on their real impact on people’s quality of life rather than the construction of visible infrastructure alone.“We must formulate development plans with a vision of where we want the country to stand in the next five, 10 or even 50 years,” he said. He stressed the need for more realistic project planning, greater emphasis on results-based evaluation and stronger scrutiny during project preparation. The minister also suggested revising, restructuring or merging similar projects where necessary to improve implementation efficiency. Describing public funds as the hard-earned money of citizens, he said every taka must be utilised efficiently, with greater emphasis on timely implementation, quality, cost effectiveness and accountability. He said the Local Government Division plays a vital role in infrastructure development, safe water supply, sanitation, waste management, strengthening local government institutions, rural development and employment generation, urging officials to perform their responsibilities with greater dedication and professionalism. Highlighting waste management as a priority, the minister said modern and sustainable waste management projects are essential for building a cleaner and greener Bangladesh. He also underscored the importance of training and research to develop skilled human resources capable of promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship, while appreciating the division’s initiatives for women’s development and economic empowerment. State Minister Saki said development projects are being reviewed regularly in line with the government’s policy priorities and should reflect the election manifesto and broader development agenda through restructuring where necessary. He proposed grouping projects into thematic clusters to enable integrated monitoring, evaluation and more effective implementation. Senior officials from the Local Government Division, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division, Planning Commission and other government agencies attended the meeting.

The presidential election will be held on time and candidates for the post will be nominated according to the party’s decision, LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Monday. He made the remarks while responding to journalists' questions after inaugurating the divisional office of the Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) in the Terminal area of Rangpur city. Mirza Fakhrul said the BNP is a democratic political party. “Through a long struggle, our party formed the government with a two-thirds majority in parliament with the love and votes of the people,” he said. He said the BNP had fulfilled the responsibility of running the government not once, but five times. “Those who call BNP a fascist either lack knowledge or have developed such a mentality,” he added. The minister also urged the Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer to read his party’s constitution carefully and assess how democratic the party is. Regarding local government elections, he said the Election Commission would decide on the issue of educational qualifications for candidates. “If not by the end of this year, the local government elections will be held early next year,” he said. Mirza Fakhrul also said the government has waived interest on agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000 to support agricultural development. He added that the Prime Minister announced maximum allocation for agricultural development in the Rangpur region and that all necessary steps would be taken to make agriculture profitable. Later, Mirza Fakhrul inaugurated a rural fair organised at the Rangpur Public Library grounds, visited different stalls and attended a community meeting at the Shilpakala Academy. Rangpur Development Authority Chairman Shamsuzzaman Samu, Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam (NDC), Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam, Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Ruhul Amin, Rangpur Zilla Parishad Administrator Saiful Islam, government officials and employees, and BNP leaders and activists were present.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the party never bowed to fascist regime despite enduring 17 years of political struggle, repression and imprisonment. "We fought against fascism for 17 years. We endured repression, sacrificed lives and spent time in jail, but we never bowed our heads. Under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, we secured victory. Now we have an opportunity to build a new Bangladesh," he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a public awareness programme titled Alokito Lalmonirhat (Enlightened Lalmonirhat) as the chief guest at MT Hossain Ground in Lalmonirhat town. He said the movement to rebuild Bangladesh has now taken shape through the Alokito Lalmonirhat initiative led by Asadul Habib Dulu. Expressing concern over the growing drug menace, Fakhrul said drug abuse is destroying the future of the country's youth and weakening society. "We cannot allow this to continue. We must build a social movement by raising public awareness and engaging people in resisting drugs and other social crimes," he said. He expressed hope that the anti-drug campaign launched by Dulu would spread across the country. Calling on people to reject drugs, dowry and gambling, Fakhrul said such social evils must be eliminated to build a prosperous nation. Referring to the Teesta issue, he said the government is committed to implementing the Teesta Master Plan, which he said would open a new horizon for the socio-economic development of people living along the Teesta River. Highlighting various government initiatives, Fakhrul said programmes such as the Family Card, Farmers' Card and allowances for imams and muezzins have already been introduced as part of efforts to build an economically prosperous Bangladesh. "We want the light of Lalmonirhat to spread across the country," he said. The keynote paper on Alokito Lalmonirhat was presented by the initiative's chief patron, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu. The programme was chaired by Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Rashedul Haque Prodhan. Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain, lawmakers Rokon Uddin Babul and Hasan Rajib Prodhan, Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman, Zila Parishad Administrator AKM Mominul Haque, among others, attended the event. A procession led by the ministers and lawmakers was brought out after the discussion, marching through the town before ending at Mission Mor in the district headquarters.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged educated young people to become self-reliant by pursuing innovation and entrepreneurship, citing the success of a local innovator in Thakurgaon. Speaking at the inauguration of the Soleman Solar Irrigation Pump at Molani Bazar in Raipur Union of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, Fakhrul praised local innovator Soleman Ali, a former bicycle mechanic, for developing solar-powered irrigation technology that is benefiting farmers in the area. "Educated youths should try to create opportunities for themselves," he said. "Soleman Ali, despite being an ordinary bicycle mechanic, has been serving people in this region through his innovation. The government will provide greater support to help expand this initiative." Fakhrul said Soleman had independently developed the technology through years of dedication and was now supplying solar-powered electricity for agriculture, poultry farms and households. "I was not aware of his work until he recently visited Dhaka, where I learned about his remarkable achievement," he said. According to Fakhrul, Soleman inherited the bicycle repair profession from his father but gradually developed an interest in technology and realised that solar energy could provide a cost-effective solution for irrigation. He said Soleman currently operates 28 solar-powered irrigation pumps, supplying water to around 300 acres of farmland while also meeting much of the area's electricity demand through solar panels. "We, as the government, will try to promote and expand this technology," Fakhrul said. He also stressed the importance of recognising individuals who contribute to national development through innovation without seeking political recognition. "People like Soleman Ali work quietly and independently for the country's progress. That is why I repeatedly encourage educated youths to take initiative and do something on their own," he said. After the programme, Fakhrul visited the Ekota School and Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities in the area. Among others, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Rafiqul Haque, Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain, Executive Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) Mamun Biswas, Thakurgaon District BNP General Secretary Md Paigam Ali, local administration officials, BNP leaders and activists, and other distinguished guests were present.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said Awami League and democracy can never go together as the party has historically failed to uphold democratic values. “Awami League and democracy can never go together. They did not go together in the past, not after the party’s birth, and certainly not during the recent fascist period. It is a DNA problem, and it will not change,” he said. He made the remarks at a discussion marking the Black Day of Newspapers at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) arranged the event. “BNP is not a revolutionary party. It is a liberal democratic party that accommodates everyone,” he said. The BNP leader also expressed concern about what he described as attempts by various groups to destabilise society through misinformation, deterioration of law and order and online propaganda. “There is a conscious effort to push society in a different direction through misinformation and propaganda on social media. We must collectively resist and defeat these efforts,” he said. He said efforts should be made to reopen media outlets that have ceased operations and added that the current government is working to ensure freedom of the press. Fakhrul said those who fought and sacrificed for democracy and media freedom have often failed to remain united. “Unfortunately, those of us who have struggled and sacrificed for democracy and freedom of the press have not always been able to remain united,” he said. However, he criticised some media owners and organisations for what he termed unjust treatment of journalists. He said many journalists continue to face harassment and professional insecurity. “There are still many journalist brothers who remain unemployed. We have not yet been able to create sufficient employment opportunities for them,” he said. He suggested creating new media platforms through collective efforts to generate employment opportunities for journalists. Fakhrul said the current government came to power after a prolonged struggle and  Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has repeatedly stressed the importance of ensuring media freedom. He said that BNP remains one of the safest political platforms for journalists and professionals because it tolerates opposing views, Fakhrul said. “BNP is a political party that accepts opposing views and that is what we have always practised,” he said. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan spoke as a special guest at the event. Leaders of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, the Jatiya Press Club and the Dhaka Union of Journalists were also present.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said former President Ziaur Rahman’s greatest contribution was providing the people of Bangladesh with a distinct national identity through the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism. He said the people of Bangladesh had become fully convinced in 1971 that it was no longer possible to remain part of Pakistan and that they had to wage a war for independence. “And that war was launched by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.” Fakhrul, also local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Ziaur Rahman’s Independent Foreign Policy in the Current Context” and a newspaper exhibition organised at the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) auditorium, marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of the former President. Describing Ziaur Rahman as a courageous patriot who responded to the aspirations of the nation at a critical moment in history, the BNP leader said, “At a time when the entire nation was waiting for a declaration to begin the war, and when such a declaration did not come from the expected leadership, this then little-known major suddenly announced rebellion against Pakistan and declared war from Chattogram.” Calling Ziaur Rahman a unique and inspirational figure, he said the BNP founder’s most significant achievement was giving the people of Bangladesh a distinct sense of identity through Bangladeshi nationalism. “He gave the people of this land a sense of selfhood and identity. He made it clear that we are different and that our existence is unique,” he said. Referring to the 13th parliamentary election, Fakhrul said some intellectuals and sections of the media had predicted that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami would emerge as a major political force. “Many even suggested that I would lose my own election. But people did not make that mistake. They chose BNP because it represents a liberal democratic political tradition,” he said. “BNP is a party of liberal democracy. We believe in liberal democratic values and want to establish them. We do not seek to create divisions in society,” the BNP leader added. He said BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s slogan, “Bangladesh First,” reflects the same spirit and philosophy championed by Ziaur Rahman. Fakhrul said Ziaur Rahman entered politics at a time when Bangladesh was facing economic collapse, institutional breakdown and political divisions. “Rather than creating further divisions, he brought together people of different political views. His main objective was reconciliation and moving the nation forward together,” he said. According to him, one of Ziaur Rahman’s defining political characteristics was his ability to unite people and maintain friendly relations with all countries. Explaining Ziaur Rahman’s enduring popularity, the minister said Bangladeshis have always aspired to build a nation free from external influence and domination. “The people of Bangladesh want to stand on their own feet. They do not want to lean towards any external power. That aspiration was reflected in Ziaur Rahman’s politics,” he said. He said the people of Bangladesh have consistently stood up to protect the country whenever it faced threats, including during the July 2024 movement. “The people once again created an opportunity for Bangladesh to move forward on a new path,” he said. Fakhrul expressed confidence that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will be able to lead the country in line with the ideals and vision of Ziaur Rahman. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon presided over the programme. Economist Dr Mushtaq Khan of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, attended the event as a special guest, while Major General (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), delivered the keynote speech. Among the discussants were Abu Rushd, editor of the Bangladesh Defence Journal, and Dr Shafiqul Rahman, executive director of Brain. PIB Director General Faruk Wasif moderated the programme.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman brought an unprecedented change to Bangladesh within just three and a half years of his rule. “On one hand, he reintroduced multiparty democracy and brought the country back from one-party rule and BAKSAL. On the other hand, he introduced a free-market economy. I believe this was the first phase of Bangladesh’s transformation,” Fakhrul said. “In just three and a half years, he brought such an extraordinary change that Bangladesh, once labelled a ‘bottomless basket’, turned into a country moving towards prosperity,” he added. Fakhrul, also local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, made the remarks after paying tribute to former President Ziaur Rahman at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the occasion of his 45th death anniversary. Describing Ziaur Rahman as the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, a pioneer and reintroducer of multiparty democracy and the architect of modern Bangladesh, he said BNP could not properly observe the day for nearly 17 years due to what he termed fascist repression. “I still remember that when we came here once, many of our leaders were injured in police firing. Today, we are observing the day in a free environment,” the BNP leader said. He said Ziaur Rahman tried to transform the country’s old and decaying system after being elected to state leadership through a democratic process. Fakhrul said Ziaur Rahman had rescued the country from the aftermath of the 1974 famine and economic mismanagement and led Bangladesh towards food surplus and increased agricultural production. “That period was a time of transformation for our society and country, and he provided the leadership for that change by uniting the people,” he said. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as Zia’s worthy successor, the BNP secretary general said the government has already launched programmes aimed at reforms and production growth. “We have started reform initiatives and production-oriented programmes. Family Card, Farmers’ Card and other initiatives have already created a new momentum in Bangladesh,” he said.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said only laws or government initiatives are not enough to prevent incidents of rape, child abuse and killings, stressing the need for a strong national social movement. He made the remarks in a post shared on his personal Facebook profile in the morning. Fakhrul said families, schools, madrasahs, teachers, religious leaders, media, social organisations and every citizen must come forward to address the issue. “We must teach our children respect, humanity, responsibility and the dignity of women. Ensuring the safety of our children means securing the future of Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader said incidents of rape, child abuse and killings are not isolated events, but alarming reflections of long-standing moral degradation, social irresponsibility and the rapid decline of human values over the years. “We are committed to continuing all-out efforts against these inhuman crimes and, to building a safe Bangladesh where our children can grow up without fear,” he said. Fakhrul urged everyone to join together in what he described as a collective struggle for change.