United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that Jamaat-e-Islam aims to turn Bangladesh into an Afghanistan-like state, raising concerns over the party’s political agenda and its potential impact on national stability. “They want to take Bangladesh backward. They are a party that prevents us from moving forward. We don’t want to move backward; we want to move forward,” Fakhrul said while campaigning at Lalmia Market in Dholarhat Union. He also criticised Jamaat Ameer’s alleged anti-women remarks. No one can foil elections: Mirza Fakhrul “I don’t know if it is true or false, but if it is true, then he did wrong. Women will never accept it,” he said, adding that Jamaat reportedly restricts women’s working hours in the garment industry. Fakhrul, who is also contesting the Thakurgaon-1 seat, highlighted the importance of female education and employment. “If our girls don’t go to school and college, where will they get jobs? Men and women must live in Bangladesh with equal rights,” he said. Quoting Islam, the BNP leader said women should be given the rights they deserve. Local BNP leaders, activists, and a large number of supporters attended the event.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said that no one would be able to foil this year’s national election despite possible conspiracies. “In the past, we have seen various conspiracies surrounding elections. There may still be attempts to sabotage the process, but I firmly believe no one can foil this year’s election,” he said while addressing an election rally at Mohammadpur Union in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila. He said people across the country have awakened politically, as many were deprived of voting rights in previous elections. “This time, people are determined to exercise their right to vote and protect the polling centres,” he added. BNP alleges voter migration in Dhaka, demands EC data Mirza Fakhrul, also candidate for Thakurgaon-1 constituency, said people of all religions and communities—Hindus and Muslims alike—would come together to vote in the upcoming election. Addressing the Hindu community, he urged them to go to polling centres without fear, cast their votes and return home peacefully, assuring them of protection. Referring to the past 17 years, he alleged that the country’s people had suffered torture and oppression under a ‘fascist regime’. “After that dark period, people have once again got the opportunity to decide the future of the country,” he said. Criticising former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the BNP leader said his party did not want a leader who leaves behind countless leaders and activists. “We do not belong to a group of thieves and robbers. We follow the ideals of Shaheed Zia,” he said. Apologising on behalf of BNP leaders and activists, Mirza Fakhrul said, “If anyone makes a mistake during the election campaign, I seek forgiveness on their behalf and hope people will take it positively.” Jamaat supports women leadership in politics: Shafiqur Rahman Mirza Fakhrul became emotional when a supporter presented him with an egg and a clay savings bank. The BNP leader sought forgiveness from the martyrs and appealed for votes, saying the sheaf of paddy is the election symbol of former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He urged voters to cast their ballots for the sheaf of paddy in the February 12 election, seeking what he described as an opportunity to serve the people ‘for the last time’. Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, along with a large number of local residents, attended the rally.  

BNP Secretary General and Thakurgaon-1 constituency candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday urged voters to take the right decision and cast their votes responsibly, saying the country’s future lies in their hands. “Voters are the real owners of the country and there is no scope for making mistakes,” he told an election rally at Munshipara in Ward No 9 of Akcha Union under Thakurgaon Sadar upazila. Those who want to do good work should be made victorious and BNP’s biggest goal is to restore peace in the country, he said. Fakhrul said BNP does politics for the welfare of people and establishing lasting peace in the country. “We do politics to build roads where there are none, to establish schools and colleges where there are none and to build hospitals where there are none.” He claimed that people did not live in peace during the previous government’s tenure, alleging that 70 cases were filed in Thakurgaon alone with around 7,000 accused. After passing through a long period of hardship, people are now moving towards better days, he said. Referring to the past 17 years, the BNP leader alleged that people were subjected to repression and oppression under ‘a fascist rule’. Jamaat pledges unity govt if voted to power Fakhrul highlighted BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s proposal to introduce family cards, saying these would allow families to buy daily essentials at lower prices and access healthcare and education. He said farmers would also receive cards to purchase fertiliser and seeds at fair prices. Emphasising communal harmony, he said Hindus and Muslims have lived together peacefully for generations in the area and vowed to end communal divisions permanently. “This is my final request. Please support me this time so that I get the opportunity to work for you,” he added.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir celebrated his 79th birthday on Monday at his Kalibari residence in Thakurgaon, cutting a cake with his wife, Rahat Ara Begum, and other family members. “Election will be held on February 12. That is why I am in Thakurgaon for campaigning. I am still on the crease,” he told UNB. He said he is spending time with the people of his constituency through electioneering. “Please pray for me so that I can continue to serve the people of my area and work for the country till the end,” the BNP Secretary General said. When asked about his age, he smiled and said, “I have stepped into 79. It has been a long journey.” Fakhrul was born on January 26, 1948, in Thakurgaon. His father, late Mirza Ruhul Amin, was a leader of the Muslim League and a minister in the Pakistan government. Like previous years, the BNP leader marked his birthday in a low-key manner and cut a cake early Monday at the request of his family members. Fakhrul said he has no personal ambitions or expectations, adding that his only goal is to ensure economic freedom for the people of the country and to create a democratic environment where people can live in peace and without fear. Referring to the 15-year movement against fascism and the student-led mass uprising in July 2024, he said Bangladesh now has an opportunity to move forward through unity. “This opportunity must be used through unity to ensure a free, fair and acceptable election so that we can build a prosperous and welfare-oriented Bangladesh. I want to believe that a prosperous and discrimination-free Bangladesh will be built in the coming days,” the BNP leader said. Since Friday morning, BNP leaders, activists and supporters from across the country have been wishing him good health and long life by calling him and posting messages on social media. Fakhrul, who was involved in leftist politics during his student life, completed his graduation and post-graduation in Economics from Dhaka University. He later joined the teaching profession through the BCS examination. Fakhrul resigned from teaching in 1986 and formally entered politics. In 1979, during the government of Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul served as the personal secretary to then Deputy Prime Minister SA Bari. In 1988, he won the Thakurgaon Municipality election and became its chairman. In 1992, Fakhrul became president of Thakurgaon District BNP and gradually rose through the party ranks, from a member of the executive committee to becoming the party’s secretary general. Before reaching the top leadership of BNP, he served for a long time as first vice-president and later president of the Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal. Fakhrul was appointed acting secretary general of BNP following the death of the party’s then secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain in 2011. He was given full charge of the post five years later, in 2016. He was elected MP from Thakurgaon-1 on a BNP ticket in 2001 and appointed a state minister. Fakhrul was also elected MP from Bogura-6 in the 11th parliamentary election but did not take the oath, as BNP rejected the election results. During the Awami League’s more than one-and-a-half decades in power, Fakhrul was imprisoned several times in different political cases.      

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday informed a special meeting of the Council of Advisers that the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will be held on Wednesday. The janaza will be held after Zohr prayers at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, adjacent to the Manik Mia Avenue. He said Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside martyred President and freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman. Mirza Fakhrul attended the meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus following a special invitation. During the meeting, he expressed gratitude to the interim government on behalf of the family and BNP and thanked the Chief Adviser for extending all necessary assistance, including security arrangements for Begum Khaleda Zia. At the beginning of the meeting, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of three-time former Prime Minister, uncompromising leader of the democratic movement, and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, followed by prayers for the eternal peace of her soul. Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the prayers. The meeting declared a three-day state mourning starting Wednesday, along with a one-day general holiday on Wednesday. A condolence resolution was adopted at the meeting, which was read out by Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Information Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. During the three days of state mourning, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, and all government and private buildings across the country, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad. At the same time, special prayers will be held in mosques across the country on Wednesday, seeking forgiveness for the departed soul of Khaleda Zia. Special prayers will also be organised at places of worship of other religions. The meeting also decided that condolence books will be opened at Bangladesh missions abroad. Prof Yunus said the government would provide all possible assistance during the burial and Namaz-e-Janaza of Khaleda Zia. Tarique, other family members were by Khaleda’s side during her demise  

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived at Dhaka University on Saturday and offered fateha at the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, who died a week after being shot on December 12. Tarique, along with senior BNP leaders, first placed a wreath at Hadi’s grave at around 11:30am, paying homage to the July uprising activist. He later offered fateha and joined a munajat seeking the salvation of Hadi’s departed soul. Tarique and his party colleagues also placed a wreath at the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, located near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. They also offered fateha and joined a munajat there. Tarique left his Gulshan Avenue residence at around 10:40am in a white bulletproof SUV and reached Dhaka University campus at around 11:15am under tight security. After paying homage and fateha at the graves of Hadi and the national poet, the BNP leader started his journey to the Election Commission office to complete National Identity Card (NID) registration and enlist himself as a voter. Tarique Rahman to visit Osman Hadi’s grave at Dhaka University He will later go to Mahbub Bhaban in Dhanmondi, his father-in-law’s residence. From Dhanmondi, he will go to Evercare Hospital to visit his ailing mother. Tarique was scheduled to visit the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), popularly known as Pangu Hospital, to meet those injured during the July 2024 mass uprising, but the programme has been cancelled. Tarique visits National Martyrs’ Memorial, pays homage to martyrs  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 14, 2025) said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will be given an unprecedented public reception on his return to Dhaka from London, unlike any reception given to a political leader in the past. “I want to express our deepest gratitude to the Almighty Allah that after living in exile for a long 18 years, our leader, Insh’Allah, will return to us on December 25. This is a great source of inspiration for us,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks at a discussion meeting titled ‘National Parliamentary Election Is Essential to Protect Democracy at a Critical Time for the Nation’, organised by the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Projonmo at the Diploma Engineers Institute auditorium in Kakrail. “Let us welcome him on December 25 in such a way that no leader in Bangladesh has ever received before. We are all prepared, Inshallah,” he added. Read more: Tarique Rahman to return on Dec 25 after 18 years in exile Referring to Tarique Rahman’s return, Fakhrul said the news has brought reassurance at a time of great anxiety. “On one hand, our leader and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is ill and undergoing treatment in hospital. On the other hand, amid uncertainty, Tarique Rahman is the guiding light who shows us the way forward, and he will be among us on the 25th,” he said. BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council members Abdus Salam and Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, party Liberation War Affairs Secretary (retd) Lt Col Zainul Abedin, and several leaders of the Muktijoddha Dal and Muktijuddho Projonmo addressed the meeting. Earlier on Friday night, Fakhrul at a press conference announced that the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh on December 25, ending nearly 18 years of exile. Read more: Tarique Rahman to return on Dec 25 after 18 years in exile During the 1/11 government, Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007. He was granted bail on September 3, 2008, and left for London with his family on September 11 for medical treatment. Since then, he has been living in London with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 14, 2025) voiced concern that incidents similar to the gun attack on Sharif Osman Hadi may recur, warning that the enemies of Bangladesh are once again resorting to targeted killings in an attempt to destabilise the country. “When Bangladesh is seeing a new sun and moving towards a new chapter, and when the people of Bangladesh are dreaming of building a democratic country through a fair election, at that very time its enemies have once again indulged in a killing spree,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after paying tributes to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur in the morning. He said their party strongly condemned the attack on Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. “We fear that similar incidents may happen again,” Fakhrul said. Read more: What we know about at least one of Hadi's would-be assassins Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka on Friday, a day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, leaving him seriously injured. He is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital with a bullet injury to his head. Recalling the history of December 14, Fakhrul said when the defeat of the Pakistani occupation forces became inevitable and the Liberation War forces surrounded Dhaka, the occupation army, with the help of their collaborators, abducted and killed the nation’s brightest minds to destroy Bangladesh intellectually. “They picked up university teachers, doctors, researchers, writers, journalists and many others and killed them. It was a planned massacre aimed at making the nation intellectually weak,” he said. Fakhrul said the nation remembers this painful history every year on this day. Read more: Tarique Rahman to return on Dec 25 after 18 years in exile On behalf of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently ill, and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, he said they came to the memorial to pay homage to the martyred intellectuals, marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day. “We have taken an oath that, at any cost, we will protect Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and move the democratic journey forward,” Fakhrul said. He paid deep respect to all those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and democracy, and also remembered BNP founder and proclaimer of independence, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, for his role in bringing fundamental changes to Bangladesh. The BNP leader also remembered the young people who were killed during the mass uprising in 2024. BNP senior leaders and leaders and activists of its Dhaka city units and affiliated organisations were present there. Read more: Roots of Hadi's would-be assassins to be uprooted: Attorney General

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday night (December 12, 2025) said the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh on 25 December, ending nearly 18 years of exile. “It is with great joy that I inform you that our Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman – the most beloved leader of millions, who has been in exile for almost 18 years and has led the democratic movement for more than a decade – will arrive in Dhaka on 25 December,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul expressed hope that Tarique’s return would help remove obstacles on the path to democracy. “We believe that once our Acting Chairman returns home, the barriers placed before the democratic transition will begin to disappear,” he added. Read more: Tarique terms attack on Hadi a conspiracy against democracy Fakhrul said the news of Tarique’s homecoming would bring a “message of relief” for the entire nation. He also said their party welcomes Tarique’s return with “great happiness” and wants to share that joy with the entire country. Referring to a meeting in London between the BNP Acting Chairman and the Chief Adviser, Fakhrul said it was decided that the national parliamentary election would be held within February, which removed all doubts regarding the election. “With the announcement of the election schedule yesterday, the electoral process has started, and people across the country now have hopes that it will be carried out,” he added. During the 1/11 government, Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007. He was granted bail on September 3, 2008, and left for London with his family on September 11 for medical treatment. Since then, he has been living in London with wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. During the last Awami League government, he was sentenced in five different cases in his absence, while around 100 cases were filed against him. Read more: BNP announces nationwide protests for Saturday over attack on Hadi But after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, he was cleared of all charges through legal processes. Now, he has no cases pending against him. Fakhrul condemned the shooting of Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, calling it “a conspiracy to sabotage the election”. “The incident shows that evil forces are working to disrupt the election. We strongly condemn the attack and demand the immediate arrest of those responsible,” he said. Fakhrul also criticised the behaviour of supporters of a political party at Dhaka Medical College Hospital when BNP leader Mirza Abbas went there after hearing about the attack on Hadi. “I cannot remain silent on this. Our Standing Committee senior member and long-time BNP leader, Mirza Abbas, who is a candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, naturally went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital upon hearing the news of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi being shot, to show his sympathy as a political leader,” he said. But, unfortunately, Fakhrul said, some individuals and supporters of that party, along with a few conspirators, gathered there, shouted provocative slogans, and at one point tried to create a mob violence. “We strongly condemn that, and we want to warn all parties that if such behaviour happens, BNP will not remain silent and will respond immediately,” he said. He also said the BNP does not want any kind of unrest or violence, but if the party comes under attack, it will not take it lightly, as BNP knows how to respond. Fakhrul urged all political parties to refrain from creating mob violence, inciting tension, or disrupting the election process. “Everyone should focus on restoring calm and ensuring a fair election. Otherwise, the path of democratic transition will be blocked, and the journey of democracy will be obstructed. I urge all sides to take this matter seriously.” Earlier, the BNP National Standing Committee held a meeting chaired by Tarique Rahman via video link, starting at 9 pm. Read more: Mirza Abbas barred from visiting bullet-hit Hadi at DMCH BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Selima Rahman and Hafizuddin Ahmed, among others, were present at the press conference.

Just hours before the announcement of the election schedule, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday (December 11, 2025) called on party leaders and activists to get ready to welcome their Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, saying he will return to the country ‘very soon’. “Since all our leaders are here today, I want to tell you that our leader (Tarique) will come back to us very soon,” he said while speaking at the opening session of the fifth day of BNP’s ‘Plan to Build the Country’ workshop. The BNP leader called on his colleagues to be ready to give Tarique a grand reception on the day he returns home, ending his 17 years of exile in London. “The day our leader arrives and sets foot in Bangladesh, the whole country should shake. You must remember this… You will be able to do it, InshaAllah. On that day, we want to change the face of the entire country,” he said. Read more: Tarique stresses winning people’s support for BNP’s victory Fakhrul said the party wants to move forward with a progressive vision to take Bangladesh ahead. “We want to move ahead. We want progress. To place Bangladesh in a position of dignity, we want to carry forward our leader’s thoughts and plans.” Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is scheduled to address the nation in the evening to announce the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election. Fakhrul said the election schedule will be announced today, opening the way for the people to establish new leadership for Bangladesh through a fresh election. “We now have the chance to work with the people to form a truly representative parliament — a parliament that will lead Bangladesh towards a new horizon, under the leadership of our leader Tarique Rahman,” he said. Read more: Tarique stresses reconciliation over revenge after 16 years of ‘authoritarian rule’ He said the BNP must win the upcoming election and secure a full victory so it can take Bangladesh forward. “Many barriers will come. Many difficulties will appear. There are many campaigns against us, and there will be more. But we want to stand tall by overcoming all of these. BNP has never been defeated, and it will not be defeated,” he added. Describing BNP as the party of the people, the Liberation War and the struggle for democracy, Fakhrul urged leaders to stay united. “Nothing else will bring you success. What will bring success is unity — a strong, steel-like unity — and the spirit to move forward with our nationalist and democratic ideals,” he said. Read more: Only BNP understands reforms what Bangladesh truly needs: Mirza Abbas The party earlier announced the six-day workshop on 27 November involving Chhatra Dal, Krishak Dal, Ulema Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and other front organisations to prepare them for campaigning before the polls. Fakhrul inaugurated the fifth day’s programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Farmgate, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to address the concluding session virtually in the afternoon. Leaders and activists of BNP joined the programme to receive training on different issues so they can reach out to people and explain BNP’s plans, election manifesto and promises before the polls. Read more: ‘1971 is our very existence,’ says Fakhrul as he calls for resisting evil forces