United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday released a commemorative postage stamp marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 7. The Tk10 stamp was released along with a Tk10 inaugural cover and a Tk5 data card at a ceremony at his office at Secretariat in the morning, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. The Prime Minister signed the commemorative stamp and inaugural cover and officially released them by applying a special postmark. Issued by Bangladesh Post, the commemorative stamp will be available for sale at all post offices across the country. Post and Telecommunications Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam, Post and Telecommunications Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman and Director General of Bangladesh Post Kazi Asadul Islam were present at the ceremony. The National Revolution and Solidarity Day, marking the civil-military uprising of November 7, 1975, will observed across the country on Saturday.  On October 5 last, the Cabinet approved a proposal to declare November 7 a general public holiday every year on the occasion of the day.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday called upon all Bangladeshis, including expatriates living abroad, to contribute to building a developed and better country with improved facilities for its people at home and overseas. “We are all Bangladeshis. Our first priority should be to do something for our country and do something better,” he said while exchanging views with Bangladeshi expatriates at a hotel in Tokyo. Tarique said a better Bangladesh will benefit its citizens whether they live in the country or overseas. He said the government wants people to work together towards the country’s progress, irrespective of their position or location. “So, wherever we are and whatever position we hold, if we believe that any work we do can bring something good for our country and its people, we should try to do it,” the Prime Minister said. He made the remarks while responding to a question from a Bangladeshi expatriate about the government’s plans for overseas Bangladeshis, including those involved in political activities abroad.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said Bangladesh and Japan discussed emergency financial assistance of 50 billion yen, equivalent to around US$320 million, to strengthen Bangladesh’s energy security. In a post made on his Facebook page in the early hours of Wednesday (Japan time) following his bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Tuesday, Tarique said the assistance was explored under Japan’s Partnership for Power Asia initiative. “We explored emergency financial assistance of JPY 50 billion (approximately USD 320 million) under Japan’s Partnership for Power Asia initiative to strengthen Bangladesh’s energy security,” he said. The Prime Minister described his visit to Japan as an important step towards strengthening the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries. He said the two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, economic development and a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Tarique also said the two countries held encouraging discussions on the potential for up to 1 trillion yen, or around US$6.34 billion, in Japanese private-sector investment in Bangladesh over the next five years. The investment could create around 200,000 jobs, he added.  

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday pledged strong support for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s nation-building efforts, saying Japan will work closely with Bangladesh to strengthen their strategic partnership and promote shared prosperity. In a post on her official X account after their bilateral summit in Tokyo, Takaichi said she was pleased to personally congratulate Tarique on taking office, describing Bangladesh as a friend that shares the values of democracy and the rule of law. “Japan will strongly support the nation-building efforts of the Rahman administration, which came to power following a democratic general election,” she said. Takaichi said the two countries discussed bilateral cooperation in light of their shared values and Bangladesh’s importance to the realisation of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). She said they agreed to advance the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B), a key framework for bilateral cooperation, into a new strategic initiative called “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity.” The Japanese Prime Minister said Tarique recalled Japan’s role as a peace-loving nation and its early recognition of Bangladesh’s independence. She said her Bangladeshi counterpart also described Japan as a country that holds a special place in the hearts of the Bangladeshi people and expressed gratitude for the wide-ranging support and cooperation from the Japanese government and people. Highlighting Bangladesh’s economic potential, Takaichi said the country is important to Japan’s economy because of its strategic position connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia and its large, young market of 170 million people. Referring to the joint statement issued after their summit, she said the two countries will work together through government and private-sector initiatives under their strategic partnership. “Together, we will grow stronger and more prosperous,” Takaichi said, pledging to work closely with Tarique to promote peace and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders held their summit at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Tuesday, the second day of Tarique’s four-day official visit to Japan.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inspected Mongla Port, the Sundarbans and the site of a proposed economic zone in Bagerhat during a daylong visit to the southwestern region, raising hopes among local residents and businesspeople for fresh investment, infrastructure development and economic growth there. He left Dhaka by helicopter around 9am and flew over parts of the Sundarbans, including Hiron Point, to observe the world's largest mangrove forest after reaching the southwestern part. The helicopter later landed at the Nalian Secondary School ground in Dakop upazila of Khulna around 10:30am. The Prime Minister then travelled by waterway to BNS Mongla, a Bangladesh Navy facility in Bagerhat, where he met Navy officials, port authorities and local administration officials at the wardroom. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, Whip Rakibul Islam, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun, Mongla Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Arif Ahmed Mustafa, Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten, Superintendent of Police Md Jamirul Islam, and senior officials of the Navy and Coast Guard were present. After the meeting and lunch, Tarique Rahman inspected the jetty facilities and operations of Mongla Port. He later visited the site of the proposed economic zone planned by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). The Prime Minister left Mongla for Dhaka by helicopter around 5:00pm after completing his engagements. Security was tightened across the Sundarbans, Dakop and Mongla areas during the Prime Minister's visit, with members of law enforcement and security agencies deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of his engagements. During the visit, local residents gathered to greet the Prime Minister and expressed their hopes for development in the region. They expected the visit to bring renewed government attention to the area's long-standing development needs. Local businesspeople also expressed hope that the Prime Minister's visit will help address long-standing problems facing Mongla Port and the surrounding industrial areas. Businessman Firoz Ahmed said the Prime Minister’s visit raised hopes for development and will help improve the livelihoods of people in the region. Another businessman, Hemayet Uddin, said the southwestern region, including Mongla, had long been neglected. He said infrastructure development is essential for business growth and economic progress, expressing hope that the Prime Minister’s visit will help accelerate development in the area. Hamayet also said the proposed economic zone will create jobs for a large number of people in Mongla, while the launch of an LNG terminal will facilitate the expansion of trade and commerce across the region. BNP leader Hafizur Rahman Tuhin said the port's development, the proposed LNG terminal near Akram Point and the economic zone will significantly boost the regional economy. He also stressed the need to resolve problems related to jetty facilities and dredging. Md Julfikar Ali, general secretary of the Mongla Port Berth and Ship Operators’ Association, said the development of floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) facilities will help meet the region's energy needs and support industrial growth. Sheikh Sahed Ali Robi, president of the Bagerhat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the need for regular dredging to maintain the navigability of the port channel and modernise customs services to make port operations more efficient. State Minister Faridul said industrialisation and investment centred on Mongla Port will create jobs and improve livelihoods in the coastal region, including for people affected by climate change. He said coordinated development of the port, the proposed economic zone and tourism in the Sundarbans will help transform the southwestern region into a major centre for trade and investment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said all citizens of Bangladesh enjoy equal rights regardless of their religious identity, stressing that being Bangladeshi matters more than belonging to a majority or minority community. “Majority or minority is not the issue. The only thing that matters is that you are Bangladeshi,” he said while visiting the JM Sen Hall puja mandap in the port city on the occasion of Durga Puja. The Prime Minister said the law must apply equally to everyone and the state must ensure equal rights for all citizens, irrespective of their religions. He said people of different faiths fought together in the 1971 War of Liberation without distinguishing between Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. “We did not see who was Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian. We only saw people fighting for the War of Liberation. They wanted to free the country, and they did,” Tarique Rahman said. He said people from different religious and social backgrounds also joined hands in subsequent movements to restore democracy and establish people's rights, including the right to speak freely and vote.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said the deposed authoritarians and the opposition are together hatching conspiracies to create unrest in the country, apparently referring to the Awami League and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. “We have clear intelligence reports that the ousted authoritarian that fled the country is supplying money for these activities [unrest]. Whom are they helping with this money? There is a party here that spreads misinformation and tried to sell various tickets to people before the election by telling lies. These two sides have joined hands. One is providing money from across the border, while the other is trying to create instability here,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a public rally at the Haji Muhammad Mohsin Government High School Ground in Rajshahi in the afternoon. Referring to their slogan ‘we will work, we will build the country, Bangladesh comes first’, he said those who do not believe in this slogan and principle have now engaged in conspiracies. “You have surely seen attempts to create labour unrest at some factories in different parts of the country,” he said. Tarique Rahman urged people to remain alert to the attempts to destabilise the country so that none can create chaos in Bangladesh and obstruct the process of improving the economic condition and fate of the country’s people. He said the government is working to ensure stability and security, reopen closed factories, make farmers self-reliant, create employment opportunities for workers at home and abroad through skills development, and gradually reduce unemployment.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said the opposition that paving the way for a return to authoritarianism by opposing the government without justification would amount to betraying the martyrs of both the July mass uprising and the 1971 Liberation War. “ If you open the way for authoritarianism while opposing the government, it will certainly not bring a good outcome for the country. It would be a betrayal of the July martyrs and, in the same way, of the freedom fighters of 1971,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a public gathering after inaugurating the July Memorial and the renovated Osmani Udyan beside the Secretariat. He urged opposition parties to play a constructive role in Parliament and work with the government on issues of national interest. Tarique said people are watching how the opposition is opposing the government simply for the sake of opposition. “Of course, you will oppose the government. But opposition must be constructive. If we remain stuck in the old culture of opposing just for the sake of opposition, how will we move the country forward?” he asked. Referring to the mandate given by people in the 13th parliamentary election, the Prime Minister said voters entrusted the BNP with the responsibility of governing the country and other parties with the role of opposition.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday made surprise visits to 13 locations across Dhaka, including hospitals, educational institutions and government residential quarters to assess the quality of public services, cleanliness and overall management. Starting at 9:10am, the prime minister visited different areas of Dhaka until 1:41pm, speaking to officials and examining cleanliness, service quality and overall management at various facilities, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. He first visited Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara, followed by Rajuk Uttara Model College and Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College. He then visited the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh at Mirpur, Paikpara Staff Quarters and Government Bangla College. The prime minister later inspected Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital at Agargaon. He also visited his old college Dhaka Residential Model College, where he addressed students and urged them to help build a clean Bangladesh and plant more trees. Tarique subsequently visited Dhanmondi Government Boys' High School, Kalabagan Staff Quarters and Azimpur Government Officers' and Employees' Residential Quarters. Expressing dissatisfaction with poor cleanliness and management at several locations, the prime minister gave the authorities concerned two weeks to improve cleanliness at the Azimpur government quarters. Earlier, during his visit to Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, he gave the authorities seven days to improve the hospital's environment and cleanliness arrangements. During his visit to Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, Tarique found Associate Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam smoking in his untidy room. He immediately instructed the hospital chairman to take action against the doctor, who was subsequently suspended him. The prime minister also visited a footpath freed from hawkers at Mirpur-10. Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton was present during the visit. Throughout the surprise inspections, Tarique spoke to officials, students and members of the public, stressing the need for responsible action by the authorities concerned to improve public services, maintain cleanliness and protect public health.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday expressed strong dissatisfaction over the unhygienic environment at the Azimpur Government Officers’ and Employees’ Residential Quarters in the capital and gave the authorities two weeks to improve cleanliness and ensure a liveable environment. He issued the directive during a surprise visit to the residential area, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. During the visit, the prime minister inspected the residential area, walkways and overall surroundings. He questioned the authorities about the lack of cleanliness and expressed dissatisfaction with the maintenance and cleaning arrangements. Tarique instructed the authorities concerned to ensure visible improvements in the overall cleanliness of the quarters within two weeks. Residents of the quarters raised various complaints with the prime minister about the unhygienic environment and the law and order situation in the area. They sought effective measures to improve the  environment and ensure security. The prime minister listened to their complaints and asked the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to resolve the problems. During the visit, Tarique also exchanged greetings with children living in the quarters. State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam were present.