United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said time has come to move beyond protests and instead focus on rebuilding Bangladesh, while assuring people that his government is working relentlessly to resolve the ongoing gas and electricity crisis through both immediate and long-term measures. Speaking at a discussion marking the 2nd anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, he called on people to remain vigilant against conspiracies aimed at derailing the country's rebuilding efforts and reaffirmed his government's commitment to fulfilling the aspirations for which people had struggled and sacrificed. "There have been movements, struggles, discussions and debates. Now is the time to rebuild the country and move it forward. We must patiently and calmly remain alert to those who want to create conspiracies and make the people aware of such attempts," Tarique Rahman said. The BNP organised the discussion titled "Seventeen Years of Relentless Struggle for Democracy and the Blood-soaked July Awakening" at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in the capital with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair. The Prime Minister said the success of the July uprising belongs to the people of Bangladesh, not to any individual or political party. He said the government will gradually implement the plans it had placed before the people for rebuilding the country. "The people now want us to deliver on our promises. They want peace on the streets, education for their children, healthcare, security and employment or business opportunities according to their abilities. This is what the people expect," he said. Tarique Rahman said people also want to be able to exercise their political rights at the proper time. "We have seen many things in newspapers over the past few days. I do not think any citizen who believes in democracy wants such things to happen in the country. Let us devote ourselves to fulfilling the aspirations of the people," he said. The Prime Minister said various attempts were made to mislead people about the July movement. “We have made our position absolutely clear from the very beginning – the credit for the success of the July movement belongs to the people of this country from all walks of life. It is not the credit of any individual or any single political party,” he said. Recalling the movement, Tarique Rahman said people from all walks of life had united for change, making the movement successful. He said BNP and other democratic political parties remained on the streets throughout the past 17 years and never abandoned the people during the struggle against what he described as an authoritarian regime. "The July-August movement succeeded because the people wanted change. Just as Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971 because the people wanted an independent and sovereign country, the July uprising succeeded because the people stood together," the Prime Minister said. He said the ultimate goal of every democratic movement in the country's history, from the Liberation War to the July uprising, had been to establish the people's political and economic rights. Tarique Rahman said those rights include the freedom to speak, express opinions and elect representatives through a free and fair voting process, alongside ensuring employment opportunities and economic security for citizens. He said BNP had first placed its reform proposals before the nation under the leadership of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia, which later evolved into the party's 31-point state reform agenda following consultations with other political parties. The Prime Minister said the people endorsed the reform proposals by giving BNP a mandate in the last election. "This is no longer BNP's 31-point agenda. It has become the people's 31-point agenda," he said. He acknowledged the hardships people are facing due to ongoing gas and electricity shortages, saying the government is not trying to make excuses but is working continuously to resolve the problems through both immediate and long-term measures. Tarique Rahman also detailed a series of initiatives to increase gas supply and restore electricity generation disrupted by years of neglect in the sector. "We are not trying to evade our responsibility by making excuses. The problems exist. We know that, and we want to address them," he said. The Prime Minister acknowledged that people across the country are facing hardships due to shortages of gas, electricity and fuel, saying the crisis has affected households and industries because of the country's battered economy and years of mismanagement in the energy sector. He said rebuilding a sector that had been "devastated by years of looting" will naturally take time. Tarique Rahman alleged that the previous "fascist" government had treated the energy sector as a means of plundering, leaving it in a fragile state after years of corruption and mismanagement. Despite the challenges, he said, the government is making every effort, using its experience and expert advice, to bring the country out of the crisis. The Prime Minister said discussions have already begun with neighbouring Myanmar to import natural gas to help ease the shortage. He also said Bangladesh is in talks with Malaysia's state-owned energy company Petronas to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a container-based transportation system. Recalling his recent visit to Malaysia, Tarique Rahman said he discussed the issue with Petronas and recently spoke directly with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim seeking cooperation. He said Petronas held a virtual meeting with Bangladeshi officials on Monday evening and discussions have progressed well. Although the company already has a long-term commitment with Japan, it is trying to arrange LNG supplies for Bangladesh by October, the Prime Minister said. "If we can ensure gas supply to our industries, it will significantly improve the situation," he said. He said the government is also trying to arrange gas supplies for around eight power plants that are currently unable to operate because of fuel shortages. "If gas can be supplied to those plants, about 4,000 megawatts of electricity can be added to the national grid within three to four hours," Tarique Rahman said, describing the current problems as the result of years of neglect and poor planning. He aleged that the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX), responsible for exploring the country's oil and gas resources, had been virtually paralysed over the past 17 years, with exploration work left largely to foreign companies. To reverse the situation, the Prime Minister said the government has already decided to procure two drilling rigs for BAPEX so it can accelerate exploration in areas with potential gas and oil reserves. The exploration process is already underway and, although it will take some time, he expressed hope that the country will see positive results in the near future. Tarique Rahman said ensuring uninterrupted supplies of electricity and gas is among the expectations of people who struggled and sacrificed for the country over the years, including those who took part in the Liberation War, democratic movements and the July uprising. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to restoring stability in the energy sector and reducing people's suffering through sustained reforms and investment. The Prime Minister said the government inherited a fragile economy, a weakened healthcare system, a divided administration and a severely damaged education sector after assuming office. He said the situation became even more difficult with the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East shortly after the new government took office. Tarique Rahman also stressed the need to invest in young people through sports, education, science and cultural activities to keep them away from drugs and other harmful activities. He said creating opportunities for the younger generation to develop their talents will be more effective than relying only on law enforcement or treatment programmes. Calling on party leaders and activists to focus on serving the people rather than seeking personal gains, the Prime Minister said the government's priority is to deliver on its commitments and fulfil the aspirations of the people. He also assured continued support for those injured and affected during the July movement, saying the government will provide treatment, rehabilitation and employment opportunities within its capacity. Tarique Rahman concluded by paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Liberation War, democratic movements over the years and the July uprising, and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.      

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday acknowledged the hardships people are facing due to ongoing gas and electricity shortages, saying the government is not trying to make excuses but is working continuously to resolve the problems through both immediate and long-term measures. Speaking at a discussion to mark the 2nd anniversary of the July mass uprising, he also detailed a series of initiatives to increase gas supply and restore electricity generation disrupted by years of neglect in the sector. "We are not trying to evade our responsibility by making excuses. The problems exist. We know that, and we want to address them," the Prime Minister said. The BNP organised the discussion titled "Seventeen Years of Relentless Struggle for Democracy and the Blood-soaked July Awakening" at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in the capital, with its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair. Tarique Rahman said the gas and power crisis has affected households and industries because of the country's battered economy and years of mismanagement in the energy sector. He said rebuilding a sector that had been "devastated by years of looting" will naturally take time. The Prime Minister alleged that the previous "fascist" government had treated the energy sector as a means of plundering, leaving it in a fragile state after years of corruption and mismanagement. Despite the challenges, he said, the government is making every effort, using its experience and expert advice, to bring the country out of the crisis. Tarique Rahman said discussions have already begun with neighbouring Myanmar to import natural gas to help ease the shortage. He also said Bangladesh is in talks with Malaysia's state-owned energy company Petronas to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a container-based transportation system. Recalling his recent visit to Malaysia, the Prime Minister said he discussed the issue with Petronas and recently spoke directly with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim seeking cooperation. He said Petronas held a virtual meeting with Bangladeshi officials on Monday evening and discussions have progressed well. Although the company already has a long-term commitment with Japan, it is trying to arrange LNG supplies for Bangladesh by October, Tarique Rahman said. "If we can ensure gas supply to our industries, it will significantly improve the situation," he said. The Prime Minister said the government is also trying to arrange gas supplies for around eight power plants that are currently unable to operate because of fuel shortages. "If gas can be supplied to those plants, about 4,000 megawatts of electricity can be added to the national grid within three to four hours," he said, describing the current problems as the result of years of neglect and poor planning. Tarique Rahman alleged that the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX), responsible for exploring the country's oil and gas resources, had been virtually paralysed over the past 17 years, with exploration work left largely to foreign companies. To reverse the situation, he said the government has already decided to procure two drilling rigs for BAPEX so it can accelerate exploration in areas with potential gas and oil reserves. The exploration process is already underway and, although it will take some time, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the country will see positive results in the near future. He said ensuring uninterrupted supplies of electricity and gas is among the expectations of people who struggled and sacrificed for the country over the years, including those who took part in the Liberation War, democratic movements and the July uprising. Tarique Rahman reaffirmed the government's commitment to restoring stability in the energy sector and reducing people's suffering through sustained reforms and investment. The discussion was also addressed by leaders of the BNP, its associate organisations and political allies that participated in the simultaneous movement.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said it is duty for every political party, person and group that stands on the side of democracy should uphold the unity forged on the blood-soaked streets during the 2024 July Mass Uprising. “An unprecedented national unity has been forged on the blood-soaked streets sanctified by the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs. It is our duty to preserve this unity at all costs,” he said in his message issued on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the July Mass Uprising Day. The Prime Minister said they will have differences of opinion on many issues and that is the beauty of democracy. “But we must all remain vigilant to ensure that differences of thought and opinion never descend into hostility. Every political party, individual and group that stands on the side of democracy shares this responsibility,” he said. Describing August 5 as a day of victory and the restoration of democratic rights for all those who cherish freedom and democracy, he said exactly two years ago today, on 5 August 2024, the heroic students and people of this country secured a historic victory by bringing to an end more than one and a half decades of fascist rule. He said for more than one and a half decades, in the struggle against fascism and for the restoration of the people's right to vote and their democratic rights, the BNP, other anti-fascist political parties, and the people of differing views had to endure limitless persecution and repression. Citing that countless people became victims of enforced disappearance, murder, abduction, assaults, false cases, torture and oppression, he said in leading this movement, the uncompromising leader of the nation, former prime minister late Begum Khaleda Zia, was also forced to spend years in the prison of the oppressors on false charges. To silence the voices of those who stood for democracy, the fugitive autocrat, on its orders, established hundreds of secret detention centres across the country-known as ‘Aynaghar’, said Tarique Rahman. In the dark cells of these secret facilities, countless people were held in a state of endless uncertainty for months and even years. Many were disappeared forever, he said adding that the whereabouts of many leaders and activists, including former BNP MP Ilias Ali and Commissioner Chowdhury Alam, remain unknown to this day. The PM said constitutional and statutory institutions, including the judiciary and the Election Commission, had been rendered ineffective.  “The Constitution was disregarded, the people's voting rights were taken away, and elections were reduced to a farce. The country's politics, economy, education and healthcare systems were devastated, and Bangladesh was turned into a subservient state,” he said. He said the banking sector was pushed to the brink of collapse, while irregularities, corruption, plunder and money laundering were normalised. A personality cult was established. Yet, in the end, it could not survive. The Prime Minister said people from every walk of life-the heroic students, farmers, workers, rickshaw-pullers, day-labourers, garment workers, hotel and restaurant employees, transport workers, journalists, intellectuals, cultural activists, homemakers, women, children, and people from all sections of society took to the streets during the July-August Mass Uprising of 2024. “Desperate to crush the uprising, the fascist government opened fire on pro-democracy citizens, killing people as though they were birds. It even fired upon the people from helicopters. Not even infants in their mothers' arms were spared from the reckless gunfire of the autocrats,” he said. Standing before the guns of the autocrats, the outstretched chest of brave martyr Abu Sayed of Rangpur, martyr Wasim Akram of Chattogram, martyr Mugdho of Dhaka, and countless other courageous sons of this soil became enduring sources of inspiration for all who stood for democracy, he went on. During the July-August Mass Uprising alone, thousands of people were martyred. At least 30,000 people were injured. Hundreds lost limbs and were permanently disabled, while many lost their eyesight for life, said Tarique Rahman. Noting that the sacrifice of thousands of lives did not go in vain, he said through the united movement of the pro-democracy people, the fascists fled Ganabhaban on 5 August. The so-called members of parliament fled the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament). The Chief Justice fled the Supreme Court. The Chief Khatib fled Baitul Mukarram. Ministers fled the Cabinet, he added. He said the collaborators of fascism went into hiding. “What happened in Bangladesh on 5 August was not only unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh, but also in the history of the world.” From 1971 to the present day, millions have made sacrifices at every turning point in the struggle for the country’s independence and its defence, in movements against autocracy and fascism, and in the fight to restore democracy, he said. “On this historic day, I remember with profound respect all the martyrs. By sacrificing their lives for the freedom, rights and dignity of the country and its people, they have left us in their debt. Bangladesh owes an enduring debt to every martyr's family. Now it is our turn to repay that debt,” said the PM. He urged the nation to let the pledge be to honour that debt through our sincere efforts to build a just, self-reliant, democratic and humane Bangladesh by ensuring the political and economic empowerment of people and by establishing equality, human dignity and social justice. “Never again shall autocracy, fascism, extremism, or militancy take root in Bangladesh. Never again shall this country be allowed to become a subservient state. The national unity established on these fundamental principles remains unshaken and, Allah willing, shall endure,” he said. The Prime Minister finally said the year 1971 was the war to achieve independence, while 2024 was the struggle to defend the freedom of the country and its people. “Bangladesh has never forgotten the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971 and it will never forget the martyrs of the Mass Uprising of 2024,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said Bangladesh is keen to build a strategic, multidimensional and long-term partnership with Saudi Arabia and invited greater Saudi investment, especially in the growing solar power sector in the country. He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Eng Waleed Elkhereji at the Prime Minister's Office at the Secretariat, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. The Saudi Vice Minister said Bangladesh has created a favourable environment for investment under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, adding that Saudi Arabia is keen to strengthen bilateral relations further by expanding cooperation and investment in a number of promising sectors. He also highlighted the significant contribution of Bangladeshi workers to Saudi Arabia's development. Elkhereji congratulated the Prime Minister on the election of Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia are founded on mutual trust and long-standing friendship, and that his government wants to develop them into a strategic, multidimensional and long-term partnership. The Saudi Vice Minister said the Kingdom is interested in investing in Bangladesh's processed food, seafood, tropical food, agro-based industries, information technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and several other sectors.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Stephen Koehler on Tuesday discussed defence cooperation, humanitarian assistance, disaster response and regional security, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.  The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin. During the meeting, the Prime Minister recalled the US-led Operation Sea Angel, launched after the devastating 1991 cyclone in Bangladesh, and appreciated the longstanding cooperation between the two countries in humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Admiral Koehler highlighted Bangladesh's participation in various bilateral and multilateral naval exercises. He said the next Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise will be held in Bangladesh in November. He also referred to Bangladesh's participation in the Sea Vision Exercise in Singapore and expressed hope that Bangladesh would regularly take part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise and related training programmes in the future. The two sides also discussed progress on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the mutual understanding between Bangladesh and the United States on the proposed agreement.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday ordered steps to turn Bangladesh's economic zones into green and investment-friendly industrial hubs, including planting 125,000 trees across the country's Export Processing Zones (EPZs). The directives came at a meeting of the Governing Board of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), chaired by the Prime Minister, at his office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. As part of the government's nationwide programme to plant 25 crore trees, the meeting decided to plant 125,000 trees across all EPZs to promote greener industrialisation, protect the environment and improve the ecological balance of the economic zones, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Md Suzauddhowla (Suzon Mahmood). The meeting also reviewed progress in implementing decisions taken at the ninth meeting of the BEZA Governing Board. Discussions focused on establishing new economic zones, reviewing private economic zone proposals and making better use of unused state-owned industrial assets. Officials who participated in the meeting discussed setting up modern industries at the sites to attract local and foreign investment, create jobs and boost the local economy. The meeting also reviewed the potential use of the land and existing infrastructure of Karim Jute Mills and Latif Bawany Jute Mills in Narayanganj for economic activities. It also discussed the need to follow existing guidelines in processing applications and licences for private economic zones, as well as preparing a new policy framework for the sector. The Prime Minister stressed that future economic zones should be developed in a way that balances industrial growth with environmental protection, making them green, modern and attractive to investors. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, among others, were present.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday visited the earthquake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan as residents began clearing debris from damaged homes while facing scorching temperatures and ongoing water shortages. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu last Tuesday, killing 38 people, according to prefectural officials. Among the victims was a person who apparently died from heat stroke while sheltering inside a car. Authorities are still investigating the cause of another death. Residents placed piles of rubble, broken furniture and damaged household appliances outside their homes for collection. Construction of temporary housing also began in the towns of Uki and Hikawa for people displaced by the disaster. More than 46,000 households were still without running water on Monday, while many communities were also experiencing fuel shortages. The Japan Meteorological Agency forecast temperatures to approach 40 degrees Celsius, raising concerns over heat-related illnesses. More than 8,500 people remained in emergency shelters, including community centres, school gymnasiums and classrooms, many of which lack air conditioning. Others continued to stay in cars parked near town halls and parks or outside their damaged homes. Disaster experts have long warned that overcrowded shelters with limited sanitation and privacy can make conditions more difficult for displaced people. During her visit, Takaichi toured one of the area's better-equipped shelters, which had cardboard beds, partitions and air conditioning. However, the visit drew criticism on social media, with some users saying it did not reflect the conditions in most evacuation centres. Meanwhile, a local retailer acknowledged that it had instructed two employees, who later died in an explosion at a collapsed shopping mall, to return to the building to secure the day's sales proceeds. Executives of Habita, which operated a store inside the collapsed Aeon Mall in Kashima, attended the funeral wake of 22-year-old employee Kurumi Otake on Sunday and apologised to her family. Company sales manager Goji Yuse admitted the employees had been asked to return to the store if it was safe to place the money in a secure safe. "My daughter is not coming back," Otake's mother told company officials through tears. The mall operator believes the explosion was caused by a gas leak after about 3,000 shoppers had already been evacuated following the earthquake, though some employees remained inside the building. Rescue teams pulled five survivors from the rubble and recovered the bodies of seven others. Authorities said the earthquake injured 114 people, destroyed around 700 homes and damaged more than 11,300 buildings across Kumamoto Prefecture.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday met Tahsin Abdullah, the schoolboy whose photo showing him smiling joyfully at the closing ceremony of Notun Kuri Sports 2025-26 went viral on social media, after learning the heartbreaking story behind the photograph. Tahsin, a student of Milestone School and College in Uttara, had lost his elder sister in the fighter jet crash at the institution in July last year. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat, where Tarique spent time with the boy, encouraged him to pursue his dreams and presented him with gifts, including a drone set, a basketball and a football bearing his autograph. Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon shared details of the meeting with reporters.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought Malaysia’s support in addressing the country’s gas supply challenge and cooperation with Malaysian state-owned energy company PETRONAS for the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The request came during a telephone conversation between Tarique Rahman and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday, according to a Facebook post by the Malaysian Prime Minister. “We touched on various issues related to efforts to strengthen Malaysia-Bangladesh relations, particularly in the energy and investment sectors for mutual benefit”, wrote the Malaysian PM. “Among the key issues raised was the challenge of gas supply that Bangladesh is facing, which is why he is seeking Malaysia's assistance, including through cooperation with PETRONAS to supply LNG to help meet the country's urgent needs,” he added. In the telephone conversation, economic cooperation, including the progress of investments involving Axiata, and the potential for strategic cooperation with MMC Port were also discussed to strengthen economic relations and open up more opportunities for both countries, said Anwar Ibrahim. He said Malaysia will continue to be committed to strengthening the long-standing friendship with Bangladesh, based on a spirit of mutual respect, pragmatic cooperation, and a commitment to bring benefits to the people of both countries.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday assured tea estate owners of the government's policy, financial and institutional support to help revive and expand Bangladesh's tea industry, directing the formation of a committee to identify the sector's problems and recommend effective solutions. The assurance came at a meeting on the development of the country's tea industry held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. Owners of tea estates and representatives of the sector briefed the Prime Minister on the industry's current situation, highlighting rising production costs, financing constraints, higher energy costs and the challenge of remaining competitive in the international market. They also placed a number of proposals aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the industry. Tarique Rahman listened to their presentations and described the tea industry as an important sector of the national economy. He said the government will provide the necessary policy, financial and institutional support to help the industry grow. The Prime Minister also assured tea estate owners that the government will consider easing their existing loan liabilities and facilitating low-interest loans for the sector.