Others
15 families return to homes in Bandarban after 23 months: ISPR
A total of 81 members from 15 families out of 28 in Baklai Para in Thanchi Upazila of Bandarban returned to their homes with the help of the army after being displaced for 23 months.
The return follows the success of a joint operation that has normalized the security situation in the area, the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday.
The families had been forced to leave their homes due to insecurity caused by the Kuki Chin National Front (Bawm Party) terrorist group’s activities in the Ruma, Thanchi, and Rowangchhari areas of Bandarban since mid-2022.
To escape extortion, unjust demands, and being used as human shields in clashes, these families, including children, had been living in the remote mountains and forests in fear and hunger.
The army organised a midday meal for the returning families and provided necessary ration assistance.
They also started a medical camp to ensure healthcare for the residents and have begun distributing educational materials and tuition fee facilities to restore the education system in the area.
The Bangladesh Army will continue its efforts to bring back all displaced families from the region and ensure their basic rights to survival.
40 minutes ago
We don’t want a prolonged process in reaching a political consensus: Ali Riaz
National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Saturday said that efforts will be made to establish a consensus among political parties as swiftly as possible, aiming to move towards the national election.
He made the remarks following a meeting of the National Consensus Commission, led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, with all political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.
Ali Riaz said, "Today, on behalf of the National Consensus Commission, we sat with all political parties. Our objective was to formally initiate the commission's work. We had requested political parties to send their representatives so that they could not only familiarise themselves with one another but also express their respective views."
He clarified that the meeting was not intended to serve as a dialogue but rather to discuss the framework of the commission's process. "In essence, we consider this meeting as an official inauguration. A total of 27 political parties were present today, with more than a hundred representatives from different parties and coalitions participating. Among them, 32 people spoke at the meeting," he added.
As the head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, Riaz said that political parties have strongly emphasised that there is no alternative to national unity.
“Perpetrators of July-August violence will be excluded from constitutional reform process”: Prof Ali Riaz
"They have demonstrated their commitment to the reform process and have expressed their willingness to support, assist, and participate in the initiatives of the National Consensus Commission and the interim government," he said.
He went on to say, "This strong stance taken by political parties substantiates the remarks of Chief Adviser and Commission Head Dr Muhammad Yunus, who has said that every political party, citizen, and section of society has a responsibility to ensure the smooth progress of the reform process."
"With that objective in mind, today's meeting was convened. We are hopeful that the National Consensus Commission’s work will now commence. We will engage in separate discussions with political parties, as well as hold talks with alliances collectively. Eventually, we will reconvene everyone. We do not wish to prolong this process unnecessarily and expect to complete it within a short period. Political parties have been requested to submit hard copies of their reform reports, and we will take prompt action in this regard," he added.
About concerns over delays, Riaz asserted that there was no hesitation among political parties in achieving consensus. "We are optimistic that we will be able to advance this process effectively."
When asked about the estimated duration for concluding these discussions, he said, "The commission's tenure is six months. Our objective is to reach a consensus as soon as possible. However, since political parties will require time to review the reports of the six commissions, we aim to expedite the process while ensuring that reforms move forward and consensus is reached in preparation for the elections."
In response to whether this will be accomplished within six months, he said, "We are hopeful that it can be completed in less than the stipulated time. Political parties have expressed interest, but this will not happen abruptly. We have received the reports, and the political parties will review them thoroughly. They must be given ample time. While this will require some time, we are committed to beginning the discussions and negotiations as soon as possible."
1 hour ago
46% of decisions from 2024 DCs Conference implemented: Cabinet Secretary
Only 46 percent of the decisions made at the 2024 Deputy Commissioners (DCs) Conference have been implemented, Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid has said.
He mentioned that a total of 381 short-, medium-, and long-term decisions were made during last year’s conference. “Of these, 177 decisions have been implemented, while 204 decisions are still under implementation.”
The Cabinet Secretary shared the information during a press conference on the Deputy Commissioners Conference-2025 at the Secretariat on Saturday.
He said that all decisions currently under consideration for implementation are marked as "under implementation." Decisions that have been fully or mostly implemented are listed as "implemented."
After the establishment of the interim government following the mass uprising in July-August, some proposals related to the previous government’s philosophy have not been implemented.
DCs conference set to begin on Sunday
Besides, the proposals made in the last DCs conference to name various establishments after specific person have not been implemented.
As a result, the implementation rate of decisions this year has been lower compared to previous year. “If the medium- and long-term decisions are implemented, the implementation progress rate of last year’s conference will improve," he added.
During the DCs conference in 2024, the implementation progress of decisions from the previous year (2023) was 62 percent. In 2025, the implementation progress of decisions from 2023 has increased to 76 percent, Sheikh Abdur Rashid further noted.
Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate the three-day annual conference of Deputy Commissioners (DCs) at 10:30 am at his office on Sunday.
Some 354 proposals have been received from DCs and divisional commissioners ahead of the conference, which will conclude on February 18 (Tuesday).
3 hours ago
DCs conference set to begin on Sunday
The three-day annual conference of Deputy Commissioners (DCs) will begin on Sunday.
Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate the conference at 10:30 am at his office, said Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid during a briefing at the Secretariat on Saturday.
As in previous years, the main venue of the DC conference will be the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
The Cabinet Secretary also said this year's conference will include a total of 30 working sessions with various ministries and departments, along with four special sessions.
Pilkhana massacre part of 'international conspiracy' to keep AL in power: AG
The special sessions include the inaugural ceremony, a meeting with the Chief Justice, an open discussion with the Chief Adviser, and a meeting with the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association.
Some 354 proposals have been received from DCs and divisional commissioners ahead of the conference, which will conclude on February 18 (Tuesday).
4 hours ago
Govt enters second phase as national consensus talks begin: Press Secretary
The interim government has entered its second phase with the start of the National Consensus Commission's meeting with political parties to discuss the future direction of the country, said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
Speaking to reporters outside the Foreign Service Academy during the Asr prayer break on Saturday, he said, “Today is a historic day as the meeting of political parties with the National Consensus Committee has begun.”
He said around 100 politicians from 26 parties and alliances attended the meeting, with all invitees present.
Political parties, National Consensus Commission to set Bangladesh's vision: Press Secretary
During the meeting, the Chief Adviser said that the first phase of the government concluded after six months, and the second phase has now started. The government is working towards building a Bangladesh that enjoys the support of the international community, major global nations, the people of the country and even the full backing of the United Nations, Shafiqul Alam said.
The Chief Adviser also highlighted the findings of the UN Human Rights Commission’s report on the July mass uprising, which revealed the horrific killings that occurred and identified those responsible. The report, he stated, also exposed the human rights violations that took place at that time.
“The second journey of the government has begun today through this meeting and it will be decided through this meeting what kind of Bangladesh we want in the future,” the Press Secretary said.
Earlier, major political parties, including the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, had begun their meeting with the National Consensus Commission, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, on Saturday.
BNP, Jamaat, others start meeting with National Consensus Commission
The meeting began at 3 pm at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.
This was the first meeting between political parties and the commission.
Delegations from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, LDP, Jatiya Party (Kazi Jafar), Nagorik Oikya, Islami Andolan, Khilafat Majlish, GanoSanghati Andolan, Gono Odhhikar Parishad, and Jatiya Nagorik Committee participated in the meeting.
5 hours ago
Pilkhana massacre part of 'international conspiracy' to keep AL in power: AG
Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman has said that the Pilkhana massacre was the part of an "international conspiracy" to keep the Awami League in power.
"It wasn’t a mutiny; it was rather a planned murder. In the Pilkhana massacre, we lost the nation's brave sons. Their loss was an attack on the sovereignty of Bangladesh," he said while speaking at a shadow parliament organised by Debate for Democracy at the FDC in the capital on Saturday.
By killing 57 army officers, the then Awami League government created an atmosphere of anarchy in Bangladesh, he said, adding that many of the masterminds behind the Pilkhana massacre are still at large, and efforts are being made to bring them to justice.
Pilkhana massacre reinvestigation: Commission seeks army's cooperation, as they meet General Waker-uz-Zaman
He said that the activists of the Chhatra League and Jubo League, dressed in BDR uniforms, were allegedly involved in the massacre.
Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, chairman of Debate for Democracy, presided over the event.
Kiron said just two months after the Awami League returned to power under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership for a second term, the Pilkhana massacre occurred. “It remains a dark chapter in our history.”
Pilkhana Tragedy: Martyred Army families demand fair probe, call for Martyred Army Day
He said that the massacre was aimed at undermining the country’s sovereignty, not to fulfil any demands. "It was carried out to weaken the army and prevent any strong force like the BDR from existing," Kiron added.
5 hours ago
Political parties, National Consensus Commission to set Bangladesh's vision: Press Secretary
CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that today’s meeting between political parties and the National Consensus Commission of the interim government will determine the future vision for Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, Shafiqul Alam described the meeting as an "historic day."
He explained that the session with political parties marks the beginning of important discussions on shaping the country's future.
He said that this was a preparatory meeting and that 26 political parties and alliances, comprising nearly 100 politicians, were participating under the leadership of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
BNP, Jamaat, others start meeting with National Consensus Commission
"We have invited all the parties, and they have all participated. The BNP is being led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Jamaat-e-Islami's Deputy Amir, Dr. Abdullah Mohammad Taher, is also present," Alam said.
The Press Secretary said Dr Yunus remarked that the first phase of the interim government’s tenure, covering the first six months, has concluded. "Today marks the start of the second phase of this dialogue. There is support for the Bangladesh we aim to build," Alam said.
"Major countries have voiced their support…'We stand with you in your efforts, he added.
Consensus Building Commission: Chief Adviser to address first meeting with political parties Saturday
The press secretary also mentioned that the United Nations also fully supports the process. "The UN's Human Rights Commission report has shed light on the horrific killings that occurred here, revealing who gave the orders and how the rights of the people were violated. The entire world, including the people of Bangladesh, stands behind the vision of a new Bangladesh that we are working to build."
5 hours ago
Islambag building fire under control
The fire that broke out at a building in the Islambag area of the capital on Saturday afternoon has been brought under control.
Eight firefighting units brought the fire under control around 4:27 pm, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector at the FSCD headquarters media cell.
Child dies as fire destroys home in Kurigram
Earlier, the blaze started at 3:17 pm.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and no casualties have been reported so far, said the fire official.
6 hours ago
Nahid hints at leaving govt role to join new political party
Information Adviser Mohammad Nahid Islam has indicated that he may step down from his government position to join a new political party if he feels that working directly with people is more important than serving in the government.
“There are discussions about forming a new political party. If someone wishes to join, it is not possible by retaining a government role,” Nahid said in an interview with a television channel on Saturday.
He said the new party is expected to be formed this month and if it happens, all will know it within a few days.
BNP, Jamaat, others start meeting with National Consensus Commission
Nahid Islam, a coordinator of anti-Discrimination Student Movement and student of Dhaka University, took oath as an adviser to the interim government on August 9 after the fall of Hasina govt in a mass upsurge on August 5.
Nahid, who was a student of Dhaka University's Sociology Department (2016-17 session), was picked along with another adviser, Asif Mahmud, during the first round of curfew slapped by the Hasina government to suppress the quota reform movement.
Later, Detective Branch (DB) members picked him along with some other coordinators while he was undergoing treatment at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital.
Later, six coordinators of the movement including Nahid were forced to announce the withdrawal of the anti-discrimination student movement programme in a video message when they were under DB custody.
BNP’s Rizvi fears for the future of centrist politics
But after being released from there, they again announced the programme for a movement and at one stage placed a one-point demand seeking Hasina’s resignation.
The movement then turned into mass upsurge with the participation of people from all walks of life, forcing Hasina to resign and flee the country.
Nahid Islam was a leader of a student organisation called ‘Ganatantrik Chhatra Shakti’. Nahid was the member secretary of the central committee of the organisation.
7 hours ago
Businessman, sister shot at Dhaka’s Pallabi
A businessman and her sister were shot and wounded by some miscreants in front of their Pallabi residence in the capital early Saturday.
The injured were identified as Md Jasim Uddin, 44, a TV showroom businessman and his sister Shahinur Begum.
According to Mohammad Amir Hossain, a relative who brought them to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), said they came under attack around 3:35 am in front of their residence.
An altercation broke out between Jasim Uddin and a group of local people when he was returning home after offering Shab-e-Barat prayers.
'Operation Devil Hunt': 17 arrested in Kurigram in 24 hours
At one stage one Shahidul opened fire on Jasim Uddin in fornt of his house, leaving the two injured, he said.
They were initially taken to Kurmitola General Hospital first and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 6:15 am.
Officer in charge (OC) of Pallabi Police Station Md Nazrul Islam he has already sent a police team to the spot.
8 hours ago