United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former MP and BNP Commerce Affairs Secretary Salahuddin Ahmed, who died at a hospital in the capital on Tuesday night. Salahuddin breathed his last at Evercare Hospital Dhaka at 8:10pm, said his son Tanvir Ahmed Robin, member secretary of Dhaka South City BNP. In a condolence message issued on Tuesday night, the Prime Minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. He said Salahuddin was a courageous and dedicated leader who played an active role in the BNP's political movements and struggles. “Salahuddin stood firm in hard times.” Tarique Rahman said Salahuddin had contributed to the party's organisational activities with courage, dedication and determination during difficult times, adding that his political life and activities will remain memorable to BNP leaders and activists. He said the BNP will remember Salahuddin's contributions to the country and the party with respect. “His death is an irreparable loss to the party, which has lost a devoted leader,” he added. The Prime Minister also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the bereaved family members, relatives and well-wishers the strength and patience to bear the loss. Salahuddin, a former general secretary of undivided Dhaka city BNP, had been suffering from various health complications for several years and was recently admitted to Evercare Hospital. He was elected MP from the Dhaka-4 and Dhaka-5 constituencies as a BNP candidate in the 1991, February 1996 and 2001 parliamentary elections. He contested the June 1996, 2008 and 2018 national elections but was defeated. During the 2018 parliamentary election, he was seriously injured in a knife attack while protesting alleged irregularities in the voting.    

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and visiting Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma on Tuesday discussed strengthening trade and investment ties, the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), cooperation on the Teesta project and the Rohingya crisis. The issues came up when Sjoerdsma paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his Secretariat office, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. Tarique Rahman welcomed the Netherlands’ interest in conducting a feasibility study for the Teesta project and providing technical assistance and sharing expertise in this regard. He said Bangladesh and the Netherlands are both delta countries, offering ample opportunities for cooperation in addressing common challenges and sharing experiences. The Prime Minister also expressed particular interest in the Netherlands’ experience in land reclamation. Sjoerdsma said it is the right time to further strengthen relations between the two countries by expanding investment and cooperation, particularly in water resource management, transboundary river management, democracy and economic development. He also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation and exchanging knowledge and experience in water resource management, land reclamation, char development and adaptive river management. Trade and investment The two sides also discussed free trade and Bangladesh’s trade relations with the EU. Sjoerdsma expressed interest in promoting free trade, while Bangladesh sought the Netherlands’ support in exploring the possibility of an FTA with the EU.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said ensuring the rights and security of every citizen, irrespective of religion, is his responsibility as head of government. “I will try my best, within my capacity, to ensure everyone’s security, not on the basis of religion, but as human beings,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks during an exchange of views with Hindu community leaders from the Dhaka-17 constituency at the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat. Representatives of eight temples in the constituency met him to invite him to their Durga Puja celebrations. The Hindu community leaders praised various government initiatives for their welfare since the BNP assumed office and thanked the Prime Minister for increasing the Puja holiday and financial assistance. Referring to their remarks, Tarique said the government has done what it can in the short time since taking office and is trying to address some other issues as well. “This proves that we have good intentions,” he said. Recalling the Liberation War and democratic movements, the Prime Minister said people of all faiths, including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, fought together in the Liberation War. He said people from all religious and ethnic backgrounds also participated in the 1990 mass uprising and the 2024 movement. “When we did not consider religion at critical moments in the nation’s history, why should we consider it in other matters? We liberated the country together and took part together in the movement to establish democracy,” he said. Referring to the persecution of political activists of different religions during what he called the fascist Awami League regime, Tarique said Hindu activists faced repression just as Muslim activists had. “There was no distinction based on religion,” he said. The Prime Minister said he considered his position an opportunity to serve the people and would do his best to ensure their security within his capacity, regardless of their religious identity. “As a citizen of this country and as a human being, you have your rights and entitlements. As head of government, I am trying to fulfil my duty,” he said. Tarique reiterated that he would make every effort, out of a sense of duty and accountability, to ensure that every citizen received what was rightfully theirs. During the meeting, the Hindu community leaders said they have been living peacefully since the national election and had not faced any problems. They said the government's actions since taking office had repeatedly demonstrated that Hindu community members had not made a mistake by voting for the BNP, and pledged their continued support and cooperation. BNP Executive Committee member Ramesh Dutta, Gulshan-Banani Sarbojanin Puja Foundation President Alok Saha, Baridhara DOHS Puja Committee President Jiban Kanai Das, British Chandra Karmakar, Narayan Chandra Saha, Pradip Chandra Das, Shikha Rani Das, Shyamal Kumar Das and Rajib Kumar Acharya, among others, were present. Abdur Rahman Sani, a representative of Dhaka-17 MP Tarique Rahman, and Banani Society Treasurer Shafiquzzaman Ratan also attended.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday sought Canadian support in energy, agriculture and climate finance, while stressing the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of around 1.3 million Rohingyas to Myanmar as the only sustainable solution to the crisis. He made the call when a Canadian delegation, led by its Secretary of State (International Development) Randeep Sarai, met him at his office at the Secretariat. The meeting discussed strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation and exploring new opportunities for a strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Canada, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. Other key issues included technical and vocational education, food security, poverty alleviation and renewable energy. On the Rohingya crisis, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh is hosting around 1.3 million Rohingyas, putting considerable pressure on the country’s economy and environment while it continues to address its own economic and social challenges. He said humanitarian assistance for the displaced people remained important, but their safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation is the only sustainable solution to the crisis, which originated in Myanmar and must be resolved there. Randeep Sarai agreed on the importance of ensuring the peaceful, safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas. The Canadian side expressed interest in cooperating with Bangladesh on energy supplies, particularly oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), saying Canada could be a potential partner in these areas. Bangladesh said it will consider the proposal positively. Technical education and skills development Canada expressed interest in expanding cooperation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Bangladesh. The two sides also discussed cooperation in establishing nursing training institutions and developing skilled nurses. Canada already has activities in this sector and plans to expand them further, the meeting was told. Agriculture and food security The meeting discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the production and supply of agricultural commodities, including pulses and oilseeds. Canada expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to ensure food security. 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday said the government is committed to ensuring that no girl’s dreams are cut short by child marriage, discrimination or insecurity.  “We want no girl’s dreams to be halted by financial constraints, insecurity or discrimination. It is the commitment of the present government to ensure that every girl child gets equal opportunities to develop her potential through education, skills and confidence,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks in a message issued on the occasion of National Girl Child Day 2026. This year the day is being observed under the theme “No More Child Marriage, Girls Will Conquer the World”. Tarique Rahman called for a renewed commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every girl child and building social resistance against child marriage and all forms of discrimination. He said the present government is working with clear policies and action plans to ensure the education, safety, dignity and future of girl children. Tarique said it was the responsibility of the state to ensure that every girl grows up safely and gets the opportunity to realise her dreams and potential freely. “The current government is committed to fulfilling that responsibility,” he said. He stressed the need for everyone to act responsibly towards protecting the rights and dignity of girl children, expressing his belief that today’s girls would shape the Bangladesh of tomorrow. He said girls, if given opportunities to develop their talents, creativity and dreams, would build a more knowledge-based, humane and prosperous Bangladesh. Expanding educational opportunities and equipping girls with knowledge, skills and self-confidence are essential to ensuring their safe and independent growth, he went on. Tarique Rahman recalled that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had introduced free education for girls up to Class XII. Continuing that initiative, the present government has opened up opportunities for women to pursue education free of tuition fees up to the postgraduate level, he said. “We want the birth of a girl to become a blessing for every family,” he said, adding that the government is working relentlessly to build a state and society where no girl would be deprived of education for any reason and every girl could progress according to her choices and abilities. He said providing girl children with proper education, affection, rights and opportunities is essential to building a healthy, educated and developed society in the future.  Highlighting the close relationship between women’s political and economic empowerment and the safe upbringing of girl children, the Prime Minister said ensuring women’s economic empowerment is one of the important steps towards achieving that goal. As part of this approach, Family Cards were being issued in the names of female heads of households, he said. Various initiatives to ensure access to education, healthcare, nutrition and social protection for girls and women had also begun to be implemented, he added. He said the government wanted to ensure a safe environment where every girl could move around, learn, speak and express her opinions without fear. He stressed that families, society and the state must work together to protect girls’ safety, dignity and rights in both physical and digital spaces. “By turning girls’ dreams into strength, education into capability and potential into success, we will build the Bangladesh of tomorrow,” he said. The Prime Minister extended his warm greetings and congratulations to all girl children in Bangladesh, their guardians and the people of the country on the occasion of National Girl Child Day.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed government officials to ensure that every penny allocated for development projects is spent properly in the interests of the country and its people. “Many projects have been undertaken and many targets set. The government will allocate budgets to achieve those targets. But this is public money. I hope you will all pay attention to ensuring that every penny is spent properly in the national interest and for the welfare of people,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks at a meeting to review the activities of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the progress of its various development projects at the ministry’s conference room at Secretariat. Officials briefed him on the ministry’s ongoing activities, development projects, future plans and targets. Urging officials to view public service as an opportunity to work for people, Tarique said those holding government positions were privileged compared with the country’s overall population. “We are all privileged compared with the overall population of Bangladesh. Almighty Allah has given us an opportunity to work for our country and its people,” he said. Tarique urged officials to perform their duties sincerely, according to their respective responsibilities and capabilities. The Prime Minister said opportunities to serve in public office did not last forever, and everyone should make proper use of the time available to them to work for the welfare of the country and its people. “Let us all try to make proper use of the opportunity, for as long as we have it, to work for  people and the country,” he said at the end of the meeting. Tarique Rahman also encouraged officials to share their views more actively, saying their field-level experience and observations could play an important role in government decision-making. He said the progress of the ministry’s activities would be reviewed again in future meetings, expressing hope that officials would speak more openly about their experiences, observations and opinions. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Secretary Delwar Hossain and senior ministry officials attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday sought expanded investment from Japan’s Marubeni Corporation in Bangladesh’s IT, fertiliser and energy sectors, including a 2nd KAFCO plant and a planned AI-based data centre. He made the call when a high-level delegation of Marubeni Corporation, led by its President and CEO Masayuki Omoto, met him at his office in the Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. During the meeting, the Prime Minister said the government is working to create a favourable investment climate to harness the country’s economic potential and generate new employment opportunities. He welcomed Marubeni’s investment in Bangladesh’s IT, fertiliser and energy sectors and stressed the need to expand the company’s long-standing business ties with Bangladesh, particularly in jute products, into new areas of cooperation.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran journalist and former Voice of America correspondent Amir Khasru. In a condolence message, the Prime Minister hailed Khasru’s role as a journalist in support of democracy, truth and reason. “His writings have always been a strong voice in support of democracy, truth, and reason,” he said. Tarique Rahman prayed for the salvation of Khasru’s departed soul and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved family. Amir Khasru breathed his last while undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Bangladesh Medical University in Dhaka earlier in the day. He had long been suffering from various complications involving his kidneys and liver. Khasru worked for Voice of America for many years and had experience working with several other media organisations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday assured support for a technology that could turn waste into fuel oil and help reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported energy. He gave the assurance as a team of researchers led by Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) Professor Dr Md Khalequzzaman briefed him on the technology at his office in Tejgaon, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. The technology uses a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) to convert human waste, waste from sewage treatment plants, kitchen waste and agricultural residues into fuel oil. The researchers said they have been working on the technology for around 10 years and have achieved a 50–55 percent biocrude yield in laboratory tests. They have also made progress in producing biocrude with a high diesel content. The next step is to set up a pilot plant capable of processing one to three tonnes of waste daily to assess the technology’s efficiency, production costs and commercial viability.The estimated cost of the pilot project is Tk 100–120 crore.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday said the government is working to bring mental health services to people's doorsteps by expanding technology-based counselling services and introducing effective referral systems. “The current government aims to build a healthcare system where mental peace, social security, and the improvement of living standards are given equal importance alongside physical well-being,” he said in a message issued on the eve of World Mental Health Day 2026, which is to be observed on Saturday.  “Embracing this humane perspective, the government is working to bring mental health services to people's doorsteps by expanding the scope of services at the Upazila and primary healthcare levels, developing skilled manpower, establishing effective referral systems, and extending technology-based counseling services,” said the Prime minister. Highlighting the growing importance of mental health as a public health challenge worldwide, he said many people in Bangladesh also suffer from mental health problems but remain deprived of proper treatment and support due to social stigma, lack of awareness, limited access to services and a shortage of skilled professionals. So, the government has taken various initiatives to improve the accessibility, quality and capacity of mental health services, Tarique Rahman said. “Initiatives have been taken to establish integrated referral systems at the upazila and district levels and expand tele-counselling services to reach marginalised people,” he said. The government has also planned to train mental health physicians working at the upazila level, strengthen the capacity of mental health professionals at public hospitals and provide training to a large number of health workers in this field, the Prime Minister said. He said the government is also attaching due importance to the mental health of pregnant women, the mental well-being of children and adolescents, and school-based mental health services. In his message, Tarique said health did not merely mean being physically fit or free from disease, but rather being well physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. So, mental health could not be neglected under any circumstances, he added. He said protecting mental health was an important component of the government's public welfare-oriented health policy. Referring to this year's theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” the Prime Minister said it highlighted the importance of giving due consideration to people's personal experiences, feelings and opinions in mental healthcare. Bangladesh, along with the rest of the world, will observe the day with due importance, he added. Mental health is not merely a matter of treatment; it is deeply connected with human dignity, family, society and the overall well-being of the state, he said. Tarique Rahman stressed the need for collective efforts to eliminate fear, shame, superstition and discrimination surrounding mental illness. “Instead of neglecting or isolating anyone because of their mental health problems, we must listen to them, stand beside them and make access to necessary support easier,” he said. Listening to the experiences and feelings of people living with mental health conditions and treating them with dignity are prerequisites for bringing about real change, he added. Addressing mental health professionals, the Prime Minister urged them to listen attentively to people with sincerity, extend support with empathy and strive to ensure necessary treatment and assistance. He also stressed the need to raise awareness about mental health among families, educational institutions, the media and people from all walks of life. Tarique Rahman expressed his belief that collective efforts by the government, healthcare professionals, families, educational institutions and society could help build a healthy Bangladesh where no one would feel hesitant to talk about mental health, ashamed to seek help or feel alone and neglected. “We want to build a welfare-oriented, safe and humane Bangladesh where every person has the opportunity to lead a healthy and meaningful life with dignity, hope and potential,” he said. Tarique wished good health and well-being for all people in Bangladesh and around the world on the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2026.