United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to introduce an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers within four months as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka and modernise the city’s transport system. He gave the directive at a meeting at his Tejgaon office that reviewed the capital’s traffic situation, public transport management, bus terminals, parking facilities and traffic system modernisation. The meeting decided to develop an app to support the ETC system and complete the work within four months, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. The Prime Minister also asked Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) to review its earlier report on congestion around the Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover and submit recommendations within 15 days. The initiative will be implemented in coordination with the city corporations and traffic police. Fulbaria terminal to be shifted to Keraniganj The meeting decided to relocate the Fulbaria Bus Terminal to Keraniganj to reduce pressure from buses and inter-district vehicles in central Dhaka. The Local Government Ministry will acquire the required land for the permanent terminal. As construction of a permanent terminal will take time, the meeting decided to build a temporary bus terminal on 15 acres of land under the Jhilmil project within four months. The authorities were also instructed to expand the rear section of Gabtoli Bus Terminal to increase its capacity and improve vehicle management. Karwan Bazar kitchen market to move to Gabtoli The meeting also decided to relocate the kitchen market at Karwan Bazar to Gabtoli as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion in the capital. Relevant authorities were instructed to take necessary steps to implement the decision. The meeting also discussed improving parking facilities around the Secretariat. It decided to examine the feasibility of arranging parking at Osmani Memorial Auditorium and identify alternative parking spaces if necessary. Separate policy for auto-rickshaws The meeting decided to formulate a separate policy to regulate the movement of auto-rickshaws in Dhaka. The Prime Minister also ordered action against unauthorised double-decker sleeper buses operating on the roads. He stressed stronger coordination among the relevant agencies and urged officials to complete the assigned tasks within the stipulated deadlines. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday pledged that his government would make its utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives or suffered injuries in the struggles for independence, democracy and people’s rights. “Despite various practical realities, we will make our utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives in 1971, those who were killed or suffered in different movements to establish democracy since independence, and those who were killed or injured in the July uprising,” he said. The Prime Minister was speaking at a programme held at the Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon to hand over job appointment letters to members of families affected by enforced disappearances and killings and the July uprising. He said the government would not retreat from its commitment despite the difficulties involved in implementing all expectations within the desired timeframe. “But we will not retreat from this path, InshaAllah,” Tarique said. He said some might view the government’s support for the affected families as an act of assistance, but he saw it differently. “It is because we have the support and cooperation of these people and their families that the government is working with full commitment, enthusiasm and determination to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives,” the Prime Minister said. “You are our source of inspiration, encouragement and strength,” he told the families. The Prime Minister said the government would continue to seek their support and fulfil their hopes and expectations as long as the people entrusted it with the responsibility of running the country. ‘We were, are and will remain with you’ Tarique said the government would try to stand beside individuals and families, irrespective of their political affiliation or background, who had contributed to the restoration of democracy. “Whatever limitations we may have, we will continue trying to stand beside these people and their families,” he said. Recognising that the losses suffered by the families could never be fully compensated, the Prime Minister said, “We were with you, we are with you and, InshaAllah, we will remain with you.” He urged the families to support and encourage the government so that it could work to fulfil the aspirations of the martyrs and all those who fought for democracy. ‘20 crore people freed from fascist rule’ Recalling the July uprising, Tarique said the programme was an emotional one as it brought together families of people who should have been present but were no longer among them. “The 20 crore people of Bangladesh have been freed from a fascist situation through the circumstances that led to their absence,” he said. Tarique prayed for those who remain missing, saying only Allah knows where they are and in what condition. The Prime Minister also became emotional while addressing the family members of the victims. “Naturally, seeing you before me today makes me emotional,” he said. Tarique said the sacrifices made by the families and their loved ones were for the country and its people, and the government would make its utmost efforts to realise the goals for which they had made those sacrifices. 74 receive appointment letters A total of 74 people received appointment letters at the programme. They included family members of victims of enforced disappearance and killing, injured fighters and family members of those killed during the July uprising. The Prime Minister handed over appointment letters to 10 of them and spoke with them individually, enquiring about their well-being. Among those receiving the letters were Ishfaq Ahmed, brother of enforced disappearance victim Iftekhar Ahmed Dinar; Shammi Sultana, wife of Khaled Hossain Sohel; visually impaired July uprising fighter Alal Ahmed; Momtaz Hossain, father of martyred Anvir; Jartaj Parvin, mother of martyred Ahnaf; and July fighter Kazi Saimum Siraj. The recipients expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and demanded justice for those involved in enforced disappearances and killings. The programme was conducted by Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Deputy Press Secretaries Zahidul Islam Rony, Hasan Shiplu, Suzauddaula, Shahadat Shadhin, Assistant Press Secretaries AKM Nazmul Haque, Shahriar Pamir and Moksedul Momin Mithun of Amra BNP Poribar, among others, were present.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stepped in to support the treatment of Jasmin Akter, the sister of July uprising martyr Zubayer Hossain, who is suffering from a brain tumour. Jasmin, a Class XII student, is currently undergoing treatment for brain stem glioma at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in the capital, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony. After learning about her condition, the Prime Minister directed his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon to take necessary steps to ensure support for her treatment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday directed the authorities concerned to examine the feasibility of reintroducing universal stipends for girls from Class VI to the degree level, aiming to encourage them to continue their education and help prevent child marriage. He gave the directive at a meeting on the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. The meeting was informed in detail about the trust’s ongoing activities, its goals and role in preventing students from dropping out by providing financial assistance during their education, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. The impact and achievements of the universal stipend programme for girls, introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, were also discussed. The programme was credited with helping increase girls’ school attendance, encouraging them to continue their studies and discouraging child marriage. Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister asked the authorities to assess the possibility of reviving universal stipends for girls from Class VI to the graduation level. He stressed the need for preparing a clear proposal after analysing the possible cost, number of beneficiaries, implementation process and expected social and educational impact of the programme. The meeting also discussed providing stipends to boys on the basis of merit and eligibility to encourage them to pursue education. Besides financial support, the meeting put equal emphasis on students’ nutrition and health as important factors for improving the quality of education. Various aspects of the school-level mid-day meal programme, including its management, nutritional value and ways to ensure safe preparation and supply of food for children, were discussed. The Prime Minister stressed that food provided to students must be nutritious, safe and of good quality, and said there should be no compromise over food standards. The meeting also discussed two alternative approaches to implementing the mid-day meal programme, taking into account cost, management efficiency, local participation and quality control. Tarique Rahman directed the authorities to launch pilot projects in two separate districts, with each district testing one of the proposed approaches, to assess their effectiveness, feasibility and potential outcomes. Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Prime Minister’s Education Affairs Adviser Mahdi Amin, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque, PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed members of the Navy and Air Force Selection Boards to ensure that officers are considered for promotion based on professional competence and merit, keeping political ideology and personal likes or dislikes aside. He said professional skills, leadership qualities, discipline, integrity, loyalty and overall suitability for appointment should be given priority in evaluating officers for promotion. The Prime Minister gave the directive while inaugurating the Navy and Air Force Selection Boards-2026 at the Bangladesh Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. Eligible officers of the Bangladesh Navy, including Captains, Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders, and Bangladesh Air Force officers holding the ranks of Group Captain, Wing Commander and Squadron Leader, will be considered for promotion by the boards, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities to launch a pilot project in several districts as part of the government’s plan to introduce a National e-Health Platform to bring the country’s healthcare system under an integrated digital framework. The directive came at a meeting on integrated information technology systems in the health sector at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, chaired by the Prime Minister. The meeting discussed the proposed structure, management system and potential applications of the National e-Health Platform in healthcare, Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said. Initially, the platform will be tested in several districts to assess its effectiveness, potential challenges, costs and feasibility. The government plans to expand the platform gradually after reviewing the experience and results of the pilot project. The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to ensure effective use of information technology in healthcare so that ordinary people can easily benefit from the system and access medical services more conveniently. He stressed ensuring secure storage of patients’ health information and making necessary data readily accessible to relevant doctors and healthcare institutions when required. Tarique Rahman also emphasised data security and privacy, while directing that the platform be user-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable in the long term. He instructed the authorities to properly evaluate the pilot project’s results before taking further steps. Engineer Zakaria Swapan made a presentation on different aspects of the proposed National e-Health Platform at the meeting. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr MA Muhit, Prime Minister’s Special Assistants Dr SM Ziauddin Hyder and Dr Shakirul Islam Khan, Health Services Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, ICT Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.

Newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was warmly greeted with flowers and congratulations by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and ruling party lawmakers after the announcement of the presidential election result on Thursday. Immediately after the result was announced in the Parliament Chamber, Prime Minister Tarique congratulated Fakhrul with a red rose. As they left the chamber, he again presented the newly elected President with flowers on behalf of himself and the party. Tarique Rahman then accompanied Fakhrul to the Parliament lobby, where he greeted him with a large bouquet.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday visited the graves of BNP founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after completing the presidential election process. Tarique Rahman went to the grave premises around 6:00pm after leaving Parliament, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. PM greets Fakhrul with red rose for being elected Bangladesh's 23rd President “He visited the graves of his father and mother, recited Fateha and offered a munajat seeking their eternal peace,” Rumon said. Before offering prayers, the Prime Minister stood silently alone for a while in front of the graves. He then went to the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office, where he offered Maghrib prayers before joining an organisational meeting. Tarique Rahman held the meeting with BNP leaders from Pabna and Chapainawabganj districts. Newly appointed BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was also present. The Prime Minister enquired about the organisational situation in each district and gave various directives to further strengthen the party’s organisational activities at the grassroots level, Rumon said.

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday evening held an organisational discussion with leaders of the party’s Pabna and Chapainawabganj district units. The meeting began around 7:00pm at the BNP chairman’s Gulshan office, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony. The discussion was organised as part of the BNP’s efforts to further strengthen and organise the party at the grassroots level.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir with a red rose immediately after the BNP candidate was declared elected as Bangladesh’s 23rd President. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Returning Officer AMM Nasir Uddin announced the results at 5:20pm after the completion of ballot counting in the Parliament Chamber. Fakhrul secured 255 votes, while his rival Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmad, the candidate of the 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, received 88 votes. “Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has secured 255 votes. I declare that, having received the highest number of votes, he has been duly elected President,” Nasir Uddin announced.