Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman paid a courtesy visit to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Saturday. During the meeting, General Waker-Uz-Zaman briefed the President on the overall activities of the Bangladesh Army, highlighting the force’s role in maintaining security and aiding national development. He also informed the President about various ongoing initiatives and reaffirmed the army’s commitment to supporting the nation’s welfare. President urges all to stand by flood victims President Shahabuddin praised the Bangladesh Army’s contribution towards ensuring the safety and well-being of people and safeguarding lives and property. He appreciated the army’s efforts and stressed the importance of their role in upholding the sovereignty and stability of the country. The President hoped that the army would continue to stand by the people of Bangladesh during national crises, including natural disasters, and uphold its dedication to the country’s progress and development. The army chief also informed the President that several units are actively working in coordination with the civil administration across the country to provide assistance in various areas.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury. In a condolence message on Saturday, President Shahabuddin acknowledged the significant loss to the nation's political landscape due to Chowdhury's death, describing it as "irreparable." He offered prayers for the departed soul's forgiveness and conveyed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family.

Hasnat Abdullah, one of the key coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has demanded President Mohammed Shahabuddin be removed from his post. The coordinator made the demand in a post on his verified Facebook page and it has gone viral on social media. Read: Long March to Dambur Dam Friday, demands removal of one-way dams In the post he wrote, “The trial of Awami League, rewriting of the  constitution, change of Awami corrupt bureaucrats, cancellation of all illegal agreements made during Sheikh Hasina's regime and removal of Chuppu ( the President) from the post of the President have to be ensured.”

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday urged the international community including the European Union to come forward to solve the Rohingya issue. The President made this call when the newly appointed ambassadors of Norway and the European Union in Dhaka presented their credentials to the President. President's press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting. On arrival at Bangabhaban in the morning, a smart contingent of the Presidential guard regiment gave a guard of honor to the ambassadors. Newly appointed ambassadors of Sweden and Algeria present credentials to President First, the newly appointed Ambassador of Norway Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen presented his credential to the President while then new ambassador of the European Union Michael Miller presented his credential. Welcoming the new ambassador of Norway, President Shahabuddin said Norway has been providing development cooperation in various sectors including rural development, education, disaster management and good governance in Bangladesh for the last five decades. The President called upon Norway to assist the reform programme of the interim government of Bangladesh. Highlighting the bright prospects of Bangladesh's blue economy, the President urged Norwegian investors to invest in various sectors including deep-sea fishing, sea-food processing technology, and oil and gas. Later, during the meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union, the President said that the European Union is one of the most important development partners of Bangladesh. He said that the European Union has been providing comprehensive support for inclusive and sustainable development and poverty alleviation in Bangladesh for more than five decades. "As Bangladesh has been upgraded from the least developed to the developing country, the President called on the European Union to take steps to continue the duty-free quota facility for exports beyond 2029," he said. Foreign Affairs adviser gives 'sensitive' issue of president's citizenship status a wide berth Mentioning that Bangladesh is one of the countries affected by the adverse effects of climate change, the President said that Bangladesh and the European Union can work together to solve the problems linked to climate change. The President sought the co-operation of the ambassador to send skilled human resources from Bangladesh to various countries of the European Union. Appreciating the humanitarian assistance of the European Union for the Rohingyas , the President expressed hope that the United Nations, the European Union and other development partners will take effective initiatives for the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas. During the meeting, the new ambassadors of Norway and the European Union sought the full cooperation of the President in performing his duties in Bangladesh. The Ambassador of Norway said that his country is interested in supporting the development of the blue economy of Bangladesh. On the other hand, the ambassador of the European Union said that the EU has been supporting the socio-economic development of Bangladesh since the beginning. The ambassador said that this trend will continue in the future. Secretaries concerned to the president office were also present during the meeting.

Amid ongoing speculation about President Mohammed Shahabuddin's possible dual citizenship, which would render his presidency illegal, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Monday said this is a very “sensitive issue” and he has nothing to say on such a speculation. “It is a matter related to the President. It’s a very sensitive issue,” he told reporters while responding to a question. The Adviser said based on speculation he will not ask any mission regarding the matter. “I can’t tell anything.” He said if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gets involved in it, it would be at the last stage. “But I don't want to talk about it. There is a legal aspect to it and the President has his own affairs. It's not my job,” Hossain said. When pressed further, the Adviser asked the reporters to talk to the Law Adviser, noting that authorities concerned can look into it.

Army Chief general Waker-Uz-Zaman on Monday called on President Mohammed Sahabuddin at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the Army Chief informed the president about the overall activities of the army, President's press secretary Joynal Abedin said. Besides, he also highlighted the activities of the army to maintain law and order across the country. The President appreciated the role of the army in maintaining the law and order in the country and providing security to the lives and property of the people.  Besides, Mohammed Sahabuddin also appreciated the role of the army during the recent floods in the north and south-eastern parts of the country in rescuing people in the flood-affected areas and providing them with relief.

New Maldivian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Shiuneen Rasheed on Monday presented her credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban. President's press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting. President urges Kuwait to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh President Shahabuddin welcomed the new High Commissioner of Maldives in Bangladesh on her arrival. The President said Bangladesh’s bilateral ties with Maldives are excellent and it would be further strengthened in future. This existing relation between the two countries will be strengthened and the scope of trade will also increase in the future. Thanking the government of Maldives for employing many Bangladeshis in its labour market, saying Bangladeshi manpower is playing a significant role in the development of the both countries. President urges all to stand by flood victims Shahabuddin also expressed satisfaction over choosing Bangladesh by the students of Maldives for their medical and engineering studies. The bilateral ties between the people of Bangladesh and the Maldives will be further strengthened while the scope of trade and business will be enhanced in future, the President hoped. President Shahabuddin urged the Maldivian high commissioner to encourage the businessmen of her country for enhancing their import of garments items, medicines, leather, jute and jute-made materials, agricultural products and ceramics and other Bangladeshi products. Noting that Bangladesh and Maldives support each other in different regional and international forums, including the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the President hoped that this cooperation and support would be strengthened further in the future. Chief Justice, Appellate Division judges meet President Shahabuddin The High Commissioner of Maldives said her country attaches great importance to the development of relations with Bangladesh and during her tenure in Bangladesh she would try to strengthen the ties. Highlighting the contribution of Bangladeshi people to the development of the Maldives, the high commissioner sought President’s all necessary cooperation in doing her assignment in Dhaka. Secretaries concerned to the president's office were also present during the meeting.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday called upon the people of the country to stand by the people of the  flood-affected area during this crisis of the country. “People in flood affected areas are living inhumane life.These helpless people need multiple support including food, water and medicine for survival  alongside safe shelter. The government is making all-out efforts to help the flood-hit people. Apart from this, anti-discrimination students and people are also providing their support,” he said. He said these during exchanging greetings with the Hindu community leaders at Bangabhaban  on the occasion of Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, at Durbar Hall. He hoped that everyone will come forward to stand beside the helpless and distressed people of the areas devastated by flood.  The president  called upon all to maintain religious harmony in the society as well as show tolerance to highlight the people’s harmony and cultural heritage in the international arena. Saying that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, the president said communal harmony is a unique feature of Bangladesh’s culture. Emphasising  on maintaining  existing harmony and friendship in the society  to accelerate national progress and prosperity, he said the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees equal rights to all citizens.  “We are all Bangladeshis. To move the country forward, regardless of caste and religion, we must forget the differences and work together," he said. Mentioning human welfare as the basic message of all religions, he said religious values ​​should be used for the welfare of the country and its people. President Shahabuddin and Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain exchanged Janmashtami greetings with the Hindu community representatives. As many as 700 individuals including diplomats, senior journalists of the Hindu community and secretaries concerned to the Bangabhaban and ministry concerned were invited on the occasion.

The newly appointed Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, leading the newly appointed four judges of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, met with President Mohammed Sahabuddin today. The judges are Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Justice Syed Md. Ziaul Karim, Justice Md. Rezaul Haque, and Justice S. M. Emdadul Hoque. During the meeting, the Chief Justice informed the President about the overall activities of the Supreme Court. He mentioned that all benches in both divisions of the Supreme Court have been reorganised. Expressing congratulations to the newly appointed Chief Justice and the new judges of the Appellate Division, the President expressed hope that under the leadership of the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court will take necessary steps to ensure that the public receives prompt justice. The president also expressed hope that necessary measures would be taken to reduce case backlogs. Present at the meeting were Secretary of the President’s Office Nasimul Ghani, Military Secretary Major General Mohammad Adil Chowdhury, and Press Secretary Md. Joynal Abedin.

A meeting held at Bangabhaban among President Mohammed Shahabuddin, three chiefs of the armed forces, two teachers of Dhaka University and 13 coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that led to the downfall of SHeikh Hasina on Tuesday took the decision to make Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus the head of the interim government. The president's press secretary confirmed this to UNB after the long meeting which started at around 7pm. At the meeting, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement proposed the formation of an interim government headed by Dr Yunus. President Md Shahabuddin agreed with their proposal. The President said the country is now passing through a transitional period. It is important to form an interim government as soon as possible to overcome this crisis. He suggested to finalize the nomination of other members of the Advisory Council in consultation with the political parties. The president also suggested nominating a freedom fighter in the interim government. The President urged the countrymen to cooperate to overcome the crisis. Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-uz-Zaman, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, Dhaka University Law Department Professor Asif Nazrul, International Relations Department Professor Tanjim Uddin Khan and 13 coordinators of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement were present at the meeting.