United News of Bangladesh

A sub-committee of the Parliament Library Committee has recommended advising the main committee to take steps for selecting a suitable location for the Bangladesh Institute of Parliamentary Studies (BIPS) and appointing a rector for the institute. The recommendation came at the first meeting of the Library Committee’s Sub-Committee No. 3 held at the Jatiya Sangsad Library on Wednesday, according to a press release issued by the Parliament Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by the sub-committee convener Dr Mahabubur Rahman and attended by members Nayab Yusuf Ahmed and Mohammad Nazibur Rahman. During the meeting, discussions were held on preparing a report for submission to the main committee regarding plans to operate the institute in accordance with the Bangladesh Institute of Parliamentary Studies (BIPS) Act, 2001 by integrating the National Parliament Library with the institute. The sub-committee also discussed presenting and reviewing a comparative overview of parliamentary institutes in Asian and Commonwealth countries alongside Bangladesh’s BIPS. To make BIPS operational, it recommended necessary amendments, additions and revisions to the law before placing it in the Library Committee. Meanwhile, the first meeting of Sub-Committee No. 4 of the Jatiya Sangsad Library Committee was also held at the Parliament Library on Wednesday with convener Mohammad Nazibur Rahman in the chair. Committee member Nayab Yusuf Ahmed also attended the meeting. The meeting discussed the National Parliament Library Regulations 2012 and the National Parliament Research Policy 2023. The sub-committee recommended making necessary amendments, additions, deletions and revisions to the National Parliament Library Regulations 2012 before placing the revised document before the main committee.It also directed that the National Parliament Research Policy 2023 be further reviewed and revised for presentation at the next meeting.

Only nine bills introduced by private members – Members of Parliament who are not ministers or state ministers – have been passed since the first parliament of independent Bangladesh. Of these, eight were initiated by members of the ruling party or coalition, while only one was brought by an opposition member. This information was shared during the first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Private Members' Bills and Private Members' Resolutions on Tuesday. Women's reserved seats in Parliament set to be filled with oath-taking on Sunday Records reveal that no private members' bills were introduced during the first, sixth, and twelfth parliaments. The sixth parliament lasted only 12 days, while the first and twelfth parliaments had tenures of two years and seven months, and six months and eight days, respectively. Private members introduced bills for the first time in the second parliament, where 47 were submitted, 20 were placed, but two were passed. These successful bills were brought by BNP MP Daulatunnessa Khatun and Muslim League MP Ausafur Rahman. In the third parliament, five bills were introduced, and the Bengali Language Introduction Act, 1987, initiated by Jatiya Party MP TIM Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury, was passed. While six bills were brought in the fourth parliament, none was passed. In the fifth parliament, 74 bills were submitted, 12 were placed, but one by BNP MP Farida Rahman was passed. During the seventh parliament, 51 bills were submitted, resulting in the passage of the Father of the Nation's Portrait Preservation and Display Act, 2001, brought by Awami League’s Dewan Farid Gazi. Conversely, in the eighth parliament, the Father of the Nation's Portrait Preservation and Display (Repeal) Act, 2002, initiated by BNP MP Samsul Alam Pramanik, was passed among 54 submitted bills. The ninth parliament saw the most recent successes, with three bills passed: two by Awami League’s Saber Hossain Chowdhury and one by Mujibul Haque Chunnu of the Jatiya Party. Subsequent parliaments – the 10th and 11th – saw 16 and 10 bills submitted respectively, but none was passed. The first session of the current 13th parliament began on 12 March and concluded on 30 April. On the opening day, the committee on Private Members' Bills and Private Members' Resolutions was formed with Md Shahajahan, MP for Noakhali-4, as Chairman. Presiding over Tuesday’s meeting, the Chairman and committee members recommended that the Legislative Drafting Unit of the Parliament Secretariat remain proactive in providing necessary assistance to MPs for drafting private members' bills. The committee also discussed the scope of its activities, constitutional provisions, and rules of procedure. Members were urged to play an active role in encouraging MPs to introduce private bills on issues of public importance to make the committee's functions more dynamic.

The first meeting of the parliamentary committee on “Private Members’ Bills and Private Members’ Resolutions” was held at the Parliament House on Tuesday with committee chairman Md Shahjahan in the chair. Following an introductory session, the meeting was briefed on the activities of the committee relating to private members’ bills and resolutions. The members also held detailed discussions on the committee’s scope of work, private bills and various constitutional and procedural issues related to resolutions and proposals. During the meeting, emphasis was placed on making the committee’s activities more dynamic and effective. Committee members were advised to play an active role in encouraging lawmakers to raise private members’ bills on issues of public importance. The meeting also recommended that the Legislative Drafting Unit of the Parliament Secretariat extend necessary support to MPs in preparing drafts of private members’ bills. At the beginning of the meeting, prayers were offered seeking eternal peace for the souls of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and those who sacrificed their lives during the long anti-fascist movement. Officials concerned from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting. Committee members including Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Md Amanullah Aman, Md Abul Khayer Bhuiyan, Tahsina Rushdir, Muhammad Nowshad Zamir, Shahjahan Chowdhury and Md Nurul Islam attended the meeting.

Parliament will go into the Budget session on June 7, said a Parliament Secretariat press release on Thursday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin has summoned the second session of the 13th Parliament at 3pm on that day, which will also be the first budget session of the current parliament. According to the release, the President convened the session exercising the powers vested in him under Article 72(1) of the Constitution. Sources at the Parliament Secretariat said Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to place the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on June 11 (Thursday) As it is a budget session, the sitting is expected to be a lengthy one. The duration of the session will be finalised at a meeting of the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee before the House goes into session. The first session of the 13th Parliament ended on April 30. During that session, a total of 94 bills were passed after 25 working days. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 that year, the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year was presented by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed of the interim government.  

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Monday said many problems can easily be resolved if the ruling party and the opposition reach a consensus on key issues in the greater interest of the country. "To institutionalise democracy, Parliament must be strengthened. When the opposition and the ruling parties reach a consensus in Parliament, many problems are solved. The formation of a special committee on energy has solved the country's energy problems," he said. The Chief Whip made the remarks when a delegation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh paid a courtesy call on him at his office, according to a press release. He stressed the need for building mutual trust among all, saying without trust it will be difficult to take the country forward. “Democracy is essential for ensuring good governance,” he added. Focusing on the current challenges, Moni said Bangladesh faces various environmental and economic problems. “The government has been providing financial support to reduce poverty through initiatives like Family Card and Farmers’ Card. The current government has also undertaken programmes like tree plantation and canal excavation to protect the environment,” he added. During the meeting, different issues, including strengthening Parliament, e-governance, e-parliament, poverty alleviation, environmental development, freedom of speech, parliamentary sessions and rules of procedure, were discussed. UNDP representatives present at the meeting included Assistant Resident Representative Anowarul Haq, Assistant Programme Adviser (Governance) Dragan Popovic and Project Manager Mahmudul Hasan.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, on Monday said the country’s democratic advancement was upheld through the February general election. “Through the parliamentary election held in February 2026, the country’s democratic progress was upheld. During the past 16 years under the Awami League government, people’s democratic rights were undermined,” he said. The Speaker made the remarks when Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Jafar H Bin Abiyah paid a courtesy call on him at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, according to a press release. Australian Speaker Milton Dick meets Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad

The newly elected women MPs will take oath on Sunday to represent their respective parties from the reserved seats. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, will administer the oath to the MPs-elect at 9pm on Sunday at the Oath Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, said Director (Public Relations) of the Parliament Secretariat Md. Monir Hossain told UNB on Saturday. Earlier on April 30, the Election Commission published a gazette declaring 49 lawmakers elected unopposed to the reserved women’s seats in the 13th parliament. The 49 women lawmakers-elect include 36 MPs from the BNP-led alliance, 12 from the Jamaat-led alliance and one independent. The 36 BNP alliance MPs are Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akter Ranu, Newaz Halima Arly, Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Shakila Farzana, Helen Jerin Khan, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Zeeba Amina Khan, Mahmuda Habiba, Sabira Sultana, Sunsila Jabrin, Sanjida Islam (Tulee), Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minz, Subarna Shikdar, Shamim Ara Begum Swapna, Shammi Akter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bithika Binte Hossain, Suraiya Jerin, Mansura Akter, Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Shawkat Ara Akter, Madhabi Marma, Selina Sultana and Rezeka Sultana. The 12 Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance newly elected lawmakers include Nurunnisa Siddika, Marzia Begum, Sabikun Nahar, Nazmun Nahar, Mahfuza Hannan, Sajeda Samad, Shamsunnahar Begum, Marzdia Momtaz, Rokeya Begum (mother of July martyr Jabir Ibrahim),  Mahmuda Alam Mitu (NCP), Tasmia Pradhan (Jagpa) and Mahbuba Hakim (Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish). The independent MP for the lone reserved seat is Sultana Jasmin. There are 50 reserved seats for women in the Parliament. For the last remaining seat, which is supposed to go to the National Citizen Party, the Election Commission has already rejected the nominations of two NCP aspirants - Monira Sharmin's candidacy was deemed ineligible, while Nusrat Tabassum submitted her paperwork late.  It remains to be seen how Parliament resolves the issue of the vacant NCP seat.    

The first session of 13th Parliament was prorogued on Thursday after 25 sittings beginning March 12. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad read out the prorogation order of the President at 9:23pm. Earlier, Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman delivered the valedictory speech. There were 133 ordinances placed in the Parliament. Some 91 bills were passed against those ordinances. In total 94 bills were passed. In addition to legislative activities, five standing committees were formed in this session and two special committees were formed. Some 16 notices were found under the 62 rules of the Rules of Procedure as two of them were discussed. Nine notices were found under the 68 of the rules of the procedure while only one of them was briefly discussed. The number of notices under the rules of procedure 71 was 38 while some 207 members were given scope to speak for two-minute for their notices under the 71A rules of the procedure. One notice was accepted out of 14 notices in 164 rules and sent to the Standing Committee on Privileges. Two special committees were formed in 266 rules. In this session, a total of 93 questions were presented at the Prime Minister’s question-answer session. Out of these, he has replied to 35 questions. A total of 2509 questions have been received for reply by the Ministers of various ministries. Out of these, the Ministers have replied to a total of 1778 questions in Parliament. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad before reading out the prorogation order of the President described the Parliament as a rare atmosphere of cooperation between the treasury and opposition benches following a “free, fair and participatory” election after 18 years. He said the session, which began on March 12, marked a significant step towards strengthening parliamentary democracy, ensuring the rule of law, and promoting transparency and accountability in governance. Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Speaker for the first time, he thanked all Members of Parliament for their cooperation and constructive participation, noting that 220 MPs are first-time members in the 13th Parliament. Despite their inexperience, he said their “tolerance, sincerity and constructive engagement” in legislative and parliamentary activities had been impressive. He extended special thanks to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for leading the government and to Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman for playing a “positive and effective role” in parliamentary proceedings. The Speaker also acknowledged the contributions of cabinet members, chief whips, MPs from both treasury and opposition benches. Referring to the broader national agenda, the Speaker said the government has prioritised programmes such as family cards for households, farmer cards, and strengthening agriculture and the rural economy. He highlighted initiatives like canal excavation and re-excavation to address waterlogging and improve irrigation, which he said would boost agricultural production and rural livelihoods. He also stressed the importance of ensuring justice for crimes against humanity and extrajudicial killings committed during what he termed a “fascist era,” alongside efforts to guarantee judicial independence and uphold the rule of law. The Speaker reaffirmed the commitment to preserving the spirit of the Liberation War and building an inclusive, accountable and humane state. He expressed optimism that the 13th Parliament would play an effective role in achieving these goals, urging all members to work together despite political differences and place national interest above all.

Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday asked the government to curb extortion, improve law and order as well as take visible steps to implement the Teesta project soon. “Extortionists cannot belong to any party. These are ‘imposter’ in the name of a party. Let us take a vow in this parliament to identify them. We’ll eliminate the extortionists from Bangladesh at any cost,” he said. The opposition leader made the remarks, participating in the discussion on thanksgiving motion over the President’s speech delivered at the outset of the current session in the House. He called upon the Home Minister to give special attention to vulnerable areas where the law and order situation is more fragile. “Law and order conditions may appear similar across the country, but areas that are more vulnerable must receive priority attention. Educational institutions must also be kept completely free from all forms of violence—we do not want to witness such incidents anymore,” he said. About the Teesta project, Shafiqur Rahman said the people have long been hearing about the big stories and are now exhausted. They no longer want promises—they want action. “We would like to see a very credible and visible role being played soon in implementing the Teesta Master Plan here,” he said. The Ameer of the Jamaat-e-Islami also said citizens would stand firmly beside the government if it takes bold and effective steps. “We don’t care about the red eyes of anyone…. If the government takes this bold step, every hand of the 200 million people of this country will stand by it. I will stand first in support,” he said. Over the 1972 Constitution, he said the denial of voting rights by the Pakistani authorities made the Liberation War inevitable. But later, the Awami League government violated the limits and strangled the voting rights to death. Pointing at the treasury bench members, the Jamaat chief said, “Our many friends wholeheartedly pay respect towards the 1972 Constitution, But I can’t. Because, the Late Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman changed the 1972 Constitution,” Refuting the claim that Jamaat doesn’t accept the existing Constitution, he said they are law-abiding citizens. “It is often said that we do not accept the Constitution. If we did not accept it, how could we be here (in Parliament)? ….As long as this Constitution exists, we may demand for its reforms through movements, but we will not engage in rebellion,” he said. Referring to election pledges, Shafiqur Rahman said both Jamaat and BNP made commitments for an independent foreign policy prioritising national interests. “We need friendship with all, but our priority must always be Bangladesh,” he said, adding that Bangladesh needs so many friends, but not even a single lord. He also alleged that before the election, some senior BNP leaders had assured members of Awami League that legal cases against them would be withdrawn and their safety ensured. “We do not know whether such understandings still exist. But our position is clear—every crime committed during the previous (Awami League) regime must be brought to justice,” he said. The opposition leader also condemned indecent behaviour on social media, targeting the family of Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and called for an end to such practices. This kind of dirty political culture must stop. The government has the authority to act, and we will fully cooperate, he said.

Secretary General of ruling BNP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said any attempt to undermine the spirit of 1971 is unacceptable, describing it as the fundamental identity of Bangladesh. Speaking in Parliament during the discussion on the President’s speech, Fakhrul—who also serves as Local Government Minister—indirectly criticised opposition voices, stressing that the legacy of the Liberation War must be upheld at all times. “If anyone ridicules 1971 or tries to belittle it, we cannot accept that. 1971 is our identity, and that is why we must continue to speak about it,” he said. He reiterated that the Liberation War remains central to the nation’s character and consciousness. “This is our identification, our identity—1971 defines who we are. That is why we must repeatedly speak about it,” he added. Fakhrul also praised BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saying the country’s people are looking towards his leadership with high expectations. “People across the country are looking at our leader, who upon returning to Bangladesh told the nation, ‘I have a plan’. That plan is about building the country, eradicating poverty, improving education, and ensuring healthcare for all,” he said. He noted that the government has already begun implementing these initiatives and addressed concerns over funding. “Many have questioned where the money will come from. You can already see that work has begun, and he has explained how funds will be mobilised,” Fakhrul said. Highlighting the party’s electoral commitments, he referred to initiatives such as family cards and farmer cards, aimed at strengthening social protection and supporting rural communities. He further said that the party is moving forward under the leadership of a “symbol of potential”, expressing confidence that Tarique Rahman can bring meaningful change to Bangladesh. “We are advancing with our youth, with our leader at the forefront—someone we believe can transform Bangladesh,” he added.