United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) President Rakibul Islam Rakib on Friday said JCD and its supporters would remain united until the Awami League is brought to justice for its alleged wrongdoings. He made the remarks while addressing a rally in the capital's Jatrabari area marking "July 17 Jatrabari Resistance Day." Rakib alleged that the Awami League has "nothing left to do except spread falsehoods on social media." "As long as the Awami League is not brought to justice for its injustices, the students of the Qawmi madrasas in Jatrabari, local residents and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will remain united," he said. Recalling the July mass uprising, the JCD president said local residents had played a significant role in the success of the movement. He said he was able to remain safe with the help of local people in Jatrabari after being seriously injured during the protests. Rakib also said the observance of Resistance Day on July 17 and the subsequent programmes helped the movement move towards its ultimate success. He claimed the movement had been guided by directives from BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. The JCD president further said that despite attacks on campuses, arrests and other adversities during the movement, JCD leaders and activists continued their activities through coordination. Local BNP and JCD leaders and activists, residents and students of Qawmi madrasas attended the rally.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday took an apparent swipe at Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing the party of repeatedly trying to "fish in troubled waters," while also launching a scathing attack on the Awami League during a rally marking "Jatrabari Resistance Day." Speaking at the programme in the capital's Jatrabari, Rizvi said a party that claims to practise politics in the name of religion had opposed Bangladesh's independence despite the country's overwhelming support for the Liberation War. Referring to Jamaat without naming it directly, he said, "Their politics is about fishing in troubled waters time and again. But after a while, they themselves fall into those troubled waters." Criticising former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, Rizvi alleged that Hasina could not return to politics after the bloodshed she had caused. "Fascism is in their blood. Deception and hypocrisy are their political ideology," he said. He also alleged that some television presenters and commentators were trying to make Hasina politically relevant again by praising her in talk shows after August 5. At the same rally, Gono Odhikar Parishad President and State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque claimed that some student leaders had come under the influence of "foreign forces" during the final five to seven days of the July mass uprising in 2024. He alleged that some student leaders had even stayed at the residences of individuals associated with foreign embassies.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) industry has become the country's largest economic pillar and can serve as the driving force for its future progress. He made the remarks while addressing the BAGMA Annual Programme-2026 as the chief guest at a city hotel in the capital. The theme of this year's conference was "RMG 360 Degree: Challenge and Opportunity." Fakhrul said the country's RMG sector began as a labour-intensive industry aimed at creating employment opportunities for a large number of people. "Today, the garment industry has become the biggest foundation of Bangladesh's economy. Its progress, reflected in newspapers and other media, shows that Bangladesh can move much further forward by building on this sector," he said. Describing Bangladeshis as highly innovative and hardworking, Fakhrul said late President Ziaur Rahman had promoted labour-intensive industries to create employment opportunities for millions of people. Referring to the country's economy, the minister said the large-scale smuggling of wealth abroad in previous years had pushed the economy into serious difficulties, making economic reconstruction one of the government's biggest challenges. He said the rebuilding process has already begun under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. According to Fakhrul, the recently passed national budget has incorporated new areas, including the creative economy, creating opportunities to rethink the country's economic development strategy. "If these initiatives are implemented properly, Bangladesh will move further ahead," he said. Highlighting the country's agricultural achievements, Fakhrul said Bangladesh had a population of around 75 million at the time of independence and faced a food deficit of approximately 2.8 million metric tonnes. He said although the population has now reached nearly 200 million, the food deficit has almost disappeared due to the contributions of farmers, agricultural scientists and the use of modern technology. "This success is proof of the innovative capacity of the people of Bangladesh," he added. Among others, BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell, BGBA President Md Abdul Hamid Pintu, Impress Newtex Director Nasir Uddoula representing BGMEA, foreign diplomats, entrepreneurs from leading garment manufacturing companies and senior government officials attended the conference. The programme also featured discussions on the current challenges facing the garment sector, global competition, sustainable growth and future opportunities. Speakers placed various recommendations on strengthening Bangladesh's RMG industry to address global economic challenges and ensure its continued growth.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday reaffirmed his party's commitment to implementing every provision of the July National Charter, accusing the opposition of trying to mislead the public by claiming otherwise. "We have always said that we want to amend the Constitution. We have never said that we want constitutional restructuring. BNP remains committed to implementing every provision of the July National Charter," he said while addressing a discussion marking the 6th death anniversary of former Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, organised by the Emajuddin Ahmed Research Centre at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. Fakhrul, also the local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, said BNP secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament based on the manifesto presented to the people during the election. "The people voted for us based on that manifesto. BNP has been entrusted with the task of running the state with a two-thirds majority. So, I do not think there is any scope for confusion on this issue," he said. Responding to recent remarks made by the opposition over the implementation of the July Charter, the BNP leader alleged that attempts were being made to mislead the public. He said all parties that jointly participated in the anti-fascist movement had signed the July Charter together and that BNP remained committed to implementing every word of it. "We have repeatedly said that we will implement every provision of the July Charter. This is our commitment," he said. However, Fakhrul said BNP had never agreed to some proposals, including a proportional representation system in the proposed upper house of Parliament. He said the Reform Commission had incorporated several recommendations without BNP's consent and said the July Charter itself clearly states that parties elected by the people will implement reforms in line with their respective election manifestos. "As we are committed to our 31-point reform agenda, we are committed to the July Charter. We will implement the Charter in the way we have committed to. It is completely wrong to say that we do not want to implement it," the BNP leader said. He also rejected criticism that BNP is opposed to reforms, saying the party itself had introduced major democratic reforms in Bangladesh. "Who introduced reforms in this country? BNP did. BNP introduced multi-party democracy after one-party rule. BNP introduced the parliamentary form of government after the presidential system. BNP also enacted the caretaker government provision," Fakhrul said. He accused the opposition of trying to exploit the legacy of the July mass uprising for political gain. "They are trying to use July merely as a tool to come to power. We do not want July to become another instrument for political power," he said. According to the BNP secretary general, the July uprising was not an isolated event but the culmination of nearly 18-19 years of struggle against what he termed fascist rule. He said BNP leaders and activists had paid a heavy price during that movement. "Nearly 60 lakh BNP leaders and activists faced false cases. Around 1,700 leaders and activists disappeared, and thousands were killed while fighting against fascism," he claimed. Turning to Bangladesh, Fakhrul said the July-August 2024 student-led mass uprising created an opportunity to establish a truly democratic and liberal democratic state after years of authoritarian rule. He, however, acknowledged that rebuilding the country will not be easy. "The problems are complex. The accumulated problems cannot disappear overnight. We cannot fix everything instantly, but we have to move forward patiently," he said. Paying tribute to Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, the BNP leader described him as a genuine democrat, a proponent of liberal democracy, an outstanding political scientist and a great patriot. He recalled that during the anti-fascist movement, meetings were frequently held at Emajuddin's residence, where intellectuals were brought together to issue statements and formulate strategies in support of democracy.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Choudhury on Thursday said the government is committed to eliminating the legacy of corruption and misrule across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Speaking as the chief guest at an introductory and views-exchange meeting of the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), he said the government has taken responsibility for addressing widespread governance failures and corruption. “There is misrule and corruption everywhere across the country. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the BNP government has taken responsibility for removing this mess,” he said. The meeting, held at the BFDC auditorium, was chaired by the corporation's Managing Director Masuma Tani. Referring to controversies surrounding previous elections of the Film Artistes' Association, the state minister said the current government did not interfere in the election process and wanted artistes to elect their representatives independently. “In the past, there were various allegations of irregularities over these elections. This time, the government ensured that artists could freely vote for candidates of their choice. As a result, there has been no controversy over the election,” he said. He added that the government remained firm in ensuring a free, fair and neutral election, while the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting extended all necessary support to facilitate the process. Responding to remarks by leaders of the Film Directors' Association regarding legal cases filed over elections, Yaser said the government cannot prevent anyone from seeking legal remedies. “The government is the guardian of the rule of law. However, it is for you to decide whether you want to file cases against one another,” he said. On the development of the BFDC, the state minister said the government must ensure responsible use of public funds and consider how investments can generate returns. “We are custodians of the people's money. Unlike the previous government, we cannot spend public funds recklessly and push the country toward financial distress,” he said. Citing the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, he said Bangladesh Television (BTV) acquired the broadcasting rights from FIFA at a cost of Tk 47 crore. “Through active efforts, we have already managed to recover Tk 44 crore for the national exchequer. This is a rare achievement and an unprecedented example in Bangladesh,” he said. He also alleged that the previous government had caused a loss of nearly Tk 100 crore in public funds while broadcasting an earlier FIFA World Cup. Outlining future plans for the film industry, Yasser said the government is seriously considering producing films under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to help revive the country's film sector. He said discussions with the BFDC are continuing to restore the film industry to its former glory, adding that the government remains committed to achieving that goal. The event, conducted by Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association President Shiba Shanu, was also addressed by veteran artiste Ethun Babu, JASAS central convener Helal Khan, Film Directors' Association President Shaheen Sumon, Bangladesh Film Club President Samsul Alam and Film Artistes' Association General Secretary Joy Chowdhury, among others.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir fell ill on Thursday while attending the inauguration ceremony of the Rath Yatra at ISKCON Swamibagh Ashram in the capital. He started feeling unwell at the end of his speech at the programme, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Govt committed to religious harmony, equal rights for all faiths: Fakhrul At one stage of his address, Fakhrul said, "I am sorry, I cannot finish my speech because I am feeling unwell. At the end, I would just like to say, ‘let us all move Bangladesh forward together’." The BNP secretary general was immediately taken home, Sayrul said, adding that he is currently taking rest at home on the advice of physicians. He urged everyone to pray for Fakhrul's speedy recovery.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Thursday said every commitment of the July National Charter will be implemented to the letter, upholding the non-communal spirit that defined the July uprising. He made the comment while inaugurating Rath Yatra at the Madhab Angan of Jashomadhab Mandir at Kayetpara in Dhamrai upazila of Dhaka district. The chief whip said the people of Bangladesh, after a long struggle, witnessed the dawn of a new era in July 2024, one built on non-communal values. Referring to the Prime Minister, he said Tarique Rahman has declared that Bangladesh has no minorities, and that Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians are all citizens with equal rights.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the government is committed to promoting religious harmony and ensuring equal rights for people of all faiths, rejecting any attempt to create religious divisions. "We do not want to create any religious division. We want to work with everyone and move forward together," he said while inaugurating the Rath Yatra and addressing a discussion at the ISKCON Swamibagh Ashram in the capital as the chief guest. Govt taking steps to build clean, planned and livable Dhaka: Mirza Fakhrul Fakhrul, also local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, said people of all religions – Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians – fought together in the 1971 War of Liberation to achieve the country's independence, but alleged that "a particular evil force" repeatedly tried to undermine that spirit of unity. "Even today, there remains traces of that. We all have to unite, build resistance and work together in a united manner," he said. Expressing gratitude to the Hindu community, the BNP leader said the government will always remember the support they extended during the last national election. Referring to religion-based politics, he said religion has often been used to create divisions in Bangladesh's politics, but BNP does not believe in such politics. Mentioning various welfare programmes, Fakhrul said the government has introduced initiatives such as the Family Card and Farmers’ Card, and has also taken steps to support religious institutions. He said the government has introduced allowances for imams and muezzins of mosques, priests of temples, caretakers of Buddhist temples and the church clergy. "This is something no one had ever imagined. The government wants everyone to practise their religion freely and wants Bangladesh to work equally for all rather than favouring any particular religion," the BNP secretary general said. He also said before attending the Rath Yatra programme, he participated in another meeting, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, with representatives from ethnic minority communities living in the plains. Fakhrul said the Prime Minister ensured representation of all religious communities among the women members of parliament and noted that Anna Minj, MP, a representative from the Santal community, was among those present at the meeting. According to him, Tarique Rahman reiterated that the government will continue working for the socio-economic development of every section of society. The BNP leader concluded his speech saying, "Let us all move Bangladesh forward together."

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday announced a 151-member fully-fledged committee for its Cumilla city unit, making Udbatul Bari Abu as president and Md Yusuf Molla Tipu as general secretary. The party also announced a nine-member advisory council for the unit. The information was disclosed in a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. According to the press release, Nazrul Islam VP has been made senior vice-president, while Khalilur Rahman Biplob has been appointed senior joint secretary. The 151-member committee includes multiple vice presidents, joint secretaries, organising secretaries, office secretary, publicity secretary, treasurer, subject secretaries, assistant secretaries and members. The nine-member advisory council is comprised of Begum Rabeya Chowdhury, Fazlul Haque Fazlu, Farid Uddin Ahmed, Nurul Islam, Abdul Kader Jilani, SA Bari Selim, Farhad Akhtar Md Shahriar, Dr Mosleh Uddin Ahmed and Prof Dr Nilufa Parveen.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the government has undertaken various initiatives to transform the capital into a clean, planned and livable city. He made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled "Urban Waste Management is the Responsibility of All of Us" as the chief guest at the auditorium of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). Jamiruddin Sircar’s contributions to politics, state to be remembered with respect: Fakhrul Speaking at the seminar, the minister said waste management has long remained a major challenge for Dhaka due to the city's growing population as the country's principal economic hub. He said the government's or city corporations' efforts alone would not be enough to ensure a clean city, stressing the need for active public participation and responsible civic behaviour. "If every citizen performs their responsibilities from their respective positions, the desired improvement in waste management can be achieved," he said. The minister said Dhaka reflects a blend of urban and rural cultures and underscored the importance of strengthening civic discipline and public awareness to develop a modern urban culture. Referring to AI-based traffic management, he said people are capable of following rules when effective monitoring and awareness measures are in place. "As compliance with traffic rules is increasing through proper supervision and awareness, similar positive changes can also be achieved in waste management," he said. The government is implementing various initiatives in line with the Prime Minister's directives to make waste management more modern, effective and citizen-friendly, saying their success would require coordinated efforts by the government, city corporations and the public, he said. Besides, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, who was present at the seminar, said city corporations should be transformed into self-reliant and fully functional institutions to overcome long-standing institutional weaknesses and coordination gaps in urban management. Such a move would help bring RAJUK, WASA, power utilities, traffic police and other agencies involved in urban development under a unified legal and coordination framework, he said. State Minister for Youth and Sports, Md Aminul Haque said tackling the challenge of urban waste management requires collective efforts rather than relying solely on the government. He called for turning small initiatives at the individual and family levels into a broader social movement. Meanwhile, DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said the city corporation has been carrying out its public service activities with the support of responsible and conscious citizens. He said the DNCC would work in coordination with other agencies to prevent waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall in the future. The administrator also said cooperation from residents would be essential to free the 29 canals under the DNCC from encroachment and carry out excavation and rehabilitation works to ensure smooth water flow. He pledged to work with local residents to remove encroachments from Mirpur canals and urged citizens to dispose of waste only at designated places instead of dumping it indiscriminately. He also stressed the need for improved drainage infrastructure and keeping drains free from waste to eliminate urban waterlogging.