Expressing deep concern over the recent unrest in the hill districts, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader emphasized the need to maintain peace and stability in the region at all costs. He made these remarks during a meeting with leaders of the Jatiya Matsyajibi Party and the Jatiya Hawkers Party at his office this afternoon. "I don't want to see blood stains on the green hills," he said. "We are all Bangladeshis, and we believe in unity and harmony. We cannot allow the tourism industry and economic potential of the hilly areas to be jeopardized." He urged all parties to approach the situation with patience and tolerance and called on Pahari, Bengalis and the administration to remain vigilant. The meeting was presided over by Jatiya Matsyajibi Party President Azharul Islam Sarkar, with Jatiya Hawkers Party General Secretary Rashed Nizam serving as the moderator. From the Jatiya Party, its Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Presidium Member Mir Abdus Sabur Asud, Adv. Mo Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, Presidium Member Alamgir Sikder Lawton, Presidium Member and Additional Secretary General Mo Zahirul Islam Zahir, Monirul Islam Milan, were also present. Many leaders and members from both the Jatiya Matsyajibi Party and the Jatiya Hawkers Party were also in attendance.

Jatiya Party (JP-Manju) Chairman and former lawmaker from Pirojpur-2 constituency Anwar Hossain Manju, who was arrested earlier today, has been released due to his sickness. He was granted bail as per the Code of Criminal Procedure 497 on ground of illness by the Officer-in-Charge of New Market police station, said a senior police official requesting anonymity. According to CrPC 497, (1) When any person accused of any non-bailable offence is arrested or detained without warrant by an officer in charge of a police-station, or appears or is brought before a Court, he may be released on bail, but he shall not be so released if there appear reasonable grounds for believing that he has been guilty of an offence punishable with death or transportation for life:Provided that the Court may direct that any person under the age of sixteen years or any woman or any sick or infirm person accused of such an offence be released on bail.(2) If it appears to such officer or Court at any stage of the investigation, inquiry or trial, as the case may be, that there are not reasonable grounds for believing that the accused has committed a non-bailable offence, but that there are sufficient grounds for further inquiry into his guilt, the accused shall, pending such inquiry, be released on bail, or, at the discretion of such officer or Court, on the execution by him of a bond without sureties for his appearance as hereinafter provided.(3) An officer or a Court releasing any person on bail under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall record in writing his or its reasons for so doing. A team of Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested him around 2:45 pm from Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area. He has been accused in at least five cases including a case filed in New Market police station, Rabiul Islam, Joint commissioner of DMP (DB) confirmed.

Jatiya Party Chairman Ghulam Muhammad Quader on Thursday urged the affluent people to stand beside the tens of thousands of the flood-affected people in the northeastern region of the country. In a statement  he also expressed deep concern over the endless suffering of thousands of people due to the severe floods in the northeastern region of the country. GM Quader said thousands of people have become homeless due to severe floods. All the crops in the fields, fish in ponds and farms were swept away by the flood. Millions of families have lost their businesses and domestic animals, he said. “Millions of endangered people are in endless crisis. We can't sit idle when people are in such trouble,” he said. The JP chief requested the affluent section of the society to stand by the helpless people. He requested them to reach the people with essential dry food, life saving medicines and baby food. In the statement, GM Quader directed the local units of Jatiya Party and its associate bodies to provide necessary relief assistance to the flood victims. At the same time, he also ordered his party activists to extend all-out support to the armed forces and the leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement, who are engaged in relief operations in the flood affected areas. 

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader has extended his party’s full supports to students’ one-point demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government. Jatiya Party Chairman’s Press Secretary Delor Jalali told UNB on Monday afternoon. The Jatiya Party extended its supports amid the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s March to Dhaka programme on Monday.

The people of the country demand a neutral investigation into every murder and justice, Opposition leader and Jatiya Party Chairman Golam Mohammad Quader has said. “The trial of every death during the anti-discrimination student movement should be started following a neutral investigation,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday, Khandaker Delwar Jalali, JP chief's press secretary, said. People are not using the social networking sites due to the disruption of the internet services which hampered the dealing of information seriously. He also demanded that the internet services be resumed in full-fledged. Alongside it, Metro Rail services will be opened after closing the damaged stations while Elevated Expressway to be opened through collecting tolls manually for the people of the country, he said. Besides, the Bangladeshi expatriates abroad failed to contact their relatives. As a result, they threatened not to send their money through the banking channel, which is very terrible for the country, said the statement. Meanwhile, the students who want to go abroad for higher education are not able to communicate with their desired countries. If the internet is not fully operational, the country will suffer an irreparable loss, it said. During the current violence, one or two Metro Rail stations and one or two toll plazas of the Elevated Expressway were damaged but the metro rail locomotive, compartments and line are safe. “I think the Metro Rail services can be resumed after closing the damaged stations immediately, " said GM Quader in a statement. “People should not suffer by shutting down important services on the pretext of being affected by the movement,” he said in a statement. “At the same time, there is an order to shoot on sight while on the other hand, the state is observing the mourning day for the loss of lives of hundreds of people. Country’s people do not want to see it. They just want impartial investigations of every murders and justice followed by it,” he said.

The fifth anniversary of the death of former president and Jatiya Party founder Hussain Muhammad Ershad was observed on Sunday amid various programmes. The leaders and activists of the party and its different associate bodies placed wreaths on the portrait of Ershad in the morning on the premises of the party’s Kakrail office. Jatiya Party to observe Ershad’s 5th death anniversary Sunday A doa mahfil and memorial meeting was held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) with the Jatiya Party Chairman and leader of the opposition in parliament, GM Quader,  in the chair. The Jatiya Party flag was kept at half-mast atop all the offices of the party across the country. Besides, all divisions, districts, cities, upazilas, thanas, and union units of JaPa also marked the day with various programmes, including discussion meetings and milads, doa mahfils, and food distributions in observance of the day. Jatiya Party, independent MPs allege widespread corruption in education system In Rangpur, Jatiya Party leaders and activists offered fateha at the grave of Ershad and paid homage to him by placing wreaths. A doa-mafil-cum-discussion was also held at Ershad's residence "Palli Nibas". General Ershad, who was ousted in 1990 after his nine years of autocratic rule, died on July 14, 2019, at the age of 89 while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka. Amid political turmoil following the assassination of Ziaur Rahman in a military coup, Ershad took over state power from then-President Abdus Sattar on March 24, 1982, as the Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA). Jatiya Party MP speaks against black money whitening provision, independent MP wants tax on it lowered He formed the Jatiya Party in 1986 and was elected president of the country for a term of five years that same year through the third parliamentary election, triggering huge protests by other political parties. Amid a fierce combined movement by the opposition parties, he was finally forced to step down on December 6, 1990.

The fifth anniversary of the death of former president and Jatiya Party founder Hussain Muhammad Ershad will be observed on Sunday. The Jatiya Party and its associate bodies have taken up elaborate programmes to mark the anniversary with due respect. As part of the programmes, the leaders and activists of the party and its different associate bodies will place wreaths on the portrait of Ershad at 9am on the premises of the party headquarters at Kakrail. A doa mahfil and memorial meeting will be arranged at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at 3pm, the party said in a press release. Jatiya Party Chairman and leader of the opposition in parliament, GM Quader, will preside over the meeting. The Jatiya Party flag will be kept at half-mast atop all the offices of the party across the country. Besides, all divisions, districts, cities, upazilas, thanas, and union units of JaPa will hold separate discussion meetings, milads, and doa mahfils in observance of the death anniversary of their former chairman. In Rangpur, Jatiya Party leaders and activists will offer fateha at the grave of Ershad and pay homage to him by placing wreaths on Sunday morning. A doa mahfil-cum-discussion meeting will also be held on the grave premises of Ershad. General Ershad, who was ousted in 1990 after his nine years of autocratic rule, died on July 14, 2019, at the age of 89 while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka. Amid political turmoil following the assassination of Ziaur Rahman in a military coup, Ershad took over state power from then-President Abdus Sattar on March 24, 1982, as the Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA). He formed the Jatiya Party in 1986 and was elected president of the country for a term of five years that same year through the third parliamentary election, triggering huge protests by other political parties. Amid a fierce combined movement by the opposition parties, he was finally forced to step down on December 6, 1990.

Jatiya Party Chairman and leader of the opposition GM Quader on Saturday predicted the corrupt people currently under scrutiny would get away with their crimes, saying that none of them will face any punishment. “We've seen this before with the casino cases—lots of noise, but no real penalties. It's all just a show, a drama. Some individuals have even been allowed to legalize their illicit money under the guise of amnesty, all while being threatened for more money to run the government," he said. The opposition party leader came up with the remarks while addressing the biennial conference of the Gazipur district unit of the party as the chief guest. The conference, held at a convention center in Telipara area, was presided over by freedom fighter Abdus Sattar Mia and conducted by municipal councillor Kamrul Islam Mandal while party’s General Secretary Mujibul Haque Chunnu was the key speaker. MPs blast govt for state of banking sector, corruption in administration Criticizing the current state of the country, GM Quader said everyone except Awami League supporters agrees that the current situation of the country is not good. Ordinary people are struggling; many can't even afford an egg. It is happening due to the government's flawed policies and corruption. Billions of Taka have been laundered from the country due to corruption in the gas and electricity sectors, he alleged. "The government is reducing imports in various ways due to the dollar crisis. Our exports and foreign earnings are declining. The government can't maintain reserves, and it's unable to import essential medicines like insulin. Children are dying because of counterfeit drugs. The economy is leaking, and everything is flowing out through these holes," he said. Transfer, dismissal, and retirement not enough to address corruption allegations: TIB  Regarding the anti-quota movement, the JaPa leader said, "University students are now protesting against the quota system. This quota system is unconstitutional. There is no way to legalize it according to the constitution. So why does the current government need this quota?” This government has divided society and treats the country as personal and family property. This quota system is maintained for loyal administration and law enforcement. They want a merit-based administration, he said. Other speakers included Presidium members Sherifa Quader, Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, Zahirul Islam, Vice Chairman Arifur Rahman Khan, Advisor Khalilur Rahman Khalil, and Vice Chairman Jasim Uddin. Jatiya Party, independent MPs allege widespread corruption in education system Followed by the addressing, a new committee for the Gazipur district was announced, with freedom fighter Abdus Sattar Mia and Kamrul Islam Mandal president and general secretary respectively.

Opposition Leader GM Quader on Wednesday criticised the government for retaining the freedom fighters quota in government jobs. He was referring to a High Court ruling last month that declared the government's 2018 decision to cancel the 30 percent quota reserved for the freedom fighters' children in the civil service of ninth to 13th grades (first and second classes of jobs) was illegal.  “Not all valiant freedom fighters are underprivileged, this is unconstitutional,” he said. GM Quader said this in his closing speech as leader of the opposition in the budget session of the 12th parliament. Opposing freedom fighter’s quota in jobs, the JP chairman said that making the freedom fighters’ quota permanent to a large extent destroys the main purpose of the spirit of independence. He said that earlier there was a 56 percent quota for government jobs, leaving just 44 percent to be recruited on merit. In 2018, all quotas were canceled in the face of student agitation. “As a result of a court ruling, the students have again taken to the street,” he said. Highlighting the various statements of students agitating against the quota system, GM Quader said: “It destroys this main purpose of creating a society based on justice without discrimination." Saying that the demand of the students was to cancel the 30 percent freedom fighter’s quota, the opposition leader said that due respect will be given to the freedom fighters. “But there is a different opinion among the students about the matter that all their (Freedom Fighters) successive generations including grandchildren should enjoy such advantages. Students don't agree with this," he said.  GM Quader said that the constitution talks about equality in terms of opportunities. The constitution says that there will be equality of opportunity in getting employment. No one shall be disqualified for employment in the republic on account of religion, caste and place of birth. "If the constitution is to be obeyed then it must be obeyed. Not all the freedom fighters are underprivileged. So, looking at the issue (freedom fighter quota) in that way is not constitutional.” Quota can be kept and if there are no candidates in different quotas then freedom fighter quota can be given, Quader suggested. He also put emphasis on searching for talents first.  "We need talent first. The country must move forward. If merit is not given priority first, then on what basis will we compete.” Quader also addressed the movement of university teachers over the universal pension scheme during his speech. He said that such a situation has been created due to lack of trust in the government. He said the people lack confidence that the government will be able to deliver on its commitment, i.e. whether the people will ultimately receive a payout or not. “It reflects a large lack of confidence. It is not good for us, or for anyone in the government.”

Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman GM Quader on Thursday said that Bangladesh will face a significant economic crisis after the newly proposed budget for the FY2024-25 and it cannot be called people-friendly. “Due to indirect taxes, the tax burden on people will increase, leaving no escape for the public. The lack of a conducive environment will not attract foreign investment, and thus job opportunities will not be created. Bangladesh will face a significant economic crisis after this budget,” he said following the announcement of the budget. He described the budget as conventional, and said, “The budget mirrors previous years with nothing exceptional. The country is grappling with an economic crisis, marked by rising inflation and daily increases in the price of essentials. Unemployment remains a critical issue. Our foreign exchange earnings are insufficient compared to our expenditures, and reserves are depleting daily, devaluing our currency. No steps or initiatives to address these issues are evident in this budget.” He also pointed out that 62 percent of the revenue comes from direct taxes, with the remainder from indirect taxes, increasing the tax burden on mass people. "There is no prospect of reducing inflation. Income tax is only 36 percent, import duty 10.3 percent, VAT 38.1 percent, and supplementary duty 13.8 percent. Even rickshaw pullers and beggars have to pay these. We do not see any initiatives to protect the poor," he stated. He said that the losses faced by the public are being portrayed as gains. "Not everyone has access to electricity and gas. The government has emphasized gas imports but has not taken initiatives to produce it, leading to a huge financial loss. Our energy security is under severe threat," he added He also criticized the government’s claim of achieving 30,000 megawatts of electricity production capacity, saying, "In reality, only 13 to 15,000 megawatts can be utilized. Load shedding occurs when 15 to 16,000 megawatts are needed. Despite not producing the additional 15,000 megawatts, capacity charges are being imposed.”