United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday said the attack on Osman Hadi was preplanned and part of a deep conspiracy as a big force is working behind it. "This attack is very symbolic. They want to show their power and want to disrupt all the election arrangements. These must be dealt with unitedly," the Chief Adviser told political leaders at a meeting held at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday. Leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) met the Chief Adviser a day after a gun attack on Inquilab Moncho spokesperson and potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency Sharif Osman Hadi. Terming the attack on Hadi as part of a conspiracy to thwart the July Uprising, political party leaders said that political parties are united to thwart all attempts to spoil the July movement. The information received so far shows that the conspirators have expanded their network, said the Chief Adviser, pointing out that they have taken to the field with trained shooters. BNP Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Hafizuddin Ahmed, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, NCP convener Nahid Islam and southern region chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah, Inqulab Moncho member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber and Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul attended the meeting. At the meeting, political parties decided to hold an all-party protest rally protesting the heinous attack on Osman Hadi and the rally will be held within the next couple of days. Leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP stressed the need for increasing communication among political parties to prevent cracks in the anti-fascist political unity. The political leaders also stressed the need for strictly carrying out operations to recover illegal arms ahead of the election. BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said that in this situation everyone must remain united and under no circumstances should they resort to blaming one another. He said, “We must raise our voices together against conspiracies. We will not tolerate any kind of evil force.” Jamaat leader Golam Parwar said, “Recently, our various statements have increased the tendency to blame one another which has given our opponents an opportunity. We must remain united as we were before.” NCP convenor Nahid Islam said that since the July uprising some people have been carrying out various activities to undermine the uprising. “There is an organised campaign against July. This is happening at various levels of the media and the administration. Those who come to power after the election will also suffer from this. No one will be able to run the government alone.” ‘Hadi our backbone; he must survive’: His sister tells Prof Yunus

Bangladesh loses around USD 5 billion every year as patients seek medical treatment abroad, mainly due to a lack of trust in the domestic healthcare system, inaccurate diagnoses and weak service management. The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) revealed the information at a seminar in the capital on Saturday (December 13, 2025). The issue was highlighted in the keynote paper presented at the seminar titled 'Building Trust in Bangladesh’s Healthcare Sector: Ensuring a Strategic Framework for Quality Control', held at the DCCI building in Motijheel. United Hospital Managing Director Malik Talha Ismail Bari, who presented the keynote, said Bangladeshis spend nearly USD 5 billion annually on overseas treatment, with India being the top destination. Read more: Don’t settle for a weak health savings account He said around 52 percent of Indian medical visas are issued to Bangladeshi patients. In 2024 alone, about 482,000 Bangladeshi patients received medical treatment in India. Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia follow India as preferred destinations. The keynote paper pointed out that a lack of trust among patients and their families, doubts over proper diagnosis, sudden increases in hospital bills, fear of hidden charges, concerns over counterfeit medicines and substandard equipment push many to believe that seeking treatment abroad is a safer choice. Several major challenges stand in the way of improved healthcare services in Bangladesh, the paper said. Government health expenditure remains below 1 percent of GDP, while patients bear about 73 percent of total healthcare costs out of pocket. Only 2.5 percent of the population is covered by health insurance, and nearly 80 percent of hospitals lack advanced diagnostic equipment. Read more: ACC uncovers major irregularities at Sreepur Upazila Health Complex Although the private sector provides around 60 percent of healthcare services, high costs and inconsistent quality remain major concerns, it added. The paper also cited poor service quality, skill gaps among healthcare workers, a shortage of specialist doctors and limited availability of advanced treatment as key reasons forcing patients to seek care abroad. Other issues include the absence of pre-fixed treatment costs, inadequate post-treatment care for complex diseases, lack of a unified health information system, weaknesses in monitoring and procurement processes, and overall low confidence in the healthcare system among patients and their families. Read more: MMCH doctor suspended over misconduct with health DG Bangladesh’s public healthcare spending is the lowest in South Asia, with per capita expenditure standing at only Tk 1,070. Nearly 49 percent of the population still lacks access to quality healthcare, while government healthcare initiatives remain insufficient to meet public needs, the paper noted. The keynote also projected that Bangladesh’s healthcare market would reach USD 14 billion in 2025 and expand to around USD 23 billion by 2030–2033, nearly doubling in size. At the same time, the medical devices market is growing rapidly and is expected to exceed USD 820 million in 2025, up from USD 442 million in 2020, driven largely by rising import demand. DCCI said the strong growth of the healthcare sector could create new opportunities for both the economy and health services, recommending increased public and private investment in the sector. The seminar was chaired by DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed, while Bangladesh Diabetic Association President National Professor AK Azad Khan attended as the chief guest. Read more: Nuvista Pharma joins hands with BGMEA-Olwel to provide digital healthcare for RMG workers

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to immediately launch “Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2” across the country to prevent subversive activities using illegal arms and to suppress ‘fascist terrorists’ ahead of the February national election. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury disclosed the decision while briefing journalists after a core committee meeting on law and order at the secretariat on Saturday (December 13, 2025). He said the law enforcement agencies are already conducting nationwide drives to recover looted and illegal firearms. Read more: 2 arrested with large cache of spying devices at Dhaka airport The adviser said the meeting in addition to routine law and order issues specifically reviewed overall security preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election, security arrangements for frontline fighters of the July movement including Osman Hadi, and progress in the recovery of looted illegal weapons. Jahangir Alam said law enforcement agencies have been directed to arrest those involved in the the attack without delay. “We hope to bring the perpetrators to justice within a very short time. No one involved in this attack will be spared,” he said expressing confidence that the people would fully cooperate with the investigation. The adviser said the attack on Osman Hadi is being viewed as an attempt to obstruct the upcoming election. He added that the interim government would take a firm stance against any attempt to disrupt or sabotage the election process. The adviser also said the interim government remains firmly committed to ensuring the security of frontline fighters of the July uprising. Read more: DMP intensifies drive to arrest attackers of Hadi

Bangladesh has condemned the recent bombing of a hospital in Rakhine and expressed concern with the recent increase of violation of international humanitarian law and violence in the Rakhine State. Dhaka conveyed its condolences to the families of the deceased and sympathy for those affected, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. Bangladesh underscored the importance of protecting civilians and civilian facilities without distinctions, and emphasised that all communities, including Rohingya and Rakhine, should be spared from violence.   Read More: Devise roadmap for Rohingya repatriation, act together to stabilise Rakhine: Prof Yunus  

The Executive Board of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has approved $51.4 million in financing as IFAD’s contribution to the US$211.7 million project in Bangladesh. This new investment will enhance climate resilience, strengthen food security, and promote rural entrepreneurship for approximately 1.1 million people living in some of the country’s most climate-vulnerable regions. The approval came during its 146th session held on December 9-10, IFAD said on Saturday. The Growth for Climate Resilient and Environmental Entrepreneurship and Nutrition (GREEN) project will be implemented over six years, from 2026 to 2031, in the Haor wetlands, Coastal Belt, High Barind, and River Char regions. By supporting smallholder farmers, rural microenterprises, and young entrepreneurs, the project will foster adaptive capacities to climate change, stimulate diversified and resilient livelihoods, and accelerate the development of sustainable rural enterprises. The project will be executed by the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance and implemented by Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). Strategic oversight will be ensured through a national steering committee comprising the Finance Division, the Economic Relations Division, and PKSF thereby reinforcing strong governance and alignment with national priorities. “The GREEN project builds on the long-standing partnership between IFAD and the government of Bangladesh, and our close collaboration with PKSF, to enhance rural livelihoods and expand income opportunities for small producers through inclusive, climate-aware financing and environmentally responsible growth,” said Valantine Achancho, IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh. “This initiative represents a new generation of investment that connects climate adaptation, agroecological practices and market-responsive rural enterprises to create pathways for rural communities to prosper while safeguarding their ecosystems.” The project will scale climate-smart practices across crops, livestock, and fisheries, introducing renewable energy solutions, efficient water-use technologies, organic farming methods, and small-scale processing to raise productivity, conserve natural resources and support healthier and more diverse diets. Through PKSF’s nationwide network, GREEN will expand access to affordable, climate-informed financial services for women, youth, and microenterprises, helping small producers adopt sustainable technologies, strengthen value chains and create rural jobs.. GREEN will also strengthen institutional capacity and deepen policy engagement. Working closely with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the project will support the integration of climate adaptation, nutrition, and gender equality into rural finance and development planning. Prof Yunus urges IFAD to create Social Business Fund for young agri-entrepreneurs in Bangladesh By linking climate action with entrepreneurship and inclusive finance, GREEN will contribute directly to the Government’s 8th Five-Year Plan, National Adaptation Plan, Nationally Determined Contributions, and Delta Plan 2100 while advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, and Climate Action. This new investment is part of IFAD’s broader commitment to supporting countries across the Asia and Pacific region build climate-resilient food systems and inclusive rural economies, ensuring that vulnerable communities are better equipped to face future shocks and seize emerging opportunities.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam on Saturday announced a reward of Tk50 lakh for anyone providing information that leads to the arrest of those involved in the shooting of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Hadi. The adviser made the announcement while talking to reporters after a Core Committee meeting at the Secretariat in the afternoon. He said the reward would be given to anyone who helps identify and arrest the attackers.  “Please pray for Hadi. He is in a critical state. With your prayers, he will recover. May Allah grant him recovery and bring him back among us,” said the adviser. ‘Hadi our backbone; he must survive’: His sister tells Prof Yunus When asked about the re-arrest of top criminals who were granted bail after August 5, the adviser said that efforts are underway to arrest them again. Regarding Hadi’s security, Jahangir Alam said there is no current threat and assured that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure his safety.    

The US Embassy in Dhaka in partnership with the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Law launched the 'Money Laundering Bench Book' on Saturday. Developed with support from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), this resource offers practical guidance for judges, prosecutors, and investigators handling money laundering cases, said U.S. Mission Spokesperson Poornima Rai. The Bench Book, she said, strengthens judicial capacity and promotes effective use of anti-money laundering frameworks, helping protect financial sector integrity and supporting stable investment and economic growth.    

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday assured the family of Sharif Osman Hadi that law enforcement agencies are actively working to arrest those responsible for the attack on him, stressing that all members of the gang involved in the brutal incident will be identified and brought to justice. “Instructions have already been given for a thorough investigation, analysing the incident from the very beginning,” Prof Yunus said during a meeting with Hadi’s family. Hadi is a spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha and a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. Hadi’s brother Abu Bakr Siddique, his sister Masuma, and three leaders of Inquilab Mancha - Abdullah Al Jaber, Fatima Tasnim Juma, and Md Borhan Uddin - met the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna. Prof Yunus said the government is taking all necessary steps to ensure the best possible treatment for Hadi. “The whole country is praying for him. Everyone is trying to ensure that he receives the best medical care. If his physical condition requires treatment abroad, the government will make arrangements to send him wherever necessary,” he said. Hadi’s sister Masuma said he has loved the country wholeheartedly since childhood and has long been involved in revolutionary activities. “Revolutionary poetry is his favorite, and he loves to recite it. He has a 10-month-old child. Hadi is our backbone,” she said. Masuma that Hadi has much work ahead of him and must survive. “You, the revolutionary government, must protect the July revolutionaries at any cost. Otherwise, the independence and sovereignty of this country will be threatened,” she said. Demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators, Inquilab Mancha leader Abdullah Al Jaber said that after August 5, many people returned home, but Hadi continued working tirelessly for the July revolution. Gun Attack on Hadi: DMP releases suspect’s photo, seeks public help “He embraced the July movement and worked day and night for it. I have heard that the person who fired the shot was earlier arrested in another case. The process through which he was granted bail must be investigated,” Jaber said. Fatima Tasnim Juma demanded that the government take steps to ensure the overall security of the July fighters. Legal Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul; Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan; Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman were also present at the meeting.  

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Saturday (December 13, 2025) released a photograph of a suspect involved in the gun attack on Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and urged people to share any information about the suspect. A suspect has been identified preliminarily through analysis of CCTV footage collected from the scene, said a DMP media release signed by Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Police Commissioner. Fakhrul urges govt to ensure law and order after Hadi shooting Osman Hadi was seriously injured when a group of assailants opened fire on him in the Box Culvert area of Bijoynagar in the capital. A major operation is underway in Dhaka to arrest those involved in the attack, it said. Anyone having information about the suspect or his whereabouts has been requested to contact the police immediately by dialing the national emergency number 999 or calling the following numbers: DC Motijheel at 01320040080 and OC Paltan at 01320040132. Prof Yunus terms attack on Hadi a planned strike on Bangladesh’s democratic path The identities of informants will be kept secret, and suitable rewards will be given for credible information, the release added.

BNP Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Hafizuddin Ahmed on Saturday sat in a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The meeting began at around 11:40am at the Chief Adviser’s official residence Jamuna, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. The meeting is taking place two days after the announcement of the schedule for the national election and the referendum on the July Charter. Prof Yunus terms attack on Hadi a planned strike on Bangladesh’s democratic path Although the party did not formally announce the specific agenda of the meeting, BNP insiders said the two leaders are likely to discuss the return of Tarique Rahman to the country, his security, the shooting of Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, and the overall security of election candidates. On Thursday, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and the July Charter referendum, which will be held on February 12, 2026. At a press conference on Friday night, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the party’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, will return to Bangladesh on December 25, ending nearly 17 years of exile.