Bangladesh
UK 'greatly values' opportunity to discuss full range of bilateral, political issues with Bangladesh
As a close and longstanding partner of Bangladesh, the UK has said it greatly values the opportunity to discuss the full range of bilateral and political issues.
The visiting delegation of the UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group discussed issues of mutual interests, including Bangladesh's development trajectory, prosperity and trade, and prospects for democratic governance, including human rights and international election observation.
Read more: Hasina for changing traditional lens of Bangladesh-UK relations
The delegation of both governing Conservative and opposition Labour MPs participated in exchanges with Bangladesh's political leadership, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
At the National Martyrs' Memorial, the All-Party Parliamentary Group paid respects to the sacrifices of Bangladeshi people during the 1971 Liberation War.
Read more: Bangladesh, UK keen to strengthen collaboration between 2 parliaments
UN peacekeeping: Air chief briefs contingent members to be deployed in Mali
Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) is about to replace its contingent at the United Nations Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, chief of air staff of BAF, gave directives to the new contingent members at Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday.
The chief of air staff advised them to discharge their duties with discipline, honesty, professionalism and sincerity to bring a good reputation for BAF as well as for the country, said the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate.
The chief of air staff also advised them to brighten the country's image by performing their duty cordially through respect, compassion and care for all irrespective of religion.
Read more: Bangladesh Air Force stands ready for post-Sitrang response
He also urged everyone to set an unprecedented example abroad by following various regulations of the UN.
One hundred and ten of one contingent (Airfield Services and Management Unit) will go to Mali where BAF deployed necessary airfield and ground support equipment.
Read more: BAF helicopters sent to UN peacekeeping mission in CAR
Gaibandha-5 by-election held in a disciplined environment: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said discipline was maintained at the voting centers during the Gaibandha-5 by-election.
He made the remarks while talking to journalists after monitoring the by-election to Gaibandha- 5 through CCTV cameras at Election Commission Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon.
Blaming the cold weather for the low voter turnout, he said the EC has nothing to be satisfied or dissatisfied over the low voter turnout as it is their (voters) right to cast vote.
Asked whether the CCTV cameras will be used during the 12th parliamentary elections, he said CCTV cameras have important role in holding fair election but no decision has been taken yet in this regard.
He appreciated the role of district administration and police saying that they performed their duties with professionalism.
The election was monitored directly from Dhaka through a total of 1,242 CCTV cameras.
Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-election on Wednesday
The voting was monitored by CCTV cameras from 8 am at the EC control room on the fifth floor of the Election Commission building.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, Election Commissioners Ahsan Habib Khan, Md. Alamgir, Rashida Sultana and Anisur Rahman monitored the polls.
On October 12 last year, the Election Commission (EC) suspended the by-election due to “rampant irregularities” on the election day and later the commission fixed January 4 for holding the polls.
Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22, 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold election for the parliamentary seat by October 20, 2022. Accordingly it was scheduled for October 12.
A three-member committee was formed to look into the election irregularities on October 12 last year.
Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-polls: Festive mood as voting underway
Following the recommendations of the committee, the Election Commission took punitive actions against 133 officials including an additional deputy commissioner, five sub-inspectors and returning officer of the election.
Bangladesh wants fuel from India at an affordable price: Nasrul Hamid tells Indian minister
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has expressed Bangladesh's interest to import more petroleum at an affordable price from India.
He conveyed this while making a courtesy call on India's Minister of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Housing, Urban Affairs Hardeep Puri in Delhi.
During the meeting they discussed various issues related to mutual interest.
The Power Division issued a press release in this regard.
Nasrul Hamid discussed diesel import, India-Bangladesh friendship pipeline, Engineers India Limited (EIL), increasing energy cooperation, exchange of experience, training and human resource development, LNG import, offshore gas exploration etc with the Indian minister.
Read more: Fuel import from India through pipeline to start from 2023: PM
He also discussed the overall situation of the energy sector in Bangladesh.
The Indian minister invited Nasrul Hamid to the India Energy Week scheduled for next February.
He said that India will work closely with Bangladesh in the area of energy cooperation.
“If Bangladesh wants to open the energy market, India will extend necessary cooperation,” he said, adding that modernization of petroleum institutes and development of human resources can be done together.
Among others, Power Secretary Md. Habibur Rahman, BPDB Chairman Md. Mahbubur Rahman and High Commissioner of Bangladesh Md. Mostafizur Rahman were present during the meeting.
Read more: “Assurance of getting oil, gas from India big accomplishment of recent visit”
The recommendations some foreigners at times give seem to be “idiotic”: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said that the recommendations some foreigners at times give seem to be “idiotic and illusory”.
“Foreigners' knowledge on Bangladesh is very limited,” he said, adding that people of the country are well aware of this.
Read more: People will have better standard of living if current development trend continues: Momen
The foreign minister was talking to reporters after a meeting at the community clinic of Civil Surgeon‘s office in Sylhet.
Thirty lakh people sacrificed their lives to establish human rights and justice when this country was formed, Momen said.
The minister said about 70-80 percent people cast their votes in elections in this country, adding that not even 25-30 percent people in many countries vote.
“Candidates cannot be found in the election. But in this country, a large number of candidates compete for each post.”
Read more: Govt to honour expats through National Expatriate Day: Momen
Under the circumstance, Momen urged the media not to focus on foreigners’ statements.
“If the media does not go to them (foreigners), they will sit idle,” he said, adding that no country has such media freedom as in Bangladesh.
“Many opposition parties are spreading misinformation abroad as they do not want the country to develop,” Momen added.
Police Week 2023: President calls to build stronger social movement against drugs
President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday urged the police as well as the people of all classes and professions of the country to build a social movement against drugs.
He made the call as chief guest at a function organised at Bangabhaban on the occasion of 'Police Week 2023'.
Read more: New cabinet secretary meets president
Calling the spread of drugs a big problem for the country, Hamid said it is a duty to protect the future generation from addiction.
“So, the police must follow a zero tolerance policy against drugs,” Hamid said.
"Lately it is seen that children and teenagers are committing various types of crimes. Many times, they are organised in various areas as juvenile gangs and commit heinous crimes," he said.
Asking Bangladesh Police to be more active in suppressing juvenile crimes, the President requested parents, guardians and families to play a responsible role in this regard.
Stating that there is no alternative to increasing the police's skills and capabilities to face the growing challenge of cyber crime, the President said police must be ahead to face the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution. Bangladesh Police should be proactive in suppressing crimes through the incorporation and use of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data.
"With the rapid development of information technology in this era of globalisation, the type and nature of crimes is also changing. Nowadays, cyber crime, financial crime and cyber bullying are spreading widely along with traditional crimes. Cyber space is becoming unsafe especially for women," he said.
Hamid said that it has become easier to provide quick service to people through the National Emergency Service 999.
He also said that setting up desks for women and children, freedom fighters, disabled people in police stations is also a big step forward.
Read more: New Japanese Ambassador presents credentials to President
Online services like Online Police Clearance, Online GD, E-Traffic Prosecution and technical services are made available to the public through apps like BD Police Help Line, Hello City, Report to RAB and Hello SB are also a major development.
The President asked to take the initiative to launch more technology-based public-facing services to increase public trust and confidence in the police.
Hamid said that the government has implemented various programmes for the development and modernisation of Bangladesh Police. Increase in manpower, development of physical infrastructure, formation of new specialised units and modern training at home and abroad have been arranged to increase the capacity of the police, which will make the overall activities of the police more dynamic, he said.
Through these series of activities, the Bangladesh Police Force should be developed to be suitable for the developed Bangladesh of 2041, he added.
Besides, he said the police should acquire the ability to face contemporary challenges through research and innovation in various fields.
PM asks expats to shun hundi in sending remittance home
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (January 04, 2023) asked the expatriate Bangladeshis not to send money home through the hundi, a cross-border money transfer method that bypasses the legal banking system.
“I would like to request those who use hundi to stop it and instead send the money directly through banking channels,” she said at a meeting with the leaders of the Awami League’s different overseas chapters including the USA and the UK ones at her office.
The premier said the government is now setting up 100 economic zones in the country and the expatriates can make investment under joint-venture there.
Read more: PM Hasina asks police to firmly deal with destructive acts
“Those who want to do business can make investments there. If anyone (expat) can bring foreign partners (from various countries of the world) to invest here, it would be better,” she said.
Expressing satisfaction over new investments coming to Bangladesh, she said the inflow of foreign funds in the country is good as the foreign investors consider Bangladesh as a good destination.
Talking about the global crisis induced by the Russia-Ukraine war, Hasina said her government won’t let the people suffer from the food shortage.
Read more: Foreign observers are welcome during next general election: PM Hasina tells British MPs
“So, we’re purchasing food from anywhere in the world, and spending money whatever is required. We’re facing some problems because of the Ukraine war….. We will not let the people suffer,” she said, adding that the inflation rate is showing a decreasing trend in the country.
She, however, expressed satisfaction over production of the Aman paddy and said that it has been a bumper yield this year. Now everyone is now busy planting Boro paddy and the stock of fertilizer is satisfactory, she added.
PM Hasina said her government has already reached electricity to every house and allowed people to install small solar panels particularly for irrigation.
Read More: Bangladesh gets $10.49 billion inward remittances in July-December: Central Bank.
DMP bans gathering, carrying of arms around JS
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed ban on carrying all kinds of weapons, explosives, other harmful substances and holding rallies around the Jatiya Sangsad and adjacent areas from Wednesday midnight ahead of the 21th session of the 11th Parliament
The 21th session of the 11th Parliament will begin Thursday.
DMP imposed the restrictions to ensure undisrupted movement during the parliament session, according to a notification signed by DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq.
Read more: Jamaat men to be brought to justice for attacking police: DMP Commissioner
The roads and areas under restrictions are: From Mohakhali crossing on Mymensingh Road to Banglamotor crossing via Old Airport, from Western corner of Banglamotor Link Road to Hotel Sonargaon Road to SAARC Fountain, from the eastern end of Panthapath to Farmgate via Green Road link road, from Shyamoli crossing to junction of Dhanmondi-18 (old-27) road, from Rokeya Sarani link road to old 9th division crossing to Bijoy Sarani Parjatan crossing, from the east end of Indira road to west end of Manik Mia Avenue, the restricted area of the Jatiya Sangsad and all the roads and lanes in the area.
The restrictions will be in force until the parliament session ends.
Read more: Metro Rail: DMP to provide security till specialised unit is formed
Dense fog: 1 int'l flight diverted, 7 delayed at Dhaka Airport
Flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were disrupted as thick fog covered the city on Wednesday.
An international flight has been diverted to Hyderabad in India and operations of seven others were delayed due to heavy fog, Group Captain Kamrul Islam, executive director of the airport, told UNB.
However, no flight was suspended, he added.
Also Read: Fire engulfing 2 oil tanker trucks at Dhaka Airport’s 3rd terminal doused
Flights of seven airlines-- Jazeera Airlines, US Bangla Airlines, Air Arabia Airlines, Fly Dubai Airlines, Qatar Airways, Oman Air and Indigo Airlines—were delayed due to dense fog.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, two international flights carrying passengers from Qatar and Saudi Arabia headed for Dhaka airport made emergency landings at Sylhet Osmani International Airport due to dense fog.
Dhaka, New Delhi to overcome disruptive forces to further deepen ties: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said killings in a number of points along the long Bangladesh-India border came down to zero level in recent years though problems remain in some points like Lalmonirhat.
"We hope it will come down to zero level (in all points)," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion, acknowledging that border killing remains an irritant to Bangladesh-India relations.
The state minister said there is no lack of willingness on both sides and Bangladesh raised the recent border issues with India through diplomatic channels yesterday (Tuesday).
“There is no doubt that this is an irritant to our bilateral ties,” said the State Minister, adding that these incidents embarrassed them and undermine the growing relationship between the countries.
The government has conveyed the recent killing of three Bangladeshis by the BSF in separate incidents to the Indian government through diplomatic channels.
Read more: Border killings not expected: Shahriar Alam
“We did never step back in raising issues in the interest of Bangladesh and its people,” said the State Minister.
The State Minister said they see a deviation when it comes to Lalmonirhat and they are trying to understand it. “We will always remain vocal on the issue (border killing).”
Even during the recent home minister-level meeting between the two countries in Delhi, both the ministers agreed to take all our efforts to bring down the border killing to zero level, and to stop the use of lethal weapons, he mentioned.
“This is also our question: if really there was a situation, which required shooting then why were legs or hands not targeted?” the State Minister questioned.
He said there are many achievements brought about by the two countries.
Shahriar said there are disruptive forces driven by vested quarters but the two countries will work together to further deepen the relations.
Read more: Cattle trader shot dead ‘by BSF’ along Lalmonirhat border
He also talked about the role of the media in fighting the misinformation.
Earlier, leaders of Bangladesh emphasized the importance of effective border management for ensuring a peaceful, stable and crime-free border.
Both sides agreed that any death at the border is a matter of concern and directed the concerned border guarding forces to enhance people-oriented measures for ensuring border security and bring down such deaths of civilians to zero.
Surjobarta Media and Communication hosted the seminar titled “Indo-Bangla Unique Friendship in Hasina-Modi Regimes: Role of Media” where bilateral issues including water sharing, border killing, trade and investment and role of media in strengthening the ties were discussed.
President of South Asian Forum Against Religious Fundamentalism Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, acting Editor of Daily Samakal Mozammel Hossain Monju, Joint Editor of Daily Prothom Alo Sohrab Hassan, BSS Chief News Editor Samir Kanti Baarua, journalist Dr Ayanjit Sen, Chief Reporter of Daily Desh Rupantar Ummul Wara and Surjobarta Editor Sumi Khan also spoke at the seminar chaired by Prof Omer Selim Sher.