United News of Bangladesh

The Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) has launched an e-fire licence system to simplify the process of delivering public services. Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal inaugurated the system at 3:00 pm on Thursday at the conference room of the FSCD EOC building in Mirpur-10. With this, the long-standing manual process for issuing fire licences has been discontinued. Applicants will now be able to complete the entire process online — from application to obtaining the licence — from home. From May 1, the issuance of new fire licences, renewals and re-evaluation of licences will be conducted online. The manual submission of all types of licence-related applications will be discontinued. Cooperation from all concerned was sought at the event. The opening speech was delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Team Lead Director (Operations and Maintenance) of the e-Fire Licence Implementation Team. The ceremony was attended by directors, deputy directors, officers, and employees of various ranks of the department, as well as representatives including the head of Perky Rabbit Corporation Limited, the company implementing the e-fire licence project. Besides, divisional deputy directors, assistant directors, deputy assistant directors and warehouse inspectors from across the country joined the event online.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged opposition MPs to work together with the government to make parliament effective and successful, warning that any failure of the House would ultimately harm Bangladesh and its people. “I would like to urge everyone: let us debate, argue, engage in dialogue and discussion, and sit together and talk—but under no circumstances should we allow this parliament to fail,” he told parliament taking part in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech. It was also his winding-up speech for the first session of the 13th parliament. The Prime Minister said the country has begun its parliamentary journey with a debt burden of Tk 30 lakh crore, stressing that without a stable government and a stable parliament, Bangladesh cannot move forward. “We cannot take this country forward unless we maintain a stable government and ensure a stable parliament. Parliament must not be allowed to become ineffective,” he said. The Prime Minister reminded the House that hartal was enforced for 173 days in the past to make the then BNP government fail, which caused significant damage to the country, noting that the impact of that prolonged shutdown is still being felt, with the country continuing to bear its brunt for years and even decades. “After independence in 1971, if we compare our country by development standards, we see that many countries which gained independence in 1972-73 have moved ahead of us. Why have we not been able to do so? Because, in many ways, democracy in this country has been obstructed,” he said. Tarique Rahman said whenever democracy has been obstructed, the economy, education, healthcare and all other sectors have been affected. He agreed with the opposition leader’s view that the success of parliament reflects the success of the whole country. “This parliament means the entire Bangladesh. Its success means a prosperous future for the nation.” The Prime Minister noted that in a parliamentary democracy, one party remains in government while another stays in opposition, and both sides share responsibility for making the system work. “I have said time and again that the government formed through this parliament must endure and succeed, as its success means moving towards prosperity. I believe this is a unique parliament, unlike any Bangladesh has had in the past,” he said. Tarique Rahman said his government wants to work together with the opposition in the interest of the country and its people. “Let us, on both sides, not seek to make each other fail. You and I together make a complete parliament. So, if you fail, I fail; if I fail, you fail. We must remember this. And if any one of us fails, Bangladesh will fail. None of us wants to see a failed Bangladesh,” he said. The Prime Minister said just as post-1971 Bangladesh was built on the blood of martyrs, the present-day Bangladesh and its parliament also stand on the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs. On the final day of the session, he reaffirmed the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the opposition at any time in the interest of the country. “We are always ready to sit with the opposition and discuss any issue concerning Bangladesh and its people. Through dialogue, we can move the country forward together and fulfil the expectations of our people. We will do our utmost to fulfil the expectations of the people of this country,” Tarique Rahman said. He defended the government’s move to provide family cards, farmers’ cards and other such support, describing the initiative as an investment and saying it would strengthen the rural economy. As the opposition leader raised some problems in his constituency, the Leader of the House said he had already instructed the authorities concerned to take steps to address those. Referring to the responsibilities of the Leader of the House, he described the role of presiding over parliament as a difficult one, saying it may appear comfortable but is, in fact, highly challenging. “I could stand up from this chair and deliver many popular speeches that would receive louder applause. But this chair tells me that I cannot always speak to please everyone as I must say what is necessary. As a politician, I also feel like speaking popular words just to get loud applause. But this chair constantly reminds me: you have to take the right decision, not the popular decision,” the Prime Minister said. He said the final day of the session marked an important moment and urged members to focus on future discussions aimed at resolving key national issues. Tarique Rahman mentioned the electricity shortage, employment generation both at home and abroad, and improving access to education and healthcare as priority areas for discussion in upcoming sessions. He also highlighted government initiatives such as family cards, farmers' cards, school uniform and bag distribution for primary students, canal excavation programmes, and health services, saying these were part of fulfilling election commitments and explaining how funding had been arranged for them.   The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s proposal to allocate the Deputy Speaker post to the opposition. He said the entire country is looking towards parliament for a better and prosperous future, stressing the importance of working together despite differences. Tarique Rahman said misunderstandings may occur but cooperation must continue in the national interest. At the end of the session, he thanked the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, MPs from both sides, parliamentary staff, media, armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their role in successfully conducting the session. The Prime Minister also praised the role of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in maintaining order following the August 5 student-public uprising. Concluding his speech, he urged lawmakers to protect the dignity of parliament, saying members must respect the responsibility and trust placed on them by the people. Following his speech, MPs from both sides of the House thumped their desks in appreciation. The Leader of the House began his speech at 8:20pm and concluded at 9:10pm. After the discussion, the thanksgiving motion on the President's speech was passed by voice vote in the House. Later, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad read out the prorogation order of the President. The parliament went into its maiden session on March 12, when the President delivered his speech at the beginning of the session.

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.

A floating fishing community in Bangladesh’s southern coastal region is set to be digitally and socially integrated into mainstream services through a new multi-sector initiative aimed at improving access to financial services, education and healthcare. The programme, titled “Manta Connect,” was officially launched on Wednesday at a city hotel in Barishal. It is being implemented by youth-led organisation YouthNet Global in partnership with The Asia Foundation, with support from JAAGO Foundation Trust and DocTime under The Asia Foundation’s Impact and Innovation Fund. The initiative targets the Manta community, a traditionally mobile and boat-dwelling fishing population living on rivers in Bangladesh’s southern belt. Displaced over generations by river erosion, many Manta families continue to depend on fishing for their livelihoods while remaining outside formal systems of land ownership, civil registration, banking and public services. Due to their mobile lifestyle and limited access to administrative systems, a significant number of Manta households lack birth registration and formal identity documents, creating barriers to school enrolment, healthcare access and financial inclusion. Children from the community frequently face difficulties in accessing education, while families often rely on informal mechanisms for health and income support. Speaking at the launch, Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akhter Jahan Shireen said inclusive development must ensure that no community is left behind. “Development becomes meaningful only when it reaches the most excluded populations. A society cannot progress by leaving anyone behind,” she said, calling for coordinated efforts among local government, civil society and development organisations. The event was chaired by Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global. Special guests included Dr S M Monzur-e-Elahi, Civil Surgeon of Barishal; Mocha: Farida Sultana, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Barishal Sadar; Md Anisuzzaman, Senior Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries; Md Shahabuddin Sardar, Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Development; A K M Akhtaruzzaman Talukder, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services; and Md Mostafa Kamal, District Primary Education Officer of Barishal. From the development partner side, A M Sajjad Khan, Senior Project Manager of The Asia Foundation, attended as a special guest. The programme was welcomed by Arifur Rahman (Shuvo), General Secretary of YouthNet Global, and Jasim Sardar, President of the Manta Development Committee, who delivered introductory remarks. A panel discussion titled “Inclusive Development of the Manta Community: Livelihoods, Education, Health, Climate Challenges and Solutions” featured speakers including Sajjad Parvez, Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services; Nadhira Jahan, Chairperson of Tungibaria Union Parishad; Shah Alam, Chairperson of Charbariya Union Parishad; and Manta women leader Rabea Begum, among others. Panelists highlighted the need for coordinated action to improve access to education for children, expand women’s income-generating opportunities and ensure accessible healthcare services for river-based communities. Project organisers said Manta Connect will combine digital financial inclusion tools, education support services and community-based healthcare access. The programme will also include awareness-building activities and skills development training aimed at strengthening community resilience and improving access to public services. YouthNet Global Executive Coordinator Sohanur Rahman said the intervention seeks to bridge long-standing service gaps affecting the community. “This programme is designed to connect the Manta community with essential services they have been systematically excluded from, while strengthening their capacity to participate in formal systems,” he said. Organisers added that the initiative will be implemented in phases, with the long-term objective of improving living standards and enabling sustainable social and economic inclusion for one of Bangladesh’s most climate-vulnerable and underserved populations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said working people are the main driving force behind a nation’s development, prosperity and progress, stressing that ensuring their rights and welfare remains a top priority of the government. Improving their standard of living, ensuring fair rights, creating a safe working environment and establishing social dignity remain key commitments of the current democratic government, said the prime minister in a message marking International Workers' Day (May Day). Tarique Rahman expressed hope that labour-friendly policies, expanded employment and welfare initiatives would bring positive changes to workers’ lives.  Referring to former president Ziaur Rahman, the Prime Minister said he believed that the strength of workers drives national prosperity and development. Former president Ziaur Rahman had taken various groundbreaking steps for workers’ welfare, adding, “The policies and reforms he introduced have strengthened the foundation of workers’ welfare.” He also said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman created overseas labour markets, especially in the Middle East, and that expatriate workers are now a key pillar of Bangladesh’s economy. He added that whenever the BNP government has been in power, it has taken special initiatives for workers’ welfare. These include labour law reforms and modernisation, formation of a wage commission, setting and implementing minimum wages for garment workers, ensuring payment of bonuses, establishing a workers’ welfare foundation, and taking special measures for the treatment and education of garment workers’ children, he said. Continuing the legacy of Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, he said ensuring workers’ rights and their political, economic and social security through a safe working environment remains a priority of the current government. Bangladesh has ratified 39 conventions and one protocol of the International Labour Organization (ILO)and the government remains committed to maintaining close relations with the ILO and to improving workers’ living standards. “I believe that a prosperous, self-reliant, democratic and humane Bangladesh can be built only by ensuring the safety, dignity and welfare of workers. Through joint efforts and cooperation, we will achieve the Bangladesh we aspire to, InshaAllah,” he said. The Prime Minister extended his heartfelt greetings to all the people working at home and abroad, who are engaged in work for their livelihood and, above all, for the development of the country. He also wished overall success for all programmes undertaken on the occasion of May Day.

A fire broke out at the Jiban Bima Tower in the city’s commercial hub, Motijheel, on Thursday, marking the second such incident in just 17 days. The recurring fires in the 21-story building have sparked intense panic among thousands of officials and employees of various banks and financial institutions housed there, who now fear for their safety. Witnesses said smoke was seen billowing from a section of the building around 11:00 am. Panic-stricken employees from Agrani Bank, City Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB), and several other offices scrambled to evacuate the premises, with many rushing down the stairs to save their lives. Upon receiving the news, multiple units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the scene. However, the fire was brought under control quickly, preventing significant property damage. Ruhul Amin Molla, a Fire Service official present at the scene, said, "Initially, it is suspected that the fire originated from an electric short circuit. The situation was brought under control shortly before we arrived. No major casualties were reported." Previously, a similar fire occurred in the same building on the afternoon of April 13, causing a similar evacuation of the premises. Following the latest incident, Fire Service officials warned the Jiban Bima authorities regarding the severe lack of adequate fire-fighting equipment in the building. They issued a stern reminder that the building management must remain more vigilant. A ‘Death Trap’ in Dilkusha Built in 1970, the ageing tower lacks modern fire safety measures, according to stakeholders and employees. Many alleged that no effective steps have been taken to upgrade the building's fire security protocols despite repeated warnings. The building’s lift system has also been described as a "death trap." Of the four elevators designated for the 21-story structure, two are usually out of order. The remaining two frequently malfunction, experiencing violent jerks or getting stuck between floors, leaving passengers in life-threatening situations. Employees working in the tower blamed the authorities' ‘indifference’ for the repeated accidents and called for immediate government intervention to ensure a safe working environment.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited has finalized a landmark agreement with The Boeing Company to acquire 14 aircraft, including eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737-8 MAX jets. The agreement was signed by Biman Managing Director and CEO Kaizer Sohel Ahmed on behalf of the airline, while a Boeing representative signed for the manufacturer in the presence of senior government officials, diplomats and aviation executives at a city hotel in Dhaka. The estimated list value of the aircraft package is around $3.7 billion (Tk 37,000 crore). Under the delivery schedule, the first aircraft is expected to arrive in November 2031, while the remaining jets are scheduled for delivery by October 2035. At the ceremony, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam attended as chief guest, while Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman was present as guest of honour. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir attended as special guests. Other dignitaries present included Biman Board Chairman Rumee A Hossain, US Ambassador Brent T Christensen, Boeing Vice President Sales and Marketing Paul Righi, along with senior officials from the government of Bangladesh and Boeing. The deal aligns with the government’s “Bangladesh First” vision, which prioritises economic growth, stronger global connectivity and improved passenger experience, according to a Biman press release. State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said Bangladesh is moving towards becoming a regional aviation hub and the addition of new aircraft will support that goal. US donates 600,000 TB testing kits, 11,000 pediatric drugs to Bangladesh “The new fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft will modernise Biman’s fleet, enhance operational efficiency and expand its international route network, strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the global aviation market,” said Kaizer Sohel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. He said the agreement is expected to contribute beyond aviation by supporting tourism growth, boosting economic activity and creating skilled employment opportunities through technology transfer and workforce development. Biman said it remains a key lifeline for Bangladeshi expatriate workers worldwide, and the new aircraft will ensure safer, more reliable and more comfortable travel for passengers. Boeing Vice President Paul Righi said Biman will become one of the few carriers globally to operate the full Boeing 787 Dreamliner family, the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10. He said the 787-10 will offer higher capacity and efficiency on high-demand routes including the Middle East, while the 787-9 will serve long-haul destinations such as Europe and North America. He added that the 787 and 737 families together deliver up to 20 percent better fuel efficiency compared to the aircraft they replace, while also improving passenger comfort through advanced cabin features and smoother travel experience. He further said the agreement supports Biman’s strategy to expand its network, modernise its fleet and enhance passenger experience, while positioning Bangladesh as an emerging aviation hub in South Asia.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Thursday formally launched a modern hawker rehabilitation programme under the proposed “Dhaka City Hawker Management Policy-2026” aiming to ensure smooth pedestrian movement on footpaths and bring street vending activities under an organised system. The inauguration ceremony was held at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium where DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam inaugurated the initiative as the chief guest. As part of the programme, digital identity cards were distributed among 100 hawkers from the Gulistan area for their rehabilitation at the Link Road adjacent to Ramna Bhaban. Under the proposed policy, DSCC has identified several designated locations and fixed operating hours for hawkers in different parts of the city. The initially selected areas include the Link Road beside Ramna Bhaban in Gulistan for a daily market, AGB Colony ground opposite Motijheel Ideal School for an evening market from 6pm to 10pm, areas in front of and around Islam Chamber in Motijheel for evening vending from 6pm to 10pm, the area behind RAJUK Bhaban for a daily market, Gulistan Twin Tower lane for daily vending, the Link Road adjacent to the east gate of Baitul Mukarram for a daily market, one side of the road near the south gate of New Market for daily vending, and the road adjacent to the field inside Shahjahanpur Railway Colony for a daily market. Speaking at the programme , DSCC Chief Executive Officer Jahirul Islam said 100 hawkers were initially provided with digital identity cards embedded with QR codes and more registered hawkers would gradually be brought under the system in phases. He said the digital system would ensure transparency and accountability while enabling traffic police to easily verify the legitimacy of hawkers and their designated vending locations. He also said hawkers would be required to keep at least five to six feet of space open on footpaths to ensure uninterrupted pedestrian movement. In his speech, the DSCC administrator said the initiative was launched following the directive of the prime minister to bring discipline to street vending activities in the capital. He said the programme would help ensure safer and pedestrian-friendly footpaths while improving the livelihoods of marginalised people through registration and rehabilitation of hawkers. Describing the initiative as both humanitarian and transformative, he said coordinated efforts among hawkers, police, city authorities and citizens would help build a better-managed Dhaka city. He also urged rehabilitated hawkers to conduct business legally by following all government and city corporation regulations and maintaining cleanliness in their allocated areas. Officials at the programme said no markets would be allowed on playgrounds, school fields or in front of religious establishments. No permanent structures would be permitted in the designated vending zones either. Authorities also warned that unlicensed or policy-violating hawkers could face eviction at any time, while law enforcement agencies would maintain strict vigilance to prevent illegal extortion from hawkers. Among others, Joint Secretary of the Urban Development Wing of the Local Government Division Parimal Sarkar and Additional Commissioner (Traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Anisur Rahmab attended the event as special guests. Speakers at the programme described the initiative as a timely step towards building a “Clean City, Green City.”

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.

The US government has donated 600,000 US-manufactured GeneXpert tuberculosis testing kits and 11,000 courses of pediatric TB drugs to the government of Bangladesh. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen handed over the donation during a ceremony at a leading tuberculosis hospital, said US Mission Spokesperson Poornima Rai on Thursday. Health Minister Sardar Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain Bokul and Directorate General of Health Services Prof Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas were present. The donation addresses critical supply shortages and underscores the United States' commitment to global health security under the US government's new five-year framework to expand bilateral health partnerships, Rai said.