United News of Bangladesh

The government has appointed Prof Dr Engineer Md Sabbir Mostafa Khan, head of the Department of Water Resources Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), as the new chairman of the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Dhaka WASA) for a three-year term. The appointment was announced through a gazette notification issued on Sunday by the Water Supply-2 Section of the Local Government Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives. According to the notification, the appointment has been made under Section 7(1) of the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Amendment) Act, 2025, and takes effect immediately in the public interest. Sabbir Mostafa is widely recognised as one of Bangladesh's leading experts in water resources engineering, with nearly three decades of experience in teaching, research, consultancy and infrastructure planning. His appointment comes at a time when Dhaka faces mounting challenges related to groundwater depletion, urban flooding, ageing water infrastructure, sewerage expansion and climate resilience.

Bangladesh continues to rely on other countries and international bodies for its development even as other developing nations advance by harnessing their own strength, Prof Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, former special assistant to the chief adviser of the last interim government, said on Sunday. Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organised by the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI), he said the country's tendency to look abroad for help whenever reform or development is discussed reflects "mental poverty," adding that countries in worse positions than Bangladesh are outperforming it simply by shedding this mindset. Criticising Bangladesh's dependence on India, Anisuzzaman, the Emeritus Professor of Western Sydney University, said India helped the country achieve independence during the 1971 Liberation War, but that this did not mean Bangladesh should remain “subservient” to New Delhi decades later. He said gratitude could be expressed for a lifetime, but development will remain difficult without a firm backbone of self-reliance. Citing Vietnam as an example, Anisuzzaman said many mistakenly believe the country developed through China's support. In reality, he said, war-ravaged Vietnam rebuilt itself by relying on its own strength and only later began trade relations with China. Turning to reliance on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said Vietnam has rejected a loan offer from the World Bank, while Zimbabwe declined United Nations financial assistance during its economic crisis despite the offer being extended. The Emeritus Professor said while other nations were surviving with their self-respect intact, Bangladesh's attention remained fixed on loans from the World Bank and IMF, questioning when this mindset will change. Addressing his role in the interim government, Anisuzzaman clarified that although many believe he is related to Prof Muhammad Yunus, this is not the case. He said he was not personally acquainted with Prof Yunus beforehand, despite their homes being located close to each other, and that he was contacted over the phone with a proposal to work with him, which he accepted. PRI Chairman Zaidi Sattar moderated the event.

The recent security alert for police issued following a series of bomb scares and recoveries of suspicious objects in Dhaka and elsewhere was not based on any specific intelligence, but was a routine reminder aimed at strengthening security measures, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said on Sunday. Responding to a question at a briefing at the DMP Media Centre, he said police remain vigilant at all times to ensure public safety as well as the security of police personnel and installations. Shafiqul said the reminder was issued in the wake of several recent bomb-related incidents and the spread of rumours. "We always remain alert. Recently, there have been a few bomb scares and some rumours. We are active on these issues. Such reminders are issued from time to time to ensure the security of police vehicles, installations and personnel," he said. Describing the directive as a routine reminder, the DB chief said police were asked to remain more cautious so that all police vehicles and facilities remain secure. Asked whether law enforcement agencies have received any specific intelligence about possible attacks targeting police, he replied in the negative, saying, "There is no specific intelligence. However, we always remain alert. Our senior officers supervise us, and those working in the field have been reminded to exercise greater caution." Replying to a question about the improvised explosive device (IED) recovered from an umbrella beneath Motijheel Metro Rail Station, Shafiqul said the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit was leading the investigation while the DB is conducting a parallel inquiry. He said efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved, but declined to disclose further details as the investigation is continuing. Asked whether investigators have identified any organisation behind the incident, the DB chief said such acts are generally not carried out by a single individual and are usually intended to promote a particular mandate or ideology. Earlier on Saturday, the Police Headquarters Operations Control Room issued an emergency message instructing all field-level units to strengthen security measures. According to the directive, members of extremist groups or criminals could target police vehicles, including jeeps, pickups and buses. It instructed officers to park duty vehicles only in safe locations when temporarily halted and keep them under constant surveillance. It also called for enhanced security of vehicles parked at police stations, police lines and office premises through regular patrols, increased monitoring and heightened vigilance for suspicious persons or objects. Although Police Headquarters did not issue an official statement, Assistant Inspector General (Media) AHM Shahadat Hossain told the media that such directives are issued regularly to keep police personnel alert and active, adding that there is no reason for public concern. Over the past week, several bomb scares have been reported in the capital. On July 24, police recovered and defused a powerful IED concealed inside an umbrella beneath the Motijheel Metro Rail Station. Authorities later said it had been placed targeting the route of the Hindu community's Ulto Rath Yatra procession. The following day, a sack with an umbrella protruding from it near Bangladesh Bank triggered panic, but no explosives were found. On Saturday, two suspicious bags and sacks recovered at Mirpur-10 and Farmgate metro stations were examined by the DMP Bomb Disposal Unit, which confirmed that neither contained explosive materials. Police sources said the latest directive was issued to reinforce vigilance among field-level officers in light of these recent incidents.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday said the government is in touch with the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and expressed hope that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed would be brought back to Bangladesh soon. “Communication between the two sides is underway and the required documents have been exchanged. They (the UAE) wanted some specific information which was provided accordingly,” she told reporters after attending a programme in the city. The State Minister said the UAE is taking steps in accordance with its laws, and the Bangladesh government will take the next step through due process. Earlier, she spoke at an event where Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury attended as the chief guest. Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said the government is initiating the process of bringing back former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Home Ministry has started the necessary process, and discussions are ongoing, he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to a question about media reports that Benazir had been released on bail in the UAE. “If there is progress, you will be informed by the Home Ministry or our Foreign Ministry. You will get an update from the Home Ministry. I have just come from the meeting. It would not be right to talk about something that I am not fully aware of yet,” the adviser said. Several media outlets have reported that Benazir Ahmed has been released on bail in the UAE. Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed was arrested in Dubai by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) police in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Bangladesh. On June 14, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the development in Parliament. He said the UAE authorities informed the Bangladesh government of the arrest on June 12. “We will bring him back to Bangladesh soon,” the minister said, describing it as a major success for Bangladesh Police. In April 2025, Interpol issued a red notice against the former police chief. The government of Bangladesh, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), officially launched the National Action Plan (NAP) 2026–2030 for implementing the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Dhaka. The development of the NAP was supported by the European Union through the EU-funded Prottasha II project, implemented by IOM. The event also included a debriefing on the outcomes of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026, highlighting Bangladesh’s leadership and contributions to the global migration agenda. The National Action Plan was approved by the Cabinet on May 21, 2026. State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque, Adviser to the Prime Minister Mahdi Amin, and Deputy Director General for Operations of the International Organization for Migration Ugochi Daniels also attended the event. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Mokhtar Ahmed delivered remarks on the NAP and shared their reflections on the 2026 IMRF. The speakers, emphasising sustained collaboration among government institutions, international partners, civil society, the private sector, and migrants for the successful implementation of the NAP, underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that migration remains safe, orderly, and regular while maximizing its contribution to national development and protecting the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi migrants. The event also featured Bangladesh’s renewed commitments and pledges toward the implementation of the GCM, remarks from civil society, and the official unveiling of the National Action Plan. Bangladesh’s GCM journey, achievements, and challenges were showcased at the venue through a video documentary and a thematic exhibition.

A memorial arch built by BNP’s associate wings in Tungipara of Gopalganj to mark the 2nd anniversary of the July uprising was allegedly set on fire on Saturday night, hours after its construction. The “36 July Mass Uprising Arch” was built by Tungipara municipality units of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal on the southern side of Gate No. 1 of the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Mausoleum on Saturday afternoon. The two organisations also announced various programmes on the occasion. Locals said unidentified miscreants set fire to the arch after evening. The lower part of the structure was partially damaged by the fire. Officer-in-Charge of Tungipara Police Station Ayub Ali said police visited the spot after receiving information about the incident. “An investigation is underway to identify those responsible. Further action will be taken following instructions from the higher authorities,” he said.

Nepal's Foreign Minister has reiterated the high importance that Nepal attaches to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey recently paid an official visit to Nepal and called on the country's Minister for Foreign Affairs. Their discussion focused on the progress achieved in regional cooperation under BIMSTEC, including in sectors led by Nepal, such as culture, tourism, people-to-people contact forums, and poverty alleviation, the BIMSTEC headquarters said on Sunday. Their deliberations also covered steps to strengthen regional cooperation under BIMSTEC and Nepal's role in advancing it. The Secretary General also called on Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel (Ganesh) and apprised him of the progress achieved in regional cooperation under BIMSTEC, including in sectors led by Nepal, such as tourism, culture, people-to-people contact forums, and connectivity. Their discussion focused on Nepal's vital role in strengthening cooperation under BIMSTEC and the celebration of BIMSTEC's 30th anniversary. In his meeting with Nepal's Foreign Secretary, Amrit Bahadur Rai, the Secretary General discussed Nepal's important role in advancing regional cooperation under BIMSTEC, including in sectors led by the country. The Foreign Secretary reiterated Nepal's commitment to BIMSTEC, including support for the various key initiatives the organisation is pursuing to enhance regional cooperation and integration among the member states. The Secretary General also addressed a high-level policy dialogue organised by the Institute of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, focusing on the evolution of BIMSTEC, its vision, agenda, achievements, and ongoing initiatives to advance regional cooperation and integration. The dialogue was attended by diplomats from BIMSTEC member states, government officials, academics, policy experts, think tank representatives, researchers, and others. Secretary General Pandey also delivered a lecture at the Department of International Relations at Tribhuvan University and interacted with faculty members and students on BIMSTEC's mission, agenda, and efforts to promote regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region. During the visit, Secretary General Pandey also met Philomena Gnanapragasam, Chief Executive Officer of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development. He was interviewed by Nepal Television, where he shared his views on the evolving international order, the role of regional organisations such as BIMSTEC, and Nepal's role in advancing regional cooperation and connectivity. Nepal is one of the seven member states of BIMSTEC and leads regional cooperation in culture, tourism, people-to-people contact forums, and poverty alleviation. Nepal joined BIMSTEC in February 2004. BIMSTEC comprises seven countries in the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

A man was shot to death and three others sustained bullet injuries in an attack over rivalry between two groups at Saudagarkandi village in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi district on Sunday morning. The deceased was identified as Momen Mia, 55, son of Dhon Mia of the upazila. The injured – Mobarak, 65, Nazmul Hossain, 30, Ruhul Amin, 37 – were taken to Raipura Upazila Health Complex. Officer-in-Charge of Raipura Police Station Mojinur Rahman said “Farid Group” and “Momen Chairman Group” had been at loggerheads over previous enmity. As a sequel to the enmity, the supporters of “Farid Group”, equipped with arms stormed into the house of Momen around 7:00am and opened fire on him and others. Momen suffered bullet injuries to his head and legs and died later, while other injured were receiving treatment at the hospital. Additional policemen were deployed in the area to avert further trouble.

Four children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Sunday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 844 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), all the latest fatalities were suspected measles deaths. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 748, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained 96. A total of 1,022 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 130,083. Meanwhile, 115 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 16,295. Since March 15 this year, a total of 112,620 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 108,283 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

A 40-year-old housewife died from electrocution at Asannagar village in Alamdanga upazila of Chuadanga district on Sunday morning. The deceased was identified as Shaharon Khatun, wife of Masud Hossain of Asannagar village. Family members said Shaharon got electrocuted when went to plug in a rice cooker. Family members later found her dead lying on the floor with an electric wire wrapped around her hand. Bani Israel, Alamdanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said an unnatural death (UD) case has been filed and necessary legal procedures are underway.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday inaugurated a five-day free eye treatment camp in Thakurgaon and assured that initiatives will be taken to organise such eye camps in every upazila across the country. He said the government is working continuously to improve healthcare services in Thakurgaon, with the district hospital already upgraded from 250 beds to 600 beds. Fakhrul, also BNP secretary general, said admission of students to Thakurgaon Medical College will begin from next year. Thakurgaon Diabetic Association, with support from Nepal, organised the eye camp. The minister said healthcare-focused development activities are being implemented as quickly as possible. “Initiatives will be taken to arrange such eye camps in every upazila, and efforts will also be made to ensure regular continuation of these programmes,” he added. Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal in Bangladesh Pratik Karki, Chairman of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) Prof Dr Chet Raj Prant, Chairman of Biratnagar Eye Hospital Padma Narayan Chaudhury, Thakurgaon-3 MP Zahidur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Rafiqul Huq, Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain, District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, physicians and eminent personalities were present at the event. During the five-day camp, underprivileged and low-income people from different parts of the district will receive free eye examinations, treatment and necessary medical advice. More than 3,000 patients have already registered.