United News of Bangladesh

Politics should not be about gaining power but about establishing people's rights and ensuring their welfare, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said on Friday. He said the democratic system must be strengthened by establishing democracy at the grassroots level and ensuring accountability of elected representatives. The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion with teachers of The Millennium University at his office at his Gulshan residence in the capital on the occasion of National Teachers' Day 2026. Representatives of various NGOs also attended the meeting, where the Khan Foundation's website was inaugurated. Moyeen Khan said being able to represent the people was a great privilege, adding that he had been trying to pursue politics guided by the same ideals for nearly 35 years. Just as elected representatives are accountable to the people, citizens also have a responsibility to elect the right representatives, he said. The minister said the tendency to spend huge amounts of money to win elections must be changed, stressing that politics could not be conducted on the right path without the ideal of serving the people. Describing the local government system as one of the foundations of democracy, he said democracy could not function effectively at the national level without establishing it at the grassroots. Reforming local government institutions, ensuring public services and holding elections at five tiers of local government were among the major challenges ahead, he said. He stressed the need to ensure that people could go to polling centres without fear and vote for candidates of their choice. Expressing support for holding local government elections on a non-party basis, Moyeen Khan said this would create opportunities to reduce political divisions and mutual hostility at the local level. Although there would be competition in elections, everyone must rise above party divisions and work for the country's development and people's welfare, he said. Emphasising the role of NGOs in building society, the minister said Bangladeshi NGOs had made important contributions to poverty alleviation, improving people's living standards and various social sectors. Coordination between local government institutions and NGOs must be strengthened to make development activities more effective, he added. Among those present at the discussion were Advocate Rokhsana Khondker, chairperson of the Board of Trustees of The Millennium University and the Khan Foundation; Prof Dr Abinoy Chandra Shaha, vice-chancellor of The Millennium University; Mahmuda Khatun, executive director of the Khan Foundation; representatives of various NGOs; university teachers; and officials and employees of the Khan Foundation.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has described the threats to halt remittance flows as anti-national, anti-humanitarian and contrary to the interests of the people, criticizing the opposition party to the parliament. “Such a threat means you are threatening to keep the people of the country hungry, halt the country’s development and disrupt economic activities. Remittance is a driving force of our national economy, and you are threatening to shut down that driving force. What kind of politics do you practice?” he said. Remittances sent by Bangladeshis working abroad make a significant contribution to the national economy and support the livelihoods of their families back home. Millions of families depend on these funds, he added. He made the remarks at an event organized by the ‘Zia Smrity Pathagar’ at the TSC auditorium of Dhaka University on Friday afternoon. Rizvi said not all Bangladeshis living abroad support a particular political party. They include supporters of different political parties, ordinary citizens and people who have never been involved in politics, he added. “By what authority will you shut down remittances? Is there any legal provision for this, or do you have some secret operation through which you intend to do it?” he said. The BNP leader alleged that his political opponents had never prioritized national or public interests, instead placing party interests above those of the state. “They have practiced politics for their party’s interests. They have prioritized party interests over national interests. The BNP, on the other hand, has always put the interests of the state and the people first,” he said. Speaking at the same event, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam said Chhatra Dal should strengthen its cultural and intellectual activities to restore the country’s lost cultural heritage, literature and glorious history. He urged Chhatra Dal to organize essay competitions on the Liberation War and Ziaur Rahman at all educational institutions across the country. Referring to reforms introduced by Ziaur Rahman across various sectors, Salam said, “Many people are shouting and making a fuss about reforms today. The reforms Ziaur Rahman introduced when he took responsibility for the state have yet to be matched by anyone.” Salam also said Ziaur Rahman had made a significant contribution to the country’s politics despite not initially being a politician, adding that he had fostered healthy political practices. He further alleged that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, like his daughter, had banned politics and pushed it underground.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru on Thursday said Bangladesh must develop its soft power by nurturing its cultural identity and creative potential. “Soft power is all these things combined. We have to build it in Bangladesh,” he said, referring to arts, music, film, theatre, sports, and other cultural pursuits as essential elements of a nation’s identity. The Finance Minister made these remarks while addressing the closing ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Shishu Academy at its auditorium in the capital. He said a country’s strength is not only measured by the size of its economy, stressing that a distinctive national identity built through culture and creativity is equally important. He said children should therefore be encouraged to develop their abilities in areas beyond formal education, including sports, drawing, music, theatre and film. “Studying is certainly necessary, but life is not just education,” he said. He urged families and society to give children opportunities to discover their interests and develop hobbies, saying a generation’s intellectual and creative growth depends on such exposure from an early age. The Minister also said there should be no discrimination between boys and girls in access to opportunities. He said the government is working to bring artists, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, cultural workers, and traditional artisans into the economic mainstream under a new creative economy initiative. The Minister also stressed the importance of exposing children to nature and developing empathy toward animals and biodiversity. He said many birds, butterflies, insects, and fish that were once common are declining or disappearing as their natural habitats shrink. “We have moved far away from nature,” he said, urging greater attention to environmental and biodiversity concerns in development activities. He also called on parents to encourage children to ask questions and maintain open communication with them. “Children will ask many questions. We have to answer all of them,” he said, describing childhood as the critical stage for learning and developing curiosity. He said Bangladesh Shishu Academy has an important role in sending a broader message about how the country wants its children to grow and what kind of future it envisions for them. The minister expressed hope that families, institutions, and the government would work together to provide children with the guidance and opportunities needed to develop their full potential.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday called for an end to the “mafia rule” in the road transport sector, saying longstanding extortion, syndicates and irregularities must be eliminated to restore discipline and ensure a comfortable environment for ordinary people. Rizvi made the remarks at a tribute programme organised by the newly formed committee of the Jatiya Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation at the graves of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and former BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Rizvi said he hoped the new federation would remain active and vocal in putting an end to the longstanding anarchy and illegal extortion on the roads. The BNP leader expressed confidence that the new federation leadership would use fresh ideas and approaches, drawing on its members’ backgrounds in student politics, to address longstanding disorder in the road transport sector, bring activities within the bounds of law and make a significant contribution to passenger services. He said the leaders has taken on the responsibility with a commitment to improving the sector, He said responsible performance in one sector could positively influence other sectors, encouraging them to improve through healthy competition. Rizvi expressed hope that the new federation leadership would help replace the deteriorated road transport management that had developed during what he described as fascist rule with a new system that would strengthen public trust and make people feel safer and more comfortable while travelling.

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said the brutal killing of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad over his patriotic Facebook post had awakened the entire nation to resistance, describing it as a rare example in the country’s history. “Following the brutal killing of Abrar over his patriotic Facebook post, the way the entire nation awakened for resistance was a rare example,” he said while addressing a discussion at the Senate Building of Dhaka University, marking the seventh martyrdom anniversary of Abrar Fahad. The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) organised the discussion titled “The Foreign Policy of a BNP Government: National Unity Against Hegemonism, Expansionism and Imperialism; and Commitment to Protecting Independence, Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity.” Rizvi said they were becoming frustrated after repeatedly carrying out movements against injustice, repression, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, wondering why the nation was not waking up. “We were mistaken. Sheikh Hasina could not suppress the tide of rebellion of this nation. And because she could not stop it, July 2024 mass uprising was the ultimate culmination of Abrar’s death, when Sheikh Hasina fled the country,” he said. Rizvi said they could no longer see any hope of escaping from the situation when the country had fallen into what he described as the “clutches of fascism.” He said agreements were signed one after another, but they were not allowed to talk about those agreements. “And the then prime minister said ‘they will remember what I have given to the neighbouring country.’ But what did she give that they would remember?” he said. The BNP leader said the underlying message of those remarks was, in his view, the weakening of the country’s sovereignty and independence. Referring to Abrar Fahad’s Facebook post, he said every word was extremely sharp and incisive and challenged what he described as aggressive and expansionist forces seeking to take control of the country. Rizvi alleged that national and international conspirators sought to silence the people by killing Abrar Fahad and creating fear among them, but their attempt failed. Describing Abrar Fahad as the “first martyr” of the struggle against hegemonism, he said, “Abrar’s sacrifice has proved that the people will remain steadfast in the principle that they will not surrender even an inch of land without a fight and will continue to fight till the end to protect the territory and existence of the country.” Praising the role of JCD in politics, the BNP leader said its leaders and activists had repeatedly been beaten and admitted to hospitals with injuries but had never deviated from late BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s uncompromising political line. He expressed his commitment to protecting the country’s independence, sovereignty, flag and all its achievements at any cost. Abrar, a student of the BUET Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, was beaten to death at Sher-e-Bangla Hall on the night of October 6, 2019.

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said accomplices of the fallen fascist regime are trying to create instability in the country and put the elected government in trouble, urging people to remain alert to them. He made the remarks while addressing a programme to distribute dengue awareness leaflets on the Bangladesh Medical University premises in Shahbagh. Rizvi said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government is a government of the people and will not tolerate any kind of anarchy or crime in the country. Criticising the recent incident in which a top criminal was allowed to flee from a police van, he said the matter needs to be investigated to determine how he managed to escape from police custody. “Those involved in the incident must be identified quickly through a fair investigation and brought to justice,” the BNP leader said. Calling for collective efforts to combat dengue, he said the disease could be controlled to a large extent if people take preventive measures in advance. Rizvi stressed the need for every citizen to keep their homes and surroundings clean and eliminate stagnant water and other unhygienic conditions. Highlighting the government’s measures to prevent dengue, he said the Prime Minister has urged people to quickly remove stagnant and foul water around their homes. “This will help prevent the breeding of mosquitoes that are vectors of dengue,” the BNP acting secretary general said. Rizvi further said people previously had to pay for dengue tests, but the current government has introduced free dengue testing facilities for their convenience.  

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman left Dhaka for Turkey on Wednesday morning to attend an international conference on Bangladesh studies. He departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Istanbul to attend Second International Conference on Bangladesh Studies at Istanbul University as the chief guest. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General and Central Publicity and Media Secretary Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, and Central Executive Council Member Md Mobarak Hossain were present at the airport to see him off. The conference, jointly organised by Istanbul University and the Center for Policy and Social Research (CPSR), will be held under the theme "Multidimensional Perspectives on Reforms in Bangladesh 2.0 and New Horizons of Turkey-Bangladesh Cooperation." Academics, policymakers, diplomats, researchers and representatives of various organisations and institutions from Bangladesh, Turkey and other countries are expected to attend the conference. After attending the conference in Turkey, Shafiqur Rahman will travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. He is scheduled to return home on the morning of Oct 11.

The Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) suspended the membership of Md A Jasim Uddin, who contested against NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah in the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The party also issued him a show-cause notice asking why permanent organisational action should not be taken against him for 'breaching organisational discipline' and tarnishing the party’s image. The party’s central office issued the notice on Tuesday. The suspension was ordered by its President Nurul Haque Nur and Acting General Secretary Hasan Al Mamun. The notice, signed by GOP Office Secretary Syed Mahbubur Rahman, however, did not specify the allegations against Jasim Uddin. It just accuses him of a “serious breach of organisational discipline” and tarnishing the party’s image, to which he has been asked to submit a written response within five working days to the central office. The notice said permanent organisational action could be taken against Jasim Uddin if he fails to submit his response within the stipulated time or if his explanation is unsatisfactory. Multiple attempts to contact Jasim Uddin by mobile phone for his side of the story went unanswered. He has made himself unreachable amid the media circus surrounding the case. In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Jasim Uddin contested the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) seat with the Truck symbol representing the Gono Odhikar Parishad. He competed against NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah and secured 49,885 votes with the support of the BNP, who asked their own candidate to stand down in the constituency.

Persistent shortages of gas and electricity are disrupting operations at some textile mills, industry leaders told Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday, while seeking policy support to address energy, tax and other challenges confronting the sector. A delegation of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) raised the concerns during a meeting with Shafiqur Rahman, also Jamaat-e-Islami ameer, at his official residence in the capital. “Gas and electricity are continuing problems. There has been considerable improvement, but some factories are still facing problems,” BTMA Vice President Shafiqul Islam Sarker told reporters after the meeting. He said the association also discussed problems related to incentives, increased taxes, Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category and misuse of bonded yarn. “We have informed the opposition leader about our existing problems, including issues related to incentives, gas and electricity, LDC graduation and increased taxes,” he said. He said the government had already addressed some of the concerns raised by the industry, while discussions were continuing on others. He said the textile sector has around US$32 billion in investment and serves as a key backward-linkage industry for Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector by supplying raw materials. Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat, said the Jamaat Ameer assured the BTMA delegation that he would raise the sector’s concerns in Parliament and work with the government to help resolve them. “He will always speak about the country’s issues and will work with the government on these matters,” Porwar said, conveying the opposition leader’s position. Porwar said the Jamaat Ameer also told the delegation that the opposition would support government initiatives in the public interest while opposing measures it considers harmful, describing the approach as constructive opposition.  

Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said a policy on the battery-run rickshaws is being formulated and under that policy their movement on major roads and in important areas will have to be controlled. “We do not want to cause harm to anyone, but Dhaka city cannot be allowed to become dysfunctional for the interests of any particular group. That is the main point,” Rabiul said. The minister made the remarks after inaugurating the re-excavation work of Dhanmondi Lake in the capital in the morning. Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam was present on the occasion. Rabiul said the vehicles are seriously disrupting the functioning of Dhaka and the government is concerned over it. Acknowledging that many people have been engaged in the profession for a long time and could face difficulties under the proposed restrictions, he said collective agreement is necessary to overcome the existing mismanagement. “If auto-rickshaws operate anywhere and everywhere in an uncontrolled manner in Dhaka, the city does not function,” he said. Responding to a question about Jamaat leader Golam Parwar's statements on battery-run auto-rickshaws, Rabiul said it is the opposition’s failure to understand citizens’ rights and the needs of Dhaka. “Such are their demands. They have always been unable to understand what should be said, what constitutes citizens’ rights, what is about protecting Dhaka and what is a genuine demand of citizens. That is why they have been the opposition since their birth as a political party, let alone being in government,” he said. He said Jamaat-e-Islami got the opportunity to become the main opposition party for the first time at the age of 85, questioning why the party has failed to understand public expectations over the years. “They never wanted to understand what people wanted. They neither understand during the Liberation War, nor after independence. They also failed to understand whom to support during the Ershad era and did not consider that government authoritarian. They failed to understand even after the one-eleven government. They understood somewhat in 2024, but lost the thread again. This is their political judgment,” he said. He said Dhanmondi Lake would be equipped with modern facilities after completion of its renovation and urged citizens to remain aware of the need to keep the lake and the city clean. “Modern facilities will be developed at the lake. All the facilities, including greenery, that a modern lake should have will be here,” he said. Rabiul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had approved two projects to fulfil the government’s commitments to improving the environment in Dhanmondi area. Asked about the project’s duration and budget, he said the two lake-centred projects, worth around Tk 83 crore, would take about two and a half years to complete. The work includes dredging, excavation, sludge removal and necessary infrastructure development. Some structures would also have to be newly built, including facilities around Nazrul Mancha which is currently abandoned. “There are some infrastructure facilities and lighting there. One task has to be completed before another because all the work cannot be done simultaneously,” he said. He said regular maintenance would be essential to preserve the lake’s greenery, facilities and pleasant environment, calling on citizens not to dump garbage or waste into the water. “Citizen awareness is very important. We should not throw garbage or waste into the lake. Those who come to the lake should remain alert and conscious so that we can preserve this pleasant environment,” he said. The minister called upon citizens to work together to keep Dhaka clean, usable and pleasant and to ensure that the lake’s facilities and beauty remain sustainable. Referring to waterlogging as a major problem in Dhaka during the monsoon, Rabiul said a separate Tk 350 crore project has been undertaken. The project aims to address waterlogging across a large part of Dhaka South, covering Dhanmondi, the low-lying areas of Hazaribagh and Chawkbazar, the area extending from Shikdar Medical College towards the embankment, and Kalabagan. “We are continuously working and taking up these projects to improve citizens’ quality of life and resolve the obstacles that are affecting it. Once these projects are implemented, Dhaka residents will certainly get a new Dhaka,” he said.