United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday visited Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, who is receiving treatment at a city hospital. “The BNP Secretary General went to United Hospital around 1pm to meet the ailing Jamaat leader,” Fakhrul’s personal assistant M Yunus Ali told UNB. During the visit, he said, Fakhrul enquired about Dr Taher’s health condition and wished him a speedy recovery.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been shifted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital for treatment of lung and heart infections, with the party urging the country’s people to pray for her speedy recovery. “The Chairperson is being treated in the CCU under close observation by the medical board, which includes specialist doctors from both home and abroad,” said a party insider on Thursday, wishing anonymity. When contacted, BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB that BNP has urged the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia’s speedy recovery. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on Sunday night after developing a chest infection affecting both her heart and lungs. Since her admission, she has been receiving treatment in a cabin of the hospital. Meanwhile, BNP will organise special prayers and munajat across the country after Jumu’a prayers on Friday, seeking divine blessings for Khaleda’s quick recovery, said Sayrul. Khaleda urges all to pray for her amid health concerns  A prayer and munajat will also be held at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office after Jumu’a prayers. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders will attend the programme. Khaleda Zia, 80, has been suffering from multiple health complications, including heart problems, liver and kidney issues, diabetes, lung problems, arthritis, and eye-related illnesses. She also has a permanent pacemaker and previously underwent stenting for her heart. Khaleda admitted to Evercare Hospital with chest infection Since returning from London on 6 May after receiving advanced medical care, Khaleda Zia has been undergoing regular health check-ups at Evercare Hospital. Her family members, including Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman, have been in close contact with the doctors to stay informed about her condition.  

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Thursday said their party is going to participate in the upcoming national election as part of its movement to restore democracy in the country. “We must remember that there will be many attempts to divert our movement and the victory achieved through it in different directions. We have to face those evil attempts,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said their party has to play the main role in upholding the victory of last year’s mass uprising, as more BNP leaders and activists were killed, jailed and oppressed than those of any other party. “So, keeping them in mind and honouring their memories, we have to deliver the results of this movement to the people. With that goal, we must continue our struggle. The upcoming election is also part of that movement. Democracy cannot be restored without elections,” he said. Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, said a free and fair election must be held in February next year for the sake of democracy and to establish it properly. He said that if their party wins the election and gets the responsibility of running the country, they will take all necessary steps for public welfare by using their previous experience. “We all know every candidate claims to be the best. But think about it: if an AC or any device breaks, you don’t let just anyone fix it. You look for someone who understands the machine and has experience. A country’s state machinery is far more complex and valuable than any device. So the people who want to run the state must have the ability and experience to do so,” the BNP leader said. He said BNP is the only party with long and proven experience in running the country. Nazrul said they will present themselves to people with that capability and that if they are given responsibility again, they will use their experience, including lessons learned from past mistakes, to serve people better. He said these points are relevant to the discussion about Shaheed Milon because he also struggled and sacrificed his life for democracy. “Dr Milon’s struggle was for a new state system built through democracy--a system where people can live without discrimination, live safely, get justice easily, and enjoy a better life. I believe we must work in the coming days to achieve this long-desired goal,” he said. Former student leaders of Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) and All-Party Students Unity (APSU) of the 90s organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking Shaheed Dr Milon Day and the 35th martyrdom anniversary of Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon, who was killed during the 1990s’ anti-autocratic movement.  Earlier in the morning, the ex-student leaders of DUCSU and APSU laid a floral wreath at the Shaheed Milon Memorial at Dhaka Medical College. A munajat was offered at the programme seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since Sunday for infections in her lungs and heart. Nazrul said, during the movement against autocratic ruler HM Ershad, two political parties--the Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami--betrayed the nation by taking part in the 1986 election. In independent Bangladesh, he said, Jamaat first took part in an election under its own name in 1986 during Ershad’s rule, along with the Awami League. “In 1979, no party called Jamaat-e-Islami contested the election. The party that did participate was the Islamic Democratic League (IDL), which included some Jamaat members, but Jamaat-e-Islami itself did not go to the polls then under its own name,” the BNP leader said. He said the Awami League and Jamaat legitimised Ershad’s military rule by joining the 1986 parliamentary election. “Those who joined that election extended Ershad’s rule, which otherwise could have ended in 1986.” BNP plans Khaleda as President, Tarique PM: Bulu In return, Nazrul said, Ershad’s party remained an ally of the Awami League’s misrule until 2024, with both sides helping each other stay in power. “The Awami League received their support to stay in power in 1986, and in return they helped the Awami League to remain in power.” Speaking at the programme, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Amanullah Aman said there is no alternative to elections for restoring democracy in the country. He said many plots are hatched to create obstacles to the election, but no one will be able to stop it, and the election will be held in February next year. The BNP leader said that if voted to power, their party will form a national government with representatives from those who took part in the simultaneous movement against the fascist Sheikh Hasina regime. Aman urged all pro-democratic forces to stay united to prevent the return of fascist forces. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said there is no difference between the characters of HM Ershad and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “Because their characters are the same, despite repeatedly speaking against each other, they have come together at crucial moments, shaken hands, and jointly delivered a sharp blow to democracy.” He criticised the economic policies under Hasina, calling them “Hasinomics” rather than proper economics. “Even though the word ‘economics’ exists, during Hasina’s 15-and-a-half-year rule, the policy allowed loans to be taken from banks without repayment. People could even take new loans without clearing the old ones.” As a result, the BNP leader said, the country is forced to carry a burden of Tk 6.5 lakh crore in bad loans.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Central Executive Council held a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, during which members prayed for the speedy recovery and good health of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently hospitalized due to illness. The meeting, presided over by Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, took place at the party’s central office at 4:30 pm and was attended by Naib Ameers, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, and other council members. During the session, prayers were also offered for the quick recovery of Naib Ameer and former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Md. Taher, who is unwell and receiving medical care. The council urged party leaders, workers, and the public to join in supplications for their health and well-being. The meeting included discussions on the upcoming national parliamentary elections, emphasizing the need for a free, fair, credible, and fear-free voting environment, as well as an assessment of the current overall political situation in the country. Decisions were made to conduct extensive campaigns to create public support for a “Yes” vote in implementing the July national constitutional order. The council also called upon citizens to ensure the success of rallies in seven divisional cities, organized as part of the eight-party alliance’s pre-election programs aimed at implementing five key public demands, including the referendum. Preparations for the party’s Central Majlis-e-Shura annual session scheduled for November 28–29 were also discussed in detail. The meeting concluded with prayers for the welfare of the nation and people, the establishment of justice and truth, and appeals for support from all levels of society to help build a peaceful, just, and prosperous Bangladesh.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday sent a bouquet and a letter wishing a speedy recovery to BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. “The bouquet and message were delivered on Wednesday at around 6:40pm to the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office,” said BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan. He said BNP Chairperson’s Private Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar received the bouquet and the letter on behalf of Khaleda Zia. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on Sunday night after developing a chest infection affecting both her heart and lungs. She is currently receiving treatment under the supervision of a medical board and remains under close observation in her cabin. Khaleda Zia, 80, has been suffering from multiple health complications, including heart problems, liver and kidney issues, diabetes, lung conditions, arthritis and eye-related illnesses. She also has a permanent pacemaker and previously underwent stenting for her heart.

A case has been filed against Sanjida Islam Tulee, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Dhaka-14 constituency and a key coordinator of Maayer Daak, a platform representing families of enforced disappearance victims, on allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The complaint was submitted on Wednesday before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman by a businessman, Hossain Mohammad Anwar alias Anwar Hossain. After recording the plaintiff’s statement, the court directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to carry out an inquiry. According to the case documents, Tulee allegedly made disparaging remarks about the Islamic provision of marriage, thereby insulting Islam and hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims. The complaint references Article 41 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religious practice as a fundamental right. It notes that marriage is regarded as an important religious rite in Islam and cites a Quranic verse that permits a Muslim man to marry up to four wives. It also mentioned the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, which mandates the application of Islamic Shariah in matters such as marriage, maintenance, and divorce for Muslim citizens. “While an individual may choose not to practice religion, no one has the right to insult religion or hurt religious beliefs,” the case statement reads. It said that such acts may be punishable under Section 295(A) of the Penal Code.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said his party is hopeful that the upcoming national election will be held smoothly in February next year. “We are hopeful that the election will be held in early or mid-February 2026 without any hassle. We are very optimistic about this,” he said while speaking at a meeting with lawyers at the Thakurgaon District Lawyers’ Association hall. He said Bangladesh is now moving forward on the path of democracy following the fall of the Awami League government last year. “The caretaker government has already announced a possible schedule for the election, and most political parties have declared their candidates. The election atmosphere has already started across the country,” Fakhrul said. About the law and order situation, he said it is currently quite suitable for a credible election. “There is nothing now that can disrupt the elections, and it is very unlikely that such a situation will arise,” the BNP leader said. Regarding internal competition within the BNP and demonstrations in different areas over party nominations, Fakhrul said BNP is a big political party with many potential aspirants. “In each constituency, there are usually four to five candidates. Some problems are natural, and they have always happened. There is no problem in that. The competition for nominations shows that BNP is a big political party,” he added. On November 3, BNP announced a list of 237 potential candidates for the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election, with Fakhrul himself set to contest from Thakurgaon-1 constituency. Leaders of the Thakurgaon District Lawyers’ Association, including President Zainal Abedin and General Secretary Makhdoom Sabbir Mridul, were present at the meeting.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has issued a show-cause notice to its former MP and central working committee member Shahjahan Chowdhury on Tuesday over his remarks on the administration. The notice, signed by party Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, cited Chowdhury’s speech at an electoral responsibility conference held in Chattogram on November 22. In the address, he allegedly made comments that undermined the professionalism and neutrality of the administration, which were widely circulated in the media and social networks. The party said his remarks have already drawn criticisms from various levels of the administration, diplomatic circles and the general public, seriously affecting the party’s reputation. Chowdhury has previously been warned and advised against making statements that violate organizational discipline. He has been asked to submit a written explanation within seven days. Failure to provide a satisfactory response will lead to further action under the party’s constitution and disciplinary regulations.  

BNP on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to extend the registration time for out of country voting (OCV) and include the eligible expatriates who do not have national identity (NID) cards but hold valid Bangladeshi passports in the voter lists ahead of the upcoming national election.  “Many expatriates do not have NID cards. For practical reasons, most of them were unable to obtain NIDs, and no initiative was taken (by our EC) in every country to issue new NID cards for them. So, we have proposed that Bangladeshi passports be accepted as identity documents for including expatriates in the voter lists,” said BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan. He made the remarks while briefing reporters after leading a BNP delegation at a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Tuesday afternoon. Nazrul Islam acknowledged some concerns regarding irregular and fake passports, noting that even non-citizens like Rohingyas had previously obtained Bangladeshi passports through corruption. “Still, we told the EC that the passport photos can be sent to the authorities concerned for verification. If the verification is accurate, they should be registered as voters. The Election Commission said they will consider the matter seriously,” he added.  He said a large number of expatriate Bangladeshis are living in some countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where communication-related challenges make the voter registration difficult. “That’s why we requested for the extension of the registration period in these countries so the maximum number of expatriates can become voters,” he said. The BNP leader said the EC informed them that its schedule already allows an additional window for those who miss the main registration deadlines, enabling them to register later. Over 23,000 Bangladeshi expats registered to vote in 2026 election Nazrul Islam said the EC sought BNP’s cooperation in ensuring a fair and neutral election. “We assured them of our cooperation in holding a free and impartial election. We’re also taking initiatives within the party to encourage expatriates to register. Our acting chairman has instructed us to do so as the participation of expatriates is essential for establishing democracy in the country,” he added. The BNP delegation also included senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, chairperson’s advisory council member Ismail Zabiullah, and EC former acting secretary Mohammad Zakaria.  

BNP Vice-Chairman Barkatullah Bulu said Tuesday that Khaleda Zia would become president and Tarique Rahman prime minister if the party wins next year’s general election. “Fifty percent of our voters are women, and Khaleda Zia became prime minister in 1991 with their votes. In the February 2026 election, these mothers and sisters will again vote to make the sheaf of paddy victorious…through this vote, Begum Khaleda Zia will become the president of Bangladesh while Tarique Rahman the prime minister,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a doa and milad programme organised by Zia Mancha at the Bhasani Bhaban in the capital’s Nayapaltan area, seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Bulu urged the people of the country to pray to Allah for Khaleda’s quick recovery. “We have come here today to pray that the Almighty Allah keeps Begum Khaleda Zia alive. If she lives, we will live and Bangladesh will live.” He alleged that various plots are being hatched to destabilise the country and put its existence at risk. “To free the country from the conspiracy being carried out against it, the nationalist forces now need unity. Begum Khaleda Zia is the symbol of that unity. Let us all pray to the Almighty Allah for her. May she recover quickly and may she return to work among us as before. She is the source of inspiration for our nationalist politics,” the BNP leader said. He recalled Khaleda’s contribution to the BNP, saying that although people from different parties and sections of society came together under the leadership of Shaheed Zia to form the BNP, it was Khaleda Zia who truly turned it into a complete and functional political party. Bulu said Khaleda spent nine years travelling across the country, working closely with grassroots activists, and transformed the BNP into a major political organization and the most popular political party. He described BNP’s 31-point outline as “a charter for Bangladesh’s freedom for the next 100 years”, adding that no one could present a better roadmap. “Reform is a continuous process and will continue from the beginning of time until the Day of Judgement.” Bulu also criticised those who use religion in politics for narrow gains, saying the nation now faces difficult questions.   He urged the people of the country to protect Bangladesh from those who, he said, want to turn it into a place like Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on Sunday night after developing a chest infection. Professor FM Siddiqui, a member of her medical board, said the former prime minister is suffering from an infection in her lungs and remains under intensive medical observation. BNP’s central office sources said doa mahfils seeking Khaleda Zia’s early recovery are being held across the country. The Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal will also arrange a doa and milad programme at Bhasani Bhaban on Wednesday morning.