United News of Bangladesh

BNP leader Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said peace is returning to the country, with a fresh hope for a February election after the London meeting between Prof Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman. Speaking at a discussion, he also criticised Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh for opposing the joint press conference held after the London meeting. "If you observe the situation in Bangladesh before and after the meeting, you'll see that various forms of unrest have decreased. Peace and order are returning, as people now have the hope for an election that many were trying to delay," said the BNP leader. Zahid, a BNP Standing Committee Member, urged the interim government to return people’s power and country’s ownership to them as early as possible by arranging the national election. “The power to build the future of Bangladesh lies in returning the rights of people as soon as possible,” he said. The BNP leader also urged the government to remain vigilant and careful so that no efforts are made to delay the election. The Nationalist Research Foundation (NRF) arranged the programme titled ‘The Leadership of Statesman Ziaur Rahman and Present-day Bangladesh’ at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. In an oblique reference to the meeting between the Chief Adviser and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on June 13, Dr Zahid said many people are saying many things about it. He said Jamaat and other parties held several meetings with the Chief Adviser at his official residence, Jamuna, and subsequently briefed reporters about the outcomes. Indian policymakers conspiring to rehabilitate Awami League: Rizvi Zahid said the Chief Adviser’s press secretary also separately briefed the media about the meetings. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but you criticised the joint press conference after the meeting with Tarique Rahman… Perhaps it’s time you looked in the mirror,” he added. He said Tarique is not just an individual, but a representative of the country’s largest population group, and the eldest son of the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence and late President Ziaur Rahman and three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. “Tarique Rahman has united the democratic people with his qualifications and is leading them. So, when you compare yourself with him, people laugh,” the BNP leader observed.  Criticising Jamaat’s statement that the nation has become embarrassed following the joint press conference in London, Zahid said, adding, "Don’t say that the entire nation has been embarrassed. You are not the wholesaler of the entire nation. How did you become the representative of 18 crore people? You can say that your party has been embarrassed." “Don’t talk about the whole nation. If you include the whole nation, the calculation is different, because the name of the largest party in Bangladesh is BNP,” Zahid said. He also said BNP does not want to worry about those speaking negatively about the party, as it prefers to look forward rather than backwards. Stating that BNP has already announced a 31-point election manifesto, he urged Jamaat to present its own manifesto to gain public support. “Then people will give the responsibility to run and build the country to whomever they like,” he said.

BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie on Friday said the July uprising was not a spontaneous event, but a mass movement built on the sacrifice and sweat of many. “The July movement didn’t happen suddenly, it was a people’s uprising shaped by everyone’s efforts and sacrifices,” Annie said while speaking at a discussion titled "The Role of Media and Political Leadership in Restoring Democracy," marking two decades of the Jagannath University Journalists’ Association (Jobisas). “Those who dared to speak against fascists were the ones jailed and oppressed. People have been fighting this autocratic regime for years. I pay my respects to those who led the movement and those who were martyred,” he added. The BNP leader accused deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina of introducing a “new culture of enforced disappearances” in Bangladesh. Indian policymakers conspiring to rehabilitate Awami League: Rizvi Annie said his party's movement is not only for elections but also for rebuilding the nation. “We will move the country forward by implementing Tarique Rahman’s 31-point plan,” he said. Calling justice and reform a continuous process, he said that they seek justice for the crimes committed by the “fascist regime” and stressed the need for stronger unity. “Fascism has disgraced the country. We believe a truly elected government will be formed through fair elections,” he added. The event was presided over by Jobisas President Imran Hossain and moderated by its General Secretary Mahtab Hossain Limon. Among others, the discussion was attended by Shafiqul Islam Masud, secretary of Dhaka South Unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami; Rashed Khan, general secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad; Muhammad Nizamul Haque Naeem, general secretary of Bangladesh Development Party; Monira Sharmin, joint convener of Jatiya Nagorik Party; and Kader Gani Chowdhury, secretary general of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists.

Outgoing German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster and his wife paid a courtesy call on BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia on Friday night. The meeting took place around 8:30pm at the BNP chief’s Gulshan residence, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. The German envoy greeted Khaleda by presenting a bouquet. Tarique urges govt to mount pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation BNP Standing Committee Members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain and Khaleda Zia’s Personal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar were also present during the meeting. Ambassador Troster is scheduled to leave Bangladesh soon as his diplomatic tenure comes to an end.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed on Friday accused Indian policymakers of conspiring to ‘rehabilitate’ the fallen Awami League, which he termed a ‘fascist’ party. “They (Indian policymakers) cannot accept Sheikh Hasina’s downfall. After the meeting between Dr Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman in London, the neighbouring country began plotting targeted conspiracies,” Rizvi said while speaking to journalists in Pabna’s Chatmohar upazila. He was visiting veteran BNP leader Abu Taher Pramanik alias Taher Thakur, who has been suffering from illness and leading a life of hardship.  Rizvi, under the banner of the BNP family and on behalf of acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, also provided financial assistance for Taher’s treatment. BNP opposes proportional representation in elections The BNP leader said the people of the country have started walking the path of democracy, but the journey is far from over. “The conspiracies are not over. Even now, many grassroots and national-level BNP activists remain missing. Many are still being harassed with false cases and arrests.” He added, “The fascist era was horrifying. Today we can speak freely. But from the moment Dr Yunus and Tarique met, the neighbouring country resumed its conspiracies.” Rizvi alleged that the Awami League regime looted public wealth for 16 years and laundered it to countries like Canada and Malaysia. “Sheikh Hasina ran smear campaigns through media control, but 180 million people cannot be silenced. Only the people will decide who governs this country,” he said. Regarding the next general election, Rizvi said, “It will be free and fair and held at an appropriate time based on demands from various political parties. This election will reflect the will of the people.” Several BNP leaders, including Pabna district BNP Member Secretary Advocate Masud Khandakar, Joint Convener Anisul Haque Babu, and student leaders from Chatmohar and Edward College, were present.    

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday called upon the interim government to intensify diplomatic efforts and mount pressure on Myanmar for the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas who took shelter in Bangladesh fleeing persecution. In a Facebook post marking World Refugee Day, he stressed the urgency of resolving what he termed one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. “We urge the interim government to intensify diplomatic efforts and put sustained pressure on Myanmar for the safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas.” The BNP leader urged the international community to hold all parties accountable, stressing that the crisis is far from resolved. BNP opposes proportional representation in elections Tarique  expressed solidarity with forcibly displaced people across the globe, underscoring that for Bangladesh, the refugee crisis is not just a global concern but a lived reality. He noted that Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.4 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, a testament to the country’s continued humanitarian commitment.  But this crisis remains one of the world’s gravest and the burden is growing to levels that are dangerously unsustainable, the BNP leader observed.  Fakhrul to lead BNP delegation to China from Sunday “Let us renew our commitment towards implementing and adhering to peaceful and just systems that ensure that no refugee is left behind when returning home,” he said.  The World Refugee Day is observed globally on June 20 to honour the strength and resilience of refugees and to raise awareness of their plight and rights.

While several political parties have shown support for introducing a proportional representation system in parliamentary elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has voiced strong objections to the idea during the ongoing discussions with the National Consensus Commission. Following Thursday’s second phase of talks, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the political context of Bangladesh does not align with proportional elections. If such a system is introduced, the government would face serious difficulties in making decisions in Parliament, he said. “Many federal countries follow this method of election. But Bangladesh is not a federal state; it is a republic. Although some republics do have proportional representation, this system does not suit the political culture of Bangladesh at all," Salahuddin added. Under such a system, Salahuddin said, passing legislation or amending the Constitution—both of which require a two-thirds majority in Parliament—would become highly challenging. “Even securing 50 percent of the vote would become difficult,” he warned. BNP forms committee to observe August-5 anniversary During Thursday’s session, several political parties proposed that citizens should vote for parties rather than individual candidates. Based on this system, the number of seats in Parliament would reflect the percentage of votes each party received—meaning a party receiving 10 percent of the vote would be allocated 30 out of 300 seats. On the issue of electing the President, Salahuddin expressed support for the secret ballot system. He said, “Since we have already agreed that, apart from four exceptions—confidence motions, money bills, constitutional amendments, and national security—MPs should have the freedom to vote independently, we have no objection to the President being elected by secret ballot.” Regarding the tenure of the Prime Minister, Salahuddin said the discussion was only just beginning and no resolution had yet been reached. “To resist autocracy and prevent dictatorship, we agree that no one should serve as Prime Minister for more than two consecutive terms. However, whether a person can return to the post after skipping a term is still under discussion," he said. BNP disapproves NCC formation, says Salahuddin  The Commission is set to resume discussions with political parties on Sunday. The next round of talks will cover topics such as the Prime Minister’s tenure, the Constitution and fundamental principles of the State, and the demarcation of electoral constituencies.

A nine-member high level delegation of the BNP, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, goes to China next Sunday at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC). “The CPC has given a formal invitation for the visit, which is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and sharing party-level experiences,” said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Sayrul disclosed that accompanying Mirza Fakhrul will be four standing committee members: Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Begum Selima Rahman, and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain. They will be joined by three chairperson's advisers, namely Zahir Uddin Swapan, Ismail Zabiullah, and Professor Sukomal Barua, and the party's media cell convener, Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel. The delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday evening at the invitation of China’s acting ambassador to Dhaka ahead of the trip. Party insiders said the visit underscores BNP’s intention to deepen relations with China, which remains a key development partner for Bangladesh. They believe the visit may play a crucial role in bolstering diplomatic engagement with Beijing, especially in the context of a possible future political transition in Bangladesh. The BNP is increasingly viewed by stakeholders as a 'government in waiting', given the present political context of Bangladesh. That wait is expected to last till the next election. BNP forms committee to observe August-5 anniversary BNP leaders also view the trip as part of a broader effort by the Chinese government to build and maintain relationships across the political spectrum in Bangladesh. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on August 5 last year, China has intensified diplomatic engagement with various political parties in the country, including the BNP, newly-formed NCP, and even a number of Islamist parties. On February 24, a 21-member ‘unique’ delegation consisting of leaders from eight political parties, including the BNP, visited China for an 11-day trip aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation between the two countries. BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan led that delegation. BNP urges govt to inform EC of London meeting decision on election   Chinese authorities stated that the visit was part of their strategy to strengthen multiparty relations with Bangladesh, following the political changeover last August. During the 11-day visit, the delegation held meetings with central and provincial leaders of the CPC in Beijing, Shaanxi and Yunnan.

BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Thursday alleged that the country’s education system has been deliberately destroyed by the past autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina to continue her misrule and suppress people. “They (AL govt) feared that if people become educated, they would raise their voice against injustice. Over the last 17 years, they have destroyed the entire education system of the country,” he told a seminar. Dhaka University teachers of the white panel, a pro-BNP teachers' association, organised the event tiled 'President Ziaur Rahman's Educational Philosophy and programmes at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, marking the marking the 44th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Dr Moyeen, a BNP Standing Committee Member, said although many rural schools were nationalised, teachers and students are no longer attending classes. “It is not their fault. The government itself wanted to keep the nation in darkness,” he said. Praising former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s role in education, he said, “Begum Zia introduced stipends for students, which benefited the nation greatly.” Referring to the criticism that BNP was founded in the cantonment, Moyeen Khan said, Ziaur Rahman, a soldier, did more for education than any other civilian leaders. “The fact is, Ziaur Rahman took many initiatives to ensure quality education for the people. On the other hand, those who (AL) claim to be a party of the people tried to keep the nation uneducated in a planned way. Why?” he said. BNP forms committee to observe August-5 anniversary The BNP leader said Zia's various initiatives proved his deep love for education, mentioning his sea voyage with meritorious students under the Hizbul Bahar programme as a symbol of his educational vision. Realizing that one can be at the top of the world only through education, initiation, and advancement in knowledge and science, the BNP leader said Ziaur Rahman emphasized the development of the education system. He also said the educational philosophy and programmes of Ziaur Rahman could be the subject of a PhD research. Speaking on the Iran-Israel issue, Moyeen Khan said America is not powerful because of weapons, but because of knowledge. “If a list of the top 100 universities in the world is made, around 70 to 80 of them are American.” He said Zia believed in development through productivity. “He was the first to think about nuclear power in Bangladesh. He always promoted practical and realistic education. His contributions are countless.”  In just three and a half years, Moyeen said Zia took effective steps for the country. “There is hardly any sector in national life where he did not leave his mark.” BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who attended the seminar as special guest, said, “Ziaur Rahman introduced a people-oriented education system to make the nation self-reliant. “His policies were visionary, unlike Sheikh Hasina’s fascist approach.” Rizvi also said Zia strengthened every sector, including economy, education and foreign policy, establishing a disciplined foundation for the nation. Professor Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Dean of Dhaka University’s Faculty of Arts, presented the keynote paper. BNP disapproves NCC formation, says Salahuddin  He described Ziaur Rahman as a realistic and future-oriented leader who laid the foundation of modern Bangladesh. He said Zia didn’t write a detailed philosophy of education, but his speeches, policies, and programmes reflected a clear vision. “He promoted science, technology, and technical education, as well as moral values aligned with Islamic principles.” BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, BNP Media Cell Convener Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, and White Panel Joint Convenor Professor Dr Md Abdus Salam, among others, spoke at the seminar presided over by Professor Dr Morshed Hasan Khan, convenor of the DU White Panel. The programme was also attended by over 500 teachers and officials from various universities, including vice chancellors, pro-VCs, deans and provosts.

BNP on Thursday announced a 58-member committee to observe the first anniversary of August 5, 2024, marking the mass uprising and the victory that followed the ouster of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the announcement at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. “People achieved victory on August 6 last year through their united efforts... Sheikh Hasina had to flee the country, leaving everything behind, including the food that had been cooked for her. So, the BNP has formed a committee to observe the anniversary,” he said. Rizvi said the committee, titled ‘The July-August Mass Uprising, Mourning and Victory Anniversary Observance Committee’, has been formed with him as its convener. He said Dhaka University teacher Professor Morshed Hasan Khan has been made member secretary of the committee. The other members include party Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib-Un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne, Advocate Abdus Salam Azad, Syed Emran Saleh Prince, Media Cell Convener Professor Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Acting Chairman’s Political Adviser Dr Mahdi Aamin, BNP Publicity Affairs Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Ahmed Tuku and Student Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam Bakul. Rizvi said the committee has already discussed different programmes to observe the anniversary. They will finalise the programmes later and implement them by forming various sub-committees from July 1, he added. END/UNB/ARJ/SAM/

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia underwent health checkups at Evercare Hospital in the capital on Wednesday night. She arrived at the hospital from her Gulshan residence around 7:47pm and stayed there for nearly four and a half hours, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said the BNP chairperson underwent several tests at the hospital as per the advice of her medical board. Later, the BNP chief left the hospital and reached her residence around 12:08am, he said. Khaleda's personal physician, AZM Zahid Hossain, said the medical board formed earlier, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, advised her to go for the health checkup at the hospital. "She underwent various necessary medical tests at the hospital,” he said. Zahid said the medical board will decide the next course of her treatment. Khaleda taken to Evercare Hospital for health check-up The 79-year-old former Prime Minister has been suffering from multiple health complications for several years. She has been receiving treatment at her home under the supervision of a medical board consisting of specialists from both Evercare Hospital and her personal team of doctors since she returns home from London on May 6 after undergoing four months of advanced treatment. During her stay in London, she received advanced medical care under the supervision of liver specialist Professor Patrick Kennedy. Her travel to London and return home were arranged with the support of a special air ambulance provided by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Before departing for London, the BNP Chairperson last visited Evercare Hospital on September 12 for a health check-up.