United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 14, 2025) said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will be given an unprecedented public reception on his return to Dhaka from London, unlike any reception given to a political leader in the past. “I want to express our deepest gratitude to the Almighty Allah that after living in exile for a long 18 years, our leader, Insh’Allah, will return to us on December 25. This is a great source of inspiration for us,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks at a discussion meeting titled ‘National Parliamentary Election Is Essential to Protect Democracy at a Critical Time for the Nation’, organised by the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Projonmo at the Diploma Engineers Institute auditorium in Kakrail. “Let us welcome him on December 25 in such a way that no leader in Bangladesh has ever received before. We are all prepared, Inshallah,” he added. Read more: Tarique Rahman to return on Dec 25 after 18 years in exile Referring to Tarique Rahman’s return, Fakhrul said the news has brought reassurance at a time of great anxiety. “On one hand, our leader and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is ill and undergoing treatment in hospital. On the other hand, amid uncertainty, Tarique Rahman is the guiding light who shows us the way forward, and he will be among us on the 25th,” he said. BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council members Abdus Salam and Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, party Liberation War Affairs Secretary (retd) Lt Col Zainul Abedin, and several leaders of the Muktijoddha Dal and Muktijuddho Projonmo addressed the meeting. Earlier on Friday night, Fakhrul at a press conference announced that the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh on December 25, ending nearly 18 years of exile. Read more: Tarique Rahman to return on Dec 25 after 18 years in exile During the 1/11 government, Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007. He was granted bail on September 3, 2008, and left for London with his family on September 11 for medical treatment. Since then, he has been living in London with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 14, 2025) voiced concern that incidents similar to the gun attack on Sharif Osman Hadi may recur, warning that the enemies of Bangladesh are once again resorting to targeted killings in an attempt to destabilise the country. “When Bangladesh is seeing a new sun and moving towards a new chapter, and when the people of Bangladesh are dreaming of building a democratic country through a fair election, at that very time its enemies have once again indulged in a killing spree,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after paying tributes to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur in the morning. He said their party strongly condemned the attack on Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. “We fear that similar incidents may happen again,” Fakhrul said. Read more: What we know about at least one of Hadi's would-be assassins Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka on Friday, a day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, leaving him seriously injured. He is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital with a bullet injury to his head. Recalling the history of December 14, Fakhrul said when the defeat of the Pakistani occupation forces became inevitable and the Liberation War forces surrounded Dhaka, the occupation army, with the help of their collaborators, abducted and killed the nation’s brightest minds to destroy Bangladesh intellectually. “They picked up university teachers, doctors, researchers, writers, journalists and many others and killed them. It was a planned massacre aimed at making the nation intellectually weak,” he said. Fakhrul said the nation remembers this painful history every year on this day. Read more: Tarique Rahman to return on Dec 25 after 18 years in exile On behalf of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently ill, and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, he said they came to the memorial to pay homage to the martyred intellectuals, marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day. “We have taken an oath that, at any cost, we will protect Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and move the democratic journey forward,” Fakhrul said. He paid deep respect to all those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and democracy, and also remembered BNP founder and proclaimer of independence, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, for his role in bringing fundamental changes to Bangladesh. The BNP leader also remembered the young people who were killed during the mass uprising in 2024. BNP senior leaders and leaders and activists of its Dhaka city units and affiliated organisations were present there. Read more: Roots of Hadi's would-be assassins to be uprooted: Attorney General

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain travelled to Singapore on Sunday for a follow-up health check-up, as he received treatment there for a brain tumour in 2023. The 80-year-old BNP leader, accompanied by his wife, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Singapore on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 8:25am, his younger son Khandaker Maruf Hossain told UNB. He said Dr Mosharraf is scheduled to receive medical consultations and undergo tests at the National University Hospital in Singapore. “He will undergo several tests to assess the current condition of the tumour,” Maruf said. He said sphenoid wing meningioma was detected outside his father’s brain in 2023. Later, doctors at Singapore National Hospital provided upfront radiotherapy to control the tumour and manage its adverse effects. Maruf also said his father earlier gone to Singapore for a routine health check-up on February 12 this year. On behalf of the family, Maruf sought prayers from the country’s people for his father’s good health and well-being.

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami met the Chief Adviser at his invitation on Saturday morning to discuss the country’s overall situation, including preparations for the next national election. The meeting was held around 11am at the state guest house Jamuna. Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar, along with Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s Central Publicity and Media Department Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, attended the meeting on behalf of the party. At the same time, leaders of the BNP and NCP, as well as relatives of Inqilab Mancha convener and July movement activist Sharif Osman Hadi, also met the Chief Adviser. From the BNP, the delegation included Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and retired Major Hafizuddin Ahmed. From the NCP, the participants were Convenor Nahid Islam and Chief Organizer (Southern Region) Hasnat Abdullah. According to a press release sent by Jamaat’s Senior Publicity Assistant Mujibul Alam, the discussion focused on creating a conducive environment for holding the 13th parliamentary election in a free, fair and peaceful manner, improving law and order, and ensuring the safety of people’s lives and property. The participants also raised the issue of the brutal attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, who was critically injured after being shot in the head in the capital’s Bijoynagar area on Friday. They demanded the immediate arrest of those involved and exemplary punishment. Condemning the attack, the leaders said the entire nation is shocked and outraged, describing the incident as not only an attack on an individual but a direct assault on the nation and democracy. They urged the government to ensure proper medical treatment for Hadi and prayed for his speedy recovery, while also expressing sympathy for his family and seeking patience and strength for them. During the meeting Jamaat leader Golam Parwar said, “Recently, our various statements have increased the tendency to blame one another which has given our opponents an opportunity. We must remain united as we were before.”

Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan and Mancha 24 Convener Fahim Faruqi on Saturday demanded the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam, accusing him of inaction following the armed attack on Inquilab Mancha spokesperson and prospective independent parliamentary candidate from Dhaka-8, Sharif Osman Hadi. Speaking at an emergency press briefing in front of Evercare Hospital, the two leaders alleged that the Home Adviser must take responsibility for the deteriorating law and order situation, particularly after Hadi was shot at close range while riding a rickshaw. They said Hadi, known for his simple lifestyle, believed that adequate security measures would be in place. “If Hadi does not return to us alive, the government will have to bear full responsibility,” Rashed Khan said, adding that the Home Adviser cannot evade accountability for the incident. He further claimed that under the current leadership of the Home Ministry, law enforcement agencies are unable to function effectively. “If the government truly wants to hold a free, fair and credible election, the first step must be the removal of the Home Affairs Adviser,” he added. The two leaders alleged that the attack was politically motivated and carried out by activists linked to the Awami League, with the intention of sabotaging the upcoming election. Rashed Khan claimed that at least 50 candidates have been targeted nationwide as part of a broader plan to create fear and destabilise the electoral process. Describing the modus operandi of the attackers, he said the assailants approached Hadi in the guise of friends and had conducted surveillance on him multiple times, sometimes wearing masks and sometimes not. “These masked processions by Awami League goons, even if small in number, prove that the party will not be able to return to power. It was misbelief,” he said. He also alleged that he had earlier informed at least two advisers about the alleged plan to disrupt the election. “Awami League has failed to return as a ‘refined Awami League’ or by using the National Party. Now they want to contest as independents—not to participate, but to derail the election,” he said. Rashed Khan claimed that he repeatedly warned the Election Commission that allowing Awami League or its affiliates to participate would make it impossible for other candidates to stay in the race due to insecurity. Meanwhile, Fahim Faruqi said the attack on Osman Hadi was aimed at preventing the election from taking place. “Awami League has sent a clear message that if elections are held, their existence will be erased. That is why they want to stop the election at any cost,” he said. He described the police administration as “ineffective” and blamed the Home Adviser’s inaction for the situation. “We demand his resignation and the immediate arrest of the terrorists. If the attackers are not arrested within the next six hours, we will announce continuous protest programmes. We want justice, not excuses,” he said. Sharif Osman Hadi is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, where his family members are present. The family has expressed interest in taking him abroad for advanced medical treatment. Earlier on Friday night, Inquilab Mancha issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the interim government to arrest those responsible for the attack. The ultimatum was announced by the organisation’s Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber at an emergency press conference held at around 10:45 pm in front of Evercare Hospital. Jaber said Osman Hadi has been one of the strongest critics of the interim government, yet also a key figure who stood by it during critical moments. “Now it is the government’s responsibility to ensure his best possible treatment. If necessary, he must be sent abroad by air ambulance,” he said. He added that the Chief Adviser has already contacted Hadi’s family and other advisers have visited the hospital to inquire about his condition. “Osman Hadi is not only a leader of Dhaka-8, but of the entire country. Those who fired bullets into his chest must be arrested within 24 hours. We will not accept any narrative that the attackers were ‘killed elsewhere’,” Jaber warned.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday urged the nation to observe Martyred Intellectuals Day and Victory Day with due respect and solemnity. In a statement, he said these two days are significant milestones in the nation’s history, honoring the sacrifices and struggles of the martyred intellectuals and the valiant freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War. He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and offered condolences to their bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery for those injured during the July Uprising last year. Referring to the recent attack on Inquilab Mancha convener and July 2024 activist Sharif Osman Hadi, Shafiqur Rahman condemned the assault, calling it a shocking act against not only an individual but the nation and democracy itself. He urged the government to ensure Hadi’s proper medical care and appealed to the public to pray for his swift recovery. The Ameer-e-Jamaat emphasized that the country has recently freed itself from oppressive rule through the united movement of students and the public. Despite economic challenges, he warned that forces supporting fascism, both domestic and foreign, are continuing their conspiracies, citing the assassination attempt on Hadi as evidence. Former BNP MP Akhtaruzzaman joins Jamaat He called on Jamaat-e-Islami’s branches and citizens to resist anti-national conspiracies and celebrate the upcoming national days with commitment to independence, sovereignty, and citizen rights. Three-day Jamaat program announced: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a three-day programme to observe Martyred Intellectuals Day on December 14 and Victory Day on December 16 with due respect. According to the schedule, a discussion marking Martyred Intellectuals Day will be held on December 14 (Sunday) at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in Dhaka. Organised by Dhaka Metropolitan North Jamaat, the event will begin at 3:30 PM, with the party’s Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar attending as the chief guest. On December 15 (Monday), Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat will host a discussion marking Victory Day at the Institution of Diploma Engineers at 3 PM. Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman will join the programme as the chief guest. The three-day observance will conclude on December 16 (Tuesday) with a youth marathon or rally organised by the party’s central youth wing at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital. The party will also hold discussions, rallies, and prayers nationwide to uphold the country’s independence and citizens’ rights while observing Victory Day with due respect.

Former BNP lawmaker Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman of Kishoreganj-2 constituency has formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. On Saturday morning, he met Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s central office and completed the formalities by filling out the preliminary membership form. During the meeting, Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman expressed deep confidence and satisfaction with Jamaat-e-Islami’s principles, ideology, patriotism, and steadfast stance on safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty. He pledged to dedicate the remainder of his life to upholding Islamic values, national interests, and the nation’s independence and sovereignty. He also vowed to remain loyal to the party’s rules, discipline, and organizational principles. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman warmly welcomed him and wished him a long and prosperous life. The event was attended by the party’s Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar, as well as Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim. Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman was expelled from BNP on February 20, 2022, for allegedly engaging in activities against party discipline. A veteran of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman is a senior politician and prominent leader of various democratic movements. After independence, he remained active in politics and social welfare initiatives. He served in the Bangladesh Army before retiring as a major and was elected twice to the national parliament from Kishoreganj-2 as a BNP candidate.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Saturday described the gun attack on Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman bin Hadi ahead of the election as a small part of a larger conspiracy, not an isolated incident. “This is not an isolated incident. First Ershad Ullah was attacked in Chattogram, now Hadi has been attacked in Dhaka. This is a small part of a big conspiracy. More plots will come to light in the coming days,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a protest rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office. The rally was organised by BNP Dhaka South city unit to protest the attacks on Hadi and Ershad Ullah and to demand quick justice. He said a similar attack had been made earlier, referring to the shooting of Ershad Ullah in Chattogram. “The attack on Osman Hadi is an assault on people’s democratic rights, sovereignty and freedom,” he said, calling for resistance against dark forces. “These forces must be stopped and given a strong reply. Those trying to create chaos should be careful.” Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee Member, claimed the attack was pre-planned, saying Hadi was shot around 2:00pm and within half an hour social media posts began calling people to unite and create chaos. “This shows it was all planned.” Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka a day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, setting February 12 as polling day, leaving him seriously injured. He is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital with a bullet injury to his head. Hadi was campaigning to contest the Dhaka-8 seat as an independent candidate. Earlier, on November 5, BNP-nominated candidate Ershad Ullah was also shot while campaigning in the Chattogram-8 seat. Abbas, who has also been nominated by BNP to contest the Dhaka-8 seat, narrated facing aggressive slogans when he went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital to see the injured Osman Hadi. Abbas said those who shouted slogans were not supporters of Hadi but leaders of an associate organisation of another political party, alleging they wanted Hadi to die by disrupting his treatment. Condemning the attack, Mirza Abbas said Osman Hadi was “like a son” to him. “When I heard that Hadi was shot, I was mentally shaken. This is an attack on democracy,” he said. Abbas said he did not wish death on anyone, regardless of political identity, but stressed that those involved in violence and incitement must be arrested. “We want the attackers of Hadi to be arrested and the masks of those behind the plot to be removed,” he said. Calling Osman Hadi a brave street activist, Mirza Abbas said, “He is not my electoral rival, he is my competitor. I hope to see him active again in the election field soon.” After the rally, a protest procession was brought out from Nayapaltan, which marched through Bijoynagar and Fakirapool before ending in front of the BNP party office.  

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday described the gun attack on Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi as a well-planned conspiracy and demanded exemplary punishment for the real perpetrators through a proper investigation. “This is a planned conspiracy aimed at putting the blame on BNP leaders. The real miscreants must be identified and punished through a fair and credible investigation,” he said while speaking at a protest rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. Rizvi also said the attack on Hadi, as well as a separate attack on BNP-nominated candidate Ershad Ullah in Chattogram-8 seat, is not an isolated incident. The rally was organised by BNP to protest the attacks on Hadi and Ershadullah and to demand quick justice. Within one or two hours of the shooting, Rizvi said, a motivated post spread on social media, making objectionable and defamatory remarks against BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas without any investigation. “If guilt is decided on Facebook within such a short time, then what is the need for an investigation?” he questioned. The BNP leader said many influential political leaders from different parties live in areas such as Shantinagar, Sajanpur and Khilgaon, but none of them ever faced such an attack. “Then why was Sharif Osman Hadi suddenly targeted?” Rizvi asked. He said Hadi never spoke against Mirza Abbas, nor he attacked him politically. “He spoke against injustice and against the enemies of the country. Is becoming an independent candidate in Dhaka-8 his crime?” He also criticised a recent social media post by a student leader, saying it is unacceptable to label a senior national leader without any proof. Rizvi highlighted Mirza Abbas’s long political career, saying there had never been any allegation of violence against him in nearly 50 years of politics. “Even those he disagrees with say that although he may scold people, he has never harmed anyone. It is not believable that such a guardian-like figure would harm someone young enough to be his son,” he said. The BNP leader mentioned that the Police Commissioner has already told the media that those involved in the attack have been identified and that important clue has been found. “This is not BNP’s claim. This is the statement of a responsible state authority,” he said. The BNP leader alleged that a vested group has carefully planned the attack to frame BNP leaders. “This master plan is now slowly becoming clear. The people understand it, and the administration also knows who is behind this dangerous conspiracy.” He warned against attempts to create disorder in the name of mob politics. “Anarchy and mob violence can never establish good governance, justice or democracy.”

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday called upon their party leaders and workers to remain alert against mob violence and attempts to destabilise the country ahead of the election. “Keeping in mind the change in the mindset of the people of Bangladesh after 5 August, BNP is committed to building a stable and peaceful Bangladesh through the politics envisioned by Tarique Rahman. But now we see the opposite kind of politics,” he said. Speaking at the opening session of the sixth day of BNP’s ‘Plan to Build the Country’ workshop at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Farmgate, the leader also expressed concern over the prevailing politics of mob rule, brute force, speaking disrespectfully to others, and belittling people. Fakhrul urges govt to ensure law and order after Hadi shooting “The politics of creating instability under any pretext can never be desirable for Bangladesh’s democracy. We must keep our eyes and ears open,” he said. Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, condemned the shooting of Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, calling it a very sad incident. “The President of the Chattogram City unit was attacked earlier, and another incident occurred yesterday (Friday). This is a time when stability is extremely important.” Describing Tarique Rahman as the ‘torchbearer of democracy’, he expressed excitement over his upcoming return to Bangladesh. “Those who have been waiting for Bangladesh’s democratic revival will be glad to know that the torchbearer of democracy, Tarique Rahman, will return to Bangladesh on December 25, Inshallah. This is truly joyful news for us,” he said. Khosru said the party’s ‘Plan to Build the Country’ follows the commitment, vision, and dreams that Tarique Rahman has set for rebuilding the nation and shaping its future. “We are especially delighted that on December 25, the most popular leader awaited by the people will return, bringing hope for the restoration of democracy and democratic order in Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader said Tarique Rahman united the nation and led the movement against the Awami League regime successfully. “The hero of that struggle and the torchbearer of democracy, Tarique Rahman, will return to Bangladesh on December 25.” Speaking about the political impact of Tarique’s return, Khosru said a new wave of democratic energy will sweep across Bangladesh’s political landscape. “Everyone must be prepared for that day and for the upcoming election.” “The forthcoming election is not just a victory for BNP as it will be a victory for democracy. BNP is the torchbearer of democracy, and we must uphold this responsibility,” he added. Khosru emphasised, “BNP’s priority will not be mega projects in the name of development, but investment in education and healthcare. Sustainable development is not possible without fulfilling people’s basic needs.” He inaugurated the sixth day’s programme at the KIB auditorium, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to address the concluding session virtually in the afternoon. Leaders and activists from across the country joined the programme to receive training on various issues so they can reach out to people and explain BNP’s plans, election manifesto, and promises ahead of the polls.