United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said that his party will not compromise on the country’s sovereignty and national interests while addressing a meeting with leaders of the 11-party alliance and journalists at the Sylhet Circuit House on Sunday night. “On matters of independence and sovereignty, we will not make any compromise. Our top leaders embraced martyrdom with a smile on their faces but never compromised with the fallen fascist regime,” he said. Jamaat ameer warns against move to “control” Islami Bank Shafiqur Rahman said Jamaat remains committed to the country and its people, adding that the party would not step back from implementing the ‘July Charter’ and the verdict of the referendum. “We will not step back from implementing the people’s mandate. If a solution is found in Parliament, the movement on the streets will continue. We will force the government to implement the people’s verdict,” he said. He said that a good election does not necessarily ensure good governance. He alleged that the current government, which came to power through what he described as a “bloody July uprising,” has ignored the July Charter and annulled the referendum verdict where around 70 percent of people voted in favour. On border tensions,  he said provocation was coming from across the border. “We have become independent twice, but have we achieved real independence? We will not compromise on the sovereignty of the nation,” he said. “We do not want to turn Parliament into Mamtaz’s Parliament,” he also said, adding that debates in Parliament should remain respectful and issue-based. He also criticised recent parliamentary remarks against religious values, saying such behaviour undermines national commitments.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mr. Mir Shahe Alam, MP, conducted a sudden clean-up drive in the Shahbagh area under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) shortly after attending a parliamentary session, as part of efforts to improve waste management and cleanliness discipline. During the drive, 10 traders were fined by a mobile court for dumping waste near shops and causing environmental pollution. The operation also included a two-hour-long awareness campaign among traders and pedestrians to promote cleanliness and proper waste disposal. The minister arrived in the Shahbagh area at around 8pm on Sunday immediately after the parliamentary session ended. During his inspection, he expressed dissatisfaction upon finding garbage accumulated near several shops and directed immediate action against those responsible.

The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will hold a protest rally and demonstration procession in the capital on Monday, demanding an immediate end to illegal push-ins, border killings, and torture along the Bangladesh-India border. The rally will be held at Shahbagh in Dhaka at 5 pm, Jamaat-e-Islami said in a statement on Sunday. Top leaders of the 11-party alliance are expected to participate in the program, it added. The alliance has urged people from all walks of life in the capital to participate in the protest rally and demonstration procession and make the programme a success.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, Vice President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF), on Sunday said greater emphasis will be placed on teamwork, practical learning and moral education from Class VII to help students develop skills and values necessary for the future. She made the remarks while addressing the closing and prize-giving ceremony of the Dhaka district-level Startup, Science Project and Innovation Idea Showcasing Competition organised by Dhaka district administration at BAF Shaheen College in the capital. Zubaida Rahman inaugurates ‘Shishu Shorgo Model' at Korail Slum Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon attended the programme as a special guest. Highlighting challenges in the education sector, Dr Zubaida Rahman said many educational institutions continue to suffer from poor infrastructure. “Regardless of whether students come from wealthy or underprivileged backgrounds, appropriate measures will be taken in disadvantaged areas to make future education more accessible,” she said. The district-level competition followed the upazila-level round held on Friday, where the best teams were selected to participate in the innovation showcase and contest. Under the competition format, one winning team from each upazila and two winning teams from each metropolitan education zone advanced to the district-level event. In total, around 550 teams participated. Each team consisted of three students and two teachers. The large-scale programme has been organised for the first time under the Educational Excellence Support Scheme of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) under the Ministry of Education. The initiative involves students and teachers from Class VI to Class XII and is being conducted in three phases—upazila/thana, district and national levels. The exhibition of innovative ideas, science projects and startup concepts has turned into a vibrant festival of young talent, where students are presenting new ideas, practical solutions to real-world problems and entrepreneurial aspirations.

BNP chairman's adviser Moazzem Hossain Alal on Sunday said the people of Bangladesh are united against push-ins across the border, as he sounded out India over the border situation. Speaking at a rally organised by the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal in front of the National Press Club, Alal said Bangladeshis have stood alongside border guards in resisting push-ins. “The most reassuring aspect for Bangladesh is that if there are five BGB members at the border, five thousand Bangladeshis are present trying to resist push-ins. But on the Indian side, no native citizen is seen standing with the BSF. People from all walks of life in Bangladesh have become united in resisting these push-ins. India must stop this immediately,” he said. Alal said Bangladeshis are known for their hospitality and warmly welcome visitors. “The people of Bangladesh are hospitable. When someone comes to this country, they are welcomed. But if someone wants to stay here indefinitely, the people of this country also know how to show them the way out,” he said. Referring to India’s role during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971, Alal said Bangladesh acknowledges India’s support during that period. At the same time, he cited the examples of Vietnam and Afghanistan, saying even major powers failed to maintain a lasting presence there. “Neither the United States, nor the Soviet Union, nor Russia could remain in those countries. Entering Bangladesh is very easy, but leaving Bangladesh is much more difficult,” he said. Commenting on the push-in issue, Alal said if there is so much interest in sending people to Bangladesh, India could send the Chief Minister of West Bengal because his ancestral home is in Barishal. “He would be welcomed and treated with respect. We do not behave the way you do,” he said. The BNP leader also alleged that divisions are being created in India in the name of religion. “You are creating divisions in the name of religion. The treatment of minority Muslims in India is being condemned across the world,” he said. Alal said Bangladesh’s relations with India would be guided by national interests and dignity. “Our relations with India will be based on national interest, national priority and mutual respect. Friendship will come after that. This principle applies not only to India but to every country in the world. Bangladesh’s dignity must come first in our diplomacy,” he said. Among others, BNP Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu and Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal President Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat attended the rally.

Local Government Minister and BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said research on life, work and political philosophy of martyred President Ziaur Rahman remains inadequate, stressing the need for comprehensive academic studies on his contributions. “Whenever we try to discuss martyred President Ziaur Rahman, it becomes clear that research on him is still very limited. In my view, this amounts to a certain injustice to history,” he said while addressing a photo exhibition and discussion organised at the Jatiya Press Club marking the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Fakhrul said Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, who was present at the event, now has an opportunity to take initiatives for conducting in-depth research on Ziaur Rahman’s life, work and political thoughts. “There is a need for a high-standard research project that thoroughly examines his entire life, achievements and his vision,” he said. At the beginning of his speech, Fakhrul referred to the FIFA World Cup and said he had watched the match of his favourite team, Brazil, the previous night. “I still enjoy sports. Perhaps that is why I still feel young, not in age, but certainly in spirit,” he said. Speaking about books written on Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul said the work of late journalist Mahfuz Ullah remains, in his view, one of the best research-based publications on the former president. “Among the books I have read, Mahfuz Ullah’s book impressed me the most. It is based on extensive research and offers valuable insights for those who want to understand Ziaur Rahman,” he said. Fakhrul said that although Ziaur Rahman served for only three and a half to four years, he initiated reforms and development efforts in almost every sector of the state. Zia’s greatest achievements were establishing a distinct Bangladeshi national identity, he said. “I am a Bangladeshi. I have a separate identity. I am not a Bengali from West Bengal, I am a citizen of this land. Through the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism, he established that distinct identity,” he said. Fakhrul also highlighted Ziaur Rahman’s efforts to revive Bangladesh’s economy following the devastating famine of 1974. Recalling Nobel laureate Amartya Sen’s observations, Fakhrul said the famine had been widely viewed as a man-made disaster resulting from policy failures. He said Zia sought to rebuild public confidence, stimulate economic growth and inspire people to work towards national development. “Many of these contributions are not discussed adequately,” he said. Fakhrul described Zia as a leader who travelled extensively across the country and worked directly with ordinary people to motivate them towards self-reliance and development. The BNP secretary general said Zia’s contributions extended beyond politics and economics and included efforts to inspire national confidence, democratic values and grassroots development. Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, journalists, researchers and admirers of the late president attended the event.

Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) staged a protest march condemning what they described as attempts by Islami Chhatra Shibir to "stage false narratives of abduction and enforced disappearance," which they said undermined the suffering of genuine victims of enforced disappearances. They also accused the organization of spreading misinformation online and alleged involvement of its covert members in crimes including rape and violence against women. The procession began at the Central Shaheed Minar at 9:00 pm on Saturday and ended in front of Shahbagh Police Station. Activists from various universities, colleges, and metropolitan units of JCD in Dhaka participated in the rally. They demanded punishment for Shibir leaders those allegedly involved in the incident of Comilla and called for legal action against individuals who spread false and misleading information to create confusion among the public. Speaking at the programme, JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib alleged that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir had been systematically controlling social media platforms and continuously spreading misinformation and propaganda. He claimed that the groups were trivializing serious state crimes and creating what he termed "false disappearance dramas" to mislead the public. "The group speaks about Islam and women's rights, but its real character is reflected in its actions," Rakib said. JCD General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir described Chhatra Shibir as a "secretive organization". He claimed that the individual's name did not appear in Shibir's committee announced on January 5, 2026, but that the organization later identified him as an Assistant International Affairs Secretary of its central committee when a "false disappearance drama" emerged. Nasir further alleged that although Shibir stated the individual had been expelled for engaging in an extramarital relationship, its statement did not mention any action regarding allegations of serious crimes such as rape. "Through this, it becomes evident that while they consider love a crime, they do not regard rape as a crime," he said. He also noted that numerous opposition leaders and activists, including members of JCD, had been subjected to enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings over the past 17 years. According to him, staging such "disappearance dramas" amounted to a grave insult to those who had genuinely suffered enforced disappearance or had been killed. Referring to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, Nasir alleged that he had been using his verified social media accounts to repeatedly spread fabricated narratives and misinformation. Nasir warned that if similar misinformation campaigns were carried out in the future by Jamaat-e-Islami or Chhatra Shibir leaders, JCD would pursue strict legal action against the individuals and social media accounts concerned. It is worth noting that earlier, Jisan Mia Pradhan, the central assistant international affairs secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir, went missing from Daudkandi in Comilla. A day later, after he was rescued in Laksam, a case was filed against him on charges of rape and forced abortion. Police claim that no one kidnapped Jisan; he himself was in hiding. This information was given in a press release by the Comilla District Police on Friday night. However, after the incident, opposition leaders and Chhatra Shibir leaders and activists claimed on social media that Jisan had been kidnapped.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Saturday described the proposed national budget as “extravagant, dependent on foreign loans and oriented towards plunder.” He also raised the possibility of the monies allocated to different streams being misused as graft still prevails in society.  He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after attending an educational workshop for members of upazila working committees at the Bhola district Jamaat office as the chief guest. Jamaat holds protest rally in capital, terms proposed budget ‘anti-people, loot-friendly’ Parwar said the government had not taken into consideration the proposals put forward by Jamaat regarding increasing revenue collection, reforming the tax structure, controlling corruption, boosting investment and reducing dependence on foreign loans by strengthening domestic economic capacity. The Jamaat leader said no budget could bring welfare to the people unless corruption in the administration, tax administration, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Service Commission and the judiciary was reduced. He alleged that if corruption remains unchecked, there is a risk that budgetary allocations could be used to serve partisan interests rather than public welfare. He called for revising the budget to make it more people-friendly before its final approval. Criticising increases in gas, fuel and electricity prices, he said implementing a budget that places additional burdens on ordinary people would be difficult. He urged the government to revise the budget in line with the aspirations of the people. Parwar further warned that any decision taken contrary to public expectations would further distance the government from the people.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday urged the foreign diplomats and development partners to invest in in the current government's vision of transforming Bangladesh into a self-reliant, resilient and industrialised country where every citizen enjoys a fair share of prosperity and dignity. “We offer a Bangladesh that is completely stable, ethical, and generally people-oriented. We invite you to invest in our vision. Trust me, you will not regret,” he said, while addressing an event in the city. China supports Bangladesh’s development: Mirza Fakhrul The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) organized the conference titled ‘Roadmap for Trade Growth and Economic Diplomacy’ at hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon. The LGRD Minister said the government is ready to do anything and everything for the new Bangladesh. “Our ambition is clear and unwavering --to transform Bangladesh into the self-reliant, resilient, industrial country, where every citizen is offered a fair share in prosperity and dignity,” he said, adding that the proposed national budget placed for coming fiscal year of 2026-2027 is a document and a benchmark for achieving decision. After 20 years, the BNP government has started outlining a vision, though it has inherited a Bangladesh, which has been devastated by the recent past autocratic regime, he said. Fakhrul said the democratic institutions, as well as the economic institutions, were total destroyed to create an autocratic society an oligarchy economy. “We believe that each and every single citizen of the country must feel that the state institution work for them. We believe that each and every single city they could work for them,” he said. Under the dynamic leadership of our Prime Minister, Tarique Raman, their government is committed to providing the hardworking and fast learning people of Bangladesh a dignified life and comfortable living.  “We aspired to achieve this auspicious goal by strengthening the local government architecture in such a way that both the governance and the government (services) reach the people at their foot doorsteps,” said the LGRD Minister. The minister said such reforms would create a more favourable environment for foreign partners and investors.  “We believe that this decision and this architecture will be deeply satisfying for our foreign friends, and allow them to leverage the capital and the network capability into solid and tangible market based initiatives," he said. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education Mahdi Amin and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud spoke at the event conducted by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam. The conference brought together senior government leaders, heads of diplomatic missions, development partners, and representatives from the private sector to chart a forward-looking agenda for Bangladesh’s economic engagement. The “Roadmap for Trade, Growth & Economic Diplomacy 2026” is being held at a critical juncture of global transitions, risks and uncertainties, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event aims to foster greater coordination between policy and implementation, enhance Bangladesh’s economic diplomacy, and build stronger partnerships with the international community.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed has said on Friday afternoon that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working through diplomatic channels to resolve the ongoing issue of push-in incidents from India. She said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remains on alert along the border areas and is actively preventing attempted push-ins from across the border. She also said the foreign ministry has already sent 12 to 13 letters to New Delhi requesting an end to such incidents. Peacekeepers risk their lives to uphold national honour: Shama Obaed The state minister made the remarks at Saltha Press Club in Saltha upazila of Faridpur. She further said that there are clear international procedures regarding the repatriation of illegal nationals of any country. Bangladesh expects the Indian government to follow those established norms. “If any illegal Indian nationals are found in Bangladesh, the country will also return them following diplomatic procedures,” she said. She emphasized that no country should push back individuals under the cover of darkness, adding that such actions violate established norms. The event was presided over by Saltha Upazila Press Club President Nurul Islam Nahid. Later, the state minister inaugurated a road built at a cost of about 1.5 crore taka in Saltha Upazila Bazar.