United News of Bangladesh

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday alleged that the severity of floods in different parts of the country and the resulting loss of lives were consequences of unplanned development and environmentally harmful infrastructure projects undertaken during the Awami League government. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP's central office in Capital's Nayapaltan, Rizvi said the previous AL government's development approach ignored environmental realities and natural water flow, leading to recurring natural disasters. “The deaths caused by the floods are the result of the Awami League government's unplanned management. By obstructing the natural flow of nature in the name of development projects, they created today's severe flood situation in different parts of the country,” he said. Rizvi said any development project should consider climate-related issues, environmental impacts and whether rivers, canals, wetlands and other natural water bodies would be affected. A democratic and accountable government would examine whether projects could trigger natural disasters, worsen waterlogging or contribute to severe droughts, but the previous AL government did not because, he claimed, it was focused on looting public money and facilitating money laundering. “The previous government spoke about development, but their development was aimed at looting and siphoning off money. They never considered what could cause natural disasters, how people could become trapped in waterlogging, or how the country could face devastating drought,” he said. Referring to infrastructure built in the haor region, Rizvi criticised the construction of roads through wetlands, including a road built through a haor to facilitate access to the residence of former President Abdul Hamid. He said such projects have contributed to untimely floods, crop losses and widespread suffering. He alleged that during its nearly 17 years in power, the Awami League government pursued such projects primarily to benefit party-linked contractors and enrich its leaders. He also criticised the establishment of the Rampal coal-fired power plant, saying environmental experts had repeatedly warned that it could damage the Sundarbans, which he described as the country's principal natural source of oxygen. “Experts repeatedly warned that coal-based power generation there would damage the Sundarbans. But the fascist government ignored those warnings to satisfy a particular foreign country,” he alleged. He added that reports now indicate the Sundarbans is under environmental stress and that many species of birds, wildlife and plants are disappearing.  

A specialised medical team of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Sunday provided free medical treatment and medicines to around 1,000 flood-affected people in Katharia Union of Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram. The team also distributed relief on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, providing 10 days' food assistance to 50 flood-affected families. The programme was conducted at the premises of Katharia High School under the leadership of JCD Vice-President and chief coordinator of the medical team, Dr Touhidur Rahman Awal. Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Awal said, “BNP's politics is for the people. As soon as the floods struck, the Prime Minister arranged Tk 2 Crore 15 lakhs in cash assistance and 3,450 tonnes of rice. Nearly 1,000 shelter centres have been opened, and rescue operations are continuing at full pace.”    

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher and the newly appointed chairmen of several development authorities on Sunday paid tribute to former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia by placing wreaths at their graves. The minister, accompanied by Rajshahi Development Authority Chairman Md Abul Kalam Azad, Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Lodi, Mymensingh Development Authority Chairman Motahar Hossain Talukdar, Cumilla Development Authority Chairman Udbatul Bari Babu, Rangpur Development Authority Chairman Shamsuzzaman Samu and Narayanganj Development Authority Chairman Mashukul Islam Rajib, offered floral tributes at the graves of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Special prayers were offered seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. A large number of leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its associate bodies were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, six new development authorities have recently been established under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Barishal, Cumilla, Rangpur and Narayanganj Development Authorities. According to the ministry, the authorities aim to preserve the ecological and environmental balance of their respective regions, prevent unplanned urbanisation, ensure disaster-resilient urban management, promote information technology and tourism, and develop well-planned modern cities with improved civic amenities.

Former Acting President, former Speaker of Parliament and BNP Standing Committee member Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar was laid to rest at the Parliament graveyard following his namaz-e-janaza at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Sunday. Sircar was buried with state honours after the second janaza held following Asr prayers inside the entrance tunnel of the Parliament complex, as inclement weather forced the venue to be shifted from the South Plaza. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman joined the janaza along with cabinet members, lawmakers, senior political leaders, government officials and members of Sircar's family. Following the janaza, a wreath was first placed on Sircar's coffin on behalf of President Mohammed Shahabuddin by his Military Secretary Major General ASM Bahauddin. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman then paid his last respects by placing a wreath on the coffin.  He also laid another wreath on behalf of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), accompanied by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders. Speaker Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni and other whips, as well as officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat, also paid their respects by placing wreaths. After the wreath-laying ceremony, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni recalled Sircar's long political career and his contributions to the country and Parliament. Earlier in the day, Parliament expressed profound grief over Sircar's death.  Lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches paid tribute to the veteran politician, followed by a one-minute silence and special prayers for the eternal peace of his departed soul. The second janaza was attended by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, cabinet members, lawmakers, senior government officials, Parliament Secretariat officials and Sircar's family members, including his eldest son, Barrister Naoshad Jamir. Earlier, the first janaza of the veteran politician was held after Zuhr prayers at Taqwa Mosque in Dhanmondi. The Prime Minister said he had served the country with integrity, wisdom and a strong sense of responsibility throughout his long political career.  Tarique Rahman said the nation will remember with deep respect his contributions to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting parliamentary practices and serving the people. BNP on Sunday announced a nationwide mourning programme for Monday following his death. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office. "The BNP has announced a one-day mourning programme following the death of Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar. A nationwide day of mourning will be observed on Monday," he said. As part of the programme, black flags will be hoisted at BNP offices across the country and party leaders and activists will wear black badges. Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar passed away at 4:18am on Sunday while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in the capital. A founding member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Sircar served as Speaker of the Eighth Jatiya Sangsad and as Acting President from June 21 to September 6, 2002, following the resignation of then President Professor AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury. During his long political career, he held several key ministerial portfolios, including housing and public works, foreign affairs, land, education, science and technology, and law. He was also widely respected as a Supreme Court lawyer for his contribution to constitutional law, parliamentary practice and democratic politics. He is survived by a daughter, Nilufar Jamir, and two sons, Barrister Naoshad Jamir, MP, and Naufel Jamir. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Jamiruddin Sircar. In a condolence message, he described Jamiruddin Sircar, former acting President and Speaker, Language Movement hero and member of the BNP National Standing Committee, as a wise, honest and dedicated personality.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) National Standing Committee has decided to make the party’s activities more active and instructed all units, including affiliated organisations, to take necessary steps in this regard. The meeting also discussed holding elections at different levels of local government and urged party units to strengthen organisational activities. It decided to arrange a meeting of the National Executive Committee as soon as possible and assigned BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to take necessary measures. The decisions were disclosed in a press release signed by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who is also the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister. The meeting of the party’s highest policymaking body was held at BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office on Saturday night, with BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. According to the press release, the meeting discussed various issues in detail and took several decisions. At the meeting, the BNP Secretary General informed the members about the implementation of decisions taken at previous meetings. The meeting discussed the implementation of priority projects of the BNP government and expressed satisfaction over the progress of programmes including Family Card, Farmer Card, canal excavation initiatives, and allowances for mosque imams and muezzins, temple priests, church fathers and Buddhist temple caretakers. The meeting also discussed the implementation of the party’s election manifesto. It praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s initiatives in this regard and expressed hope that the targets outlined in the manifesto would be achieved within the stipulated time. The meeting condemned what it described as attempts by the opposition to mislead people over the July Charter and referendum. It decided to accelerate the process of informing the public about the party’s position on the issue and directed the concerned individuals and institutions to take necessary steps. The meeting reviewed the results of the 2026 national parliamentary election and requested BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan to prepare a comprehensive report on the matter. The meeting was briefed about the agreements signed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visits to Malaysia and China. It praised the participation of the two countries in creating mutual development and cooperation opportunities and Bangladesh’s economic progress. The meeting said significant progress had been achieved through the visits based on mutual respect and congratulated the Prime Minister for their success. The Standing Committee expressed deep concern over the resumption of clashes between Iran and the United States following a recent ceasefire. It called upon the two countries to end hostilities and establish peace through dialogue, saying the conflict was severely affecting economies across the Middle East and beyond. The meeting described the election of Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman as president of the United Nations General Assembly as a major success under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. It expressed hope that the achievement would enhance Bangladesh’s global image and play a positive role in resolving the Rohingya crisis. The meeting also expressed concern over the growing drug problem in the country and called upon the government to take more effective measures to address the issue. The meeting expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of former BNP treasurer, former MP from Munshiganj and former minister Mizanur Rahman Sinha, and former MP from Brahmanbaria, former chief whip and former minister Harun-or-Rashid. It prayed for the salvation of their souls and conveyed condolences to their bereaved families. The meeting also expressed concern over the illness of BNP Standing Committee member, former Speaker, former Acting President, former minister and former MP from Panchagarh Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar; Standing Committee member, current government adviser and former minister Mirza Abbas; and Standing Committee member, former ambassador and current government adviser Nazrul Islam Khan. It prayed to Almighty Allah for their speedy recovery. At the end of the meeting, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman thanked all participants and concluded the session. Those present at the meeting included BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku and Selima Rahman. Mirza Abbas, who is currently undergoing treatment in Malaysia, joined the meeting virtually.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the nation will remember with respect the contributions of former Speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar to politics and the state. He made the remarks in a condolence message issued following the death of Jamiruddin Sircar, a BNP Standing Committee member and former acting President. Fakhrul expressed deep shock and heartfelt condolences at the demise of the veteran politician. “With his death, the country has lost an accomplished and experienced politician. A deep void has been created in the political arena. Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar will always be remembered by the people for his dedication to ensuring democratic rights, from the Language Movement of 1952 throughout his illustrious political career,” he said. The BNP leader said Jamiruddin Sircar added a new dimension to parliamentary politics in Bangladesh as an experienced parliamentarian. He said Jamiruddin Sircar’s contributions to the state and society as a colleague of political figures, including Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, remained undeniable. “He was a living history of contemporary politics. His death has cast a shadow of grief across the country,” he said. Fakhrul also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family. Jamiruddin Sircar passed away at a city hospital in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 95.

The government is working to deliver textbooks to all students across the country by January 1 for the next academic year, Prime Minister’s Adviser and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Sunday. While speaking at a workshop organised by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium to finalise the framework of four new textbooks for the 2027 academic year at the primary and secondary levels, he said textbooks are expected to be ready by mid-November to allow sufficient time for nationwide distribution. Mahdi Amin said the final copies of the textbooks will be submitted to the Prime Minister within this month for review. “Based on his observations, further revisions, additions or modifications will be made before the books are sent for final publication,” he added. Turning to the four proposed new books, he called for making the Learning with Happiness book more visual, interactive and engaging than conventional textbooks as part of the government's curriculum reform initiative. The new book should include more illustrations, diagrams, tables and other visual elements to encourage students to learn with greater interest and enjoyment, the PMO spokesperson said. “We want Learning with Happiness to be different from traditional text-heavy books. It should inspire students through visual presentation and make learning enjoyable,” he said. The adviser said the textbook should also contain a comprehensive introductory chapter explaining its objectives, educational philosophy, practical application and relevance to the country's education system. Highlighting the importance of technical and vocational education, he said social stigma surrounding vocational education remains a major challenge, discouraging many students, including those from well-off families, from pursuing it. To address this, Mahdi Amin suggested including a background chapter in the vocational education textbook explaining its practical value in daily life and how technical skills can help solve real-world problems. He said the government's long-term vision is to establish a technical education laboratory in every school – from remote rural institutions to the country's top urban schools – so that every student, including high-performing science students, receives at least basic technical education. “Every student in Bangladesh should acquire some level of technical education,” the PMO spokesperson said, stressing the need to motivate students and parents about its importance. Curriculum development is a continuous process and that revisions, additions and improvements are an integral part of preparing textbooks every year, he said. Mahdi Amin also noted that experts have been working to identify and correct inaccuracies and historical distortions found in textbooks prepared during previous years, saying the government wants history to be presented objectively without political bias. “Our goal is to ensure that history reflects facts through impartial analysis rather than being shaped to suit any particular narrative,” he said. The adviser also thanked officials of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), subject experts and all those involved in preparing the four new textbooks within a short period of three to four months. There is still about a month available for further review and refinement before the books are finalised, he said, adding that Learning with Happiness remains the most significant among the four new subjects because it is closely linked to the core values of the country's education system. The three other new subjects Sports, and Culture, and Technical and Vocational Education.

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman and the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Sunday expressed deep sorrow at the death of former acting President, ex-Speaker and BNP Standing Committee member Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar. In a condolence message, Shafiqur Rahman recalled the seasoned politician’s distinguished career, describing him as a renowned senior lawyer and a patriotic politician who discharged both his professional and political responsibilities with dedication and integrity. Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar passes away He said Jamiruddin Sircar earned respect across party lines during his tenure as Speaker of Parliament and remained sympathetic to victims of political repression, including senior Jamaat leaders, during what he described as the previous fascist regime. According to Shafiqur Rahman, the late leader provided important legal and political advice on various occasions. Highlighting Jamiruddin Sircar's generosity, he said he stood in court as one of the principal lawyers for Jamaat leaders in several legal battles and refused to accept any professional fees despite difficult circumstances. The opposition leader prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family, followers and colleagues. In a separate statement, the NCP termed the death an irreparable loss to Bangladesh's political and legal arena and prayed that Allah grant him Jannatul Ferdous and give strength to his family and admirers to bear the loss. Jamiruddin Sircar passed away at a city hospital in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 95.

BNP on Sunday announced a nationwide mourning programme for Monday following the death of party's Standing Committee member and former acting President Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office. "The BNP has announced a one-day mourning programme following the death of Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar. A nationwide day of mourning will be observed on Monday," he said. As part of the programme, black flags will be hoisted at BNP offices across the country and party leaders and activists will wear black badges. Rizvi said Jamiruddin Sircar's first namaz-e-janaza will be held after Zohr prayers at Taqwa Mosque in Dhanmondi, followed by a second janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at 5:00pm. He prayed for the salvation of the departed soul of the veteran politician. The BNP leader also urged party leaders and activists to stand beside people affected by the ongoing floods. "Large parts of the country, including Chattogram, have been inundated. Our Prime Minister and BNP Chairman has instructed leaders and activists at all levels of the party to stand by the flood-affected people," he said. BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam, Executive Committee members Abdus Sattar Patwary and Prof Aminul Haque, and Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal leader Dr Zahid Hossain, among others, were present at the press conference.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of veteran politician, senior lawyer, former Speaker and acting President Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar. In a condolence message, he described Jamiruddin Sircar as a distinguished figure in Bangladesh’s political and legal arena and an eminent constitutional and legal expert. The minister said he had played a unique role in organising Supreme Court lawyers in support of Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971. He also noted that Jamiruddin Sircar was a founding member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and made significant contributions to national politics as a member of the party’s Standing Committee. Khosru prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Jamiruddin Sircar breathed his last at a city hospital in the early hours at the age of 95.