United News of Bangladesh

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a member of parliament, on Saturday alleged that attempts are being made to rehabilitate the Awami League in the name of the Liberation War and the historic 7 March Speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, warning that such efforts would not be accepted. “Attempts have begun to rehabilitate the Awami League in the name of the Liberation War and the historic 7 March speech. We want to say that the Liberation War is a matter of our pride, but Awami League has undermined that pride,” Nahid said while addressing an iftar programme organised by the NCP in Faridpur. Nahid alleged that the Awami League had legitimised various crimes including enforced disappearances, killings and money laundering by invoking the Liberation War. “The Awami League cannot be rehabilitated in the name of the Liberation War, the 7 March speech or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” The NCP leader also accused the government of betraying the aspirations associated with the “July Charter,” saying they had taken two pledges based on the charter’s implementation order. “The ruling party has taken one of those pledges, but it has been the first to betray the aspirations of July and the July Charter.” Expressing willingness to work constructively with the government, Nahid said the government must take oath under the reform council before the parliamentary session scheduled for the 12th. Nahid further demanded the removal of what he termed a ‘fascist president’ in the first parliamentary session, warning that otherwise an 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami would be compelled to take to the streets. Nahid urges NCP to be fully prepared for local polls battle Nahid also alleged that the government had already started politicising key state institutions. “We saw during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina how state institutions including the judiciary, administration and police were politicised. The current government has not even completed a month in office, yet we are already witnessing similar tendencies.” Among others, special guests at the iftar programme included Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the NCP’s northern region; Nizam Uddin, joint member secretary and Faridpur divisional organising secretary; Tariqul Islam, convener of Jatiya Juboshakti; and Zahid Ahsan, convener of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, along with central and divisional leaders of the NCP.  

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday urged the government to ensure strict security across the country to prevent fuel smuggling amid the ongoing energy crisis. In a Facebook post, the Jamaat Ameer said the recent war situation has worsened the energy crisis in Bangladesh and warned that if the global situation remains unchanged in the coming days, it could have a negative impact on the country’s social and economic life. He said the government must explore alternative energy sources and urgently adopt practical measures to tackle the situation. Shafiqur Rahman also stressed the need for strict steps to ensure that no new syndicates emerge during this period. “Strict security must also be ensured so that no fuel is smuggled anywhere in the country at this time of crisis,” he said.

The 20th imprisonment day of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is being observed on Saturday recalling his arrest during the military-backed caretaker government in 2007. Tarique Rahman was arrested from his residence on Moinul Road in Dhaka Cantonment on March 7, 2007 by a team of joint forces. As two decades have passed since the arrest, the BNP is observing the day with various programmes. After his arrest, Tarique Rahman was taken on remand in several cases. BNP leaders allege that he was subjected to torture while in remand, which caused serious physical injuries. According to the party, the then government filed a series of cases against him in an attempt to weaken the BNP politically. Following his arrest, Tarique Rahman remained in prison for nearly 18 months. He was released on bail on September 3, 2008 after being granted bail in all the cases filed against him. Just eight days later, he left Dhaka for London on September 11 for advanced medical treatment. BNP Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee alleged that the subsequent government led by Bangladesh Awami League filed numerous cases against him, continuing the approach of the 1/11 caretaker government. He said all the cases were false and politically motivated, aimed at weakening the BNP and maligning Tarique Rahman. To mark the day, leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies are observing it through discussions, prayer meetings and other commemorative events. Anee said despite various challenges in his political life, Tarique Rahman continued to lead the party and eventually brought it to power. On December 25, 2025, Tarique returned home, ending his more than 17 years of exile in London, and attended a reception in the presence of tens of thousands of people. BNP took part in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 and secured an absolute majority with 209 seats. On February 17, Tarique Rahman assumed office as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh.  

The second day of a training workshop organised by BNP for its Members of Parliament (MPs) began on Saturday with the participation of lawmakers from three divisions, including Dhaka. BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inaugurated the morning session of the final day of the workshop, which started at 10:00am at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office. MPs from Dhaka district, Mymensingh, Faridpur and the Dhaka division have taken part in the morning session. In the afternoon closing session, MPs from Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram are scheduled to join the workshop. BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, BNP Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan and senior leader Osman Faruk, among others, were present. Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman inaugurated the two-day training workshop on Friday. On the first day, ministers, state ministers and advisers of the government attended the morning session, while some MPs from Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka and Faridpur divisions joined the afternoon session. BNP organised the workshop to prepare its MPs for the upcoming parliamentary session. Parliamentary experts, academics and senior lawmakers are discussing the responsibilities and roles of MPs and cabinet members to ensure the effective functioning of parliament. A senior BNP leader said the workshop will guide MPs on how to raise points of order, take part in debates on bills, present problems from their constituencies in parliament, discuss the President’s speech and ensure regular attendance during parliamentary sessions. The first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad is scheduled to begin at 11:00am on March 12. President Mohammad Shahabuddin convened the session on February 23. Of the 209 BNP MPs elected in the 13th parliamentary election, 146 are first-time lawmakers.  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday demanded interrogation of two former advisers, alleging their involvement in “election engineering” during the 13th national parliamentary election. The demand was raised at a protest rally and procession organised by Jamaat’s Dhaka city unit in the capital. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar called for questioning former adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and former National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Khalilur Rahman over allegations of manipulating the election results. Parwar alleged that the 13th parliamentary election was manipulated at different stages, from vote counting to the announcement of results. He claimed that some people thought the public would not understand the “engineering” of the election, but later statements by some officials suggested otherwise. Referring to remarks by Rizwana Hasan, he said she admitted in the media that Jamaat-e-Islami was not allowed to become part of the political mainstream. Parwar also criticised the appointment of Khalilur Rahman as foreign minister by the BNP-led government, saying the move raised questions about neutrality. He said that in the past, advisers of caretaker or interim governments did not join the government after elections. He alleged that the election was influenced by the interim government and a “deep state,” and demanded a judicial inquiry and interrogation of them. Interim govt did not consult Jamaat on international agreements: Ameer-e-Jamaat After the rally, Jamaat leaders and activists brought out a procession from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The march passed through Paltan Mor and ended at Bijoynagar Mor.  

The interim government did not consult with his party on agreements signed with various countries during its tenure, Jamaat e Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said on Friday. “During the tenure of the interim government, several agreements were signed with different countries. Unfortunately, we were not consulted in any way regarding those agreements,” he wrote in a post on his verified Facebook page in the afternoon. He mentioned that Jamaat had repeatedly urged that, in the absence of a parliament, the interim government should make decisions on important matters, such as international agreements, through discussions with political parties — similar to how the government consulted political parties on other national issues. Jamaat leader signs condolence book at Iranian Embassy “However, the government of that time did not take our demands into consideration. So, our position on the matter is clear, and there is no room for creating any confusion here,” Dr Rahman said. Earlier on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman rejected claims that the reciprocal trade agreement between Bangladesh and the US was signed abruptly just days before the recently held national election. He said the matter had been discussed in advance with the leadership of the country’s two major political parties - taken to mean the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami- and both had agreed to its signing.

A two-day training workshop organised by the BNP for its Members of Parliament (MPs) ahead of the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad began on Friday. BNP Chairman, Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the workshop at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan at around 10:30am. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman joined the training workshop with BNP lawmakers. The opening session was attended by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and AZM Zahid Hossain, among other senior leaders. Tarique Rahman delivered the welcome speech at the programme. His daughter Zaima Rahman was also present at the workshop. BNP leaders said the workshop will brief newly elected MPs on parliamentary procedures, rules of conduct, bill drafting and review, analysis of budget documents and the functioning of parliamentary committees. Experienced lawmakers will share their experiences with the new MPs to help them carry out their duties effectively in parliament, they said, adding that the main aim of the workshop is to strengthen the efficiency of the government and the ruling party in parliamentary activities. The first session of the 13th parliament will begin at 11am on March 12 after President Mohammed Shahabuddin convened the session on February 23. BNP organised the workshop to prepare its MPs for the upcoming parliamentary session. Parliamentary experts, academics and senior lawmakers will discuss the responsibilities and roles of MPs and cabinet members to ensure the effective functioning of parliament. The two-day workshop has been arranged in several sessions. On the first day, ministers, state ministers and advisers joined the morning session, while MPs from parts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka and Faridpur divisions attended the afternoon session. On the second day, MPs from Dhaka district, Mymensingh, Faridpur and the remaining areas of Dhaka division will attend the morning session, while MPs from Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram divisions will take part in the afternoon session. A total of 209 BNP lawmakers were elected in the 13th parliamentary election, including 146 who are serving as MPs for the first time. A senior BNP leader said the workshop will also guide MPs on how to raise points of order, take part in debates on bills, present problems from their constituencies in parliament, discuss the President’s speech and ensure regular attendance during parliamentary sessions.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher on Thursday said his party had filed specific complaints over voting in 53 constituencies in the national election held on February 12. Referring to Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, he alleged that Dr Khalilur Rahman, who was then the National Security Adviser to the interim government, had planned in a special meeting in London to bring the BNP to power. As part of that plan, many believe he played a role in election engineering from within the interim government. Taher said Rahman later received a place in the BNP government’s cabinet as a reward for his role. He mentioned that if Rahman is brought to trial and questioned, the truth will come out. The Jamaat leader made the allegation while speaking at a press briefing held at the party’s central office at 12pm on the overall situation in the country. Referring to a recent statement by former adviser Rizwana Hasan, he said she had recently remarked in a television interview: “Those who could not ensure the proper rights of women, even if they were in the opposition, we did not allow them to come as the mainstream or main force.” Taher said this statement suggests that she herself has become a kind of royal witness by admitting that election engineering took place in the national election. He said Jamaat now wants to know from her, from the then interim government and from the current government why a party like Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was prevented from gaining a majority as the mainstream party through such engineering. He also asked who else was involved in the alleged process. Taher said their statements clearly indicate that the two former advisers were involved in election engineering and demanded that they be interrogated immediately and brought to justice. Regarding the nomination for the post of Deputy Speaker, Syed Abdullah Md Taher said the party would consider the matter if it receives a written proposal from the government and if the government’s position on implementing the July Charter becomes clear, in line with the constitution. Speaking about the deterioration of the law and order situation, Taher said several children had been raped and killed in recent days, which is very alarming. He also alleged that incidents of attacks and vandalism under the protection of ruling party leaders and activists have been reported in various media outlets across the country. He said it is worrying that in many cases police stations are even delaying the filing of cases instead of ensuring justice. Referring to the meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur, Taher said they discussed bilateral relations as well as trade and commerce. He said Jamaat urged the US side to invest in the artificial intelligence sector. “We also told them regarding the Israel-Iran war that we do not want war, we want peace. All problems should be resolved through talks and diplomatic channels,” he said. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan MP, Central Executive Council Member Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP, Central Working Committee Member Zahidur Rahman, and Senior Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Shishir Md Monir, were also present.

Chief Coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nasiruddin Patwary has expressed dissatisfaction over the poor condition of several roads in Sylhet, warning that public suffering will worsen if urgent repairs are not undertaken. He made the remarks while addressing an iftar mahfil organised by the National Citizen Party in Sylhet city on Wednesday. Patwary said he was surprised by the deteriorating condition of roads on his way to Sylhet. In many areas, he said, roads have become risky for movement, causing serious inconvenience to residents. He urged local journalists to highlight the actual condition of the roads through media reports to draw the attention of the authorities concerned. He observed that those who are financially solvent can travel to the capital by air or alternative routes, but workers and ordinary people are compelled to use these hazardous roads daily, leading to immense hardship. The NCP leader also expressed concern over the overall law and order situation in the country. He called on the government to take more effective and visible steps to ensure public safety, particularly for women and children. Nahid urges NCP to be fully prepared for local polls battle Patwary said the younger generation aspires to build a safe, humane and prosperous Bangladesh. He urged the people of Sylhet to uphold the ideals of Shah Jalal and Shah Paran in working towards building a just society. He wished for the welfare of the country and thanked party leaders, activists and guests present at the event.

Opposition Chief Whip and Convener of the National Citizen Part ( NCP) Nahid Islam on Wednesday called on party leaders and activists to prepare for the upcoming local government elections, saying they must get ready for another fight and enter the field this time with full strength and no mistakes. He made the remarks as the chief guest at an iftar event organised by the party at a community centre in Sylhet. Nahid alleged that politicisation is taking place in various government offices. He said ruling party leaders have been appointed as administrators in different city corporations. He said if his party goes to parliament, they will raise questions from a position of accountability. At the programme, the party’s chief organiser of the northern region, Sarjis Alam, criticised the recent India visit of the newly appointed DGFI chief. Sarjis said although some actions of the government are commendable, politicisation and corruption will not be allowed in the future. He said the country is moving towards a democratic transition after accepting the election results. However, he warned that any attempt to influence the upcoming local polls through engineering or capturing polling centres will be resisted. He also cautioned the government against giving shelter to what he called proven associates of fascism and opponents of the July movement. No sign of fascism will exist in Bangladesh: Nahid Islam At the event, leaders of the party warned of street protests if the July Charter ordinance is not implemented and if the President is not impeached. Leaders from BNP, Jamaat and other political parties also attended the iftar event.