United News of Bangladesh

The BNP will hold a workers' rally in Dhaka on May 1, marking International Workers' Day. Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will attend the rally as the chief guest. BNP Standing Committee member and the Prime Minister's Political Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan made the announcement at a press conference held at the party's central office in Nayapaltan on Friday afternoon. He said May Day is the most significant day for working people across the world. How BNP handles competing pressures to shape Bangladesh’s future: Crisis Group "Workers from different sectors and labour movements will join the rally. Since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will be the chief guest and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will attend as the special guest, leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies will also be present," the BNP leader said. Nazrul expressed hope that the gathering would be a massive one. The rally will begin at 2:30pm in front of BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, he said. BNP’s labour wing, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, president Anwar Hossain will preside over the programme. Nazrul sought cooperation from journalists to ensure the successful coverage of the event. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister's Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Sramik Dal  Coordinator and MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, General Secretary Nurul Islam Khan and other labour leaders were present at the press conference.

Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, on Friday denounced the alleged attack on a college in Rajshahi reportedly carried out by BNP men. In a statement, he said attacks on teachers and vandalism at educational institutions in the presence of law enforcers reflect a serious deterioration in the country’s law-and-order situation. Referring to Thursday’s attack on Daokandi Government College in Durgapur, the Jamaat leader alleged that a group of people entered the campus, demanded extortion, assaulted teachers, and vandalised the premises during an ongoing examination. He described the incident as “unacceptable, unforgivable and deeply alarming,” and accused local BNP leaders and activists of being involved in it. “The honour and dignity of teachers must be upheld, as they are key to nation-building. Such attacks not only insult the teaching community but also destroy the academic environment,” Zubair said. He further said incidents of attacks on educational institutions despite the presence of law enforcers indicate a breakdown of law and order, putting citizens' safety at risk. The Jamaat leader called for a proper investigation into the incident, including the alleged inaction of law enforcement agencies, and demanded that those responsible be identified, arrested and brought to justice. He also urged the authorities to ensure proper treatment, security and compensation for the injured teachers. At least five people, including the principal, were injured in the attack on the college that took place on Thursday afternoon. The injured include Principal Dr Md Abdur Razzaque, lecturer Aleya Khatun Hira, Professor Rezaul Karim Alam, and two other staff members.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday strongly condemned the “attacks” on DUCSU leaders at Shahbagh Police Station in the capital, as well as “assaults” on activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir in Pabna and Cumilla. In a statement, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar criticised what he described as “barbaric and cowardly” attacks allegedly carried out by leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). He said the attack on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders – Literature and Cultural Affairs Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair, and women leader Fatima Tasnim Zuma – inside Shahbagh Police Station was “deeply unfortunate and unacceptable.” “This kind of attack on elected representatives of students has no place in a democratic and civilised society,” the Jamaat leader said. Porwar alleged that a false post was circulated using a fake account in the name of DU student Abdullah Al Mahmud. “Despite his denial, he was reportedly threatened. When he went to file a general diary at Shahbagh Police Station, it was not accepted instantly,” he claimed. He further alleged that when DUCSU leaders went to the police station to address the matter, they were attacked and seriously injured in the presence of police. Expressing concern over the role of law enforcers, the Jamaat leader claimed the police acted passively during the incident, which he described as “highly condemnable.” He also alleged that activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir were attacked during a procession at Ishwardi Government College in Pabna on Thursday noon, leaving several injured. Later that night, at least 20 leaders and activists were injured in another attack at Cumilla Polytechnic Institute. “These incidents indicate a planned attempt to destabilise educational institutions,” he said. Porwar stressed the need to ensure peaceful coexistence among student organisations and maintain a proper academic environment, urging the authorities and student community to remain vigilant against any attempt to create unrest. He also demanded the immediate identification, arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attack on the DUCSU leaders at Shahbagh Police Station. The Jamaat leader wished the injured a speedy recovery and urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid political violence.  

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, the labour wing of BNP, will hold a rally in the capital on May 1 to mark the historic May Day. The rally is scheduled to begin at 2:30pm in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office, said BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan. He came up with the announcement at a press conference at the BNP’s central office on Thursday. He said BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the rally as the chief guest, while party Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will be present as special guest. Sramik Dal President Anwar Hossain will preside over the rally. Nazrul Islam Khan said working people play a vital role in the country’s economy and daily life. “BNP has always stood by workers and will continue to do so,” he said. Speaking about workers’ rights, the BNP leader said the government is working to fulfil the commitments made in the election manifesto for the welfare of labourers. He said various demands and concerns of workers will be presented to the prime minister at the May Day rally. Organisers said extensive preparations are underway to make the programme successful, expecting a large turnout of workers from Dhaka and nearby areas. Earlier in the afternoon, a preparatory meeting was held at the party’s central office with Anwar Hossain in the chair, where different aspects of the programme were discussed.

Tension gripped Shahbagh police station on Thursday evening following a clash between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders over a Facebook post. Two DUCSU leaders elected from the panel backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir, were briefly left in a vulnerable situation before being escorted to safety by senior JCD leaders. The incident involved DUCSU Literature and Cultural Affairs Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad and Social Welfare Secretary Zubayer bin Nesari (A B Zubair).

A leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday warned the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to rein in alleged “terrorist activities” by its student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, cautioning that failure to do so could lead to consequences worse than those faced by the Awami League. Md. Mubarak Hossain, a central executive council member of Jamaat-e-Islami and regional director for Jashore-Kushtia, made the remarks while addressing a conference at the district auditorium in Magura. “What the Awami League did over 15 years, BNP has begun doing within just two to three months. Therefore, their downfall is inevitable,” he said. He also claimed that Islami Chhatra Shibir represents students in several public universities, and expressed confidence in the organisation’s ideological strength over Chhatra Dal. The event was presided over by Professor Maulana M. B. Baker, a member of Jamaat’s Central Majlis-e-Shura and Ameer of Magura district. Among others, Narail district Jamaat Ameer and Central Majlis-e-Shura member Advocate Ataur Rahman (Bachchu), MP, and Abdul Matin, a former Ameer of Magura district and a member of the Central Majlis-e-Shura, were also present.

A BNP activist was killed and 15 others were injured in a clash between two factions of the party over establishing supremacy at Madhabpur village in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah district on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Mohon Sheikh, 65, of the village. Locals said BNP activists Sher Ali Matabbar and Mashiur Rahman Matabbar of the village had long been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the locality. As a sequel to the enmity, the supporters of both groups were locked into an altercation on Thursday morning, said Humayun Kabir Molla, officer-in-charge of Shailkupa Police Station. At one stage, they attacked each other with sharp weapons, triggering a clash that left Mohon dead and 15 other individuals injured, he said. A number of dwelling houses were also vandalised during the clash. The injured were taken to district hospital. One of them was later shifted to Kushtia Medical College Hospital as his condition was stated to be critical. Additional police have been deployed in the area to fend off further trouble.

International Crisis Group on Thursday said the new elected government in Bangladesh faces a "daunting set of challenges" but how the BNP handles these competing pressures will shape Bangladesh’s trajectory in the years ahead. "If it can revive the economy, the government will create space to pursue the rest of its ambitious agenda, including improving public services and strengthening the rule of law," said the organisation that sounds the alarm to prevent deadly conflict globally. If it fails to create the jobs needed to meet the aspirations of young Bangladeshis or struggles to ensure clean governance, however, the country could find itself confronting another bout of instability and political upheaval, said the independent organisation working to prevent wars and shape policies that will build a more peaceful world. The organisation said BNP should take advantage of the post-election honeymoon to move quickly on economic, governance and security reforms. Dealing with economic disruption linked to the Iran conflict will be a crucial test, it said. The BNP, the organisation said, should avoid confrontation with opposition parties over proposed reforms and review cases against Awami League activists, according to the Crisis Group Asia Briefing titled "Bangladesh’s New Government Gets Down to Business". “The stakes are high for the BNP. It should move quickly to take advantage of the narrow post-election window for political and economic reforms, and demonstrate to the Bangladeshi people it is not simply reverting to past practices now that it is back in power," said Crisis Group's Senior Consultant on Bangladesh and Myanmar, Thomas Kean. Kean said Bangladesh’s 12 February elections were a historic moment, ending eighteen months of interim rule following a mass uprising that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a clear majority while voters also backed the July Charter reforms in a concurrent referendum. The parties, the interim government, the election commission and security forces all deserve credit for the way they conducted the election, which was largely free of violence or irregularities, and was followed by a smooth transfer of power, Kean said. “Two months on from the vote, however, the scale of the challenge facing the new government is becoming clearer. For the BNP, the top priority needs to be reviving the economy and managing the fallout from conflict in the Middle East, which is hurting households and businesses. Bangladesh is heavily dependent on energy imports from the Middle East for fuel and electricity, and the region is also an important source of fertiliser for the agriculture sector," Kean said. Rising energy prices and trade disruptions linked to the Iran conflict are likely to drain foreign exchange reserves, lower GDP growth and push up inflation. "But conflict in the Middle East will not just drain government coffers – it could potentially push millions of Bangladeshis back into poverty," Kean said. “At the same time, economic growth on its own is not enough. Bangladeshis are expecting to see real improvements in the performance of state institutions and public security," Kean said. "The government will also need to implement political reforms, and it should avoid a major confrontation with its political opponents over the July Charter in order to focus on more pressing challenges," he said. The BNP government will also have to address the politically sensitive question of the Awami League’s future, he said. Given its pivotal role in Bangladesh politics since independence, the party’s temporary ban is not sustainable over the longer term, Kean said. Challenges Ahead The election and handover of power marked a huge step in Bangladesh’s attempt to turn the page on a decade and a half of increasingly authoritarian rule, the organisation said. But while the new government has a clear mandate from voters, whether it can translate that into lasting popularity and stability remains uncertain, it observed. The BNP will face several major tests in the coming years, including in reviving the economy, improving security, managing political reforms and dealing with the question of the AL’s future, said the Crisis Group. If it fails to meet the political and economic aspirations that fuelled the uprising against Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh could face renewed unrest and political upheaval, according to the briefing note. Bangladesh’s history of anti-incumbency mobilisation suggests that the BNP will struggle to maintain its current support without decisive action, the organisation said. The U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, coming less than two weeks after the BNP took office, have only amplified the challenge given Bangladesh’s reliance on oil and gas imports from the Middle East. Economic Growth The government’s most important task will be to deliver inclusive economic growth. Though the interim administration initiated some reforms and was largely successful in restoring macro-economic stability, political uncertainty during the transition and high interest rates discouraged the private investment needed to create jobs for the country’s large youth population, said the Crisis Group. The GDP growth is still recovering and inflation remains high, at almost 9 per cent. Foreign currency reserves have increased, but the economy remains heavily dependent on garment exports and remittances from overseas workers. Both sources of revenue are vulnerable to global shocks. Pressure to service debt incurred to pay for infrastructure projects initiated under the AL government is also rising, said the Crisis Group. Meanwhile, it said, the banking sector remains under severe strain, with high levels of non-performing loans linked to poor governance and large-scale corruption under Hasina’s rule. Economic frustration played a major role in sparking the popular revolt that brought down Hasina, including anger over corruption and mismanagement, rising prices and limited opportunities for young people, said the organisation. The BNP has unveiled an ambitious 180-day plan focused on electricity supply, infrastructure bottlenecks and investment, but it will have only a short window of  time in which to demonstrate progress. External shocks are already complicating this task: the conflict in the Middle East is pushing up energy prices and disrupting trade. With Bangladesh importing most of its commercial fuels from Middle Eastern sources, and the Gulf Arab countries also accounting for almost half of remittance income, the Crisis Group said, a prominent economist has predicted that the war could hit the economy “like an earthquake”. Already, Bangladesh is suffering from power outages and long lines at fuel stations, while most of its fertiliser plants have been forced to close, the organisation said. The energy crisis is putting downward pressure on the local currency and depleting foreign reserves, with Bangladesh’s fuel import bill expected to rise by as much as 40 per cent in 2026. Though the government has increased subsidies to shield consumers, officials concede they may soon have little choice but to roll these back. Bangladesh’s 12 February election and handover of power mark an important step forward for the country after eighteen months of interim rule. There is now an opportunity to strengthen this step toward peaceful, democratic competition and make sure it is not a one-off occurrence, the organisation said.

The Central Youth and Sports Division of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a meeting at the party’s central office in Moghbazar in the capital on Wednesday. Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and President of the Central Youth Division, presided over the meeting. Members of the Central Youth and Sports Division—Manjurul Islam Bhuiyan, Dr Fakhruddin Manik, Muhammad Yasin Arafat and Dr Mubarak Hossain—attended the meeting. Leaders of the Dhaka Metropolitan North Youth Division, Dr Moin Uddin and Secretary Hasanul Banna Chapal, as well as in-charge of the Dhaka Metropolitan South Youth Division Shahin Ahmed Khan and Manjurul Islam, were also present. The meeting reviewed the department's overall activities and approved the annual report for 2025 along with the annual plan for 2026. It also discussed and decided on several important organisational matters. Additionally, the meeting decided on regional supervision, tour plans, and the observance of National and International Youth Day, Anti-Drug Day, and other programmes marking important national and international occasions.  

BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas is gradually recovering, his wife Afroza Abbas said on Tuesday afternoon. She said the BNP leader is currently undergoing regular therapy and his condition has improved significantly. “He is receiving therapy every day. Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah, his condition is now better. He is slowly recovering and his physical condition has improved a lot,” Afroza said, urging everyone to pray for Abbas’ speedy and full recovery. Mirza Abbas was admitted to Prince Court Medical Centre in Malaysia on April 14 for physiotherapy. Earlier on March 11, he fell ill after suddenly losing consciousness during Iftar and was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. A medical team of neurology specialists quickly performed surgery on his brain. After the operation, on March 15, he was taken to Singapore by an air ambulance and admitted to Singapore General Hospital. There he received intensive treatment for about a month and made significant recovery. He was later moved to Malaysia for physiotherapy on doctors’ advice. Afroza said he is now doing well and is receiving physiotherapy every day.