United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said that despite years of negative propaganda and narratives, former President Ziaur Rahman’s place in public memory and history remains intact. He made the remarks while addressing a special prayer and discussion meeting at Basabo Buddhist Temple in the capital, organised to mark the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Fakhrul said many young people did not have the opportunity to see Ziaur Rahman and had learned about him mostly through negative narratives propagated over the past 15–16 years. “Many things were said about him, including allegations that he was a Pakistani agent. But despite all these efforts, they could not diminish Ziaur Rahman, remove him from people’s hearts or erase him from history,” he said. Drawing a comparison with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Fakhrul referred to Castro’s famous statement during his trial: “Condemn me, it does not matter, history will absolve me.” He said history has similarly recognised Ziaur Rahman’s role in Bangladesh. He said Zia envisioned a “rainbow state” where people of all religions and beliefs—Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, believers and non-believers alike, could live together and contribute to nation-building. Fakhrul said Bangladesh lost one of its most promising leaders with Ziaur Rahman’s death, adding that the country could have advanced much further had he remained alive. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul said the BNP leader has inherited the legacy of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia and has already launched a number of initiatives following his assumption of office. He expressed optimism about the upcoming national budget, saying it could include measures aimed at building a new Bangladesh. Thanking members of the Buddhist community for their support and hospitality, Fakhrul reiterated BNP’s commitment to building a non-communal and inclusive Bangladesh. He warned against attempts by certain groups to create divisions in society in the name of religion and said communal politics must not be allowed to undermine national unity. Fakhrul said Bangladesh’s independence was achieved through the collective sacrifices of people from all religious communities and that the spirit of 1971 remains central to the country’s identity. He said BNP believes in liberal democracy, elections, freedom of expression, media freedom, judicial independence and the protection of the rights of all religious communities.

A BNP delegation on Monday met visiting Secretary General of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), Ambassador Oh Song, in capital. They discussed issues of mutual interest, regional political cooperation, democratic development and ways to strengthen relations between ICAPP and the BNP, during the meeting. The meeting was held at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, where Ambassador Oh Song paid a courtesy call on BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Council member and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration (with the rank of minister), Md Ismail Jabiullah. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on regional political cooperation, democratic development and prospects for expanding cooperation between ICAPP and the BNP. BNP Vice Chairman Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon, Adviser to the BNP Chairperson and the Prime Minister Mahdi Amin, and BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince were also present. At the meeting, the ICAPP Secretary General invited the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to become a member of the organisation’s Standing Committee. He also invited BNP representatives to attend the next Standing Committee meeting of ICAPP, scheduled to be held in Mongolia in the last week of June. In addition, he invited a BNP delegation to participate in the 13th ICAPP General Assembly, which is scheduled to take place in Seoul, South Korea, in November. BNP leaders warmly welcomed the invitation and expressed hope that the ICAPP platform would further strengthen communication, exchange of experiences and cooperation among political parties across Asia. They also said the platform could create greater opportunities for joint efforts in promoting peace, democracy, stability and people-oriented initiatives in the region. Both sides expressed their commitment to expanding cooperation between the BNP and ICAPP in the future and working together to promote democratic values, good governance and regional cooperation.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the government would review the Public Procurement Act (PPA) to prevent contractors who allegedly benefited during the previous “fascist” regime from continuing to secure public works contracts. The minister made the remarks in Parliament while responding to a notice under Rule 71 concerning an urgent matter of public importance raised by BNP lawmaker Ashraf Uddin (Narsingdi-2). Dhaka to get 50cr litres of treated Meghna water daily: Fakhrul Ashraf alleged that many contractors who had received numerous projects during the previous government still enjoyed strong profiles in the electronic government procurement (e-GP) system, enabling them to outcompete newer contractors and companies. He claimed that such contractors often remained behind the scenes, securing contracts and subsequently selling them through multiple layers before the projects eventually reached local operators. This practice, he said, encouraged the use of substandard materials and compromised construction quality. “We are aware of these issues,” the minister said. “We have already discussed the matter with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. We will consider how the law can be reviewed to ensure that deserving and appropriate contractors receive these opportunities.” During the discussion, Deputy Speaker Kaysar Kamal observed that the issue was affecting many stakeholders. Earlier, Ashraf urged the government to prioritise local contractors over those from other districts or divisions in projects implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), arguing that non-local contractors often created implementation challenges. In response, the minister said LGED implemented a wide range of development projects, including rural roads, bridges, culverts, educational institutions and market infrastructure, under established procurement rules and regulations. He explained that procurement was generally conducted through two methods in accordance with the Public Procurement Act and Public Procurement Rules (PPR). Under the Limited Tendering Method (LTM), only contractors from the respective district are eligible to participate, leaving no scope for contractors from outside the district. Under the Open Tendering Method (OTM), however, contractors from both within and outside a district may qualify for contracts if they meet the stipulated experience and technical requirements. “Public procurement laws and regulations are properly followed in all cases,” he added. Meanwhile, reserved-seat MP Nilufar Chowdhury called for the recovery of parks and playgrounds in Dhaka’s two city corporations as well as in all divisional and district towns across the country, and urged authorities to free them from the influence of drug users and criminal elements. Speaking on another notice of urgent public importance, she said parks and playgrounds that once served as safe recreational spaces for children, young people and the elderly had increasingly become centres of drug trading, illegal hawking and anti-social activities. “In many cases, playgrounds have been occupied, while some parks are being used for commercial purposes under the guise of children’s recreation facilities,” she said, adding that such spaces were no longer safe for ordinary users. Nilufar also alleged that many playgrounds in Dhaka existed only on paper, having been occupied by various structures, clubs, markets and even trading hubs. Responding to the notice, the local government minister said many open spaces and playgrounds had been occupied for partisan reasons during the previous government’s tenure. He said the current government had been working to recover such facilities since assuming office. According to the minister, most parks and playgrounds under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka South City Corporation had been under illegal occupation before the current administration took office. “After coming to power, the government brought these parks and playgrounds back under city corporation management and initiated various development activities,” he said. The minister added that there are 256 parks and playgrounds in Dhaka under the ownership of city corporations and other agencies, and efforts are underway to recover them and gradually make them suitable for sports and recreational activities.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on Monday directed officials to prepare a comprehensive working paper aimed at making Bangladesh’s power system safer, smarter and better suited for the country's transition into the nuclear power era. The directive came during a review meeting held at the ministry’s conference room with chairmen and managing directors of power transmission and distribution agencies and companies under the Power Division. The meeting discussed the country’s existing power transmission and distribution capacity, system weaknesses, smart grid development, and the challenges and preparations required for integrating nuclear power into the national grid. The minister stressed the need for initiating immediate preparations to address potential challenges associated with the introduction of nuclear power generation. Highlighting the importance of establishing a National Research Centre to strengthen the power sector, he said Bangladesh must ensure adequate readiness before nuclear power generation begins, given the highly sophisticated nature of the technology. “We have already started the preparation process. The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) has been instructed to conduct the necessary studies and prepare a concept paper,” Iqbal Hassan said. According to him, the concept paper will be reviewed by foreign consultants with practical experience in nuclear power systems. Based on their recommendations, the country’s transmission and distribution infrastructure will be upgraded before nuclear power is integrated into the grid. “Our utmost effort will be to complete all preparations on time,” he added. The minister noted that Bangladesh has gradually diversified its power generation mix, moving beyond gas-based generation to include coal and solar energy, and is now preparing to enter the nuclear power era. However, he warned that synchronisation of transmission and distribution networks is essential for the successful integration of nuclear power. “During the previous Awami League government, the necessary synchronisation measures were not adequately undertaken. Without proper coordination between transmission and distribution systems, there is a risk of system collapse,” Iqbal Hassan said. To prevent such incidents, the government is working to establish a modern smart grid system and has initiated consultations with all relevant stakeholders, he added. The minister instructed PGCB’s chief engineer and other officials concerned to submit a detailed concept and working paper on the smart grid system. Describing nuclear power as critically important for Bangladesh’s future energy security, he emphasised that extensive preparation and caution are necessary because of the technology’s complexity and high safety requirements. “Public safety must receive the highest priority. We are working towards that goal,” he said. Iqbal Hassan also revealed that several unnecessary projects in the power sector have already been identified. “Investigations are underway to determine responsibility, and appropriate action will be taken in due course,” he said. He called on all stakeholders in the power sector to work together with genuine patriotism to advance the country’s energy development. The meeting reviewed the steps already taken to ensure proper grid connection of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant – introduction of primary and secondary frequency control system in the power plant. Besides, the existing challenges and future steps to overcome them were discussed, which include ensuring adequate spinning reserve through the participation of power plants, implementation of smart grid technology, overall development of the distribution system, introduction of Distribution Management System (DMS), removing the existing bottleneck of the transmission line and controlling the massive increase and decrease in demand due to tripping/closing of the distribution lines due to adverse weather conditions. The agencies concerned were instructed to work in a coordinated manner and take quick effective steps to address these challenges. The minister said the government is determined to ensure safe, uninterrupted and affordable electricity supply to the people of the country by developing the necessary infrastructure and increasing technical capacity.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday dismissed the recent report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on the country's law-and-order situation, saying it was based on newspaper clippings rather than independent investigations and did not reflect official crime statistics. “TIB prepares its reports based on newspaper clippings. It does not conduct investigations or verify every incident before making statements. TIB is not a government agency. For the actual picture, one should rely on crime statistics maintained by the police and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he said. Killings linked to illegal intrusion or criminal acts should not be called border killings: Salahuddin While talking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister said TIB's assessment should not be considered the definitive picture of law and order in the country. Responding to a question on whether the government considers the law-and-order situation satisfactory despite TIB's claim that more than 600 murders occurred during the BNP government’s first 100 days, he said he had not reviewed the report and therefore could not comment on its specific figures. “We prepare monthly crime statistics covering robbery, murder, rape and other offences. We compare them with the same period of previous years. Based on the reports, I have seen that the situation has improved significantly compared to 2025, with reductions across various categories,” Salahuddin said. He said official statistics indicated improvements in public safety, though he refrained from commenting on figures cited in the TIB report without reviewing them. On public confidence in the police, the minister said the government has made progress in transforming the force into a more people-friendly institution. “I believe we have been able to make the police more citizen-oriented. They need encouragement so that they can continue working in line with public expectations, the law and the principles of the rule of law,” he said. Reiterating the government's approach of “reward and punishment,” Salahuddin said good performance will be recognised while misconduct will be dealt with through disciplinary measures. “Our policy is to reward the good and punish the wrongdoers. We have already demonstrated our commitment to this principle, and our success will become more evident in the days ahead,” he said. Rejecting the methodology of the TIB report, the minister said the organisation does not conduct investigations before publishing its findings. He added that the government relies on crime data collected routinely from districts across the country and treats those records as the most reliable source of information. “Various reports appear in newspapers every day. We take those reports seriously and send them to the relevant departments for verification. But it cannot be said that every published report reflects the exact facts,” he said. On the issue of financial support for police investigations, the minister acknowledged that officers face resource constraints and said the government will work to increase allocations for investigation-related activities, including patrol operations and post-mortem examinations. “We are aware of the financial limitations faced by the police. We will try to ensure adequate allocations for investigations, post-mortem reports and police patrol duties in the future,” he said. Asked about disciplinary action against police officers who have remained absconding for more than 60 days, Salahuddin said departmental proceedings were underway against them. “Departmental cases have been filed against all those you are referring to. Some cases are ongoing, while others may be nearing completion. Appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of those proceedings,” he said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said Bangladeshi peacekeepers in United Nations missions continue to serve putting their lives on the line for global peace and national honour. “Having attended various conferences in African countries, I have realised that many do not adequately understand the significant role our peacekeepers play. They risk their lives for a cause greater than themselves,” she said while addressing a discussion titled ‘Contribution of Bangladeshi Peacekeepers to World Peace’ at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka. PM’s foreign visit schedule solely his decision: Shama Obaed The event was organised by the Defence Journalists Association of Bangladesh (DJAB). Paying tribute to the families of peacekeepers, the state minister said, “I would also like to remember their families today. Every family sends their father, husband or brother on these missions without knowing whether they will return. Yet they continue to support them out of love for the country.” The discussion was chaired by DJAB President Alamgir Hossain. DJAB General Secretary Tarikul Islam Masum moderated the programme. Presenting the keynote paper, Dr Towhidul Haque, Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research of the University of Dhaka, said Bangladesh began its UN peacekeeping journey in 1988 with only 15 military observers but has since become one of the world’s leading contributors to peacekeeping operations. He said more than 2,06,000 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have served in over 63 missions across 43 countries. Currently, 4,212 members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police are deployed in various UN missions worldwide, he added. Some 175 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of global peace, setting a remarkable example of dedication and courage, he said. Speakers at the event also highlighted Bangladesh’s contributions to the reconstruction of Sierra Leone, the deployment of the first all-female Muslim police unit in Haiti, healthcare and infrastructure development initiatives in Africa, and the recent receipt of the prestigious UN Dag Hammarskjöld Medal as shining examples of the international recognition earned by Bangladeshi peacekeepers. Former DJAB presidents Abul Khayer and Mamunur Rashid, senior member Masud Karim, and several professors and researchers from Dhaka University also attended the programme. The speakers stressed the need for continued policy support from the government and stronger international cooperation to sustain Bangladesh’s longstanding contributions to UN peacekeeping missions.

The BNP Media Cell on Monday issued a warning over the formation and promotion of fake committees in different districts under its name. It also urged party leaders, activists and the public to remain cautious about fraudulent social media pages, groups and communities claiming affiliation with the Media Cell. The warning came in a statement signed by BNP Media Cell Convener Prof Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel. According to the statement, the BNP Media Cell has recently noticed the announcement and circulation of fake committees in several districts under the banner of the BNP Media Cell. It also said various fake pages, groups and online communities are operating on social media using the Media Cell’s name. The statement clarified that, apart from the central committee of the BNP Media Cell, no district or city-level committee has been formed anywhere in the country under that name. It further said individuals or groups claiming to be approved Media Cell committees have no affiliation with the BNP Media Cell. The BNP Media Cell warned that those involved in issuing or promoting unauthorised and fake committees could face allegations of violating party discipline. The statement also urged party leaders, activists, journalists and the public to remain alert and avoid being misled by such unauthorised information and committee lists.

Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna on Monday said it is not possible to establish a lasting political position through unruly behaviour and reckless remarks. “The people of Bangladesh are conscious, knowledgeable and wise. They do not make mistakes in taking decisions,” he said while addressing a views-exchange meeting with newly elected central leaders of Jubo Dal at a hotel in Nayapaltan in the capital. The meeting was organised to discuss the current political situation and strengthen the organisational capacity of the party. Referring to the political situation, Munna said leaders and activists must remain vigilant. “The culture of mob politics that emerged during the tenure of the interim government, along with an unruly group, is now trying to raise its head in politics. As president of Jubo Dal, I want to tell them that clever rhetoric and irresponsible remarks cannot create a permanent political position,” he said. Sharing his four decades of political experience, Munna said patience, discipline and steady organisational work are the key elements of successful politics. “In politics, being slow and steady, calm and quiet is most important. I would urge them to speak in political language, conduct organisational activities properly and refrain from making reckless comments,” he said. Describing Jubo Dal as the largest and strongest associate body of BNP, Munna said the organisation is well aware of its own strength and capacity. “We are a very strong and well-organised force. Through our organisational strength, we will face all challenges on the streets,” he added. Munna said the sacrifices and struggles of party leaders and activists have been duly recognised in the newly formed committee. He said around 114 members from the previous committee have been retained in the new one in recognition of their contributions to political movements and struggles. “However, it was not possible to accommodate some other dedicated leaders this time,” he said. “For those who could not be included this time, we are trying to create opportunities. Efforts will be made to involve at least another 100 leaders in various ways. So there is no reason for disappointment,” he said. Munna said appointments were not made based on seniority or junior status; rather, individual contributions to movements and struggles were taken into consideration. He also said Jubo Dal leaders and activists could not properly carry out social programmes in the past due to an unfavourable political environment but such activities would be expanded on a larger scale in the future. Speaking at the programme, Jubo Dal General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan said many leaders were expelled, committees dissolved and show-cause notices issued at different times following allegations after the mass uprising. “In some cases, we even held press conferences and called on law enforcement agencies to arrest the accused. Many of them were close to us and had contributions to the party, but organisational action became necessary to maintain party discipline,” he said. Nayan warned that no one would be spared if their actions tarnished the image of the organisation. Leaders of the newly formed central committee were present at the meeting. Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal announced its 151-member full-fledged central executive committee on Thursday, appointing Abdul Monayem Munna as president and Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan as general secretary.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Sunday said research institutions dedicated to studying the life of former President Ziaur Rahman should have been established in Bangladesh long ago. He expressed hope that the government will take steps soon in this regard, calling it a long-overdue responsibility. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion, titled “The Role of Freedom Fighters in Rebuilding the State,” organised by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and Muktijuddher Projonmo at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in Kakrail, marking the 45th death anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman. Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan attended the event as the keynote speaker.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan on Sunday said those who opposed Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 and the ‘fascist force’ who fled the country after destroying it have joined hands in a conspiracy to destabilise the country and unseat the government. The Minister said various groups are trying to create unrest and instability despite the government’s short time in office, he said at a discussion titled “The Role of Freedom Fighters in Rebuilding the State” organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and Muktijuddher Projonmo at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in the capital. “They are making irresponsible statements and staging protests in different places to create disorder. But can anyone show a single example of corruption by this government in its first 110–111 days? The answer is no,” he added. The programme was held marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of former president Ziaur Rahman. BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan attended the event as the chief guest. Azam khan said the government, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working to rebuild Bangladesh based on the ideals of the Liberation War and the principles of Ziaur Rahman. He urged freedom fighters to stand beside the government and support its efforts to strengthen the country’s economy and institutions. The Minister said the government aims to build a strong and sustainable economy within the next five years and called on citizens to remain patient and cooperate with the administration. “We want to work together with people to ensure that Bangladesh stands firmly on a strong economic foundation before the world,” he said. Referring to Ziaur Rahman, the minister said the former president not only declared Bangladesh’s independence but also participated directly in the Liberation War and later restored multiparty democracy after assuming state power. “He brought Bangladesh back from military rule and one-party governance to a multiparty democratic system. He reopened newspapers that had been shut down and restored democratic rights of people,” Azam said. He said the Liberation War Affairs Ministry is undertaking various projects to ensure that freedom fighters are not deprived of their rightful benefits. He said he recently visited Chattogram to inspect Liberation War-related facilities and ongoing restoration works neglected during the previous government’s tenure. Ishraque Hossain, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and president of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijuddher Projonmo, said people who were not freedom fighters, or who were too young to have participated in the 1971 war, were included in the official list of Freedom Fighters during the Awami League government. “Perhaps the fascist Awami League achieved its political objectives by including such people in the freedom fighter list, but in doing so it took genuine freedom fighters to the extreme point of humiliation and insult,” he said. He said the inclusion of large numbers of ineligible individuals in the list over the past 17 years had diminished the status and dignity of freedom fighters, whom he described as the nation's greatest sons. The state minister said the government has already initiated efforts to correct the list and around 6,000 ineligible individuals have so far been removed from the freedom fighter registry. He said Jatiya Muktijoddha Council conducts verification and scrutiny before submitting recommendations to the ministry which are then forwarded to the relevant branch for implementation. Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal President Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat chaired the programme.