United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday strongly condemned the government’s decision to increase the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and autogas in the private sector, expressing concern over its impact on public life and industrial production. In a statement, the party’s Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said LPG is an essential daily commodity and any price hike would significantly impact people’s lives. “It is very difficult for lower- and middle-income groups to bear the additional cost. The government has increased gas prices without considering the purchasing power of the people, which goes against public interest,” he said. He warned that the decision would raise production costs in both small and large industries, which could lead to higher prices of essential commodities, directly affecting consumers. Golam Parwar urged the government to reverse the decision and take effective steps to increase imports or production to stabilise prices. He said the increase in private sector LPG prices by Tk 32.30 per kg at the consumer level is unprecedented. As a result, the price of a 12kg cylinder — the most widely used in the market — has risen to Tk 1,728, up from Tk 1,341 last month, marking an increase of Tk 387. He also said the price of autogas has increased significantly at the consumer level. For April, the price of autogas, including VAT, has been raised by Tk 17.94 per litre, up from Tk 61.83 in March. The Jamaat leader said the increase in autogas prices would have a major impact on the transport sector, putting additional financial pressure on people. He called on the government to consider the overall situation and take immediate steps to ease the burden on the public.

The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a rally and protest march in Dhaka this coming Saturday (April 4), demanding implementation of the referendum verdict through constitutional reform. The rally is scheduled to be held at 5:00pm at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad announced after a meeting of the alliance on Thursday. He said the opposition alliance would also seek to build public opinion through outreach and leaflet distribution to press home its demands. The outline of the movement and the next programme will be announced at a meeting of the alliance’s top leaders on April 7, he added. Dr. Azad alleged that the government is taking initiatives to amend the constitution while ignoring the popular mandate expressed in the referendum, which he said insults the people and contradicts the spirit of the July uprising. He said amending the constitution to meet the country's needs falls within parliament's jurisdiction and is a routine process. However, no part of the basic structure of the constitution can be changed through an amendment bill, he added. In special cases, he said, the legal way to change the basic structure is to hold a referendum and form a Constitutional Reform Council to secure direct public consent. He also alleged that constitutional amendments paved the way for authoritarian rule in the past, and claimed the current government is moving in the same direction. He said reforms based on the referendum verdict are needed, rather than amendments. Criticising the energy crisis, the deterioration in law and order, and the government’s decision to introduce online classes in educational institutions, he said the authorities deny the energy crisis despite its existence. He also described the decision to introduce partial online classes in schools as harmful to students’ intellectual development. The 11-party alliance strongly demanded implementation of the referendum results and the immediate formation of a Constitutional Reform Council. It warned that if the demands are not met, a movement will be launched on the streets.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Thursday said the role of Islami Andolan Bangladesh during the July uprising will be remembered forever. “Islami Andolan Bangladesh stood by us as the first political party to take to the streets with its banner during the July uprising. We will remember your contribution to the country and the nation forever,” he said while addressing a gathering at the Charmonai Mahfil in Barishal Sadar upazila. “I am able to stand before you today because of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and those who supported us at that time,” he said. He added that the relationship built with Islami Andolan Bangladesh during the movement for the people’s liberation would continue in the future. Earlier in the day, on the second day of the Charmonai Mahfil, an NCP delegation led by former adviser to the interim government and NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan visited the darbar of the Charmonai Pir in Barishal Sadar upazila.

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman on Monday held a brief meeting with Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman at his chamber in the parliament secretariat. The meeting took place in the afternoon following the namaz-e-janaza of Professor Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister brought the opposition leader to his chamber after the janaza and they spoke for around 20 minutes. “After the formalities of the janaza, the Prime Minister came to his chamber along with the opposition leader and held a brief discussion,” he said. After the meeting, Rumon said the Prime Minister came out of the chamber with the opposition leader and walked a short distance to see him off to his room. Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present during the meeting. Earlier, at around 12:00pm, the Prime Minister attended the janaza of Dilara Hafiz at the South Plaza. Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman also joined the prayers. Before the janaza, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who was standing beside the Prime Minister, stepped aside to allow the opposition leader to stand next to him. After the janaza, the Prime Minister and the opposition leader were seen walking together through the South Plaza towards the parliament building, talking to each other. The Prime Minister then invited the opposition leader to his chamber where the meeting was held. Later, both the Leader of the House and the Opposition Leader entered the parliament session hall before the session began at 3:00pm.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the Prime Minister and other national leaders on Monday paid their tributes  to Professor Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, on the premises of the Jatiya Sangsad. The coffin of the deceased was brought to the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad at around 12:00pm and placed on a stage draped in black cloth. On behalf of the President, Secretary to the President’s Office Khan Md Nurul Amin first placed a wreath at the coffin. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also paid his last respects by placing a wreath. Later, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, along with whips GK Gaus, Rakibul Islam, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed, Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, Akhtaruzzaman Mia and ABM Ashraf Uddin, paid tribute separately. On behalf of the ruling BNP, party Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also placed a wreath. Earlier, several leaders, including the Deputy Speaker, Opposition Leader, Chief Whip and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir paid tribute to the memory of the deceased.  

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced its mayoral candidates for five out of the country’s 12 city corporations ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The announcement came at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Banglamotor on Sunday night, where NCP Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition in Parliament Nahid Islam unveiled the names of the candidates. According to the announcement, NCP Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan will contest for mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, while the party’s Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb will run for Dhaka North City Corporation. For other city corporations, Advocate Tarikul Islam, Convener of NCP Jubo Shakti, has been nominated for Cumilla City Corporation; Advocate Md Abdur Rahman Afzal, Convener of Sylhet NCP, for Sylhet City Corporation; and Md Mobasswer Ali, Convener of Rajshahi NCP, for Rajshahi City Corporation. The party also said it plans to announce candidates for the remaining seven city corporations by April.

Opposition Leader Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday appreciated Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal for expressing his views in his introductory speech to play impartial role in Parliament. “The sentiment you have expressed here today through your speech is exactly what the people of Bangladesh desire. They want Parliament to be turned into the center of all activities in the country,” he said. Earlier the first session of Parliament resumed on Sunday after a 14-day break as its third sitting began at 3:00pm with Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal in the chair. Jamaat Ameer mourns death of speaker’s wife Dilara Hafiz While presiding over the House for the first time, the Deputy Speaker made his introductory speech and expressed his views to remain neutral and would play impartial roles in the Parliament. He also cited that he already resigned from the post of his party (BNP) for the sake of being impartial. Following his speech, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, also the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, took the floor and hailed his views. “We congratulated you once when you were elected Deputy Speaker. Today, we are officially congratulating you again,” he said. “This chair is a very important chair of justice. The message you have given from this chair is that you will impartially consider everything and give everyone what is due to them. So, I congratulate you once again for this attitude,” he went on. The Opposition Leader assured the Deputy Speaker that they would extend all sorts of cooperation to all reasonable steps taken by him.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday asked party leaders and activists to stand by the people, urging them to act with patience and remain within the law to meet public expectations. “There are many problems in the country. We need to explain things to the people. We must stand by them and help them remain patient, and support them in being patient,” he said. The Prime Minister made the call while addressing several thousand BNP leaders, activists and supporters who gathered on the road in front of the party’s central office in Nayapaltan. He addressed them from the second-floor balcony of the office at ght.ni Tarique said people of the country are looking towards the party with high expectations. “So all our leaders and activists, both here and across the country, must remain patient and stay within the law.” Due to the presence of a huge number of party leaders and followers in front of the Nayapaltan office, vehicular movement on the road remained disrupted from the afternoon. Referring to the issue, Tarique said, “We must not do anything that causes suffering or inconvenience to people.” “Right now, the number one task is to clear this road,” he added. Mentioning that such a situation makes it difficult for him to visit the party office, the Prime Minister said if this kind of disorder continues, it will be difficult for him to come to the party office.  

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and a noted educationist. In a condolence message, he said her contributions to her family and society will be remembered with great respect. The Ameer-e-Jamaat also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus and to give the bereaved family the strength to endure this difficult loss. Jamaat Ameer condoles over Daulatdia Ferry Ghat bus tragedy Dilara Hafiz breathed her last at Singapore General Hospital at 1:29pm Singapore time on Saturday. She was 78. She is survived by husband, one son, one daughter, grandchildren and many well-wishers. During her long career, Dilara Hafiz made important contributions to the development of education in the country. She served as principal of Eden Mohila College and Suhrawardy College at different times. She also served as Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday evening visited the party’s central office in the capital’s Nayapaltan. Tarique arrived at the office around 7:00pm, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. Party leaders and activists welcomed him upon his arrival. Rumon said the Prime Minister worked from his chamber at the party office and discussed organisational matters with leaders of the party and its associate bodies. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and Vice Chairman Nurul Islam Moni, among others, were present at the meeting. This was his first visit to the party’s central office since taking oath as Prime Minister. However, he had visited the office once earlier after returning to the country from London. A large number of party leaders, activists and supporters gathered in front of the office ahead of his arrival.