United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said individuals associated with Awami League can participate in the upcoming local government elections, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and do not campaign on behalf of the party. He made the remarks when asked whether the government would allow Awami League (now facing ban on its activities) to take part in the upcoming local government elections at a press conference held at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at Secretariat on the progress of various government activities. Dr. Zahed said there would be no obstacle to individuals contesting the polls as the elections would be conducted on a non-party basis. “There is no problem at all. If a person wants to participate in the election and fulfils the required criteria, he or she can contest,” he said. Replying to a question about candidates who may still hold positions in Awami League, the adviser said as the party’s organisational activities remain banned such positions cannot be used in any official or political capacity. “Since organisational activities of the Awami League are prohibited, those positions cannot be used. However, as individuals, anyone who fulfils the necessary criteria and wishes to contest the election may do so,” he said. He said the government has no reason to prevent any eligible individual from participating in the local government elections.  

A former convener of Swecchasebak Dal in Ramna was stabbed to death during a salish (arbitration) meeting near Mouchak Anarkali Market in the capital on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Billal Hossain Talukdar, 57, a former convener of Ward No. 19 Swecchasebak Dal under Ramna Police Station. According to police and local sources, Billal was allegedly attacked during a dispute resolution meeting in front of Mouchak Anarkali Market. He sustained critical injuries in the attack. He was rescued and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 9:20 pm, where doctors declared him dead after examination. Confirming the incident, Assistant Commissioner (AC) of the Ramna Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mazahar said the stabbing occurred around 9:30 pm. “Preliminary information suggests that Billal was stabbed to death over a salish. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the incident,” he said. The body has been sent to the morgue of Dhaka Medical College Hospital for an autopsy, the police official added. He was arrested in September last year in a case filed over an attack and vandalism at the office of Shohagh Paribahan in Malibagh. Following his arrest, he was expelled from the organisation.

Bangladesh Police on Monday questioned media reports causing alarm over the fact that 605 murders were recorded across the country in 100 days of the BNP government, saying the figure lacked proper context and could create a misleading impression of the overall law and order situation. In a statement issued in response to reports published on June 8 citing Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Police Headquarters said a detailed analysis of official crime statistics showed several limitations in the way the figure had been presented. According to police data, a total of 605 murder cases were recorded between March and April 2026. Of the 605 cases, 336, or 55.5 percent, were linked to previous enmity, while 146 cases, or 24.1 percent, stemmed from family disputes. Another 69 cases, or 11.4 percent, were related to property and financial conflicts. The remaining cases included 19 accidental incidents (3.1 percent), nine linked to dominance-related disputes (1.5 percent), six involving robbery-related killings (1 percent), five connected to love affairs or extramarital relationships (0.8 percent), 15 related to riots, banditry, abduction and other causes (2.4 percent), and three politically motivated killings (0.5 percent). Police argued that the category-wise breakdown shows that the overwhelming majority of murders were linked to personal, family and socio-economic disputes rather than political violence. The statement said the figure of 605 murders should not be interpreted as evidence of an unusual surge in killings. Based on long-term police statistics, annual murder cases in Bangladesh have generally ranged between 3,000 and 4,500 over the past decade. If the two-month figure is projected over a full year, it would amount to about 3,630 cases, which falls within the historical range, Police Headquarters said. It also noted that Bangladesh’s population is approximately 180 million. On that basis, the murder rate for the two-month period stood at 0.34 per 100,000 people, which, according to the statement, is not considered high by global standards. The statement further said reports focusing only on the number of murder cases without considering population size, historical comparisons and the nature of the crimes could create unnecessary public concern. Police Headquarters also pointed out that only three of the 605 murder cases were politically motivated, accounting for 0.5 percent of the total. It added that recent improvements in case registration and documentation following changes in the country’s circumstances since August 5, 2024, should be seen as a sign of greater transparency and accountability rather than a deterioration in law and order. Bangladesh Police urged institutions and organisations preparing crime-related reports to present complete analyses, including category-wise breakdowns, historical comparisons and population-based crime rates, to provide a more accurate picture of the situation.

A court in Cumilla on Monday ordered the issuance of Interpol red notices against retired Sergeant Zahiduzzaman and former army member Shahin Alam, the two prime suspects in the murder case of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a student of Cumilla Victoria Government College. The order was issued by Judge Muminul Haque of Cumilla Senior Judicial Magistrate Court No. 1. According to court sources, Shahin Alam has fled to Kuwait, while the whereabouts of retired Sergeant Zahiduzzaman remain unknown. Meanwhile, the only accused arrested in the case, former Warrant Officer of Cumilla Cantonment's Static Signal unit, Md Hafizur Rahman, a resident of Hogra village in Tangail Sadar, is currently being held at Cumilla Central Jail. Court sources said investigators obtained important information regarding the murder case during the interrogation of Hafizur Rahman. Evidence and witness statements reportedly indicate the presence of Zahiduzzaman and Shahin Alam at the crime scene and their involvement in the killing. In his order, Judge Muminul Haque directed the investigation officer, Inspector Md Tarikul Islam, to take necessary steps to issue arrest warrants and seek Interpol red notices against the two absconding suspects so they can be brought under the law and face trial. Earlier, on April 22, investigation officer and Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Inspector Md Tarikul Islam produced Hafizur Rahman before the same court and sought a seven-day remand for questioning. After a hearing, the court granted a three-day remand. According to the case records, Tonu went missing on the evening of March 20, 2016, after going to a residence inside Cumilla Cantonment to provide private tuition. Later, her body was found in bushes near the cantonment's power house after a search operation.

As a severe heatwave continues to sweep across the capital, besides people animals at the zoo are struggling to cope with the soaring temperatures. With scorching sunshine and humid weather making conditions uncomfortable, many animals have been seen spending long hours in ponds, reservoirs and artificial water bodies to stay cool. Some were observed immersing themselves in water, while others splashed water over their bodies in an effort to escape the oppressive heat.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Monday called for greater representation of women in corporate leadership and boardrooms, saying women’s contributions have been instrumental to Bangladesh’s economic and social progress. Speaking as the chief guest at the Women in Leadership and Governance Conference 2026, veteran BNP leader stressed the need to create more opportunities for women to participate in decision-making processes and leadership positions across the corporate sector. The conference, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) through its Gender Inclusion and Leadership Committee (GILC), was held at a city hotel, with a focus on strengthening corporate leadership and ensuring good governance through enhanced participation of women. The event brought together policymakers, corporate leaders, regulators, development partners, and members of leading professional bodies to advance dialogue on leadership, governance, and board diversity, according to a press release. Former caretaker government adviser Rasheda K Choudhury, and Barrister Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, MP, were present as guests of honour. ICAB Council Member and GILC Chairperson Zerin Mahmud Hossain said stronger partnerships among institutions are essential for building effective leadership and accelerating progress in gender inclusion. ICAB President NKA Mobin and Vice President Suraiya Zannath reaffirmed the institute's commitment to gender inclusion and expanding pathways for women to take up leadership and governance roles. The keynote address was delivered by Akhtar Sanjida Kasem, Bangladesh's first female Chartered Accountant in practice. She presented insights from the ICAB Gender Dashboard and the Women on Boards Survey, highlighting both the progress made and the challenges that remain in the sector. The conference featured three distinct panel discussions titled “Professional Bodies United,” “Women Leading in Service and Practice” and “Women in Boardrooms.” It also featured inspirational talks by Berger Paints Bangladesh Managing Director Rupali Chowdhury, country's first female MD of a multinational company, and mountaineer Nishat Majumdar, the first Bangladeshi woman to summit Mount Everest. Participants pledged to play a more active role in promoting women’s leadership in the corporate sector and strengthening their contribution to good governance.

The government has initiated steps to strengthen the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) by equipping it with arms and introducing dog squads to enhance the effectiveness of anti-drug operations, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday. “We have already prepared the draft of the Narcotics Control Act and hope to place it during this session (Parliament). Officers who conduct anti-drug operations currently have no weapons, while drug dealers often attack them using sophisticated firearms,” he told the House. The minister came up with the disclosure, while responding to a notice of public importance placed by ruling party lawmaker Helen Zerin Khan (Women Seat-9). He said the proposed amendments are intended to provide stronger legal protection and operational capacity to the DNC. Salahuddin pointed out that the department does not have sufficient laboratory and training facilities. He said the government is considering introducing dog squads under the DNC to strengthen narcotics detection and enforcement activities. “If drugs can be identified and controlled through dog squads, that would be highly effective,” he said.

Editors’ Council (Sampadak Parishad) on Monday expressed deep concern over the highly controversial Section 18(A) of the proposed Bank Resolution Act, 2026, warning that it could pave the way for former plundering directors to reclaim ownership of ailing banks. A delegation from the council voiced their anxieties during a high-profile meeting with the Governor of Bangladesh Bank at the central bank's headquarters in Motijheel, emphasizing the critical need to preserve corporate governance, safeguard depositors' money, and maintain financial stability. Banking sector reforms to be brought under independent commission: Info Minister Swapon Briefing reporters after the meeting, Nurul Kabir, President of Editors' Council and Editor of New Age, noted that the country’s banking sector is currently navigating an incredibly challenging environment. "Our discussions heavily centered on the skyrocketing volume of non-performing loans (NPLs), the slow pace of structural banking reforms, absolute guarantees for depositors' funds, and ongoing volatility in the foreign exchange market," Kabir said.  "Crucially, we also exchanged views on the highly damaging long-term implications of Section 18(A) of the proposed Bank Resolution Act,” he added. Section 18(A) of the Bank Resolution Act, 2026, has recently drawn sharp criticism from financial analysts and civil society. Under this provision, former shareholders and directors of weak or failing banks undergoing mergers or state-led resolution processes are granted a legal loophole to reclaim ownership or board positions under certain conditions. Critics argue this effectively offers a backdoor entry to the very individuals responsible for plundering bank resources. During the meeting, the Editors' Council strongly urged the banking regulator to enforce transparency and institutional accountability. They demanded that robust and foolproof mechanisms be established so that ordinary depositors do not bear the brunt of a financial crisis if a bank collapses or faces a forced merger. In response, the central bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman assured the delegation of ongoing regulatory interventions and future structural overhauls.  The Governor promised that the central bank remains fully aware of the systematic bottlenecks and is actively pursuing necessary measures to curb default loans, restructure weak financial institutions, and restore public trust in the financial ecosystem. Beyond banking regulations, the meeting also touched upon broader macroeconomic indicators, including soaring inflation, stagnant growth in private sector investments, the employment landscape, and various budgetary facets of the upcoming FY2026–27 national budget. Bangladesh Bank usually organised such a consultation meeting before the budget of the new fiscal year and new monetary policy every year. The meeting was attended by a group of senior journalists and editors, including Matiur Rahman (Prothom Alo), Matiur Rahman Chowdhury (Manabzamin), Dewan Hanif Mahmud (Bonik Barta), Shamsul Huq Zahid (The Financial Express), Shahed Mohammed Ali (Daily Samakal), AMM Bahauddin (Daily Inqilab), Md. Rezaul Karim Lotus (Daily Sun), Altamash Kabir (Sangbad), Mostafa Mamun (Agamier Somoy), and Md. Mozammel Haque (Karatoa).

Despite a legal requirement for political parties to ensure 33 percent representation of women at all levels of party committees by 2030, progress remains largely limited to policy commitments, with women continuing to have inadequate influence in political decision-making processes, according to a new study. The findings were unveiled at a divisional dialogue in a city hotel on Monday, where the results of a study titled “Political Parties’ Position on the Representation of the People Order (RPO)” were presented. The dialogue was jointly organised by Wave Foundation and ActionAid Bangladesh under the Gender Responsive and Inclusive Participation (GRIP) Project, implemented as part of the United Nations electoral assistance initiatives BALLOT and DRIP.  The study found that while awareness of the provision is high, implementation remains weak. Around 87.3 percent of respondents said they were aware of the requirement for 33 percent women's representation in political parties, but 72 percent believed the provision is not being effectively implemented.  Researchers also highlighted concerns over the capacity of the Bangladesh Election Commission to monitor compliance. Only 1.4 percent of respondents considered the Election Commission fully capable of ensuring implementation of the provision, while 9.9 percent viewed its capacity as partially sufficient.  The research, conducted by Sanaia Fahim Ansari and presented by consultant Mansura Akhtar, drew on the opinions of 191 stakeholders from 11 districts across six divisions of the country.  According to the study, patriarchal political culture remains the most significant barrier to women's participation, identified by 60.6 percent of respondents. Other major obstacles include a lack of political commitment (56.3 percent), family and social pressures (49.3 percent), absence of democratic practices within political parties (45.1 percent), and limitations in the Election Commission’s monitoring mechanisms (39.4 percent).  The challenges are even greater for young women seeking to enter politics. Fear of insecurity and online violence emerged as the most significant deterrent, alongside male-dominated political culture, negative social attitudes, limited opportunities within political parties and economic constraints.  To address the gaps, participants recommended regular audits of political parties by the Election Commission, publication of annual gender-disaggregated reports on women’s representation and candidate nominations, and greater inclusion of women in key policy-making and nomination bodies within political parties.  The dialogue also proposed introducing state-funded incentives for political parties that nominate more women candidates in direct elections and reducing nomination fees for female candidates. Participants further stressed the need for stronger internal accountability mechanisms and structured mentorship and training programmes to develop future women leaders.  Speaking at the event, Tapati Saha, Programme Manager for Gender Responsive Governance at UN Women Bangladesh, said participation from stakeholders across different regions enriched the discussion and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting gender-responsive and inclusive democratic structures.  Chief Guest Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the Election Commission's responsibility extends beyond conducting elections to ensuring that people's representation and democratic aspirations are reflected in the political process. He called for collective efforts to create a more inclusive political environment.  In her remarks, Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid said the objective of the initiative was not merely to identify shortcomings in the Election Commission, political parties or the RPO, but to develop a sustainable roadmap enabling all stakeholders to contribute positively to democratic reforms.  Representatives from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, National Citizen Party, and AB Party, along with officials from the Election Commission, UN agencies, civil society organisations, media, legal professionals, researchers and youth groups, took part in the discussion. Participants agreed that women's political representation should go beyond reserved seats and quotas and be ensured at every level of decision-making through stronger political commitment, social awareness and institutional reforms. 

Grameenphone will now disburse incentives directly to its nationwide distributor field force through the mobile financial service platform bKash, aiming to make field-level financial management more efficient, transparent and secure. As a result, beneficiaries will receive funds instantly in their bKash accounts and can utilise the funds as per their convenience, said a press release issued on Monday. An agreement was recently signed between the two organisations at the GP House in presence of senior leadership from both organisations. Farha Naz Zaman, Chief Marketing Officer, Solaiman Alam, Chief Product Officer, Mohammad Shareef Mahmood Khan, HoD, Sales &amp, Distribution, Sk. Iftekhar Ahmed, Head of Distribution, were present from Grameenphone while Ali Ahmmed, Chief Commercial Officer, Masrur Chowdhury, Head of Business Sales, Shafayatul Islam Khan, EVP &amp, HoD, Telecom Payments represented the bKash. Under this agreement, Grameenphone will utilise bKash’s ‘Disbursement Solution’ to send incentives directly to the bKash accounts of its nationwide field force. This ensures a fast, secure, and efficient payment process, and minimises operational complexities. Meanwhile, recipients can cash out their money from bKash agent points or ATM booths spread across the country. Alongside cash out from agent points, customers can also use their bKash accounts to avail services like Send Money, Mobile Recharge, Merchant Payment, Add Money, Utility Bill Payment, paying fees of educational institutions and government entities, e-Ticketing, Donation, Remittance, Insurance, Microfinance, Loan, Savings and many more.