United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank on Thursday said  under existing law, there is currently ‘no scope’ to directly protect the interests of general investors or shareholders during the merger process of the five banks but government may consider providing compensation to small investors or shareholders. The debate over the future of small shareholders in five Islamic banks undergoing a government-directed merger deepened on Thursday, following a clarification issued by Bangladesh Bank (BB). The statement came a day after Governor Ahsan H. Mansur said that the value of all shares in the five banks had effectively dropped to “zero”, sparking controversy. Mansur reportedly noted that shares with a face value of Tk 10 had fallen to Tk 420 in market terms — leaving investors with nothing. Bangladesh Bank explained that the Bank Resolution Ordinance, 2025, which governs the merger process, was drafted in line with international best practices and developed with technical assistance from the IMF, World Bank, and FCDO. Bank Merger: Bangladesh Bank unveils 2-phase refund plan The ordinance defines the rights of depositors, shareholders, and other creditors of affected banks. Notably, Section 40 of the Ordinance allows for compensation if shareholders suffer greater losses under a resolution process than they would have faced through a standard liquidation. Under this provision, any compensation owed will be determined after the resolution is completed, based on an assessment by an independent professional valuer appointed by Bangladesh Bank.  

The Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) has demanded the withdrawal of a general diary (GD) filed against senior Nayadiganta reporter Shamsul Islam, calling it “baseless and harassing.” Former Deputy Commissioner of Netrokona and current Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Banani Biswas, filed the GD at Ramna Model Police Station on November 5 over the publication of news. BSRF President Masudul Hoque and General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal, speaking on Thursday, urged the authorities to immediately withdraw the GD, saying Shamsul Islam has long been serving professionally in the country’s leading media outlets. They termed the allegations in the GD as motivated, baseless, and an interference with press freedom. According to a press release signed by BSRF Office Secretary Gautam Chandra Ghosh, after news of corruption involving Banani Biswas was published, initial investigations confirmed the allegations, leading to his transfer from the post of Netrokona DC to the Ministry of Public Administration, which is now officially investigating the case. “Filing such a GD seems aimed at intimidating and harassing journalist Shamsul Islam. Publishing news is a professional responsibility, and journalists cannot be prevented from performing their duties through threats,” the press release stated. BSRF called on the administration to ensure a fair investigation into the matter and to safeguard the safety of journalists.

The Election Commission has registered 66 organisations as local election observers as well as identified 16 more firms as eligible for registration as local election observers  ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election to be held in early February 2026. “The 66 organisations have given the final registration as local election observer organisations. A public notification will soon be issued, inviting objections about the registration of 16 others,” said EC’s Director (Public Relations) Ruhul Amin Mollick.   About the 16 eligible election observer organisations, the claims, objections or complaints, if any, must be submitted in writing to the EC by November 27, 2025, he said.   Earlier on September 27, the EC had published a notification inviting claims and objections regarding 73 proposed observer organisations. NCP still favours keeping Election Commission on its toes Now the commission granted registration to 66 and rejected seven proposals following the settlement of claims and objections. The EC introduced the registration system for the election observer organisations ahead of the 9th national election in 2008, when 138 organisations were registered, but 75 observation organisations monitored the election. Only 35 out of 120 registered election observer organisations monitored the 2014 national election; 81 out of the 119 registered organisations observed the 2018 general election and 80 out of the 96 registered organisations monitored the 2024 national election.  

Eminent jurist and Gonoforum’s Emeritus President Dr Kamal Hossain on Thursday said sensitive processes like constitutional reform must be carried out based on the opinion of people. “The constitution is the guiding document for running the state. Over the past 53 years, it has undergone various changes. Constitutional reform is a sensitive matter, and this process must be carried out based on the opinion of the people,” he said. Dr Kamal made the remarks in a written speech at a discussion titled ‘Bangladesh’s Constitution and Reform Proposals’ at the Jatiya Press Club, organised by Gonoforum. Gonoforum General Secretary Dr Md Mizanur Rahman read out the written statement on behalf of Dr Kamal at his request. Dr Kamal said reviewing the constitution in the present context is very important. “But during any reform, we must keep in mind that the constitution is the foundation of independent Bangladesh and the result of the sacrifices and united aspirations of its entire people.” He said no individual has the right to change the constitution alone, and any reform proposal must reflect the will of the people while being consistent with the nation’s basic values and the needs of the present time. Dr Kamal also noted that it is wrong to blame the constitution alone for the government’s authoritarian attitude and lack of democracy. “Rather, the practice of democracy within the government and political parties must be given the highest priority.” The veteran politician said constitutional institutions that have failed to meet public expectations due to politicisation in the past urgently need reform. “If political parties cannot build a national consensus on this matter, democracy will never get institutionalised,” he warned. Expressing hope for the future, he said, “I believe the next national parliament, to be formed through a free, fair and acceptable election, will be able to fulfill the people’s expectations and play its role in building a democratic, just, progressive and humane state through systematic reforms.”  

The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) on Thursday hosted a dialogue titled “Media Freedom: The Issue of Political Commitments in Manifesto” to discuss potential reforms and challenges facing the mass media. The event was moderated by CGS President Zillur Rahman. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was present at the dialogue. Executive Director of CGS Parvez Karim Abbasi, Convener of BNP Media Cell Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Special Assistant to the BNP Chairperson on Foreign Affairs Committee Dr. Saimum Parvez; President of Gonoforum Advocate Subrata Chowdhury; General Secretary of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal Nazmul Haque Prodhan; Member of Central Committee of Communist Party of Bangladesh Manzur Moin, among others, also attended. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said that the future of democracy could be in jeopardy if the incoming government fails to effectively combat misinformation and disinformation. “The government that will run the country should brainstorm about tackling misinformation. Otherwise, failure to address it will lead the country towards political turmoil,” he said. Shafiqul Alam reflected on the long and shifting relationship between the government and the media since 1947, noting that it has alternated between periods of openness and restriction. “During Ayub Khan’s time, there was media freedom, but after 1990, journalists enjoyed the highest freedom under the caretaker government,” he said. “During the Awami League government, journalism reached its lowest point. However, efforts are now being made to recover from that decline under Hasina’s leadership,” Shafiqul Alam added. Zillur Rahman said the people of Bangladesh have long fought for democracy and sacrificed countless lives, but even after 54 years of independence, this struggle continues.” He mentioned that media freedom was strictly suppressed in 1975, and its effects are still felt today. He appealed to political parties, urging them to include media reforms in their election manifestos, hoping for a positive change among political parties. Dr. Moudud Alamgir Pavel said there is a vast difference between news and photo cards. The ordinances we talk about are all for print media, but we do not discuss social media. Millions of journalists have emerged on social media, and their news goes viral quickly.”

Protesters on Thursday urged the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to immediately revoke its approval for establishing a factory to produce nicotine pouches, terming the move a grave threat to public health and a clear violation of court directives. The demand came from a demonstration titled ‘Cancel the Approval for the Disease-Causing ‘Nicotine Pouch’ Factory’ held in front of BEZA’s head office on the main road in Agargaon, Dhaka. The protest was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) and Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates (BTCA). Speakers at the rally said BEZA’s decision to allow multinational company Philip Morris to produce nicotine pouches contradicts both national health policies and a High Court directive that prohibits the establishment of new tobacco factories in the country. They warned that nicotine pouches are highly addictive and harmful to human health citing warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO). They also noted that at least 34 countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, and France have already banned the product. “Nicotine pouches are not a safe alternative to smoking. Replacing one form of addiction with another cannot be considered a public health solution,” said one of the speakers. The speakers referred to studies showing that nicotine pouches can damage the mouth, gums, lungs, liver, and kidneys, increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, and adversely affect adolescent brain development. They further recalled that the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in 2016 ruled that no new tobacco factories should be permitted in Bangladesh, and existing ones should be converted into other industries. Terming BEZA’s decision “a violation of constitutional obligations and the Supreme Court’s directive,the protesters said the move goes against Article 18(1) of the Constitution, which mandates the State to ensure public health and welfare. Representatives from BATA and BTCA later submitted a memorandum to BEZA’s Executive Chairman, demanding the immediate cancellation of the factory approval, accountability for those involved in breaching legal and constitutional provisions, and a strict prohibition on future approvals for harmful products. They also called upon BEZA to play an active role in achieving a tobacco-free Bangladesh.

Stock market investors under the banner of ‘Bangladesh Pujibazar Oikya Parishad’ on Thursday demanded the resignation of Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed and Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur, alleging that the recent merger of five Shariah-based banks was decided without consulting them or considering their interests. At a protest rally in front of the former Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) building in Motijheel, the organisation’s general secretary Sajjad Hossain announced that investors would launch a movement to press for the resignation of the adviser and the governor. “The interim government, the central bank and the finance ministry have no public mandate to merge banks. Decisions were made arbitrarily without considering the interests of ordinary investors,” Sajjad said. He said that it should be the responsibility of the next elected government to decide whether to proceed with bank mergers. “Such forced actions are hurting investors. These cannot continue under the pretext of reform.” The organisation’s President, Mizanur Rashid Chowdhury, said the governor did not respond despite repeatedly raising investors’ concerns with the central bank. “No merger decision can be acceptable if it ignores investors’ interests,” he said, warning, “If the decision is not reversed, investors will stage a sit-in in front of Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday demanding the governor’s resignation.” The investors also demanded that shareholders of the five Islamic banks—First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank (SIBL), EXIM Bank, and Union Bank—receive equivalent shares in the new merged entity. They also demanded that the confiscated assets of the S. Alam Group be used to compensate affected investors. The protest came a day after Bangladesh Bank dissolved the boards of the five banks, saying their shareholders’ equity had fallen below zero. “The value of their shares is effectively zero, and no compensation will be provided to anyone,” Governor Mansur said on Wednesday. Process to recover laundered money progressing gradually: Finance Adviser Earlier, the trading of shares of the five Islamic banks was suspended at both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) as part of the ongoing merger process. In separate notices issued Thursday, the two bourses announced that trading in the shares of the five banks would remain suspended until further notice. The suspension followed their being declared non-operational under Section 15 of the Bank Resolution Ordinance, 2025, which took effect on November 5. According to the exchanges, Bangladesh Bank, in a letter issued the same day, instructed that the banks be brought under the provisions of the ordinance and subsequently dissolved their respective boards of directors.    

Leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote, an alliance of Hindu religious organisations, on Thursday submitted a seven-point demand to the Election Commission (EC). They urged the commission to ensure full security for minority communities and prevent the use of religion in election campaigns ahead of the parliamentary elections. “We raised our seven demands, including ensuring 100 percent security for the minority community during the polls,” said Hindu Mahajote executive secretary Palash Kanti Dey while talking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. He said the CEC discussed their concerns cordially. “He (CEC) has assured that 100 percent security will be ensured. He told us that you, everyone, should go to polling stations. We also assured him that we want to exercise our civic rights.” Palash said they drew the CEC’s attention to possible incidents of attacks on temples and houses of minorities during the election and asked him such incidents must not happen this time. “The CEC assured us that no one will be able to torture you this time. They’ll take strict measures against any such attempt.” Expressing deep concern over possible unrest, Palash said, “Our fears are not unfounded. We remain worried mainly during two times—Durga Puja and elections. Elections have never been a comfortable time for the Hindu community. Attacks on minorities before and after local government and parliamentary polls, during every regime, have become a regular occurrence. But the Commission said offenders will not be spared this time.” He said the CEC assured them that members of the minority community will go to polling stations and return homes safely. “If any deviation occurs, the EC will take strong action. Law enforcement will act decisively if anyone tries to intimidate minority voters or attack their establishments,” Palash said quoting the CEC as saying. The seven demands placed by the Hindu community leaders include - tightening security for the residences, temples, and Moths of minority communities from 10 days before to 10 days after the election; preventing political campaigns and rallies at religious establishments; checking the use of religion in election campaign; and formation of a central monitoring cell to ensure the safety of minority and female voters. Their other demands are to suspend the voting in the constituencies where attack will occur, followed by investigation and action; deployment of army during the election; and ensuring an environment for smooth movement for voters to and from polling stations.

An inmate passed away at Dhaka Central Jail on Thursday evening, apparently after suddenly falling ill. The deceased was identified as Mamunur Rashid, 34, son of Hazi Shahidul Islam. Prison guard Md. Wahid said, “Rashid suddenly fell ill in the afternoon. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in an unconscious state, where doctors at the emergency department declared him dead.” Rashid’s inmate number was 44946/25. Prisoner of Keraniganj central jail dies at DMCH The reason for his imprisonment was not immediately known. Inspector Md. Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH outpost, said, “The body has been kept at the Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy. An executive magistrate will oversee the preparation of the inquest report. After formalities by the prison authorities, the body will be handed over to the family."  

Executive Vice Chairman of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) Prof Dr Mohammad Helal Uddin on Thursday said scaling up and localising interventions have become essential, particularly in the context of declining foreign aid. He emphasised the need to expand access to finance to enable marginalised communities to realise their untapped potential, with special focus on small borrowers who are often overlooked. Speaking as the chief guest at a programme, Prof Helal noted that BRAC continues to serve as a role model, with opportunities to extend its impact even further. Additional Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division under the Ministry of Finance Md Saeed Kutub said receiving an international award of this nature is not only a great honour for BRAC but also a matter of national pride.