United News of Bangladesh

Three people were killed when a bus hit a CNG run-auto-rickshaw on Nabinagar-Companiganj road in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria district early Thursday. The deceased were identified as Abul Kashem, son of Hazrat Ali, Sohag Mia, son of Billal Mia and Nurul Alam, son of Abul Khayer of the upazila. The accident occurred at Bashbazar early in this morning when the bus crashed into the Cumilla-bound CNG-run auto-rickshaw, leaving three killed on the spot, said sub-inspector of Nabinagar Police Station, Azadur Rahman. On information, police recovered the bodies and seized the bus but could not arrest anyone.    

The government has formed a committee to examine and address objectionable issues related to the government service ordinance. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Prof. Dr. Asif Nazrul has been appointed as the convener, while Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid are members of the committee. Govt to form high-level committee to review public service ordinance The Cabinet Division issued a notification regarding this formation on Wednesday. Besides, the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land, the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, and the Secretary of the Statistics and Information Management Department have been tasked with providing secretarial support to the committee. Protests continue at Secretariat demanding repeal of ordinance The committee may co-opt one or more members if deemed necessary, added the notification.

The government has planned to introduce a new curriculum for grade six from 2027, which will gradually extend to grade twelve, Education Adviser CR Abrar said on Wednesday. Speaking at a media briefing at the Secretariat, Abrar said, “We have made a collective decision within the ministry to roll out a new education programme from 2027. Work on this has already begun.” He emphasised that the new curriculum would focus on integration of technology and inclusive education. “To make this happen, discussions with stakeholders and building a national consensus are essential,” he noted. Abrar said that they are taking utmost care in designing the new curriculum. “We may no longer be in charge when the textbooks are printed, but we hope to lay the foundation for a quality education system that those in charge will be able to carry forward from grade six and beyond.” Referring to the 2012 curriculum review, which took place under special circumstances, the adviser said that they hope to break away from the constraints of past frameworks. “To ensure there are no errors in next year’s curriculum, I am personally committed to monitoring and overseeing the process closely,” he added. Regarding the formation of an education reform commission, the adviser said, “Under this government, I don’t see a strong possibility that such a commission will be effective or able to complete its tenure. However, the intention remains, and we have started working toward that goal.” He mentioned that consultations have already been held in several regions with education experts and local stakeholders and more such meetings, around eight to ten are planned across the country. The knowledge gained from these sessions will be compiled into a comprehensive document, he said, adding that a national convention may also be organised. “I appreciate those who call for an education commission,” said Abrar. “But that is not the only path. We can move forward through alternative means.” The adviser further noted that since a formal commission cannot be established at this point for various reasons, the ministry is pursuing an alternative approach. “By October or November, we will definitely come up with a reasonable document, focusing on secondary education, though we haven’t finalised that yet.”

The Election Commission has already concluded its responsibility over Dhaka South City Corporation’s mayoral issue with the publication of the official gazette that declared BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as the city’s mayor, said an EC member on Wednesday. “Since the gazette has not been set aside (by court) rather it remains effective, we think the Election Commission’s tasks were completed (in this regard),” Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah told reporters following a meeting of the Election Commission. Noting that the High Court’s and the Appellate Division’s observations were discussed elaborately in the meeting, he said the Appellate Division further established the independence of the Election Commission and its supremacy on election matters. Citing two DLR references, Sanaullah said the election process starts with the notification that means announcement of schedule and concludes with the publication of gazette. “So, we think the Election Commission has completed its responsibility.” On April 27, the EC published an official gazette declaring Ishraque Hossain as the DSCC mayor in line with a court ruling more than five years after the election. Over 600 applications seeking 75 constituencies to be re-demarcated: Noting that the meeting also discussed the delimitation of constituencies, the Election Commissioner said a total of 607 applications were submitted seeking the demarcation of 75 out of 300 constituencies. Jamaat to regain registration with ‘Scales’ symbol: EC Commissioner He said the EC has already reviewed the applications. The issue will be discussed in detail after the Eid-ul-Azha, he added. Replying to a question, Sanaullah said they will consider geographical location, integrity of the administrative unit, the number of population and voters during the delimitation of the constituencies. Earlier, on March 27, Dhaka's first joint district and election tribunal judge, Md Nurul Islam, declared Ishraq Hossain as the rightful mayor, annulling the results of the 2020 Dhaka South City Corporation election that had declared Fazle Noor Taposh as the winner. The government’s previous gazette, which declared Taposh—elected with the boat symbol in that election—as mayor, was also cancelled. The Dhaka North and South City Corporation elections took place on February 1, 2020. In the North, Awami League candidate Atiqul Islam was elected mayor, while in the South, Fazle Noor Taposh emerged victorious. Taposh received 4.25 lakh votes in the race for Dhaka South mayor, while his closest rival, BNP’s Ishraque Hossain, secured 236,000 votes. Ishraque filed a case on March 3, 2020, challenging the election results, alleging widespread irregularities and corruption during the voting. After the fall of the Awami League government in August, 2024, the positions of the mayors for both Dhaka city corporations were declared vacant, along with those of all city corporation mayors across the country. On May 22 last, The High Court dismissed a writ petition that sought a directive against administering the oath of office to Ishraque Hossain as DSCC mayor, clearing the way for his swearing-in. On May 29 last the Appellate Division in an observation said the Election Commission (EC) will decide whether BNP leader Ishraque Hossain will be sworn in as the DSCC Mayor or not.

Emphasising the need for financial transparency to reform the country’s overall political culture, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam on Wednesday urged all political parties to adopt clear financial policies and called on the Election Commission to enforce stricter regulations. Speaking at a press conference held at the party’s temporary central office at Rupayan Tower in the capital, the NCP leader announced the party’s financial policy and launched a crowdfunding campaign aimed at encouraging public participation in politics. "Financial transparency and accountability must be ensured in our political culture. This is a core principle of the National Citizen Party. However, one party alone cannot change the entire political landscape. All parties must come forward and embrace financial transparency if we are to see qualitative improvement in Bangladesh’s political culture,” he said. BNP unveils 180-day economic action plan ahead of national election He went on to say, "The Election Commission also has to be firm. During elections, misuse of money and muscle power becomes common. If the EC frames strong laws and ensures their strict implementation, we believe positive changes will come." Highlighting NCP’s grassroots foundation, he said, “We have emerged from the people’s movement. If people do not support us, we cannot survive politically or morally. Our goal is to earn public trust and support—crowdfunding is our way of doing that.” Nahid Islam urged supporters not to provide funds to any individual, saying, “We have established a centralized financial system. All our bank and mobile accounts are in the party’s name. No one should send money to any personal or unofficial accounts. NCP does not believe in such practices.” He reiterated the party’s commitment to honesty, transparency and accountability, adding, “We will publish full disclosure of our expenditures so that the public knows exactly where their money is being spent.”

The Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) has expressed disappointment over the interim government’s failure to present a budget that offers clear guidance for economic recovery. The party criticised the lack of consultation with political parties and other relevant stakeholders during the budget formulation process, noting that future elected governments will be responsible for its implementation and accountability. The AB Party emphasised the need to reassess the budget’s size, formulation process, income-expenditure balance, and the long-standing reliance on debt and deficit-based financing. Mojibur Rahman Monju, AB Party chairman acknowledging the finance adviser’s attempt to shift focus from traditional GDP-centric models to broader development concepts.  Bangladesh must not be battlefield for global superpowers’ proxy war: AB Party However, he criticised the continuation of inflated GDP figures from the previous regime and the lack of concrete strategies to address inflation and economic challenges. Monju also condemned the provision allowing the legalisation of undisclosed income in the real estate sector, labeling it unethical. Asaduzzaman Fuaad, the party’s general secretary, stated that the interim government missed an opportunity to provide a transformative budget. He highlighted issues such as bureaucratic inefficiencies, artificial expenditure burdens, and the appointment of unskilled personnel, which have weakened the state institutions. Fuaad called for annual expenditures to align with national capabilities and urged the implementation of necessary reforms despite obstacles. AB Party calls for VAT to be phased out and impose singular direct tax The press conference stressed the importance of establishing good governance to enhance national capacity, especially as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category by November 2026 which we feel is a wrong decision to have undertaken. The AB Party feels that the plan for LDC graduation needs to be suspended for greater national and economic interest.

A 10-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday will begin on Thursday with thousands already left the capital to celebrate the festival with their families at their village homes. Although the holiday officially starts on Thursday, the exodus began last Saturday and gained momentum on Wednesday, with transport hubs like Gabtoli bus stand, Sadarghat launch terminal, Kamalapur railway station, and other key bus terminals teeming with home-bound passengers. The rush is expected to peak on Thursday. A visit to Kamalapur railway station on Wednesday showed thousands of people leaving the capital — some even riding train roofs, risking their lives to make it home for the festival. To facilitate the long break, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on May 7 declaring June 11 and 12 (Wednesday and Thursday) as public holidays through executive order. Home adviser warns against overcharging Eid travellers To compensate for the time off, the government kept offices open on May 17 and 24 which were weekly holidays. Government and private offices, educational institutions, banks, and other financial institutions will remain closed during the period, which includes weekends and scheduled holidays. The long holiday has triggered a rush of homebound people at bus terminals, railway stations and launch terminals in the capital. City corporations and municipalities have taken special measures to remove the sacrificial animal waste, promising quick cleanup. The government has deployed additional law enforcement personnel on highways, railway stations, river ports and major city points to ensure the safety of travelers and manage the rush. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the overall preparations including security arrangements ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha. Talking to reporters after visiting the sacrificial cattle market adjacent to Maitri Sangha Club in the capital’s North Shahjahanpur area, he said a large number of Ansar members have been deployed in every cattle market this year to ensure security. He warned that the government will take legal action if any transport operator charges extra fares or carries passengers beyond capacity during Eid journeys. Rush at banks on last working day before Eid-ul-Azha holiday Besides, a control room has been opened on behalf of the leaseholders alongside police at the cattle markets, he said. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Sunday warned the leaseholders of the capital’s makeshift cattle markets (haats) not to collect any fees other than the government-fixed charges during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Besides, he said, no vehicle carrying sacrificial animals from different regions of the country can be forcibly diverted into specific markets and cattle markets must remain within the designated boundaries set by the city corporations.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Wednesday expressed deepest condolence at the passing of Filippo Poggi, country sourcing controller of Primark, and honoured his memory at a commemorative event held at the BGMEA premises. The event was attended by Bangladeshi suppliers, family members, friends, BGMEA members, Primark officials, and well-wishers who came together to pay tribute to Filippo's legacy and lasting impact on Bangladesh’s garment sector, according to a press release. They showed respect to Filippo by placing wreaths on the mortal remains. Speaking on behalf of BGMEA, Administrator Anwar Hossain paid  tribute to Filippo, describing him as a wonderful individual who played a pivotal role in strengthening ties between Primark and Bangladesh’s garment industry. BGMEA election underway; Forum and Sammilito Parishad leaders hopeful of victory “Filippo was a wonderful person—kind, warm, and full of life. I still remember our last meeting at the BGMEA office just a month ago. It is still hard to believe that Filippo is no longer with us. His support and efforts helped build a strong and lasting relationship between Primark and our industry,” said Anwar. Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, president-elect of BGMEA, said “With Filippo’s passing, we have lost a genuine friend of Bangladesh’s RMG sector. He understood our challenges, believed in our potential, and worked tirelessly to foster collaboration. His absence will be deeply felt across the industry.” Garment sector resumes regular production after Eid: BGMEA Ms. Fay, wife of Filippo, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the BGMEA and the entire garment community, saying, “I'm amazed to see the overwhelming love shown by all to Filippo. This reflects Filippo’s strong relationship with the people he worked with in Bangladesh's RMG sector.” The administrator presented a condolence letter to Ms. Fay on behalf of BGMEA and its members. As a tribute to the memory of Filippo, a sapling was planted on the BGMEA premises. The BGMEA mourns the loss of a valued friend and partner and extends its deepest condolences to Filippo's family, colleagues, and loved ones.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke on Wednesday met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and extended her congratulations to him on his forthcoming receipt of the prestigious King Charles Harmony Award. The High Commissioner met the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House in Dhaka, ahead of his official visit to the United Kingdom. "It is a great honour," the Chief Adviser said, referring to the award. Professor Yunus is set to depart Dhaka on June 9 on a four-day official visit. During the visit, the Chief Adviser is expected to hold meetings with senior British officials, said CA’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. The discussions between the Chief Adviser and the British High Commissioner encompassed a range of mutual interests, including trade and investment, aviation cooperation, migration and the interim government's efforts in asset recovery. Prof Yunus for ‘horror museum’ to document enforced disappearances They also discussed the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government and the latest political developments in Bangladesh. Prof Yunus informed the High Commissioner that the second round of talks between the National Consensus Building Commission and political parties began this week and is expected to conclude soon. He expressed interest in receiving technical support from the UK, including training by British researchers, to bolster Bangladesh's ocean research efforts. The meeting was also attended by Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser; Lamiya Morshed, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator; and James Goldman, Deputy High Commissioner of Britain.

The government will take legal action if any transport operator charges extra fares or carries passengers beyond capacity during Eid journeys, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday. “We are making every effort to ensure a safe and hassle-free Eid journey. Bus fares remain the same as last year, and the rates are being charged as per the chart at the terminals,” he said while speaking to reporters after visiting the Mohakhali Bus Terminal in the capital. Preparations for Eid-ul-Azha satisfactory: Home Adviser He added that transport owners and workers have been instructed to remain vigilant so that no one demands extra fares. “If there are any complaints of overcharging, passengers should inform the owners, workers, or law enforcement agencies. They will take immediate action,” he assured. To prevent highway robberies, a new measure has been introduced, photos of all passengers will be taken before departure. “Every bus has three staff members, including the driver. If any untoward incident occurs, they have been instructed to immediately alert law enforcement and the transport owners,” the adviser added. Additional security measures have been taken on highways, and all relevant agencies, including the police, army, navy, coast guard, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are on alert to ensure passenger safety. Earlier in the day, the adviser visited Kamalapur Railway Station and spoke to passengers there. No specific threats detected ahead of Eid-ul-Azha: RAB Briefing reporters at the station, he said that so far 31 trains had departed from Kamalapur. “Except for 4 to 5 trains with minor delays, all others left on time,” he noted. He expressed hope that the remaining 35 scheduled trains would also depart on time. “This year, there have been no reports of ticket scalping,” the adviser said.