United News of Bangladesh

Speakers at a workshop on Saturday said that women remain underrepresented in politics despite making up 51% of the population.  The workshop titled “Political Elites, Clientelism, Democratization, and Governance: Pathways to Inclusive Politics and Women’s Participation,” was held at a hotel in Dhaka. It was implemented by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh. Young women political activists from the student wings of various political parties, and independent political platforms participated in the day-long program. The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of the relationship between political elites, clientelism, democratization, governance and inclusive politics, while encouraging critical discussions on the challenges and opportunities surrounding women’s meaningful participation in Bangladesh’s political process. Zillur Rahman, President of CGS, delivered the opening remarks, while Parvez Karim Abbasi, Executive Director of CGS, introduced the workshop's theme. Shadhan Kumar Das, Program Adviser of FES Bangladesh, also addressed the participants. The sessions were facilitated by Shammi Laila Islam, Country Representative, Advancing Women’s Right of access to information, rule of law, The Carter Center.

Adviser and Spokesperson to the Prime Minister’s Office Mahdi Amin on Saturday highlighted Bangladesh’s investment potential, ongoing reforms, and commitment to policy stability and a business-friendly environment, encouraging US investment across key sectors leading to technology transfer and employment generation. He made the remarks while speaking at a function in the city celebrating the 250th anniversary of US independence. The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) and the US Embassy in Bangladesh jointly hosted the commemorative event.  The milestone highlighted two and a half centuries of American freedom and reaffirmed the enduring Bangladesh-US partnership, underscoring strong bilateral ties and shared commitment to economic cooperation and people-to-people engagement. In his welcome remarks, Syed Mohammad Kamal, President of AmCham, emphasised opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment and reiterated AmCham’s commitment to strengthening the business environment for US investors. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to deepening economic collaboration and recognised AmCham’s role in advancing commercial ties. The event also featured a cultural segment showcasing American music, reflecting shared values and cultural exchange between the two nations. Ala Ahmad, Vice President of AmCham and CEO of MetLife Bangladesh, expressed appreciation to all partners and participants. Moderated by Paul Frost, Commercial Counsellor, U.S. Embassy in Dhaka and Reza Ur Rahman Mahmud, Treasurer of AmCham, the event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and media, reflecting the depth and diversity of the Bangladesh-US partnership.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Saturday that the Awami League has suffered a complete political downfall, claiming the party has been “destroyed and eliminated” and is now “buried in Delhi.” He further asserted that the party will no longer be able to participate in Bangladesh’s political process in the future. The Home Minister made the remarks at a discussion meeting of the July National Conference-2026 on Saturday, marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution. The conference was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center under the joint initiative of the July '24 Martyrs' Families Society and the Central Executive Committee of Amra July Joddha (We Are July Fighters)'. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was the chief guest at the event. “The UN report says 14,000 cases, but officially, in various newspapers and surveys, only 700 to 800 accounts are available. Where did the rest go? Because the hospitals could not preserve the records of the martyrs, even their documents have disappeared. They were buried as unclaimed bodies. Today, we cannot return them to their relatives after searching for their graves. After such a brutal murder, after the genocide, there is still no apology from the mass murderer Sheikh Hasina. They are labeling the July fighters as criminals; they are labeling this mass uprising in Bangladesh as militant. In Bangladesh, their state power has been seized through militancy. There is nothing more shameful than this,” the Home Minister said. “There is no apology within the Awami League. They do not have the condition to admit guilt; they do not have that history either. On the contrary, they are sitting abroad and now conspiring against the democratic government in Bangladesh in various ways.” “The Awami League has fallen politically; it has been politically destroyed and eliminated. It has been buried in Delhi. That Awami League will never be able to do politics in Bangladesh again.” AL must face trial The Home Minister said that everyone has demanded the trial of the Awami League as a political party. The investigation is ongoing. Very soon, it will be taken to trial as a political party. “The law has been amended according to Article 47 of the Constitution. It is included in the Anti-Terrorism Act and the ICT Act that political parties can be tried. So wait.” Salahuddin has said that those who are taking political advantage of the spirit of the July Revolution and “selling it” will face consequences in the future. He requested, “I ask those organising this event today that none of us should profit from the spirit of this July. Those who organise political groups in various ways to exploit the spirit of the July Revolution for political gain will face consequences in the future. But history is like that.” Referring to the consequences of the fascist Awami League, Salahuddin said, “Those who used to sell the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War are sitting in Delhi today selling their spirit. The people of Bangladesh overthrew them. Therefore, selling the spirit for political advantage is not good.” He said, “We will preserve the history of the great July 24 mass uprising; we will preserve the memory.” The Home Minister said, “I would like to reveal some behind-the-scenes stories today. Both my leader Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and I were exiled. By the grace of Allah, if we had not been exiled, successfully completing an uprising like this July would not have been possible.” Status of the July genocide trial The Home Minister said, “Five genocide and crimes against humanity cases have already been decided. There are 27 cases under trial, and 72 cases are almost at the final stage of investigation.” He added that the latest verdict in the trial of a fascist ally named Hasanul Haq Inu has been delivered. “I have heard that the plaintiff is not satisfied with only a 10-year sentence, so it will be appealed,” he said. We can hope that in those cases, justice will be delivered so that he receives the maximum sentence.” Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni chaired the event. Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ishraq Hossain, Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atiqur Rahman Rumon, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib, President of the Private Universities Student Party Abu Huraira, President of Qawmi Student Forum Maulana Jamil Siddiqui, President of the organising body ‘Amra July Joddha’ Aminul Islam Emon, also spoke. Abu Hossain, brother of martyr Abu Sayed; Abul Hossain, father of martyr Shahriar Hossain Alvi; Fatematuzzohra, mother of martyr Abdullah bin Zahid; Shafiul Alam, father of martyr Wasim Akram; and Abdur Rab Mia, father of martyr Miraj Hossain from Jatrabari, commemorated the children who were martyred in the July Revolution.

Agriculture, and also Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on Saturday said ensuring fair prices of agricultural products produced by farmers is one of the government's top priorities. The farmers' interests would be protected by bringing production, incentives, subsidies and market management under an integrated framework through a farmer card programme, he said. The minister made the remarks, while addressing a views-exchange with officials of the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Livestock Services and other agencies under the agriculture ministry at the Chittagong Circuit House, said a PID handout here. He said the government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, believes that strengthening farmers' economic condition is essential for building a stronger national economy. To achieve this goal, the government is implementing programmes to modernise the agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors through planned and technology-driven management, while boosting production, improving marketing and ensuring better incomes for farmers. The Agriculture Minister called upon officials to implement government policies, plans and directives properly. He warned that those who fail to keep pace with the government's work and performance would be held accountable. The minister said an integrated digital database of farmers is being developed through the farmer card programme. Following the successful completion of a pilot project, the initiative will be expanded gradually to cover marginal, small and other farmers across the country. The programme will help identify genuine farmers, facilitate the direct distribution of government incentives and subsidies, take production planning and make agricultural marketing more efficient and transparent, he said. State Minister for Land and CHT affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Khaled kanak, Director of Local Government Division (Chattogram) Monowara Begum and Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah were present.

Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain on Saturday said the government will introduce the Family Card programme in every upazila across the country within the next 10 to 12 weeks. Speaking to reporters after an exchange meeting at the Divisional Social Services Office in Rangpur, he said people will not have to run from office to office to obtain the card, as the government will ensure it reaches eligible households. "The government is working to fulfil its electoral commitments and improve the welfare of all citizens. We urge people to keep confidence in the government," he said. The minister said government representatives will visit households to collect information, which will then be uploaded to a central database. A software system will verify the information to ensure transparency and impartiality in selecting beneficiaries. He said every family will receive a Family Card, while beneficiaries of government welfare programmes will be selected through a Proxy Means Test (PMT)-based scoring system. Dr Zahid also highlighted the government's efforts to improve education for persons with disabilities, saying around 1,700 educational institutions for children with disabilities have been inspected since he assumed office on February 18. He said schools that meet or closely comply with government standards will be considered for approval, with the government planning to establish at least one standard institution for students with disabilities in every district and upazila. The minister noted that students with disabilities, particularly those using sign language, face a shortage of qualified teachers as only one college in the country currently trains teachers for special education. "The government is working to address this shortage. While it may not be possible to immediately bring all special schools under the programme, we aim to ensure at least one approved institution in every district and upazila," he said. Earlier in the day, during his visit to Rangpur and Lalmonirhat, the minister inspected Dhap Kellaband Hafizia Madrasa and Lillah Boarding, the Government Children's Home (Girls), the Regional Training Centre and the Divisional Social Services Office.

Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on Saturday said the government is implementing a range of development programmes to improve people's living standards and build disaster-resilient infrastructure, with particular focus on agriculture, irrigation, communication and disaster management. Speaking as the chief guest at a programme in Sylhet Sadar, he said the government's development strategy prioritises sustainable infrastructure and social protection to strengthen resilience against natural disasters. The event marked the distribution of GR rice and cash assistance among farmers, poor and vulnerable people affected by recent natural disasters, as well as the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Rajargaon Jamiul Uloom Madrasa Flood Shelter project. Muktadir said around 2,000 beneficiaries will receive 30 kg of rice each under the ongoing relief programme, while nearly 700 people will receive cash assistance of Tk 1,000 each. He said the three-storey Rajargaon Jamiul Uloom Madrasa and Flood Shelter will serve as an educational institution during normal times and function as a shelter during floods and other natural disasters after its completion. The building will include separate rooms and bathrooms for women, children, elderly people and persons with disabilities to ensure safe accommodation during emergencies, he added. The Minister said an infrastructure development project worth approximately Tk 8.7 crore is currently being implemented to strengthen disaster resilience and improve overall development in the area. He also said the government has approved another project worth nearly Tk 50 billion for the development of roads, construction of new road networks, installation of drainage systems and tube wells across Sylhet division. The government is also taking steps to bring fallow land under cultivation by addressing temporary waterlogging and irrigation shortages, he said. Muktadir added that canal excavation programmes will be expanded to strengthen irrigation facilities, enabling year-round cultivation on agricultural land in Sylhet. He expressed hope that the phased implementation of these projects would resolve many of the region's longstanding problems and improve the quality of life for local residents. The programme was chaired by Sylhet Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khoshnur Rubaiyat. Among others present were Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Qayes Lodi, Sylhet Zila Parishad Administrator Abul Kaher Chowdhury Shamim, Sylhet city BNP General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, Sylhet Sadar Upazila BNP President Abul Kashem, government officials, elected representatives and journalists.

Eminent economist and Chairman of Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB), Professor Abu Ahmed, on Saturday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visits to China and Malaysia will serve as a "game changer" for the country's economic recovery. The high-level visits would play a crucial role in securing development assistance, attracting fresh foreign investments, and generating domestic employment, he said at a shadow parliament debate competition held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) in the capital. The event, titled "This budget is capable of restoring the shattered economy," was organised by Debate for Democracy. Defending the size of the national budget, the ICB chief remarked that a large budget is not inherently flawed. "An elected government has every right to propose a large budget to implement its development programmes. However, the key lies in enhancing implementation efficiency, and this government must be given adequate time to steer the economy toward recovery," he said. Reflecting on past financial indiscretions, Prof Ahmed alleged that major business houses during the previous autocratic regime could not operate without satisfying the government, turning commerce into a landscape dominated by irregularities, corruption, and partisan interests. He further criticised past mega-infrastructure projects including Padma Bridge Rail Link, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel (Karnaphuli Tunnel), Payra Port, and the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, claiming they were initiated without proper assessment of national interests. "The current government has adopted a conservative approach toward mega projects, prioritising human resource development instead. While we could not see any light at the end of the tunnel in the past, we are now optimistic. The despair is lifting," he added. To keep the momentum of the economy, Prof Ahmed stressed the urgency of creating an investment-friendly environment, pointing out that Bangladesh's corporate tax rates are higher than competing regional economies like India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore. "If we cannot rationalise our tax rates to match these nations, we will fail to attract foreign direct investment," he warned. Chaired by Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, Chairman of Debate for Democracy, the programme also highlighted ongoing industrial vulnerabilities. In his speech Kiron alleged that the previous Awami League government weaponized overvalued mega projects to build a "plunder-based economy," asserting that 25 percent to 30 percent of those expenditures were fraudulent. He called for the rationalisation of deeply bleeding projects to curb further state wastage. Expressing concern over the investment climate, Kiron revealed that over 500 industrial factories closed down in the last two years due to a severe shortage of gas, electricity, and production capacity, leaving more than 150,000 workers unemployed. "Even financial loans cannot save these factories if basic utility services like gas and electricity are unavailable. Bureaucratic red tape must also be dismantled through swift deregulation to restore investor confidence," Kiron said. He described the current fiscal year's budget as a courageous and unique initiative framed amid boundless limitations, urging the government to expand the tax net rather than overloading existing taxpayers to avoid trapping the nation in debt. Debaters from Dhaka College won the shadow parliament competition, defeating the team from BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT). At the conclusion of the event, trophies, crests, and certificates were distributed to the participants.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 480 people in connection with various criminal offences during its routine drives across the capital over the past 24 hours till 6:00am on Saturday. A total of 60 cases were filed during the period, DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Niaz Mehedi said on Saturday. According to the DMP, 47 people were arrested from Ramna Division, 25 from Lalbagh, 58 from Wari, 46 from Motijheel, 84 from Tejgaon, 116 from Mirpur, 47 from Gulshan, 50 from Uttara Division and five and two by the Detective Branch (DB) and CTTC unit of DMP. During the drives, police recovered 7.488 grams of hemp, 6,746 pieces of Yaba tablets, three grams of heroin, and five bottles of Phensidyl, one private car, one ambulance, one motorbike, five mobile phone sets, one bag and Tk 1.23 lakh in cash.    

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Saturday organised a simultaneous 'Cleaning Day' programme across its 10 administrative zones, seeking to strengthen public participation in maintaining urban cleanliness and preventing dengue. DSCC Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam joined the programme of Zones 1 and 2 in the capital's Shantinagar area as the chief guest. According to the city corporation, the initiative is being observed on the first Saturday of every month as part of efforts to make the government's weekly cleanliness campaign more effective. The campaign, held under the slogan "Keep your own premises clean, build a cleaner city," encouraged government and private institutions, educational establishments, markets, shopping centres and residents to clean their premises and surrounding areas. People were also urged to dispose of waste only at designated places and remain vigilant against dengue by eliminating stagnant water where Aedes mosquitoes breed. The day-long programme included cleanliness drives, awareness rallies, leaflet distribution and campaigns highlighting the importance of community participation in ensuring sustainable waste management. Addressing the programme, Abdus Salam said building a clean and dengue-free city is not possible through the efforts of the city corporation alone. "A clean, liveable city can only be achieved through joint efforts by citizens and the city corporation. If everyone keeps their own premises clean and prevents water from accumulating in places where Aedes mosquitoes can breed, controlling dengue during the monsoon season will become much easier," he said. Among others, DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Jahirul Islam, Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, Secretary Md Zainul Abedin, regional executive officers, officials and employees of the corporation, local public representatives, members of social and voluntary organisations, students, businesspeople and residents participated in the programme.

Terminated officials of HSBC Bangladesh on Saturday accused the multinational bank of violating local labour laws, misleading the regulatory authority, and depriving employees of their rightful financial benefits following the closure of its retail banking operations. The allegations were raised at a press conference organised by the ex-HSBC officials at the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) auditorium in the capital’s Purana Paltan area. Reading out a written statement on behalf of the affected employees, Alamgir Kabir claimed that 257 officials lost their jobs when HSBC closed its retail banking division on March 31, 2026. The bank failed to follow the legal provisions regarding employee retrenchment as mandated by the Bangladesh Labour Act, he said. He said while HSBC presented the affected employees as "Retrenched Officials" to the central bank (Bangladesh Bank), it handed the workers standard "Termination" letters instead. By doing so, the bank bypassed legal obligations associated with retrenchment, effectively depriving workers of fair severance packages and statutory compensation. They further alleged that HSBC Bangladesh failed to properly implement directives issued by Bangladesh Bank and violated multiple sections of the labour law. The aggrieved officials highlighted several specific issues including unauthorised deductions from their provident funds, flaws in the loan adjustment process, discrimination in re-employment, arbitrary hikes in home loan interest rates, and the withholding of official release letters. The speakers also pointed out a regional disparity, claiming that HSBC provided significantly higher compensation packages to employees during similar restructuring processes in India and Sri Lanka, whereas Bangladeshi workers were subjected to discrimination. Attending the briefing, the affected officials’ legal counsel, Mokarram Hossain Saklan, along with former officials Mostafizur Rahman, Monzur Morshed, Subakta Gin Mahmud, and Abu Raihan, urged the government, Bangladesh Bank, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) to investigate the matter and take necessary legal action. The affected workers placed a three-point demand-a thorough legal review of the entire termination process to ensure accountability for those responsible, payment of fair severance and other dues in line with Bangladesh Bank guidelines and immediate refund of the amounts deducted from their provident funds and other benefits along with accrued interest and penalties.