United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is looking for a suitable land area for setting up a ‘Specialized Defence Economic Zone' to manufacture weapons and ammunition. The government has decided to establish such an ‘Economic Zone’ to meet the growing domestic demand for modern weapons, including drones and cyber-technology-based defence systems for military purposes. The initiative also aims to tap into the potential for exporting these defense products, said a source of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). According to the source, the officials estimated that the development of this industry will require a long-term investment of approximately US $1.5 billion. The project is likely to be set up as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), a joint venture, or Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). According to concerned officials, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has approved several key policy decisions to facilitate technology transfer, joint investment, PPP, and FDI, all aimed at modernizing the defense sector and achieving self-sufficiency. The decision to establish the specialized Defense Economic Zone was reportedly made during a meeting chaired by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmood Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BEZA, in September. High-level military and civilian officials were present at the meeting.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, on Sunday directed all concerned agencies to launch a coordinated nationwide initiative to curb air pollution, especially in Dhaka. The adviser came up with the directives while talking to reporters after an emergency coordination meeting held at the Water Development Board building in the capital. The Advisor said that the Department of Environment, the City Corporations, BRTA, RAJUK and other relevant agencies will jointly conduct the drives to reduce air pollution in Dhaka. Issuing a warning, the adviser aid no illegal brick kiln will be allowed to operate in Savar, which has been declared a degraded airshed area. Necessary instructions have already been issued to the concerned authorities in this regard, she said. She also emphasised that building construction and repair works must be carried out under proper covering, otherwise, legal action will be taken. Burning of dry leaves or waste in parks and open spaces must be stopped and strict action will follow against those responsible for polluting the air through open waste burning, she said. The meeting was informed that trees and creepers will be planted on road dividers to help absorb pollutants. Besides, city corporations will regularly spray water on roads to control dust. The Advisor also announced that extensive public awareness campaigns will be undertaken to reduce air pollution.  

The number of registered voters in Bangladesh has reached approximately 12.76 crore, according to the draft updated electoral rolls released by the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday. The total number of the country’s voters is 12,76,12,384. Of them, 6,47,60,382 are male, 6,28,50,772 are female, and 1,230 are from the third gender voters, said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told a press briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Final voter lists to be published Nov 18 The draft electoral rolls will be finalised on November 18 ahead of the 13th parliamentary election by receiving and settling complaints, if any, over the draft list. The EC secretary said the number of voters increased by 13,04,880 between September 1, 2025 and October 31, 2025. The number of male voters is 19,09,610 higher than that of female voters in the country’s electoral rolls. “Those who turned 18 by October 31 last and completed their registration have been included in the voter lists,” he said. EC launches NID, voter registration services for Bangladeshis in Canada The EC will receive any objection and recommendation over the draft electoral rolls by November 17 and release the final lists ahead of the next general election to be held in early February 2026. Earlier, on August 31, the EC had released a supplementary voter list showing 12,63,07,504 total voters, including 6,41,00,455 males, 6,22,05,819 females, and 1,230 third-gender voters.

The national committee formed to review deals signed under the " Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act, 2010" during the Awami League regime has said it has found widespread corruption and fraud in the deals. The committee submitted its interim report to Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan at the Secretariat on Sunday. After handing over the report, committee chief retired Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, told reporters that the committee found unlimited corruption, collusion, fraud, and irregularities in the power purchase agreements during its review. He added that these were found in the process of signing contracts with independent power producers. “The report submitted was an interim one. We will submit our final report by mid-January next year,” he said.  

Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL), a state-owned fertiliser factory in Anwara upazila of Chattogram, resumed production early Sunday after being closed for seven months. Factory officials said urea production at CUFL began again at 3:30 am on Sunday. The plant was shut down due to a gas shortage which caused production losses of about Tk 3 crore daily. Mizanur Rahman, managing director of CUFL, said that the Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) stopped gas supply to the factory on April 11, completely halting production. Gas supply resumed at 11 am on October 19, and after completing necessary mechanical work. Urea fertiliser production will continue as long as gas supply remains steady and no mechanical issues arise. According to CUFL sources, the factory, which fully depends on gas, needs 48 to 52 million cubic feet of gas each day for full-scale production. Due to past gas shortages and mechanical problems, the factory produced about 2.5 million metric tons of urea fertiliser in the last financial year. Bangladesh’s annual demand for urea fertiliser is around 2.6 million metric tons. Of this, CUFL and other factories under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) produce about 1 million metric tons, while the remaining 1.6 million metric tons are imported at high cost. The government set up the CUFL factory on October 29, 1987 in Anwara Upazila on the south bank of the Karnaphuli River with technical help from Japan. The factory originally had a daily production capacity of 1,700 metric tons and an annual capacity of 561,000 metric tons of urea. It can now produce about 1,200 metric tons of urea daily along with 310,000 metric tons of ammonia each year.  

Production at Ghorashal-Palash urea fertiliser factory, the largest of its kind in southeast Asia, remained suspended since Thursday due to a technical glitch, raising concern among people over a potential fertiliser shortage. Sources at the factory, said the operation of the factory was halted around 2am on Thursday (October 30) following a technical fault, bringing urea production to a complete standstill. Since then the factory has been unable to produce its usual 2,800 metric tons of urea fertiliser per day. Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) Chairman Md Fazlur Rahman and Industries Secretary Mohammad Obaidur Rahman visited the factory on Saturday . Factory General Manager (Technical) Sarfaraz Khan said, “No urea has been produced since then. To identify the cause of the malfunction, a three-member investigation committee has been formed. The committee has been asked to submit its findings and recommendations within three days,” he said. General Manager (Commercial) Atikur Rahman Khan said the factory had around 24,000 metric tons of urea in stock — both bagged and loose — before production stopped. Last fiscal year, the factory had a target of producing 8 lakh metric tons but achieved 8.16 lakh metric tons ,he said. The plant has an annual production capacity of 10 lakh metric tons, he added. General Manager (Administration) Md Fakhrul Alam said the facility exceeded its production target last fiscal year despite being newly commissioned. Production was temporarily halted on Thursday due to a sudden technical fault. “We expect production to resume soon. Given the stockpile, the temporary shutdown is unlikely to cause any major fertiliser shortage,” he said.  The factory was officially inaugurated on November 12, 2023.    

Bangladesh Bank has proposed a significant elevation in the rank of its Governor, seeking to grant the position the full status and privileges of a Cabinet Minister. The central bank recently drafted the ‘Bangladesh Bank (Amendment) Ordinance (Amendment) 2025’ following recommendations from financial experts and has forwarded it to the Finance Division for review. If approved, the move would substantially boost the Governor’s official seniority and influence within the country’s governance structure. Currently, the Bangladesh Bank Governor holds the 15th position on the national Warrant of Precedence, 1986, placing the post below the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary but above other government secretaries. The rank is currently shared with officials such as the Attorney General. Granting ministerial status would signal greater independence and authority for the nation’s top financial regulator. The proposed status comes with an array of state-provided facilities and financial benefits, governed by existing laws for ministers. If enacted, the Governor would receive: A tax-exempt monthly salary of Tk 1,05,000, plus a daily allowance of Tk2,000 and a monthly regulatory allowance of Tk 10,000, access to a discretionary fund of Tk10 lakh, a fully-maintained, government-provided residence with all gas, electricity, water, and telephone bills covered by the state. Should the Governor opt out of a government residence, they receive Tk80,000 monthly rent allowance, along with coverage for all service sector bills. Multiple government-funded vehicles including a full-time car and an additional jeep for official travel outside Dhaka with all maintenance costs borne by the government.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for November. The price of a 12kg LPG cylinder has been decreased by Tk26, bringing it down to Tk1,215 from the previous Tk1,241. The new price, announced by BERC on Sunday (Nov 2), will take effect from this evening. The price of autogas, used in motor vehicles, has also been reduced—from Tk56.77 per litre to Tk55.58 per litre. In October, BERC had cut the price of the 12kg LPG cylinder by Tk29 to Tk1,241, while the price of autogas was reduced by Tk1.38 to Tk56.77 per litre. According to BERC, LPG and autogas prices have shown significant volatility throughout 2024. The prices were reduced four times (in April, May, June and November) and increased seven times (in January, February, March, July, August, September and October). The price remained unchanged in December 2024.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain on Sunday said that Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik can visit Bangladesh only with approval from the Home and Foreign Ministries. Talking to reporters after a meeting with representatives of two opposing Tabligh Jamaat factions at the Secretariat, the adviser said a delegation seeking to invite Zakir Naik had met him. “I told them this matter is not under my jurisdiction. It falls under the Home and Foreign Ministries,” he said. Dr Hossain said any visit by a foreign guest is handled by these ministries. “They will make the decision regarding Dr Zakir Naik. As Religious Affairs Adviser, I have no authority in this regard,” he said. Responding to a question on whether he personally supports Naik’s visit, he said, “My personal opinion is not important. If the relevant ministries issue the permit, he can come.” On the political front, Dr Hossain said the country is moving towards elections, expected in February. “The high command is in constant communication with political parties to ensure a free, fair and credible election.” Regarding the National Citizen Party’s (NCP’s) delay in signing the July Charter, he said, “Even if a door remains closed for a while, it will open soon through dialogue. Our intentions are transparent.” Asked about a possible liaison committee to bridge gaps between the government and political parties, he said he was not specifically aware of such a move but added, “Liaison committees always exist, and minor misunderstandings can be resolved through dialogue.”  

Diplomatic network of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) in Bangladesh on Sunday underscored the urgent need to ensure the safety and fundamental protection of journalists and media workers. In a statement marking the 11th International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the coalition highlighted the importance of advancing gender equality in the media sector, breaking down barriers that perpetuate discrimination and violence. It expressed concern over the rising threats of online harassment, disproportionately targeting female journalists and media professionals. The coalition also welcomed Bangladesh’s commitment to media sector reform, including the implementation of the Media Reform Commission’s recommendations aimed at safeguarding journalists’ rights. It called on all stakeholders to uphold accountability, end impunity for crimes against journalists and ensure freedom of the press. The 13 Foreign missions representing Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK issued the joint statement.