United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday demanded interrogation of two former advisers, alleging their involvement in “election engineering” during the 13th national parliamentary election. The demand was raised at a protest rally and procession organised by Jamaat’s Dhaka city unit in the capital. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar called for questioning former adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and former National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Khalilur Rahman over allegations of manipulating the election results. Parwar alleged that the 13th parliamentary election was manipulated at different stages, from vote counting to the announcement of results. He claimed that some people thought the public would not understand the “engineering” of the election, but later statements by some officials suggested otherwise. Referring to remarks by Rizwana Hasan, he said she admitted in the media that Jamaat-e-Islami was not allowed to become part of the political mainstream. Parwar also criticised the appointment of Khalilur Rahman as foreign minister by the BNP-led government, saying the move raised questions about neutrality. He said that in the past, advisers of caretaker or interim governments did not join the government after elections. He alleged that the election was influenced by the interim government and a “deep state,” and demanded a judicial inquiry and interrogation of them. Interim govt did not consult Jamaat on international agreements: Ameer-e-Jamaat After the rally, Jamaat leaders and activists brought out a procession from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The march passed through Paltan Mor and ended at Bijoynagar Mor.  

The interim government did not consult with his party on agreements signed with various countries during its tenure, Jamaat e Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said on Friday. “During the tenure of the interim government, several agreements were signed with different countries. Unfortunately, we were not consulted in any way regarding those agreements,” he wrote in a post on his verified Facebook page in the afternoon. He mentioned that Jamaat had repeatedly urged that, in the absence of a parliament, the interim government should make decisions on important matters, such as international agreements, through discussions with political parties — similar to how the government consulted political parties on other national issues. Jamaat leader signs condolence book at Iranian Embassy “However, the government of that time did not take our demands into consideration. So, our position on the matter is clear, and there is no room for creating any confusion here,” Dr Rahman said. Earlier on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman rejected claims that the reciprocal trade agreement between Bangladesh and the US was signed abruptly just days before the recently held national election. He said the matter had been discussed in advance with the leadership of the country’s two major political parties - taken to mean the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami- and both had agreed to its signing.

A two-day training workshop organised by the BNP for its Members of Parliament (MPs) ahead of the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad began on Friday. BNP Chairman, Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the workshop at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan at around 10:30am. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman joined the training workshop with BNP lawmakers. The opening session was attended by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and AZM Zahid Hossain, among other senior leaders. Tarique Rahman delivered the welcome speech at the programme. His daughter Zaima Rahman was also present at the workshop. BNP leaders said the workshop will brief newly elected MPs on parliamentary procedures, rules of conduct, bill drafting and review, analysis of budget documents and the functioning of parliamentary committees. Experienced lawmakers will share their experiences with the new MPs to help them carry out their duties effectively in parliament, they said, adding that the main aim of the workshop is to strengthen the efficiency of the government and the ruling party in parliamentary activities. The first session of the 13th parliament will begin at 11am on March 12 after President Mohammed Shahabuddin convened the session on February 23. BNP organised the workshop to prepare its MPs for the upcoming parliamentary session. Parliamentary experts, academics and senior lawmakers will discuss the responsibilities and roles of MPs and cabinet members to ensure the effective functioning of parliament. The two-day workshop has been arranged in several sessions. On the first day, ministers, state ministers and advisers joined the morning session, while MPs from parts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka and Faridpur divisions attended the afternoon session. On the second day, MPs from Dhaka district, Mymensingh, Faridpur and the remaining areas of Dhaka division will attend the morning session, while MPs from Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram divisions will take part in the afternoon session. A total of 209 BNP lawmakers were elected in the 13th parliamentary election, including 146 who are serving as MPs for the first time. A senior BNP leader said the workshop will also guide MPs on how to raise points of order, take part in debates on bills, present problems from their constituencies in parliament, discuss the President’s speech and ensure regular attendance during parliamentary sessions.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher on Thursday said his party had filed specific complaints over voting in 53 constituencies in the national election held on February 12. Referring to Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, he alleged that Dr Khalilur Rahman, who was then the National Security Adviser to the interim government, had planned in a special meeting in London to bring the BNP to power. As part of that plan, many believe he played a role in election engineering from within the interim government. Taher said Rahman later received a place in the BNP government’s cabinet as a reward for his role. He mentioned that if Rahman is brought to trial and questioned, the truth will come out. The Jamaat leader made the allegation while speaking at a press briefing held at the party’s central office at 12pm on the overall situation in the country. Referring to a recent statement by former adviser Rizwana Hasan, he said she had recently remarked in a television interview: “Those who could not ensure the proper rights of women, even if they were in the opposition, we did not allow them to come as the mainstream or main force.” Taher said this statement suggests that she herself has become a kind of royal witness by admitting that election engineering took place in the national election. He said Jamaat now wants to know from her, from the then interim government and from the current government why a party like Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was prevented from gaining a majority as the mainstream party through such engineering. He also asked who else was involved in the alleged process. Taher said their statements clearly indicate that the two former advisers were involved in election engineering and demanded that they be interrogated immediately and brought to justice. Regarding the nomination for the post of Deputy Speaker, Syed Abdullah Md Taher said the party would consider the matter if it receives a written proposal from the government and if the government’s position on implementing the July Charter becomes clear, in line with the constitution. Speaking about the deterioration of the law and order situation, Taher said several children had been raped and killed in recent days, which is very alarming. He also alleged that incidents of attacks and vandalism under the protection of ruling party leaders and activists have been reported in various media outlets across the country. He said it is worrying that in many cases police stations are even delaying the filing of cases instead of ensuring justice. Referring to the meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur, Taher said they discussed bilateral relations as well as trade and commerce. He said Jamaat urged the US side to invest in the artificial intelligence sector. “We also told them regarding the Israel-Iran war that we do not want war, we want peace. All problems should be resolved through talks and diplomatic channels,” he said. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan MP, Central Executive Council Member Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP, Central Working Committee Member Zahidur Rahman, and Senior Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Shishir Md Monir, were also present.

Chief Coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nasiruddin Patwary has expressed dissatisfaction over the poor condition of several roads in Sylhet, warning that public suffering will worsen if urgent repairs are not undertaken. He made the remarks while addressing an iftar mahfil organised by the National Citizen Party in Sylhet city on Wednesday. Patwary said he was surprised by the deteriorating condition of roads on his way to Sylhet. In many areas, he said, roads have become risky for movement, causing serious inconvenience to residents. He urged local journalists to highlight the actual condition of the roads through media reports to draw the attention of the authorities concerned. He observed that those who are financially solvent can travel to the capital by air or alternative routes, but workers and ordinary people are compelled to use these hazardous roads daily, leading to immense hardship. The NCP leader also expressed concern over the overall law and order situation in the country. He called on the government to take more effective and visible steps to ensure public safety, particularly for women and children. Nahid urges NCP to be fully prepared for local polls battle Patwary said the younger generation aspires to build a safe, humane and prosperous Bangladesh. He urged the people of Sylhet to uphold the ideals of Shah Jalal and Shah Paran in working towards building a just society. He wished for the welfare of the country and thanked party leaders, activists and guests present at the event.

Opposition Chief Whip and Convener of the National Citizen Part ( NCP) Nahid Islam on Wednesday called on party leaders and activists to prepare for the upcoming local government elections, saying they must get ready for another fight and enter the field this time with full strength and no mistakes. He made the remarks as the chief guest at an iftar event organised by the party at a community centre in Sylhet. Nahid alleged that politicisation is taking place in various government offices. He said ruling party leaders have been appointed as administrators in different city corporations. He said if his party goes to parliament, they will raise questions from a position of accountability. At the programme, the party’s chief organiser of the northern region, Sarjis Alam, criticised the recent India visit of the newly appointed DGFI chief. Sarjis said although some actions of the government are commendable, politicisation and corruption will not be allowed in the future. He said the country is moving towards a democratic transition after accepting the election results. However, he warned that any attempt to influence the upcoming local polls through engineering or capturing polling centres will be resisted. He also cautioned the government against giving shelter to what he called proven associates of fascism and opponents of the July movement. No sign of fascism will exist in Bangladesh: Nahid Islam At the event, leaders of the party warned of street protests if the July Charter ordinance is not implemented and if the President is not impeached. Leaders from BNP, Jamaat and other political parties also attended the iftar event.

Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman will leave for Saudi Arabia early Wednesday to perform holy Umrah. Dr Rahman, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad, is scheduled to depart Dhaka at 3am, the party said in a statement on Tuesday night. He is expected to return to Dhaka on the morning of March 6, read the statement.

The Election Commission has suspended the Upazila Election Officer of Tungipara in Gopalganj after allegations of irregularities in correcting National Identity (NID) cards were proven through a departmental investigation. Md Harun Or Rashid, Upazila Election Officer of Tungipara (former office: Babuganj, Barishal), was suspended under Section 39(1) of the Government Service Act, 2018, according to notification signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday. The allegations against him were undoubtedly proven in the departmental investigation. Considering the nature and gravity of the misconduct, the Commission thinks that it is necessary and appropriate to refrain him from official duties. During the suspension period, he will be entitled to subsistence allowance and other lawful benefits as per existing rules.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Md Nahid Islam has said that there will be no existence of fascism in Bangladesh. In a post on the party’s verified Facebook page on Monday, he said, “We will not leave any trace of fascism in Bangladesh.” Nahid, also a lawmaker from Dhaka-11, said the president must be impeached and brought under arrest. NCP forms committee to oversee local government polls

Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizen Party, expressed deep shock and sorrow over the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike carried out by joint US–Israeli forces on Sunday. In a Facebook post, he wrote, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an airstrike reportedly carried out by joint U.S.–Israeli forces on Sunday. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.” He extended heartfelt condolences to the freedom-loving people of Iran during this time of profound grief. The post described the attack as an unprovoked act of aggression against a sovereign nation, warning that it risks further escalation and deepening instability across the Middle East. He urged that diplomacy must prevail and international law must be upheld, and criticised global leaders for failing to safeguard peace and stability. Nahid demands removal of new BB governor Nahid called on all concerned parties to immediately cease military actions, exercise maximum restraint, and return to dialogue, urging the international community, including the United Nations, to act swiftly and decisively to preserve peace and security worldwide.