politics
Power sector in deep crisis: Rizvi
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said the country’s power sector had plunged into a deep crisis.
Talking to reporters at BNP’s Nayapalton office Rizvi said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s recent remarks on the power situation contradict what Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.
The BNP leader said Quader claimed that hundred percent people of the country are getting electricity supply while his PM a few days ago stated that load-shedding in small scale should remain in the country.
He said people of the country are suffering from load-shedding morning to evening whereas the temperature still remains at tolerable level.
JCD gets partial central and DU committees
Rizvi denounced Quader’s another statement that BNP is pleading with its foreign master by ignoring the people of the country.
He alleged that the AL general secretary is perhaps suffering from amnesia as he had forgotten the 2014 election when India’s then-foreign minister Sujata Singh visited Bangladesh to show their support to AL and manage HM Ershad to join the polls.
It is a clear sign of intervention in a sovereign country, he added.
This time also (January 7 election) the people of the country have seen that they (India) stand beside AL not Bangladeshi people, he continued.
Rizvi said they can do anything here as AL recognizes them as their master by showing a ‘knee-jerk’ attitude.
Fakhrul condemns police action on Ganatantra Mancha procession
BNP Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan, Adviser to Chairperson Zainul Abdeen Farooq, Zainal Abedin (VP Zainal), Organizational Secretary Advocate Abdus Salam Azad, Assistant Office Secretary Munir Hossain, Assistant Economic Secretary Mahmudur Rahman Sumon, were present in the press briefing.
Lawmakers elect Shehbaz Sharif as Pakistan's new premier amid protests in parliament
Lawmakers in Pakistan’s National Assembly elected Sunday Shehbaz Sharif as the country’s new prime minister for the second time.
Allies of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan in parliament shouted in protest against his appointment, alleging rigging in last month’s election.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said Sharif secured 201 votes, defeating Omar Ayub of the Sunni Ittehad Council who got 92 votes. Sharif only needed 169 votes to get majority.
Heavy winter rains in Pakistan kill at least 29 as buildings collapse and landslides block roads
Ayub enjoyed the backing of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, whose candidates could not get enough seats to form a government on their own. The PTI refused to hold talks with its rivals to form a coalition.
Following days of negotiations, Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League party and his supporters formed an alliance after the Feb. 8 election whose results were announced after an unusual delay because of a nationwide mobile phone outage. Authorities said the cutting of communications was necessary to avoid militant attacks on candidates and security forces.
However, the delay drew criticism from Khan’s party, which insists the vote was rigged to stop it from getting a majority. The party claims it has evidence that its victory “was stolen during the vote count,” a charge the Election Commission denies.
JCD gets partial central and DU committees
Two seven-member partial committees of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's (JCD) central and Dhaka University panels were announced by BNP dissolving the existing bodies on Friday (March 1).
Advocate Ruhul kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of BNP, issued the notification of the committee.
Rakibul Islam Rakib has been made the president and Nasir Uddin Nasir the general secretary of the new central committee of the JCD, the press notification.
For Dhaka University unit, G.C. Roy Sahos has been made president and Nahiduzzaman Shippon as general secretary.
Besides, Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahya was made senior vice president while Shemol Malum as senior joint secretary general, Amanullah Aman as organizing secretary, Mohammad Jahangir Alam as Office Secretary and Sharif Prodan Shuvo as Publicity Secretary of the five-member JCD partial committee of central panel.
On the other hand, for Dhaka University committee, Masum Billah has been made senior vice-president, Anisur Rahman Khandakar Anik as Vice President, Nasir Uddin Shaon as senior joint secretary general, Shamim Akter Shuvo as Joint Secretary General and Nur Alom Bhuiya as organizing secretary.
JCD’s previous committee was formed on April 18, 2022, with Kazi Rawnaqul Islam Shrabon as its president and Saif Mohammad Jewel as general secretary.
Resist BNP-Jamaat for joining hands with Israel: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday urged the people and Islamic parties of the country to resist the BNP and Jamaat accusing them of becoming Israel’s friends instead of uttering a single word in favour of the Palestinians.
“BNP and Jamaat have become friends of Israel. They have joined hands with Israel,” he said while speaking at a protest rally at central Shaheed Minar as the chief guest.
Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote organized the rally protesting Israeli killings in Gaza.
In its staunch support to the Palestinian cause Bangladesh says Israel, through its denial of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, has violated peremptory norms of international law.
Hasan Mahmud says Ganatantra Mancha attacked police to incite chaos
These violations include persecution, racial discrimination, and apartheid against Palestinians, as well as the occupation, colonization, and annexation of Palestinian land, according to Bangladesh position.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh will reiterate its firm stance in favour of Palestine through Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha made oral pleading, on behalf of the OIC, at the International Court of Justice where he reviewed the crimes committed by Israel, the occupying authority, against the Palestinian people, in particular, its war in the Gaza Strip.
He also averred that Israel continues to pursue apartheid policy against the Palestinians.
Fakhrul condemns police action on Ganatantra Mancha procession
Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said BNP and its acting chairman are facing challenge within the party as they boycotted the last national election following an imposed decision. “There were also efforts to foil the polls.”
Hasan Mahmud says Ganatantra Mancha attacked police to incite chaos
Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday accused the Ganatantra Mancha of attacking police forces in an attempt to incite chaos.
“Awami League formed the government after a peaceful election in the country. They (Ganatantra Mancha) tried to create chaos,” he said.
Fakhrul condemns police action on Ganatantra Mancha procession
The Foreign Minister said US President Joe Biden, the President of the European Commission and the Heads of Government of 78 countries of the world congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“This global acknowledgment, along with accolades from 32 international organizations like the United Nations and Commonwealth, has seemingly provoked Ganatantra Mancha to act vindictively,” Mahmud stated during a response to media queries after a Chattogram Samiti, Dhaka event.
PM says no to large Iftar party at govt level
Highlighting the sequence of events, Mahmud said that Ganatantra Mancha supporters exceeded their permitted demonstration area and breached police barricades. “Upon being halted by law enforcement, they not only disobeyed orders but also apprehended a police officer, prompting the police to resort to force to manage the situation,” he explained.
Countering claims by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi of detainment of their party members, Mahmud asserted that, in reality, these individuals are being released daily.
Don’t harass people on streets, President tells police
Additionally, Mahmud commended the newly elected officials of Chattogram Samiti, Dhaka, a 112-year-old community organization. Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury and Engineer Ujjwal Mallick were announced as the new President and General Secretary, respectively, in a ceremony attended by notable figures including former Secretary Muminur Rashid Amin, the Prime Minister's former Principal Secretary Dr. Abdul Karim, and former Information Secretary Didarul Anwar, with the event moderated by Mohammad Sahadat Hossain Hero.
Fakhrul condemns police action on Ganatantra Mancha procession
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemned the police action on the demonstration organised by the Ganatantra Mancha on Wednesday.
He came up with the remarks in a statement, condemning the police’s baton charge on Ganatantra Mancha leader and chief coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Zonayed Saki and other leaders and activists during a procession towards the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Ganatantra Mancha rejects election, demands fresh polls
"After the January 7 dummy election, the authoritarian Awami League government his carrying out more severe repression and brutal cruelty on the opposition parties, undermining the voting rights and democratic rights of the people."Today, another brutal manifestation took place through the barbaric attack of police on a peaceful protest procession of Ganatantra Mancha, injuring more than 50 leaders and activists including the Mancha leader Zonayed Saki and arresting a leader from the spot," said the BNP leader.
Fakhrul meets Khaleda following release from jail"I strongly condemn the police brutality and protest against it, demanding the immediate unconditional release of those arrested,” he continued.
"Despite being citizens of an independent country, we are now under the fearful misrule of an illegal government. Ordinary people find no refuge from the law enforcement agencies' tyranny.
In diminished health, Fakhrul advised to rest at Gulshan residence by BSH specialist
"However, we believe that the illegal Awami League Government will face swift retribution from the power of the people," he added.
Fakhrul hoped for the swift recovery of the injured leaders and activists, including Zonayed Saki.
Earlier on Wednesday, police charged with batons to disperse a demonstration of the Ganatantra Mancha towards the Secretariat protesting the price hike, bank 'looting' and money laundering.
Several leaders and activists of Ganasanghati Andolan including Saki were injured in the police action.
AL govt was behind BDR mutiny: Rizvi
Answering Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud's comment that the BNP was involved in the BDR mutiny, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the incident occurred under the patronage of the Awami League government.
The BNP senior joint secretary general made the remarks at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office on Tuesday.
BNP was behind BDR mutiny: Hasan Mahmud
“The absence of the army operation in Pilkhana, the hospitality offered to the killers, the announcement of general amnesty, and allowing many to flee abroad raised many questions. Many people lost their jobs for raising those questions. Secret information leaked by WikiLeaks published on August 30, 2011, testimonies of those involved in the incident, their trial process, partial report of the investigation committee, investigative reports of local and foreign newspapers and media, Lieutenant General (retd) Md. Mainul Islam’s last statement 48 hours after the Pilkhana carnage, clearly proves that 57 smart army officers and many of their family members were brutally killed in the name of BDR mutiny in cold blood under the patronage of the Awami League government. And behind them were this government’s foreign lords,” he said.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said it is clear as daylight that BNP was behind the BDR mutiny and killed the country’s smart officers.
PM blaming BNP for essentials’ price hike to hide govt’s failures: Rizvi
Mentioning former DG of BGB DG Lieutenant General (retd) Md. Mainul Islam’s interview regarding the pilkhana carnage, “Hasan Mahmud may not confess, but what happened in Pilkhana that day, who did it, why it happened, who was behind the incident, who tried to cover it up... these truths were published in the media even yesterday. Has the foreign minister lost his mind after seeing the former BGB DG’s interview with the media on Monday? The former DG's statement reflected what the people saw and believed that day. ”
“When the former DG's interview was published yesterday, there was an uproar across the country. He clearly said that leaders of a political party were involved in the incident and they chanted the Joy Bangla slogan outside during the incident. Besides, what he said about foreign provocation, the people believed it from the day of the incident. The former DG said in the interview that the Awami League government did not allow the investigation committee formed over the BDR mutiny to work freely. We want to say that the mystery of the Pilkhana tragedy cannot be hidden, one day its real mystery will be revealed and the real culprits will be brought to justice,” he added.
Usurping power AL govt showing arrogance: Rizvi
Govt wants foreign friends but won’t let them dominate: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said the government wants friendship with foreigners, but it will not allow it if anyone wants to dominate the country.
“We want friendship with foreign friends. But we will not tolerate if they want come to the role of master instead of friend,” he said at a press conference at the Awami League president's Dhanmondi office in the capital.
Quader laments for BNP for not joining Jan 7 election
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said during the recent visit of a US delegation, they talked about taking forward the relations with Bangladesh.
He said, “BNP has nothing to be optimistic about what they said. They didn't say anything about the government’s downfall, their failures, or the action against the government. That's why they are silent now,” he said.
They (BNP) didn't get what they wanted from the United States, said Quader adding, “They wanted to hear that the government would be sanctioned but the US delegation expressed their commitment to advance relations with Bangladesh.”
BNP raises questions over lengthy judicial procedure in Pilkhana mutiny case
Regarding the price hike of commodities, Quader said, “People understand that it is not the government's fault. The hike in commodity prices is not the problem of Bangladesh only. Prices are rising all over the world. Show me one country in the world where prices are normal. But our people still have purchasing power. We hope that there will be enough supply of products in the coming Ramadan.”
“There is definitely an issue of extortion. The Prime Minister herself gave strong statements against this extortion,” he added.
Quader laments for BNP for not joining Jan 7 election
Lamenting for BNP for not joining the January 7 election, Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Monday that the BNP will soon realise how much they have shrunk themselves in politics keeping themselves out of the national election race.
They (BNP) will have to pay for a long time for not participating in the election, he observed.
Quaders, also road, transport and bridges minister, came up with the remarks while exchanging views with reporters at Daganbhuiyan Upazila parishad of Feni on Monday noon.
He said those who (BNP) criticise at home will also do so (criticism) at home and abroad.
BNP was behind BDR mutiny: Hasan Mahmud
Replying to a question, the AL leader said, “It seems surprising to me that Mirza Fakhrul did not go to people on the pretext of illness after coming out of jail. He went to the US delegation with a stick in his hand to lodge a complaint. “
Slamming BNP’s complaint habit to the foreigners, Quader said the BNP feels comfort to lodge complaints to the foreigners instead of people while they (AL) will have to reply to the complaints.
PM blaming BNP for essentials’ price hike to hide govt’s failures: Rizvi
Feni-2 lawmaker Nizam Uddin Hazari, district deputy commissioner Musammat Shahina Akter, additional superintendent of police Din Mohammad, Feni municipality mayor Nazrul Islam Swapon Miazi and district Jubo League President and Daganbhuiyan upazila parishad chairman Didarul Kabir Ratan, among others were present on the occasion.
BNP raises questions over lengthy judicial procedure in Pilkhana mutiny case
BNP on Sunday expressed concern over the prolonged legal proceedings in the Pilkhana mutiny case.A BNP delegation led by its standing comittee member Abdul Moyeen Khan paid homage to the those killed in the mutiny at the Banani Military graveyard in the morning.
Nation commemorates 15th anniversary of Pilkhana carnage "We have heard about the judgment in the Pilkhana carnage case, but what is the status of the judgment? Has there been any appeal in the judgment, and why has the hearing not completed in 15 years? Furthermore, another explosive case was filed in 2011... Why is the trial of the case still lingering?" he said.
“Today, we will say only one thing, every citizen of Bangladesh should get justice through good governance, through law... That's what we expect. ”
On February 25, 2009, several hundred Bangladesh Rifles (now BGB) men staged an armed revolt at the Darbar Hall of the force's Pilkhana headquarters during the three-day "BDR Week".
A total of 74 people, including 57 Army officers, were killed in the massacre beginning on this day.
The mutiny finally ended the following day (Feb 26) with the surrender of firearms, ammunition and grenades through a negotiation between the then government and the BDR rebels.