United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday congratulated the Bangladesh Under-20 football team for winning the SAFF U-20 Championship. “The Prime Minister has congratulated the Bangladesh team on becoming champions by defeating India in the final of the SAFF Under-20 tournament,” said a PMO press release. Bangladesh secured the title after defeating India 4-3 in a tie-breaker in the final held in Malé, Maldives. With the victory, Bangladesh clinched the championship for the second consecutive time.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday evening watched an English film at a cinema hall in the capital with his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman. He went to the Shimanto Shombhar cinema hall in Dhanmondi and watched the American science fiction film 'Project Hail Mary', said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. “The Prime Minister came to the cinema hall in the evening to watch the film. His daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, accompanied him,” Rumon said. He said Tarique Rahman watched the film as part of leisure on a holiday. The additional press secretary said the show began at 7:10pm and ended at around 10:10pm. Project Hail Mary is currently being screened at Star Cineplex’s Shimanto Shombhar branch. It is a 2026 American science fiction film produced and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and written by Drew Goddard, based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir. It stars Ryan Gosling (who also produced the film alongside Weir), Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz and Lionel Boyce. The film follows the story of Ryland Grace, a man who wakes up on an interstellar spacecraft with no memory of how he got there.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the Dhaka National Stadium on Thursday afternoon to attend an exhibition football match marking Independence and National Day. The appearance was the prime minister’s first at a sporting event since assuming office. He arrived at the stadium around 4pm alongside his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, and Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque. The visit was not included in the prime minister's official daily schedule, which earlier featured a wreath-laying at the National Memorial, a visit to his parents' graves in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, and attendance at the Independence Day parade at the National Parade Ground. The exhibition match, organized by the Bangladesh Football Federation, featured former national team players divided into "Red" and "Green" squads. Upon entering the stadium through the VIP gate, Tarique Rahman proceeded to the dugout to greet the players and match officials. He spent extended time speaking with former football stars Kaiser Hamid and Syed Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir. Following a photo session requested by Aminul, the prime minister walked along the athletics track, waving to approximately 1,000 spectators gathered in the eastern gallery before settling to watch the match.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday exchanged greetings with members of the armed forces after the colourful parade marking Independence and National Day at the National Parade Square in the capital. This year’s parade turned into a remarkable display of patriotism, discipline and military capability, as it was held after an 18-year gap. After the programme, while leaving the parade ground, the Prime Minister greeted members of the armed forces present there. The Prime Minister expressed his admiration for the impressive arrangements. Stating that he himself belongs to a family with a background in the armed forces, Tarique said his government will further strengthen the forces. He also called upon all to work for the betterment of the country, keeping in mind the purpose behind the formation of the armed forces. Among those present were the Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Army Chief General Wakar-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, and the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atiqul Rahman Rumon. After a hiatus of 18 years, the National Parade Ground witnessed a spectacular parade by the combined forces on Independence Day, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin receiving salutes from the ceremonial stage. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also attended and witnessed the event.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday expressed deep shock and sorrow over the train-bus collision in Cumilla and other accidents reported in different parts of the country, and ordered strict action against those responsible for any negligence. “The Prime Minister has directed the authorities to immediately find out the causes behind the recent train accidents, including the one in Cumilla that occurred late Saturday night following an earlier incident in Bogura," said his Press Secretary Saleh Shibli.  He said Tarique Rahman has already spoken several times with the ministers concerned and local administration officials about the accidents.  “He has also instructed them to ensure proper treatment for the injured and provide financial assistance to the families of those killed,” the press secretary said. He said the Prime Minister has ordered thorough investigations into each incident and directed that exemplary legal action be taken against those found responsible for negligence. Three committees have already been formed to investigate the Cumilla rail accident — two by the railway authorities and one by the district administration.  All committees have been asked to submit their reports within 72 hours.  “Action has already been taken against several individuals for negligence, and further steps will be taken based on the reports of the probe committees,” Shibli said. He said the Prime Minister also instructed the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatment and necessary support for those injured in other accidents, including in Feni, Habiganj and Jamalpur. Meanwhile, in a statement, the Prime Minister said the accidents were deeply tragic and alarming at a time of Eid celebrations. “Every life is valuable, and every death is an irreparable loss. I pray to Almighty Allah for the eternal peace of the departed souls and express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” he said. Tarique prayed for the salvation and eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.  He also wished a speedy recovery for the injured and directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for them. The Prime Minister said the government is committed to ensuring safe travel and public safety and warned that no negligence will be tolerated. He also directed the ministry concerned to identify weaknesses in railway crossings, bridge safety and the overall transport system, and to take urgent steps to address them.

The newly appointed administrators of Barishal, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Cumilla city corporations met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at noon, said the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. State Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Shahe Alam was present at the meeting. Earlier, the government appointed Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin as administrator of Barishal City Corporation, Md Mahfuzur Rahman of Rajshahi City Corporation, Md Rukunuzzaman Rokon of Mymensingh City Corporation, Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury of Rangpur City Corporation and Md Yusuf Molla of Cumilla City Corporation. Government appoints administrators to 5 more city corporations A gazette notification was issued in this regard. All five are leaders of the BNP and will assume office on Sunday. Officials of the Local Government Ministry said the political administrators will perform their duties until elections to the city corporations are held. After the elections, they will hand over the responsibilities to the elected mayors. Earlier, on February 23, the government appointed administrators to six city corporations across the country, including Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation. With the latest appointments, the government has now appointed administrators to 11 city corporations in the country. However, at Chattogram City Corporation, BNP leader Shahadat Hossain is performing the duties of mayor following a court order.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday expressed his determination to build a peaceful and secure Bangladesh through united efforts of people of all religions and warned against any attempt to create division among them. “Today people of all religions are sitting together in one row here. This has been a long-standing tradition of Bangladesh. No one should be allowed to create division among us. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians—we will all work together, Inshallah, to build a peaceful Bangladesh,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while inaugurating a pilot programme under the Ministry of Religious Affairs at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium to provide monthly honourariums to imams, muazzins, khatibs and other religious leaders, including priests and Buddhist monastery principals. Tarique Rahman, also the Chairman of BNP, mentioned that the people of all religions in Bangladesh have always lived together in peace. “We want to build a safe state and a secure society for everyone—something that people from all classes and professions desire. Once again, through today’s programme, we take an oath to build our beloved Bangladesh into a country where people of every religion and every profession can live in peace. Together, we will build this country. Let this be our oath and our expectation,” he said. Tarique said he believes every religion carries positive messages for building a morally enriched human society and stressed that people with religious knowledge have a crucial role in promoting religious, social and moral values in society. He said economic prosperity may bring comfort, but virtues such as patience, honesty, gratitude, respect, loyalty, solidarity, tolerance, generosity, friendship, humility, responsibility and compassion can only be cultivated through moral and social values. “Religious leaders have a vital role in fostering this moral and social consciousness.” The Prime Minister said the government’s programme to provide honorariums to khatibs, imams and muazzins has reached its first phase under a pilot scheme. A total of 4,908 mosques, 990 temples, and 144 Buddhist monarchies are covered, benefiting 16,992 religious leaders with monthly honorariums. He promised that everyone will be gradually included under this programme. Tarique said the main goal of such economic initiatives for people of all professions is to help people become financially self-reliant. At the same time, he made a humble appeal to religious leaders, saying that if they wish to participate in other economic or social activities alongside their duties at mosques or places of worship, the government is ready to support those initiatives as well. The Prime Minister said his government will make its best efforts, within the capacity of the state to ensure financial and social security for every citizen regardless of religion or background. He, however, said citizens also have responsibilities towards the state and society. “If each of us performs our duties properly from our respective positions, I hope that within the next 10 years we will see a politically and economically self-reliant Bangladesh, Inshallah.” PM Tarique launches monthly honorariums for imams, muazzins, others The Prime Minister said the government wants mosques and other religious institutions to become centres of religious, social and moral education. He said during the tenure of the BNP founder and ex-president Ziaur Rahman, the first imam training academy was launched, and in 1993, under Begum Khaleda Zia’s government, mosque-based child and adult education programmes were introduced. Tarique Rahman said the current government has not only introduced honorariums for imams, muazzins and other religious leaders, but is also planning ways to enhance their leadership skills and utilise their talents for national development. He said the Home Ministry has decided to include one imam, one khatib, or religious leaders from any other faith as a member of the law-and-order committees in every district and upazila. The Prime Minister said the government wants to reduce financial inequality and ensure peaceful coexistence by providing allowances or financial support and creating employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged group. “We made these promises to people before the national elections, and after forming the government, we began implementing them even before the ink on the ballots had dried, Alhamdulillah,” he said. Tarique said the government has already introduced the Family Card for economically disadvantaged women and gradually, it would reach the female heads of four crore families across Bangladesh. He added a pilot project for the Farmers Card will be launched on April 14, and the canal-digging programme will begin in Dinajpur on March 16. “By ensuring the political and economic empowerment of every citizen, we aim to build Bangladesh on a strong foundation, so that no fascist or anti-democratic force can deprive people of their freedom or right to speak. Religious leaders should be able to speak freely, and citizens should be politically and economically empowered to strengthen the nation,” the Prime Minister observed. During the programme, , the Prime Minister distributed cheques for the monthly among imams, muazzins, khatibs, priests and monastery principals and vice-principals from across the country. The payments were also sent directly to the recipients’ mobile accounts immediately after the Prime Minister pressed the iPass baton. Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Prime Minister’s Public Administration Adviser Ismail Zobihullah, senior religious leaders from various faiths, and officials including the Religious Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, among others, spoke at the programme with Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) in the chair.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated a programme to provide monthly allowances to imams, muazzins  and other religious leaders, fulfilling one of the key electoral pledges of BNP. The programme was inaugurated  at a ceremony held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the morning, according to BNP media cell.  The government also launched similar allowance programmes for priests and temple caretakers as well as for Buddhist monastery principals and vice-principals. On January 21, the government issued a gazette on the Mosque Management Policy 2025 introducing a structured pay scale, service benefits, recruitment rules and welfare provisions for mosque employees in the country. Under the new policy, a grade-based salary structure has been fixed for mosque employees excluding khatibs whose remuneration will be determined according to contract terms. However, financially insolvent and mosques where 5-time prayers held have been advised to fix salaries and allowances according to their capacity. Padma Bridge rail link: Narail commuters face long waits as only one train runs on key routes As per the new policy, senior pesh imams will receive salaries in Grade 5, pesh imams in Grade 6 and imams in Grade 9. The chief muezzin will be paid in Grade 10, muezzin in Grade 11, chief khadem in Grade 15 and khadem in Grade 16.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday called on people to adopt preventive measures against dengue and chikungunya, announcing that a nationwide cleanliness drive will start on March 14 to safeguard people from the deadly mosquito-borne diseases.  “Deadly diseases like dengue and chikungunya have caused loss of life. But, if we all become aware, it is possible to protect ourselves from dengue and chikungunya,” he said in a special video message to the nation. Referring to experts, the Prime Minister said people become infected with dengue or chikungunya through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes. “So, it is necessary to take all preventive measures in advance to protect against dengue.” Although dengue usually spreads most during the monsoon from June to October, he said public health experts warn that the risk is not limited to any particular time of the year. The Prime Minister urged people to keep their homes and surrounding areas clean at least once a week. During the rainy season, he said Aedes mosquitoes breed in clean stagnant water. “If water remains stagnant for three days, mosquitoes can start breeding there.” Quoting entomologists and public health experts, Tarique Rahman said the most effective way to control mosquito breeding is to keep places such as drains, ditches and sewers where stagnant dirty water can accumulate clean. BPP authorises PM Tarique to decide Speaker, Deputy Speaker “So, do not allow water to stagnate in flower pots, drums, buckets, discarded tyres, pits, or on the roofs of houses. Water tanks should be kept covered. Clean the inside and outside of your house at least once a week,” he said, urging people. Addressing the country’s people, the Prime Minister said everyone should remember that awareness and cleanliness are the most effective ways to prevent dengue. He said the government is going to start a nationwide cleanliness campaign every week from Saturday (March 14), ahead of the monsoon. The Prime Minister also said the local administration is taking effective initiatives as part of this campaign. BNP wants effective, vibrant parliament: Chief Whip Besides , he called upon all public representatives including the Members of Parliament from each area to conduct weekly cleanliness campaigns every Saturday in their residential areas and nearby places with the participation of local people. “If regular cleanliness campaigns continue, people will be able to protect themselves from deadly fevers like dengue and chikungunya in the coming days, Insha’Allah,” Tarique Rahman said. He said the main principle of the government’s national health policy is ‘Prevention is better than cure’. “So, do not allow dirty water to accumulate anywhere. Keep your houses and surroundings clean. Protect yourselves from dengue or chikungunya—protect yourselves and protect others.”

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday said his government is committed to strengthening ties with countries around the world based on mutual respect, cooperation, and trust. “Bangladesh always gives high importance to both bilateral and multilateral relations,” he said while speaking at an Iftar hosted for diplomats at the state guesthouse Jamuna. The Prime Minister said the Iftar programme was more than a ceremonial gathering. “It reminds us of the importance of respect, empathy, and unity among people of different nations, religions, and cultures. These values are key to building a peaceful and tolerant society,” he added. Tarique Rahman highlighted his government’s efforts to safeguard independence, uphold human rights, combat corruption, strengthen law and order, empower women, and support new entrepreneurs to foster a strong and inclusive economy. He expressed hope that, through cooperation and understanding, Bangladesh and the international community would move forward together in peace, development, and prosperity.