President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Bangladesh Liberation War by placing a wreath at the Shikha Anirban (Eternal Flame) in the Dhaka Cantonment area. The president paid the tributes to the martyrs to commemorate the Armed Forces Day today. He was accompanied by the chiefs of the armed forces and other military personnel while paying the homage at 8 am. After placing the wreath the president, who is also the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, stood there in solemn silence for a while as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifices during 1971 War of Liberation. Later, a smartly turned out contingent of the Army, Navy and Air Force presented a salute on the occasion. President Shahabuddin also signed the visitors’ book there. Traffic restrictions in Dhaka Cantonment today for Armed Forces Day On his arrival at Shikha Anirban, chiefs of the three services and the principal staff officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division received the president. Khaleda to join Armed Forces Day reception after 11 years Bangladesh observes November 21 as Armed Forces Day marking the day in 1971 when the army, the navy, and the air force launched a coordinated offensive against occupation Pakistani forces.  

The interim government has affirmed that there has been no decision yet regarding the President’s matter, saying that the media will be informed in due time if any decision is taken. "Political parties are our stakeholders. This (today's meeting with BNP) is part of an ongoing dialogue with political parties. You will know in due course of time if there is any decision," said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam to reporters outside the State guesthouse Jamuna on Wednesday afternoon. Security tightened around Bangabhaban amid growing tensions Alam made the remarks in response to repeated questions from reporters over the possibility of resignation or removal of the President. Regarding concerns over the Chief Adviser’s health, the Press Secretary assured that the Chief Adviser is in good health and continues to hold meetings as usual. On Tuesday evening, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir said that the government supports the Law Adviser’s stance regarding President Mohammed Shahabuddin. “The government agrees with what Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said earlier regarding the President… there has been no decision as of now regarding the removal of the President,” Jahangir told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in response to a query. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul had on Monday accused President Mohammed Shahabuddin of lying about not receiving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter, suggesting that the President’s statement violated his oath of office. "The President’s claim that he did not receive Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter is a lie and a violation of his oath," Dr Asif stated.

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir on Tuesday said the government shares the same view of the Law Adviser about President Mohammed Shahabuddin. “The government agrees with what Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said earlier (regarding President)…there has been no decision as of now regarding removal of the President,” he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in the evening while responding to a question. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Assistant Press Secretaries Nayem Ali and Shuchismita Tithi were present during the briefing. The Law Adviser on Monday accused President Mohammed Shahabuddin of lying about not receiving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation letter, claiming the statement violates his oath of office. "The president’s claim that he did not receive Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter is a lie and a violation of his oath," Dr Asif said. Read: Students demand president's resignation, ban on BCL from Shahid Minar rally He pointed out that Shahabuddin himself, during a national address on August 5, had said that the former prime minister had submitted her resignation, which he accepted in the presence of the three chiefs of the armed forces. The students staged demonstrations in front of President’s residence Bangabhaban and city’s Shahbagh intersection demanding resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin by this week. The leaders of anti-discrimination student movement also placed five-point demand, including rewriting the Constitution by cancelling the 1972 one, banning Bangladesh Chhatra League by this week, new proclamation of republic and declaring the last three national elections held in 2014, 2018 and 2024 illegal. Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators, in a post from his verified Facebook account said the Council of Advisers of the interim government has given them time to discuss with them on their demands on Wednesday. They expect that the interim government will take a decision after discussion to implement the five-point demand of the students. Read more: Protesters stage demo near Bangabhaban demanding President’s removal

Secretary General of Indian Ocean Rim Association Dr. Salman Al Farisi on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The meeting was held at Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) in Indonesia. During the meeting, the secretary general apprised the President of the activities of IORA, press secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB. Bangladesh seeks pharmaceutical products, raw materials export to Indonesia Lauding the initiative taken by Bangladesh for the development of IORA, he also briefed the President on the organization’s future plans. He said they are planning to help landlock countries too. Mentioning the recent development of Bangladesh as a milestone, President Shahabuddin said that many countries are now inspired by Bangladesh. President Shahabuddin in Indonesia to attend ASEAN Summit, East Asia Summit He assured that Bangladesh will play a big role to the development of IORA. Foreign Affairs Minister AK Abdul Momen, Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (rtd) Md Khurshed Alam and secretaries concerned to the President were also present during the meeting. US, Indonesia and 5 other nations hold war drills amid China concerns The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a dynamic inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 Member States and 11 Dialogue Partners.  

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday (September 04, 2023) left for Jakarta, Indonesia to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit and 18th East Asia Summit to be held on September 5-7. A regular flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the President along with his spouse Prof Rebecca Sultana and other entourage members, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) International Airport (HSIA) for Jakarta at 8:30 am. Among others, Chairperson of Bangladesh National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Saima Wazed and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will accompany the President during the visit. Read: Southeast Asian leaders are besieged by thorny issues as they hold an ASEAN summit without Biden Shahabuddin has been invited by the President of the Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN Chair for 2023 Joko Widodo, Press secretary Joynal Abedin said. With the theme of "Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth", the ASEAN Summit will be held with a hectic agenda for three days. The Bangladesh president, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, will also attend the 'East Asia Summit' slated for September 7. Alongside, the president will deliver the concluding speech on "Strengthening Regional Architecture to Support the Epicentrum of Growth from the Perspective of IORA" as the "Guest of Chair" there. He will also have separate bilateral meetings with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo and state leaders of Thailand, Malaysia and Timor-Leste. On September 6, the president will attend a 'Gala Dinner' to be hosted by the Indonesian president at Hutan Kota Gelora Bung Karno. Read: ASEAN’s collective market holds significant promise for Bangladesh’s economic growth: Momen Joko Widodo will chair 12 meetings during the 43rd ASEAN Summit. The ASEAN is an intergovernmental organization of 11 Southeast Asian countries - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste or East Timor. The ASEAN Summit is a biannual meeting held by its members. The Indonesian president will also chair the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS), which consists of 18 members, including the 10 ASEAN countries, the United States, the Russian Federation, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and India, according to the ASEAN secretariat. The leaders of the Pacific Island Forum, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank (World Bank) are also reportedly planning to attend the ASEAN Summit. From Jakarta President Shahabuddin along with his spouse will will go to Singapore for a health check-up. He is expected to return home from Singapore on September 16, according to the revised schedule. Read: US Deputy Assistant Secretary Mira Resnick in Dhaka

Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Dhaka Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan on Sunday paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban. President's press secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting. The president described Bangladesh's relationship with Saudi Arabia is very good and important. Shahabuddin thanked the Saudi government for facilitating the hajj process for Bangladeshis and launching e-visa. Also read: First hajj flight carrying 415 pilgrims leaves Dhaka for Saudi Arabia   Noting that Saudi Arabia is the biggest destination for the export of Bangladesh's manpower, President Shahabuddin said Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia are playing an important role in the economic development of both countries. The president put emphasis on increasing mutual communication and visit-exchange both at public and private levels to enhance trade investment between the two countries. The Saudi ambassador said Saudi investments in different sectors, including electricity and energy, are also increasing gradually along with strengthening relations with Bangladesh. After Kuwait, Bangladesh is the second country, where mobile Umrah Visa has been implemented, he added. Also Read: Syria, Saudi Arabia move toward restoring embassies, flights The envoy also said many big companies in Saudi Arabia are showing interest in investing in Bangladesh. President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, President's Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam were also present during the meeting.        

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday asked the country’s universities to focus more on job-oriented education and research to cater to the need of the employment market. He said this when Jatiya Kabi Nazrul Islam University Vice-Chancellor Professor Soumitra Sekhar and acting Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University Syed Mahfuzul Aziz met with him separately at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meetings. Also Read: Ensure proper spending of public money: President Shahabuddin The president said that the universities must do more on encouraging the students to take up research and innovative activities, which will be sustainable for the country. VC Soumitra Shekhar briefed the President about the academic and development activities of the Kabi Nazrul University.    

On the first day in office President Mohammed Sahabuddin on Tuesday paid  tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War,  Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 1952 language heroes. He first went to the National Mausoleum at Savar and placed a wreath there  at about 11:40am. for the first time after assuming the office as the 22nd President while he also laid floral  wreath at portrait of Bangabandhu at 12.20pm and Central Shaheed Minar at 12.30pm respectively. A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented the state salute on the occasion  as the bugles played the last post. Sahabuddin, himself a heroic freedom fighter,  stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the war heroes. The country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 in 1971 after a nine-month long Liberation War. Also Read: Mohammed Shahabuddin starts Bangabhaban journey as President The President also signed the visitors' book kept on the monument'sl premises. From Savar the president  went to Bangabandhu Memorial museum at 32 Dhanmondhi and placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu. He also witnessed a holographic presentation on Bangabandhu's historic 7th March speech. He signed the visitors' book kept on the premises. Also Read: BNP has no expectation from new President The president also visited the Central Shaheed Minar where remembered the language martyrs. Earlier in the day he received his maiden ceremonial guard of honour by President Regiment Guard (PGR)  morning at Bangabhaban before leaving for Savar. Also Read: Sweets distributed in Shahabuddin’s home district Pabna after taking oath as president His family members and Bangabhaban officials witnessed the ceremony held at about 10.30am. A smartly turned-out contingent of the PGR presented him a guard of honour as part of the ceremony while a band comprising army, navy, and air force played the welcome tune.