United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury on Sunday categorically stated that while media freedom exists in the country, anyone working against democracy or supporting terrorism will face legal action, regardless of their profession. "We want to make one thing clear — there is freedom of mass media in the country. However, under existing laws, whoever acts against upholding democracy, attempts to destroy it, or works in favour of terrorism is not above the law. Action will be taken against them under the prevailing laws," the state minister said. Chowdhury said this while responding to a supplementary question from National Citizen Party (NCP) MP Abul Hasnat (Hasnat Abdullah) during the question-and-answer session in Parliament. In his supplementary question, Hasnat Abdullah emphasized the necessity of professional security for journalists, noting that many professional journalists had performed their duties with dedication even during the hostile environment of the past 17 years. He asked: "What is the government thinking regarding those self-proclaimed journalists who, during the Awami League regime, legitimized and manufactured consent for forced disappearances, murders, vote rigging, bank robberies, and genocide?" Reiterating the government's zero-tolerance policy against criminals, Yaser Khan Chowdhury replied, "Whether the criminal is a journalist, politician, businessman, or employee — no one is above the law. If anyone acts against the law, the BNP-led government will definitely take action against them under the existing laws." Responding to another query from Netrokona-3 MP Rofiqul Islam Hilali regarding security risks faced by journalists investigating online gambling and cybercrimes, the State Minister disclosed that work is underway to update the guidelines for journalists working in online and digital media. Directives are being formulated to ensure their recognition, registration, and professional security, he added. Answering a question from Noakhali-2 MP Zainul Abdin Farroque, Chowdhury mentioned that a specialized team is actively working to monitor individuals spreading misinformation and disinformation on social media. Furthermore, in response to a query from Cox's Bazar-3 MP Lutfur Rahman, the State Minister stated that a policy is being drafted for approving new online portals and digital media outlets. Future approvals for all online media and portals will be granted in light of this upcoming policy. In separate written responses, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon provided detailed statistics regarding the country's print media. Replying to a query from BNP MP Nilofer Moni (Reserved Seat), the Minister informed the House that a total of 1,244 daily, weekly, and monthly periodicals are currently published from the capital, Dhaka. Of those, 585 are daily newspapers with 288 are media-listed, weekly magazines are 363 (56 are media-listed), while 296 are Monthly Magazines with 23 are media-listed. In response to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Mostafizur Rahman Babul, the Information Minister stated that the current number of newspapers enlisted with the Department of Films and Publications (DFP) stands at 721. Meanwhile, replying to Madaripur-3 MP Anisur Rahman, Minister Swapon announced that steps are being taken to amend the Press Council Act of 1974. The initiative aims to modernize the law, making the Press Council stronger, more effective, and more media-friendly to ensure the rights, security, and working environment of journalists.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (South Region) Hasnat Abdullah has said there can be no compromise over the issue concerning Nasiruddin Patwary, who is contesting from DHaka-8 constituency. In a post on his verified Facebook account, he issued the warning, although he did not provide any details. It is thought that he is indicating his fellow NCP leader Nasiruddin won his own election in the Dhaka-8 constituency against BNP stalwart Mirza Abbas.   Hasnat, who also contested the Cumilla-4 seat, was elected to parliament through the election held on Thursday. Hasnat Abdullah, contesting under NCP's Shapla Koli symbol as part of an alliance with Jamaat e Islami, received 160,081 votes. His closest rival, Jasim Uddin, contesting with the Truck symbol, received 49,845 votes, in unofficial tallies from the Election Commission.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (South Region) and Cumilla-4 candidate Hasnat Abdullah on Thursday said till now the voting is being held in a festive atmosphere. “Voting is being held in a festive atmosphere. It remains to be seen how the situation progresses as the day advances,” he said while casting his vote at Gopalnagar High School polling centre in Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency around 8:30am. He also said that the new voters were turning up enthusiastically to take part in the election. Voting began at 7:30am on Thursday at more than 42,000 polling centres across the country in 299 constituencies. The 13th national election is being held with around 13 crore registered voters, whose decision will determine the formation of Bangladesh’s next government.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (South Region) and Comilla-4 candidate Hasnat Abdullah has pledged to safeguard the honor of mothers and sisters, even if it means risking their own life. He made the remarks while campaigning at Khairabad High School ground in Jafarganj of Debidwar upazila on Thursday. He also urged women to exercise their voting right to freely and warned that any obstruction to this would be firmly addressed. Read More: BNP 'practiced' polling booth capture in attacking NCP's Dhaka-18 candidate: Hasnat  Hasnat Abdullah later campaigned in several places in his constituency and held election meetings.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (South Region) and Comilla-4 candidate Hasnat Abdullah on Monday alleged that the BNP started a “practice match” of capturing polling booths by carrying out attacks on NCP election campaigns and its candidate in Dhaka-18. “Today, the kind of attack that took place on our candidate, our brother Adeeb (Ariful Islam Adeeb), and the way our campaign activities have been attacked under the banner of BNP’s party identity, sends a negative message about the entire electoral process,” he said. Hasnat Abdullah made the remarks after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. He said such attacks convey messages of repression and the messages of occupying polling stations. “We think a “practice match” has started (to capture polling stations) from today,” he said. ‘BNP activists shouldn’t be afraid, we’ll give you shelter’: Nasiruddin Patwari The NCP leader said this aggressive behaviour and the tendency to obstruct and attack rivals’ election campaigns raise serious concerns about how a participatory election can be held finally. “We think this will be a major challenge for the Election Commission to arrange a participatory election,” he added. Another NCP Ayman Rahat said they have lodged a complaint with the CEC, alleging that BNP activists attacked the NCP candidate’s campaign in the Dhaka-18 constituency. The NCP also alleged widespread violations of the electoral code of conduct, saying that despite a ban on posters, posters have been displayed in various areas of Dhaka-17, and rallies are being held until 3–4am. “However, no action is being taken in these cases,” he said. NCP launches election theme song Besides, the NCP leader complained with the EC that many people who played controversial roles in previous elections are being appointed as presiding officers for the upcoming polls.

The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday (January 17, 2026) cancelled the candidacy of BNP’s Monzurul Ahsan Munshi and upheld that of National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Abul Hasnat, popularly known as Hasnat Abdullah, in Cumilla-4. The decision came after the EC, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard appeal petitions filed by both candidates against each other. The orders were issued in the afternoon. The EC accepted the appeal filed by Hasnat canceling the candidature of Monzurul Ahsan, but turned down the appeal filed by Monzurul Ahsan, declaring the candidacy of Hasnat valid in the upcoming national election scheduled for February-12. Free, fearless media vital to Bangladesh democracy: Journalists Munshi, in his petition, alleged that Hasnat did not mention the sources of his income rightly in the affidavit submitted with the nomination paper. Hasnat in his appeal alleged that Munshi is a loan defaulter and concealed the information in the nomination paper. The EC that acts the electoral appeal tribunal started hearing of the appeal on Saturday last (January 10) and will dispose of a total of 645 petitions by Sunday (January 18). The EC on Saturday last (January 10) started hearing of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons and organisations against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and cancellations of nomination papers during the scrutiny. According to the EC, a total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers to contest the upcoming national election from the country’s 300 constituencies by the December 29 deadline. Read more: NCP accuses EC officials of bias ahead of election After scrutiny, returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid and rejected 723 others.

In a unique form of protest, chief organiser of South Region of National Citizen Party (NCP) Hasnat Abdullah released live fish into the pothole-ridden Debidwar–Chandina regional road in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla on Friday morning. Hasnat staged the symbolic protest in Kachisar area during a public campaign, drawing attention to the authorities’ negligence in repairing the 14.5-km-long road. Locals said the Debidwar–Chandina road is a vital connector between Dhaka–Chattogram and Cumilla–Sylhet highways. But, the road has long remained in a dilapidated state, filled with large potholes that make travel extremely difficult. During rain, stagnant water turns the road into a hazard, often leading to accidents and loss of life. Not taking steps for injured people is the first failure of the interim govt: Hasnat Abdullah Joining the protest, residents expressed their frustration over delays in renovation. NCP leader Hasnat said people commute on this road every day and recently a youth died here. “If the authorities cannot fix it they might as well turn it into a fish farm. At least people could eat the fish. I’m releasing fish here today, and I urge others to do the same,” he said.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the southern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has said that a level playing field must be established before the upcoming national elections. Hasnat made the remarks during a visit to Cumilla's Debidwar, where he met with families of the July martyrs on Eid-ul-Azha.

Any obstruction from the Secretariat to the ongoing reform efforts will be strongly resisted with support from people, said Hasnat Abdullah, the chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party's (NCP) southern region, on Monday.  Elections before reforms may not meet people's expectations: Jamaat Ameer Hasnat came up with the warning while talking to reporters at ‘Biplob Udyan’ in Soloshahar area of the port city, on the second day of his organisational tour of Chattogram (north) districts. Public interest in the newly formed political party is growing in various parts of the country, said the NCP leader, adding, “People are seeing hopes among the youth. Citizens are now openly discussing their problems and seeking solutions.” Since August 5, a faction at the Secretariat has been conspiring against the current government, he alleged. “While I’m speaking here, a conspiracy is underway in Dhaka. The NBR has now become a breeding ground for corruption. Whenever we - regardless of political differences - unite with the intention of helping this government succeed, whenever we move forward with discussions on justice, reform and an electoral roadmap, we see conspiracies and anti-state plots rear their heads,” he said. Hasnat said “Do not create chaos at the Secretariat. Do not assume that you are indispensable. Hasina once thought she was irreplaceable — but the people have found an alternative. Those in the Secretariat who continue to obstruct the government will also be substituted. If you think Hasina’s reign will return, you are gravely mistaken.” Senior joint member secretary of the NCP Dr Tasnim Zara along with other district-level leaders was present at the event.  BNP delegation joins a meeting with Dr Yunus amid political tension Meanwhile, Hasnat Abdullah held roadside rallies in nine upazilas of Chattogram (south) on Sunday.

Police have detained 54 people in connection with the attack on NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah’s car in Gazipur on Sunday. Police detained them in drives conducted in different parts of the city throughout Sunday night, said Md Rabiul Hasan, Deputy Commissioner (Crime-North) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police. The detainees are being interrogated and legal action is underway, he added. According to local sources, most of the detainees are leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies. A case is expected to be filed with the city's Basan Police Station with NCP’s Gazipur district representative Al Amin as the complainant. Police arrested two people— Md Nizam Uddin, a Jubo League leader of Ward 13 in Gazipur city and Masum Ahmed Dipu, president of Sheikh Russel Shishu Kishore Parishad on Sunday night from Kashimpur area. Police have not yet disclosed detailed identities of the other detainees. Chief Coordinator (South) of the National Citizens' Party (NCP), Hasnat Abdullah’s car came under attack near Chandana intersection in Gazipur city on Sunday evening while he was returning to Dhaka from the Bangladesh Agricultural University campus in Gazipur. 2 held over attack on Hasnat in Gazipur According to his driver, unidentified assailants on motorcycles attacked the car from behind breaking its windows. Following the attack, Abdullah took shelter at the Islamic University of Technology (IUT). Police rushed to the spot upon receiving the information and later escorted him safely to Dhaka.