United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday said the next general election is likely to be held between December and June. “All advisers, including the chief adviser, are working towards that goal,” he said. While speaking to journalists during a visit to the Magura Press Club, the press secretary also said the people of the country have expressed satisfaction in the decision related to Awami League, noting that the public’s expectations regarding the party have been met.  Election must not be delayed for any party’s convenience: BNP’s Nazrul "The country is on the right track. Law and order has improved — it's better than before," Shafiqul added. He said reform efforts are underway in sectors where necessary. “Major reforms have already been introduced in the economy, with more to come,” he noted. Regarding political reforms, Shafiqul Alam said that the Consensus Commission held several meetings, concluding its work on May 15. “Some are becoming impatient, but we believe our work remains focused and is progressing at the right pace in the right direction,” the press secretary added. Regarding media freedom, Shafiqul said that the government is not only advocating for freedom of speech but also working to ensure a dignified life for those working to uphold press freedom. Magura Press Club President Saidur Rahman presided over the views exchange meeting, moderated by General Secretary Shafiqul Islam Shafiq. Around fifty journalists from print and electronic media were present at the event.  Election delay due to fear of BNP coming to power: Mirza Abbas

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the whole process, including international tendering process, will be done very transparently as the interim government’s goal is to boost port efficiency with the help of globally reputed companies to take the country’s economy to a new height. “We can say certainly that the whole process will be transparent. We will talk to those companies which are very prominent globally with their extensive experience of handling ports,” he said while responding to a question during his visit to Chattogram on Friday. Interacting with journalists in the port city of Chattogram, Alam said they are also looking into the companies which do not have any bad reputation. “Efforts are there in that direction,” said the Press Secretary, adding that it can be even G2G in some cases instead of open tendering. “But our target is to talk to the top companies of the world so that port efficiency can be enhanced to take the Bangladesh economy to the next stage.”       Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and DC Farida Khanom were, among others, present. On Wednesday, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus directed the persons concerned to quickly settle discussions with potential foreign investors to increase the capacity of Chattogram port with world-class services in an effort to make the country an investment hub. ‘Humanitarian corridor’ issue still quite far off: Shafiqul Alam "We’ll have to involve such operators in port management so that our ports can gain the ability to compete in the international market. We must make our ports world-class to implement the investment hub that we are talking about,” he said. The Chief Adviser made the directives at a high-level meeting with officials of the Ministry of Shipping, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), Chittagong Port Authority and other relevant departments at the State Guest House Jamuna. BIDA and BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun informed the meeting that the current handling capacity of Bangladesh's seaports is 1.37 million units per year, which can be increased to 7.86 million units in the next five years through proper planning and action. He said the currently operational New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong Port is capable of handling 1.27 million units per year and Mongla Port is capable of handling 0.1 million units. Their capacities can be increased to 1.5 million and 0.63 million respectively. Ashik said once the construction of Patenga Container Terminal, Laldia Container Terminal, Bay Terminal and Matarbari Deep Sea Port is completed, Bangladesh will have a handling capacity of more than five million units.  He informed the Chief Adviser about the overall progress in the speedy completion of the Laldia Port work for foreign investment.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said a final decision regarding the ‘humanitarian corridor’ to Rakhine State of Myanmar through Cox's Bazar will be taken in consultation with all stakeholders, including political parties, if there is any United Nations-led effort. “We think this (humanitarian corridor) is still quite far off….it needs to be an UN-led effort,” he said while responding to a question from the media during his visit to Chattogram on Friday. While interacting with the journalists in the port city of Chattogram, Alam also said the whole thing is usually done by talking to two countries – Bangladesh and Mynamr – first and other actors in Rakhine. “When the United Nations takes any initiative, they talk to all relevant parties to reach a final decision,” he said, adding that any decision will be taken based on broader consensus. Regarding the humanitarian corridor for Myanmar's Rakhine State, BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday said only an elected parliament can make such a sensitive decision. “The freedom-loving people of the country believe that the decision on whether or not to grant a corridor must come from the people themselves—specifically, through their directly elected National Parliament,” he said while virtually addressing a rally. The Press Secretary also criticised the Awami League saying the previous regime did not even dare to call Rohingyas as the Rohingyas were called as 'Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals' (FDMN). “When you will fear to call them Rohingyas, then you do not believe in their rights,” Alam said. Amid growing discussions on ‘humanitarian corridor’ to Rakhine State of Myanmar through Cox's Bazar, the interim government on Tuesday (April 29) categorically said they have not discussed the so-called ‘humanitarian corridor’ with the United Nations (UN) or any other entity. "We want to make it categorically clear that the government has not discussed the so-called "humanitarian corridor" with the UN or any other entity," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Alam told UNB while responding to a question. Political parties to compromise for state reforms, hopes Ali Riaz He said the government position is that should there be a UN-led humanitarian support to the state of Rakhine, Bangladesh would be willing to provide logistics support. According to UNDP, the Rakhine state is facing an acute humanitarian situation. "Bangladesh has a stellar record of helping countries in times of distress, as exemplified by our aid to Myanmar following the recent devastating earthquake," Alam said. Besides, the Press Secretary said, they are concerned that the persistence of suffering may lead to further inflows of people from Rakhine into Bangladesh, which they cannot afford. "We also believe that the UN-supported humanitarian aid would help stabilise Rakhine and create conditions for the return of the refugees back to Myanmar," he said. Given the present conditions, Alam said, the only viable route for delivery of aid to Rakhine is through Bangladesh. Bangladesh is agreeable in principle to provide logistics support to the transportation of aid through this route, he mentioned. Alam, however, said there has not been a decision on the provision of aid to Rakhine. "We are in touch with the parties concerned in this regard. In due course, we will consult relevant stakeholders in Bangladesh," said the Press Secretary. Regarding the reports of involvement of a major power, he said, these are "pure and unadulterated" propaganda. "We have seen a constant barrage of malicious disinformation hurled against Bangladesh in recent months, which is still continuing," said the Press Secretary, adding that this sort of propaganda is no different. What are humanitarian corridors? The United Nations considers ‘humanitarian corridors’ to be one of several possible forms of a temporary pause of armed conflict, according to the DW. ‘Humanitarian corridors’ or safe passages are essentially agreements between parties to the armed conflict to allow for safe passage for a limited time in a specific geographic area, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They can allow civilians to leave, humanitarian assistance to come in or allow for the evacuation of the wounded, sick or dead, ICRC said in a definition. Due to their limitations in scope, humanitarian corridors are not an ideal solution. Crucially, civilians, whether there is a safe passage agreement or not must be protected from the effects of hostilities, must be allowed to evacuate from a besieged area, and humanitarian organizations must be able to work whenever and wherever necessary to provide protection and assistance to people affected by armed conflict. Those engaged in the fighting must ensure that IHL rules on the conduct of hostilities are respected in order to protect civilians, and that humanitarian assistance can reach those in need.. They are demilitarised zones, in a specific area and for a specific time — and both sides of an armed conflict agree to them. What are they for? Via these corridors, either food or medical aid can be brought to areas of conflict, or civilians can be evacuated, according to DW. The corridors are necessary when cities are under siege and the population is cut off from basic food supplies, electricity and water. In cases where a humanitarian catastrophe unfolds because the international law of war is being violated — for example through large-scale bombing of civilian targets — humanitarian corridors can provide crucial relief.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said Bangladesh’s history of resilience, its commitment to democracy, and its focus on women’s empowerment are all testaments to the fact that the country will continue to move forward, despite the challenges it faces. "Rather than focusing on a few negative examples, we should recognize the broader picture of progress, resilience, and determination that defines Bangladesh today," he said. Alam noted that The New York Times article titled "As Bangladesh Reinvents Itself, Islamist Hard-Liners See an Opening" paints a troubling and one-sided view of Bangladesh, suggesting that the country is on the brink of being overtaken by religious extremism. In a post from his verified Facebook account, the press secretary said this portrayal not only oversimplifies the political and social dynamics of the country but also risks unfairly smearing an entire nation of 180 million people. "It is crucial to acknowledge the progress Bangladesh has made over the last year and the complexity of the situation, rather than relying on selective, incendiary examples that paint an inaccurate picture," Alam said. Bangladesh needs peace, says Dr Yunus seeking foreign friends' support to forge unity Furthermore, he said, the notion that the rise of extremism is an inevitable outcome of Bangladesh's political transition is far too deterministic. The country's democratic spirit and vibrant civil society are powerful forces that continue to hold back the full rise of extremist ideologies, Alam said. While challenges remain, he said, the long-term direction of Bangladesh will not be shaped solely by the actions of extremists. "The people of Bangladesh, particularly its youth and women, are determined to continue the fight for a just, democratic, and inclusive society," said Alam. He said Bangladesh is not alone in facing the challenge of religious extremism; this is a global issue that many countries confront in different forms. However, he said, Bangladesh has continuously worked to address these challenges through law enforcement, social reforms, and counterterrorism initiatives. Yunus’ China visit paved way for stronger ties: Govt The country’s commitment to protecting its diverse population—whether Muslim, Hindu, Christian, or any other community—remains steadfast, said the press secretary. "While there will always be hardliners who spew hatred at rallies and on social media, it is our responsibility to deny them the oxygen their anger requires," he said.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Saturday said the government is investigating how people fled the country after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government but acknowledged the gap without any government in place from August 5-8. “The government position is quite clear. We are investigating and looking into why and how they could flee,” he told reporters while responding to a question during a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy. Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam and CA's Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were present. After 15 years of leading Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 as student-led protesters stormed her place of residence. July Shaheed Smriti Foundation to support families of martyrs, aid hundreds weekly: Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Alam said one thing is clear that there was no government on August 5-8 and police were on strike for a week and there was a gap at that time. “Our best efforts were there to arrest them. We are still trying to arrest those who were involved in ‘mass killings’,” he said. A journalist wanted to know how deposed Hasina was to flee in protocol when she stepped down. In reply, Alam said, “Again, at that time our government was not there. The overall matter is being investigated.” Responding to a question on expansion of the Council of Advisers, Deputy Press Secretary Azad said some political parties proposed to see whether it can further be expanded with more Advisers and also suggested evaluating the current advisers’ work. He said the Chief Adviser listened to their proposals attentively and will convey his decision following due process.