United News of Bangladesh

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.