United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the interim government to involve the most qualified individuals in negotiation with the United States over the recently imposed 35% tariff on Bangladeshi products. “The United States has imposed a 35% tariff on our products. Our main export item is ready-made garments. If this sector is hit with such a high tariff, it could collapse entirely and may not recover. That would break the backbone of our economy,” he said at a discussion. The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) organised the programme titled ‘Journalists’ Role in the July Uprising by Students and Masses’ at the Jatiya Press Club. Fakhrul said the US tariff issue is a very serious concern for the country and its economy. “I’m not sure how much attention the interim government has given to it. They should have focused more and engaged the most competent people to negotiate with the US.” He thinks that time has not yet run out and called on the government to take immediate steps to protect the industry, safeguard jobs--especially for women--and prevent further damage to the economy. The BNP leader also addressed the issue of border killings and push-in incidents, urging journalists and the media to take these matters more seriously. “We are not addressing the issues of border killings and push-ins with the seriousness they deserve. The news is being published in small sections in newspapers. I request all journalists and media professionals to treat these matters with the importance they deserve. These are not minor issues. Such incidents are happening regularly across various parts of the border,” he said. Fakhrul welcomes Yunus’ directive, hopes for prompt election preparations by EC Fakhrul also called upon the interim government to raise these issues strongly with India. “These matters must be brought to a conclusive stage of negotiation through proper diplomatic discussions with India.” Expressing concern over the flooding in Feni, he also highlighted the unresolved issue of fair water sharing from common rivers with India. “The water-sharing issue remains unsettled with India. Flooding has already begun in Feni, and more could follow as the monsoon continues. The interim government must act strongly to ensure a fair distribution of water,” Fakhrul said. He also stressed the need for national unity to protect democratic rights, saying that true democracy cannot thrive without tolerance and practice. “There is a need to build national unity. But where should that unity lie? It should be in defending our democratic rights. I may not agree with you, but I would give my life to defend your right to express your opinion… That is what national unity means,” the BNP leader said. He said tolerance of differing views is essential to achieving democracy. “Sadly, in Bangladesh, we have never truly practised democracy in that spirit. Democracy is a culture, and without practising it, how can we expect to achieve it?” He urged the youth to prepare themselves to build a truly democratic Bangladesh. “We have fought again and again. Now, our young generation must be ready to move forward and succeed in building a genuinely democratic nation.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in deposits by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks last year, saying it has shown the extent of looting by the Awami League’s corrupt elements and mafias. “I was disheartened to see newspaper reports indicating a significant increase in the amount of money deposited in Swiss banks (by Bangladeshis)…It clearly reflects the massive scale of plundering carried out by the mafia and looter clique during the fascist rule,” he said while addressing a discussion. The programme was organised by the Biplobi Workers Party at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, marking the party’s 21st founding anniversary. Fakhrul said he did not exactly know who, when, or how such a large amount of money was deposited in the Swiss banks. “But after seeing this news, every patriotic person may wonder whether any real change has taken place after the mass uprising… If the report pertains to the year 2024, it is authentic,” he said. According to media reports, the amount of money deposited by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks has increased significantly, rising 33 times in just one year. The total deposits jumped to around 590 million Swiss francs in 2024, compared to only 17.7 million francs in 2023, said the latest annual report by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), published on Thursday. Fakhrul alleged the fascist Awami League has destroyed all the institutions in Bangladesh during its around 16 years of misrule. “They destroyed the electoral system, state institutions, the judiciary, bureaucracy, education, healthcare and almost every other sector. Now, the current government is trying to restore and fix all these sectors,” he said. The BNP leader said the interim government has started working to this end and has undoubtedly done a lot of good deeds. “They’re showing us the (right) way. We hope that all political parties involved in the anti-fascist movement will now work together in unity and support them.” Fakhrul slams Jamaat for skipping Tuesday’s consensus meeting He also hoped that the government will help the nation achieve the goal of establishing a truly democratic state and governance system. “Let’s all utilise the scope created by the mass uprising to rebuild the state and the nation and to transform the country into a genuine democracy,” Fakhrul said. Speaking about a recent meeting in London between Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul said their party now sees a ray of hope regarding the upcoming national election. “Over the last 10 months, many incidents in Bangladesh made us uncertain about the future. But we are now encouraged and hopeful. When we saw our Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman hold talks with Professor Yunus, and they reached agreements on several key issues, it gave us hope. We now believe that there could be an election in February next year,” he said. The BNP leader said the interim government's reform efforts are progressing with support from political parties. “We have already reached agreement on many issues. For those where we still have differences, we will continue our discussions. After the election, we will bring those matters to Parliament and work towards a consensus.” Fakhrul also said reforms of this scale cannot be achieved through discussions alone. “It is not possible to fulfill people’s dreams within the current state structure. That is why we have proposed 31 points, developed through discussions with all parties, aimed at bringing deep political, economic and social changes,” he said. Stating that the National Citizen Party (NCP) is set to submit its application for registration with the Election Commission on Sunday, Fakhrul said, “We had welcomed them earlier, and we welcome them once again now!” He said they have high expectations from the young leaders who played a vital role in the mass uprising and have formed a new political party. “These young people, who actively led and participated in the recent movement, and whose colleagues have sacrificed their lives—we believe their leadership will help us achieve our goals.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed disappointment over the Chief Adviser’s announcement regarding the national election timeline, saying it has disheartened not just the BNP, but the entire nation. “We have always demanded a prompt election and hoped that a date for holding it by December would be announced,” he said while speaking to journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from Bangkok early Saturday. Fakhrul said Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, in his address to the nation, has announced that the polls will be held in early April. “Undoubtedly, this has frustrated not only us but the whole nation,” he said. The BNP leader said their party’s official statement on the matter would be given later following an internal discussion and decision. He extended Eid greetings to the country’s people and expressed his gratitude to them for praying for his speedy recovery. BNP unhappy with April election plan, renews Dec polls demand Fakhrul, who underwent treatment for an eye condition in Bangkok, returned home on a Thai Airways flight that landed at 1:25am. He was accompanied by his wife Rahat Ara Begum. The BNP Secretary General travelled to Bangkok on May 13 on the advice of physicians at United Hospital. The following day, he was admitted to Rutnin Eye Hospital, where he underwent successful surgery on his left eye. Earlier on Friday evening, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, in his address to the nation, announced that the next national election will be held sometime in the first half of April 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reform, justice and democratic progress. “After reviewing the ongoing reforms in justice, governance and the electoral process, I am announcing today that the next national election will be held in the first half of April 2026,” he said.

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari on Monday met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed bilateral issues and the revival of Saarc to enhance regional cooperation. The hour-long meeting, which began around 10:30am, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office in the capital. BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, party’s international affairs committee member Shama Obaed, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Nepali embassy in Dhaka, Lalita Silwal, were present at the meeting. After the meeting, Amir Khosru briefed reporters on the outcomes of the meeting. "Our relationship with Nepal is long-standing. We discussed various issues related to bilateral interests, regional cooperation and potentials," he said. Khosru said that their party believes Bangladesh should strengthen its ties with Nepal as a democratic state in South Asia. “We hope to see a reflection of human rights, good governance, and improved bilateral and regional relations in the days ahead." He said Bangladesh has enjoyed a strong relationship and cooperation with Nepal for a long time. “But we have not fully exploited the potential of the friendly ties as we should have." Khosru mentioned that they discussed with the Nepalese Ambassador how to utilise Saarc for regional development, people-to-people relations, and enhancing connectivity and economic progress in South Asia. “We have not been able to take Saarc to the level envisioned by the late President Ziaur Rahman. The Nepalese ambassador also shares the view that the region's potential has not been fully unlocked through SAARC,” he stated. The BNP leader said they also talked about collaborating to elevate Saarc for better regional cooperation and development. Khosru said they also discussed the possibility of importing Nepal's affordable hydroelectric power to Bangladesh.