United News of Bangladesh

The widely circulated claim that Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus stated the next election would be conducted under the Proportional Representation (PR) system is false, Chief Adviser’s press wing said on Saturday. Recently some social media accounts circulated a false Photo Card, claiming that the Chief Adviser said that the upcoming 13th national election in Bangladesh would be conducted under the Proportional Representation (PR) system, according to CA Press Wing facts. No such statement has been made by the Chief Adviser, said the Press wing, stressing that the claim is entirely baseless, falsely using his name to spread misinformation. While the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system has been a topic of discussion among political parties in the Consensus Commission dialogue, no final decision has been reached on its adoption. Press Secretary for critical assessment of journalism during AL regime Earlier, on June 26, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin held a courtesy meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Speaking to reporters at his office, the CEC clarified that although the meeting involved discussions on preparations for the upcoming national election, there was no conversation about the election date or the voting method. Importantly, he made no mention of adopting a PR system.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abdul Kalam Azad Majumder on Wednesday warned that the interim government would take legal action against those who publish misleading or false information. "We have never given anyone a licence to publish false reports," he said, stressing that the government will take legal steps against anyone spreading misinformation from now on. At a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Azad also said the interim government upholds press freedom and welcomes constructive criticisms. The Chief Adviser's Office strongly criticised a media report claiming that freedom fighter status had been revoked for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and over 400 political leaders, calling it "false, baseless and misleading" and warning of legal action against those responsible. Supporting preparations for credible elections among priorities in 2025: Gwyn Lewis Azad said the government hopes the news outlets who published "wrong, misleading" reports will correct their mistakes, publish a corrigendum in the same spot where they published the wrong report, and apologise to their readers and the people of Bangladesh who were misled by these reports. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were also present at the briefing.    

Four Bangladeshi women athletes who recently accompanied Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on a official visit to Qatar returned home and shared their experience with the media on Friday at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. This historic visit was the first time that female athletes joined the head of government as official delegates on a foreign mission. Footballers Afida Khandakar and Shaheda Akhter Ripa, and cricketers Sumaiya Akhter and Sharmin Sultana represented Bangladesh’s growing presence in women’s sports. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder introduced the athletes to the media on Friday, after they returned home.  “They visited Qatar’s sports facilities, met with senior sports officials, and were interviewed by the local media. It was a completely new experience for them,” Azad Majumder said. Sharmin Sultana was one of the two women cricketers of this visit, she said the tour was significant for them.  “We visited two major stadiums, one of which hosted the men’s FIFA World Cup and is now dedicated to women’s football. We also had the chance to speak with the founder of the Qatar Foundation, which supports women’s sports,” Sharmin said in front of the media.  “It was an honour. People congratulated us throughout the trip,” Sumaiya Akhter, the other cricketer, said.  Shaheda Akter Ripa noted that the visiting team discussed injury management challenges for female athletes in Bangladesh during their meetings. “We raised the issue of limited rehab facilities for women in sports” he said, recalling their meeting with the high official of Qatar Foundation.  “It was a huge achievement for us and for women’s sports in Bangladesh to travel as official representatives with the Chief Adviser,” Afida Khandakar, the woman footballer, said.  The visit was part of Bangladesh’s official delegation to the Earthna Summit in Doha. After finishing the Qatar visit, the Chief Adviser travelled to the Vatican to attend the funeral of the Pope, who recently passed away after suffering prolonged illness.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep respect for Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and spoke highly of his works during their bilateral meeting held in Bangkok on Friday. "We saw her (Hasina’s) disrespectful behaviour towards you. But we continued to respect and honour you," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted Prime Minister Modi as saying, referring to one of the things he said in the meeting while India had good relations with Sheikh Hasina. The Press Secretary made the remarks in a post shared from his verified Facebook account. Dr Yunus seeks Thaksin’s support to strengthen ties, resolve Rohingya crisis And when Professor Yunus raised the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, Alam said, the response was not negative. "We are confident Hasina will one day be extradited to Dhaka and we will watch the trial of the century," the Press Secretary said. Alam said it was quite clear India wants to chart a new course in its relations with Bangladesh. "The Indian Prime Minister told Professor Yunus several times during the meeting that India's relations are with the people of Bangladesh, not with any single party or individuals," said the Press Secretary. Ready to provide further humanitarian support: Dr Yunus tells Myanmar PM Prof Yunus has said several times in recent months that Bangladesh wants "the best of relations" with India. "But it has to be based on fairness, equity and mutual respect," Alam added.

Three people were detained in connection with the attempt to loot valuables from a house in Gulshan area of Dhaka on Tuesday night, Chief Adviser's press wing  said in a Facebook post. The detainees are Jewel Khandarkar, 48, his son Shakil Khandakar, 24, and another Shakil Ahmed, 28. A group of 20 to 25 people entered the house of the ex-wife of Tanvir Imam, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s political adviser HT Imam, on Tuesday night hearing that huge amount of illegal money, arms and collaborators of the Awami League had been kept in the house.    They vandalised the house  and tried to loot valuables in the name of search, according to the post. Responding to a call from the national emergency-999, army members, deputy commissioner of Gulshan Zone of police, officer-in-charge of Gulshan police station rushed to the spot and detained the trio from the house. In primary investigation it was revealed that Shakil Ahmed once worked as caretaker at the house and he provoked people to enter the house spreading rumor that that they could get Tk200-300 crore in the house. Member of teen gang held in Dhaka’s Pallabi Earlier on Monday around 10:30pm, a group of people also tried to enter the house on the same excuse but failed as police sent them back from there. The Ministry of Home warned all not to take the law into their own hands and inform the nearest police station if any crime occurs anywhere. The government is trying to maintain law and order in the country and is determined to ensure safety of lives and property.