European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday and discussed a range of issues relating to Bangladesh’s upcoming elections, reforms and bilateral issues. The hour-long meeting, which began around 11 am, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were also present at the meeting. Chinese Ambassador meets foreign secy, discusses various issues Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Khosru said, “We had an extensive discussion regarding the overall political and economic situation in Bangladesh, as well as bilateral matters.” He said they also talked about Bangladesh’s upcoming general election, the ongoing reform initiatives, and the restoration of democratic processes. The BNP leader said the EU is keen to assist Bangladesh in building capacity to strengthen the electoral process and various institutions through reforms.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the massacre at Pilkhana lasted for two days under the leadership of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Fakhrul made the allegation on Tuesday morning after placing wreaths at the graves of the martyred military officers and personnel at the military cemetery in Banani, Dhaka, marking the National Martyred Army Day. Tributes paid to martyrs of 2009 Pilkhana tragedy "This day is a dark chapter for the army. The enemies of the armed forces killed 57 brilliant military officers that day. Their objective was to destroy the country's security system," Fakhrul said. The BNP leader said they appreciate the government for declaring this day as a national day. “We also extend our condolences to the families of the slain military personnel."

BNP Vice-Chairman and former minister Abdullah Al Noman passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. He was 82. He breathed his last around 6 am at Square Hospitals Ltd in Dhaka, his personal assistant Nurul Azim Hiru told UNB. Hiru said that freedom fighter Noman was taken to the hospital early in the morning as was feeling unwell. But physicians declared him dead upon arrival. He is survived by a son, a daughter, grandsons-daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. In separate condolence messages, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep shock and sorrow at his passing. They prayed for the salvation of his departed soul and conveyed their sympathies to the bereaved family. The news of his death has left BNP leaders and activists in Chattogram in shock. His first Namaz-e-Janaza was held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament and the Namaz-e-Janaza was held in front of the Nayapaltan party office in the capital after Asr prayers. National Award-winning filmmaker Zahidur Rahim Anjan passes away BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, among others, attended the second Namaz-e-Janaza. Earlier in the first Namaz-e-Janaza, BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, vice chairman Abdus Salam Pintu, joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and Bikalpa Dhara Secretary General Major (Retd) Abdul Mannan were, among others, were present. His body will be taken to Chattogram. Noman was first elected as an MP from the Kotwali constituency of the port city in 1991. He served as the Fisheries Minister after winning the 1991 national election and later as the Food Minister following his victory in 2001. A native of Gohira village in Raozan upazila, Noman was scheduled to address a party programme in the city today (Tuesday).

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged India to resolve the Teesta water-sharing issue, stop border killings and shun its 'big brotherly' attitude to maintain good relations with the people of Bangladesh. “We would like to make it clear to India that if you want to maintain a relationship with the people of Bangladesh, you must ensure our justified share of water from the Teesta, stop shooting our people along the border, and abandon the big brotherly attitude towards us,” Fakhrul said while addressing a gathering in Lalmonirhat. While inaugurating a two-day programme across 11 points in the vicinity of the Teesta involving five northern districts, he called upon the interim government to take a stronger stance in ensuring a just share of Teesta water for Bangladesh. The Teesta River Protection Movement organised the programme under the theme "Jago Bahe Teesta Bachai," also demanding the swift implementation of the Teesta Mega Project. He said Bangladesh wants to stand on its own feet and realise all its justified rights and shares as a neighbouring country of India. The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh definitely wish to maintain friendly relations with India, but that relationship must be built on dignity, with all dues and fair shares recognised. He said many had hoped India would ensure Teesta water for Bangladesh after the Awami League came to power in 2009. “But nothing happened. It (Awami League) sold Bangladesh to India but couldn't secure even a drop of water.” Fakhrul said their party fought against the Awami League regime over the past 15 years, and the chief of their party along with many leaders had fled to India following the 36-day intense movement led by students. “On one hand, they (India) don't provide us with our water, and on the other, they keep our enemy (Sheikh Hasina) in New Delhi like a queen,” he said. Sudden rise in Teesta water threatens vegetables farming in Lalmonirhat The BNP leader alleged that from India Sheikh Hasina is instructing Awami League leaders and workers to create chaos in the country. “But all the Awami League leaders fled to India.” Fakhrul said the current interim government claims itself to be impartial. “But it must not remain neutral over the Teesta water issue. You have to raise your voice to ensure our fair share of water.” He also called on the interim government to swiftly arrange the next national election to hand over power to people and their elected representatives. Govt to pursue int’l pressure for having fair Teesta water share: Adviser Presiding over the event, BNP’s Rangpur divisional organising secretary Asadul Habib Dulu said their movement is not of any party or opinion. “This is the public demand of the entire Rangpur region. Through which the Teesta master plan, including the fair share of Teesta River water, will be implemented. We want satellite villages, economic zones, tourism centres, agricultural and industrial revolutions to be built in this neglected region through the Teesta master plan,” he said.  “The people of Rangpur region have united today to realise their demands and our movement will continue until our reasonable demands are met,” the BNP leader said. Several lakhs of people from Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Gaibandha under the Rangpur division joined the sit-in programme, with a good number of women attending. Visiting the riverbanks, UNB’s Lalmonirhat correspondent revealed that people took position between Teesta Rail Bridge and Teesta Road Bridge after setting up tents and other makeshift structures.   The authorities concerned arranged food for those attending the programme.   BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Biplobi Workers Party’s General Secretary Saiful Haque, Jatiya Party (Jafar) Chairman Mostata Jamal Haider and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Adviser Singer Baby Nazin, among others, addressed the event where Mirza Fakhrul attended.  BNP standing committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, party’s Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu, Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki attended as the chief guests at the rest 10 spots. Tuesday's events include displaying documentation on the Teesta River, singing local songs, flying kites and playing native sports. In the districts, massive publicities were conducted to woo people to join the 48-hour event for the past few days.   

Stating that the UN fact-finding report rightly revealed Sheikh Hasina’s involvement in mass killings during the July-August mass uprising, the BNP has demanded that India return her to Bangladesh for prosecution. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the demand at a press briefing at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after a meeting with Acting British High Commissioner in Dhaka, James Goldman, on Thursday. “I would like to thank the UN fact-finding committee for their report, which correctly states that the killings were carried out as per the orders of a particular individual, the fascist Hasina,” he said. He said the report said the mass killings, all human rights violations, and the destruction of democracy and institutions were carried out by her orders. People to decide on AL ban, says Fakhrul "It has been proven that Hasina is a fascist who has tortured, persecuted and killed the people of this country. We are calling upon the Indian government today to immediately return her (Hasina) and her accomplices to Bangladesh and hand her over to the government for trial. This is our expectation,” Fakhrul said. He expressed their party’s relief as the truth about the incidents that took place has now been uncovered through the UN report. “The problem is that when the United Nations speaks, we all believe it. But when we, the political parties, say it, many are reluctant to believe. Anyway, I would like to thank the UN team that came here and presented the report.” The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its Fact-Finding Report titled 'Human Rights Violations and Abuses Related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh' on Friday. Fakhrul also talked about the issue of enforced disappearances and the "Aynaghar torture cells," saying, it is a fact that the people of Bangladesh have been subjected to enforced disappearances and brutal killings. "Enforced disappearances and killings are not limited to any particular party. The people of Bangladesh have been made to disappear here (in Aynaghar), and they have been brutally killed... These are the things we have been saying from the very beginning,” he said. When the report on Aynaghar was released on Al Jazeera, the BNP leader said the Awami League government at the time had completely denied it, claiming that nothing like this was there. “But from the very beginning, these things were taking place." BNP files complaint with ICT over killing of its leaders, activists He alleged that the Awami League regime used to pick people up and then falsely accuse them of being militants. Many people were repressed in torture cells to extract various confessions about their supposed involvement in militant activities, the BNP leader said. “Some people were kept in the torture cells to create a fake narrative, using them to stage militant dramas at different times... they showed that militant training was happening in various houses and bombs were being made, all to demonstrate that militants were spreading. But today, it has been proven that the things we said were true,” he said. Fakhrul said the Awami League government, at that time, deliberately violated human rights in Bangladesh, destroyed democracy, and targeted the opposition simply to remain in power.

Acting British High Commissioner in Dhaka James Goldman met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday and discussed a range of issues relating to Bangladesh’s upcoming national election and the current political situation. The hour-long meeting, which began around 11am, took place at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said foreign missions in Dhaka are keen to understand the latest political situation, political developments and incidents in Bangladesh. Brazilian envoy meets Fakhrul, discusses elections issues  As part of this, he said the acting British High Commissioner met him to discuss the country’s current political situation and the steps being taken by the interim government. The BNP leader said the British envoy also inquired about BNP's relations with other countries. "They (UK) wanted to know when the election might be held. Even we are unclear about that, as it is still largely speculative," Fakhrul said. Singapore’s envoy meets Fakhrul, discusses bilateral issues He informed that British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, who is currently in London, would meet BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman later today (Thursday).

A three-member BNP delegation, including party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, is set to attend the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, USA. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will lead the delegation, with Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury as the other member. Contacted, Mirza Fakhrul confirmed that he, along with Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, will depart for Washington on Sunday evening. “The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event in the United States. Our party’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has also been invited to this event. As he is unable to attend, his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, will represent him,” he said. Fakhrul said Zaima will travel to Washington from London and join the event. Congressmen invite BNP's top leaders to join ‘National Prayer Breakfast’ BNP Media Cell Member Sayrul Kabir Khan said Mirza Fakhrul and Amir Khosru are scheduled to leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for the USA on an Emirates Airlines flight at 6:30pm this evening. The National Prayer Breakfast, scheduled for 5-6 February in Washington, D.C., is an annual event that serves as a platform for dialogue among national and international leaders. The event is organised by the US Congress and invites global political and social figures for discussions on faith, leadership, and global issues. US govt distances itself from IRF Summit, National Prayer Breakfast On 11 January, the National Prayer Breakfast Committee extended invitations to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury to participate in the event.

Brazilian Ambassador to Bangladesh Paulo Fernando Dias Feres met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed issues relating to the next national election and bilateral cooperation. The over an hour-long meeting, which began at around 11 am on Tuesday, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obed were also present at the meeting. Briefing reporters about the outcome of the meeting, Khosru said, “We had an in-depth discussion on the current bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brazil and the various possibilities for strengthening them further.” In response to a question, he said they had also discussed Bangladesh’s forthcoming national election, with Brazil expressing its desire for the election to take place. Khosru said they discussed Brazil’s cooperation in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector, including cattle farming and increasing meat and milk production. “Brazil holds a very strong position in agriculture, and we import many agricultural commodities from Brazil, including sugar,” the BNP leader said. Read: Fakhrul meets UK minister Catherine West He said Bangladesh exports garments and pharmaceutical products to Brazil, but they acknowledged there is potential to further enhance these exports. Khosru mentioned that they had raised the issue of Brazil’s cooperation in improving Bangladesh’s sports sector, particularly football. The meeting also covered expanding cooperation in the cultural sector and promoting cultural exchanges. Khosru said trade between the two countries exceeds $2 billion, with the balance of payments currently in Brazil’s favour. “So, we need to increase exports to Brazil, particularly in garments and pharmaceuticals.” He also urged the Brazilian envoy to lift the existing embargo on the export of Bangladesh’s jute to Brazil. “If we can increase exports of garments, pharmaceuticals, and jute to Brazil, the balance of payments could either be balanced or shift in our favour,” the BNP leader said. Khosru said they encouraged the Brazilian envoy to facilitate increased investment in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector, especially in cattle and milk production. Read more: Fakhrul discusses bilateral issues with Chinese ambassador The BNP leader said Brazil is keen to export red meat to Bangladesh and set up a warehouse here to meet local demand at lower prices. He also said Brazil is eager to transfer technology to help Bangladesh produce meat and milk more cost-effectively.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sat in a meeting with Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) IAB Ameer Syed Md Rezaul Karim on Monday. The meeting began around 12:15pm at the IAB’s central office in the capital’s Purana Paltan area. Fakhrul along with BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu went to the IAB office around 12:05pm. Read: Interim govt forgetting duty to transfer power after fair polls: Hafizuddin IAB Senior Presidium Member Principal Syed Mosaddek Billah Al Madani, Secretary General Principal Maulana Yunus Ahmad, Presidium Member Professor Ashraf Ali Akon, Senior Joint Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman and Joint Secretary General Maulana Imtiaz Alam are also present at the meeting. Earlier, on Jan 21, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and IAB Ameer Syed Md Rezaul Karim had a meeting at the Charmonai Darbar Sharif in Barishal.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said that reforms and elections are not mutually exclusive, as both can progress parallel without hindrance. “There’s no conflict between reforms and elections. The reforms will continue, and so will the elections,” he said while speaking to reporters after paying tribute to Ziaur Rahman on the occasion of his 89th birth anniversary. He said the party that wins the election and forms the government will carry forward the reforms. “We can say it clearly, on behalf of our party, that we will take forward every reform (if we form the government),” the BNP leader assured. Sought remarks on the submitted reports of the four reform commissions, Fakhrul declined to comment as their party has not yet received the reports. He also mentioned that the government has said it will hold discussions with political parties after receiving the reports and would then make a decision on the reform proposals. The BNP Secretary General, however, said no reform proposal will be accepted without consensus. “On this day, we pray for stronger unity among all people and hope that we can soon return to democracy through an election, establishing a proper democratic system,” he said. Read: Safeguard freedom of expression, voting rights to resist autocrats: Tarique Earlier, Fakhrul along with BNP leaders and activists paid homage to its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman, marking his birth anniversary. Thousands of BNP leaders and activists, led by Fakhrul, placed wreaths at Zia's Sher-e-Banglanagar grave around 11:15am. Read more: BNP promises to ignore loan defaulters in upcoming election They later offered fateha following a special munajat seeking salvation of the departed soul of Zia. BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan, Chairperson's Advisory Council Members Amanullah Aman, Zainul Abedin Farroque, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, central leaders Khairul Kabir Khokon, Abdus Salam, Kamruzzaman Ratan, Mir Sarafat Ali, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Saiful Alam Nirab, Dr Rafiqul Islam, Amirulzzaman Khan Shimul, Dhaka north city unit president Aminul Haque and south city unit president Rafiqul Alam Mojnu were, among others, present. Leaders and activists of BNP's different units and associate bodies also placed wreaths at Zia's grave.