United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged educated young people to become self-reliant by pursuing innovation and entrepreneurship, citing the success of a local innovator in Thakurgaon. Speaking at the inauguration of the Soleman Solar Irrigation Pump at Molani Bazar in Raipur Union of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, Fakhrul praised local innovator Soleman Ali, a former bicycle mechanic, for developing solar-powered irrigation technology that is benefiting farmers in the area. "Educated youths should try to create opportunities for themselves," he said. "Soleman Ali, despite being an ordinary bicycle mechanic, has been serving people in this region through his innovation. The government will provide greater support to help expand this initiative." Fakhrul said Soleman had independently developed the technology through years of dedication and was now supplying solar-powered electricity for agriculture, poultry farms and households. "I was not aware of his work until he recently visited Dhaka, where I learned about his remarkable achievement," he said. According to Fakhrul, Soleman inherited the bicycle repair profession from his father but gradually developed an interest in technology and realised that solar energy could provide a cost-effective solution for irrigation. He said Soleman currently operates 28 solar-powered irrigation pumps, supplying water to around 300 acres of farmland while also meeting much of the area's electricity demand through solar panels. "We, as the government, will try to promote and expand this technology," Fakhrul said. He also stressed the importance of recognising individuals who contribute to national development through innovation without seeking political recognition. "People like Soleman Ali work quietly and independently for the country's progress. That is why I repeatedly encourage educated youths to take initiative and do something on their own," he said. After the programme, Fakhrul visited the Ekota School and Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities in the area. Among others, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Rafiqul Haque, Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain, Executive Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) Mamun Biswas, Thakurgaon District BNP General Secretary Md Paigam Ali, local administration officials, BNP leaders and activists, and other distinguished guests were present.

Local Government and Rural Development Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the Election Commission has already started preparations to hold the local government elections in a free and neutral manner. “In order to arrange the next local government polls in a free, fair and impartial manner, the Election Commission has already started necessary preparations,” Fakhrul, also the Minister in charge of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat in Parliament, told Parliament, replying to a starred question from treasury bench member Sheikh Md Rejaul Islam (Naogaon-6). Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal tabled the question-answer session at the outset of the day’s business of the House. Fakhrul said the EC has undertaken the necessary preparations to ensure that a credible and participatory local government election is held within the stipulated timeframe. Replying to a question from NCP lawmaker Abul Hasnat, popularly known as Hasnat Abdullah (Cumilla-4), the minister said the EC  introduced, for the first time, an IT-supported postal ballot registration system to facilitate voting by Bangladeshis living abroad. He said the initiative will continue in the next national election and that the Election Commission is working to bring the maximum number of expatriate Bangladeshis under the postal balloting system to ensure their voting rights. In response to a question from opposition Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Abdul Karim (Gaibandha-2) Fakhrul Islam said right now the government has no plan to increase the salaries and allowances of union parishad chairmen and members.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday asked Jamaat-e-Islami to apologise to the nation for its role during the 1971 Liberation War, saying such a step would have helped remove longstanding political divisions. Speaking in Parliament during the budget discussion, the minister said some of the government's "friends" were trying to ignore and provoke them at a time when such an approach was not appropriate. "Our friends are trying to ignore us in different ways. They are also trying to provoke us in various ways. I don't think this is the right time. You should also look back at yourselves," he said. Referring to Jamaat's role during the Liberation War, Fakhrul said the party had never sought forgiveness for its actions in 1971. "You never apologised for your role in 1971. You should have apologised before the nation. Had you done so, many of today's problems would not have existed," he said. The minister also recalled that former Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam had once maintained that the party had made no mistake during the Liberation War. "Even now there is time for you to reconsider. You should clearly state your position on Bangladesh and let us and the people of Bangladesh know. I do not want to go any further. You never speak clearly about 1971," he added. When opposition lawmakers interrupted him, Fakhrul reiterated that Jamaat had never clearly acknowledged its role in the Liberation War. "I have never heard it. No one has heard it. If you acknowledge it, it will become much easier for you to conduct politics," he said. Commenting on the National Citizen Party (NCP), the minister criticised its alliance with a party that, he claimed, did not believe in Bangladesh's independence. "They have formed an alliance with a party that did not believe in Bangladesh's independence. I hope they will clarify their political position and move forward," he said. Describing NCP leaders as young politicians with considerable potential, Fakhrul said he wanted them to succeed in politics. "We want them to do well. They should not carry the stigma of being associated with those who continue to deny Bangladesh's very existence," he added.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the countrywide local government elections, to be held in phases, may begin in September or October this year after the end of the monsoon season. Replying to a question from ruling party lawmaker Md Mustafizur Rahman Babul (Jamalpur-3) during the question-answer session in Parliament with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair, he said the government plans to complete elections to all tiers of local government bodies within the next year. The minister said elections to Union Parishads, municipalities, Upazila Parishads, Zila Parishads and city corporations will be held gradually, subject to the availability of budgetary allocations. “The Union Parishad elections may be held first, followed by elections to other local government institutions in phases,” he said. Mirza Fakhrul also said elections to all 13 city corporations, including the newly established Bogura City Corporation, are expected to be completed within the same timeframe. Replying to another question from ruling party MP Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, he said the Local Government Division has already allocated Tk 6 lakh to each Upazila Parishad for constructing an inspection room within the Parishad premises for lawmakers and senior government officials. Responding to a question from reserved seat MP Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, the minister said the daily water demand in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation currently stands at 3.2-3.25 billion litres, with fluctuations during summer and winter seasons. He said the present daily water production capacity of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is around 2.95-3.0 billion litres. According to the minister, water is treated using advanced chemicals, including PAC, alum sulphate and chlorination, and supplied through the network only after quality testing in WASA laboratories in line with World Health Organization guidelines. He added that Dhaka WASA collects 40-50 water samples daily from different parts of the city and tests them against various parametres to ensure quality standards. In response to a question from reserved seat MP Selima Rahman, Mirza Fakhrul said household waste collection in the DNCC areas is currently carried out by private operators, who transport waste by vans to secondary transfer stations. He said efforts are underway to bring these operators under formal contracts with the city corporation. Once the contracting process is completed, the use of smaller covered vans for environment-friendly waste transportation will be considered. Replying to a question from reserved seat MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury, the minister said the government has taken steps to develop Version-2 of the Birth and Death Registration software. The upgraded system will include online payment facilities and blockchain-based tracking features, enabling authorities to identify any changes made to records and determine at which level such modifications occurred, he said. Mirza Fakhrul also said regular training is being provided for registrars and registration assistants across the country to simplify services and reduce public inconvenience.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday told Parliament that the government has adopted a comprehensive short-, medium- and long-term action plan to address Dhaka's persistent waterlogging problem, including canal restoration, drainage infrastructure upgrades and the construction of new pump stations. Replying to a written question from ruling party lawmaker Md Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9) in the House, which sat with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair, he said Dhaka's drainage crisis has worsened over the years due to the loss of rivers, canals and water bodies. Under the short-term programme, silt and waste are being removed from drains, box culverts and canals, while rainwater is being discharged through existing pump stations, Mirza Fakhrul said. He said portable pumps are also being used to drain accumulated rainwater from waterlogging-prone areas during heavy rainfall, while additional catchpits and iron gratings are being installed to improve drainage. To strengthen emergency response, ward-based teams have been formed to take immediate action in waterlogged areas, and obstructions hindering water flow are being removed, the minister said. He added that awareness programmes are being conducted to discourage the dumping of waste into drainage channels. On medium-term measures, Mirza Fakhrul said development work on four major canals are underway under a canal restoration, rehabilitation and beautification project. Construction of outlets is underway to discharge water from the Zia Sarani and Shyampur canals into the nearby Buriganga River, he said. The minister said new drains are also being constructed, while existing drainage infrastructure is being repaired and renovated to improve overall water discharge capacity. Regarding long-term plans, he said the government has adopted an extensive programme to modernise Dhaka's drainage network. The plan includes the development of around 50 kilometres of canals, including the Zia Sarani, Kajla and Mridhabari canals, along with other waterways. Mirza Fakhrul also said drainage and road infrastructure will be improved in 18 newly incorporated wards to reduce waterlogging. In the Dhaka South City Corporation area, additional outlets and pump stations will be built under the drainage master plan for 57 wards to ensure the quick discharge of rainwater, he said. The government also plans to assess the capacity of existing drainage facilities and undertake necessary upgrades to increase water flow, the minister said. In addition, utility ducts for electricity, gas, water supply and internet services will be constructed, while a sustainable and modern solid waste management system will be developed to support long-term drainage improvements and urban resilience, he added.

Local Government Minister and BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said research on life, work and political philosophy of martyred President Ziaur Rahman remains inadequate, stressing the need for comprehensive academic studies on his contributions. “Whenever we try to discuss martyred President Ziaur Rahman, it becomes clear that research on him is still very limited. In my view, this amounts to a certain injustice to history,” he said while addressing a photo exhibition and discussion organised at the Jatiya Press Club marking the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Fakhrul said Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, who was present at the event, now has an opportunity to take initiatives for conducting in-depth research on Ziaur Rahman’s life, work and political thoughts. “There is a need for a high-standard research project that thoroughly examines his entire life, achievements and his vision,” he said. At the beginning of his speech, Fakhrul referred to the FIFA World Cup and said he had watched the match of his favourite team, Brazil, the previous night. “I still enjoy sports. Perhaps that is why I still feel young, not in age, but certainly in spirit,” he said. Speaking about books written on Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul said the work of late journalist Mahfuz Ullah remains, in his view, one of the best research-based publications on the former president. “Among the books I have read, Mahfuz Ullah’s book impressed me the most. It is based on extensive research and offers valuable insights for those who want to understand Ziaur Rahman,” he said. Fakhrul said that although Ziaur Rahman served for only three and a half to four years, he initiated reforms and development efforts in almost every sector of the state. Zia’s greatest achievements were establishing a distinct Bangladeshi national identity, he said. “I am a Bangladeshi. I have a separate identity. I am not a Bengali from West Bengal, I am a citizen of this land. Through the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism, he established that distinct identity,” he said. Fakhrul also highlighted Ziaur Rahman’s efforts to revive Bangladesh’s economy following the devastating famine of 1974. Recalling Nobel laureate Amartya Sen’s observations, Fakhrul said the famine had been widely viewed as a man-made disaster resulting from policy failures. He said Zia sought to rebuild public confidence, stimulate economic growth and inspire people to work towards national development. “Many of these contributions are not discussed adequately,” he said. Fakhrul described Zia as a leader who travelled extensively across the country and worked directly with ordinary people to motivate them towards self-reliance and development. The BNP secretary general said Zia’s contributions extended beyond politics and economics and included efforts to inspire national confidence, democratic values and grassroots development. Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, journalists, researchers and admirers of the late president attended the event.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged people to remain vigilant against any attempts to destabilise the country. “A vested quarter is trying to create unrest at a time when the government has begun implementing its agenda under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. We are moving forward under his leadership. You must remain alert so that we are not misled again while working to rebuild the nation,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a large civic reception organised by residents of the newly formed Ruhia upazila at Ruhia High School ground in Thakurgaon as the chief guest. Expressing concern over growing drug addiction among young people, he called for a social movement against narcotics. “It is painful to see many of our youths becoming addicted to drugs. Drug abuse can destroy a nation. We must free ourselves from this menace. I urge our young people to stay away from drugs and build a social movement against addiction,” he said. “We assumed responsibility amid many difficulties. We are grateful to people for their trust and support. I thank people of all faiths—Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians—whose support has enabled me to serve,” he said. Referring to what he described as a positive development for Bangladesh, Fakhrul said the country has achieved a rare honour under Tarique Rahman’s leadership through its election to a key position at the United Nations General Assembly. He said Bangladesh would continue working to address its challenges though solutions would not come overnight.“You will have to be patient. We are trying to solve all problems step by step,” he said. Highlighting the government's initiatives, Fakhrul said the administration, which has been in office for only three months, has already begun implementing several commitments made by Tarique Rahman. “We have launched the Family Card programme, started work on the Farmer Card initiative and initiated canal excavation projects. We are trying to fulfil every commitment that was made,” he said.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said Ziaur Rahman and Bangladesh are inseparable, adding that the country's Liberation War began with Zia’s declaration of independence and that he later played a pivotal role in rebuilding the nation. “Ziaur Rahman and Bangladesh are inseparable. They cannot be separated. Through Ziaur Rahman’s declaration, the Liberation War of Bangladesh began and through that war Bangladesh emerged as a new state before the world,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while presiding over a discussion at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Farmgate marking the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. He said that after independence, people placed their trust in Ziaur Rahman and turned to him when they were searching for new leadership. “As an expression of the people’s confidence in him, he was entrusted with the responsibility of rebuilding the country through a soldiers-and-people revolution. The first phase was the struggle for independence and the second was the reconstruction of the nation,” Fakhrul said. Describing Ziaur Rahman’s emergence as a remarkable phenomenon, Fakhrul said the BNP founder appeared before the nation at critical moments of history. “It may be called a miraculous event that at every crucial moment this man emerged. In 1971, when people were confused and directionless, Major Zia’s call awakened the nation,” he said. “Again in 1975, when the country was in a similar situation, Major General Zia once more awakened and united the nation,” he added. Fakhrul highlighted various initiatives taken under Ziaur Rahman’s leadership, including post-war reconstruction, the promotion of Bangladeshi nationalism, the formation of what he described as a cabinet consisting of the country’s most capable individuals, the introduction of multi-party democracy, national unity and various economic reforms. Referring to ongoing political discussions about reforms, Fakhrul said BNP itself had introduced major reforms in the country. “Nowadays a political force talks only about reforms. They say we do not believe in reforms or implement reforms. But BNP itself gave birth to reforms,” he said. He said Ziaur Rahman introduced multi-party democracy after a one-party system of governance and carried out fundamental changes in the political structure of the country. “He ensured freedom of the media, judicial independence and established democratic institutions. These were major reforms and fundamental transformations,” Fakhrul said. The programme was moderated by BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku. Among others, BNP Standing Committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Dhaka North BNP Convener Aminul Haque, Dhaka South BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani, Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Islam Moni and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib spoke at the event. Economist Professor Mahbub Ullah, University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed, National University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Md Lutfor Rahman and Bangladesh Open University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dil Rowshan Jinnat Ara Naznin also spoke, highlighting different aspects of Ziaur Rahman’s life and contributions. The programme began with a one-minute silence in memory of Ziaur Rahman, followed by prayers seeking eternal peace for his departed soul.  

Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday outlined a comprehensive action plan in Parliament for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) to tackle waterlogging and mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, ahead of the monsoon season. Responding to a tabled question from BNP lawmaker Md Abul Kalam, the minister said the strategies emphasise strengthened surveillance, public participation and modern pest control methods. He said the DNCC has taken steps like control of Culex mosquitoes during the pre-monsoon season (March-May) and Aedes mosquitoes during the monsoon season, identification of risky areas and integrated mosquito control activities, strengthening the surveillance system and increasing public awareness and public involvement. It has also undertaken necessary coordination with relevant government institutions to strengthen mosquito control efforts. These measures include morning larviciding, removal and destruction of mosquito breeding grounds, and evening fogging operations aimed at eradicating Culex mosquitoes. Joint mosquito control drives are being conducted in high-risk hotspots such as closed canals, drains, and sewers. Additionally, the DNCC has cleaned approximately 6,000 bighas of water bodies across its jurisdiction. Under the slogan “Saturday’s Promise: Let’s Clean Our Own Homes,” the DNCC is conducting weekly cleanliness drives in 25 high-risk wards every Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00pm, based on guidance from the Directorate General of Health Services and the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research. These activities are ongoing in accordance with the established work plan. Fakhrul stated that the DNCC is also focusing on raising public awareness about dengue and eliminating mosquito breeding sites in vulnerable areas. As part of this initiative, a special initiative titled “Operation Clean Home: Healthy Lives” is being implemented in 25 dengue-prone wards from April 8, with activities continuing as planned. Furthermore, through hospital surveillance, the city corporation is collecting the residential addresses of dengue patients and deploying Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to carry out targeted mosquito control measures at those locations. This activity has been in operation since April 21, 2026. In addition to the chemical pesticides currently used, the more effective organic pesticide Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) is under the procurement process after trial application. To verify the quality of pesticides used by DNCC, pesticide testing activities are ongoing on a random basis by five reputable government/private organisations. New stickers/leaflets, booklets are being prepared for public awareness and public involvement, which are ongoing. Provision of precautionary bulk SMS during the monsoon season and OTV school promotion activities are also ongoing. The proper use of pesticides has been ensured as per the guidelines of the Technical Committee of the Local Government Division and the effectiveness is being tested regularly. Steps taken by DSCC As part of the waterlogging and dengue control activities during the upcoming monsoon season, the DSCC is conducting special cleaning and mosquito extermination campaigns every week in every area by involving the local people. In addition to waste management, mosquito repellent spraying activities are continuing every morning and evening to control dengue. Moreover, a monitoring team has been formed with officers to control mosquitoes in the DSCC areas. Under the supervision of the monitoring team, a special crash programme is being conducted by identifying risky places. Mobile court drives are being conducted in risky places to control dengue and fines are being imposed if necessary. Leaflet distribution/miking activities are underway in various educational institutions, religious establishments, markets, etc. to increase public awareness. In addition, publicity in this regard is continuing in print and electronic media. To reduce waterlogging during the season, cleaning activities are underway by identifying hotspots under short-term activities. Segunbagicha box culvert, Zia Sarani and Kajla canal cleaning activities are already being implemented. Cleaning work of other canals, box-culverts and sewers will be implemented in phases. Six portable pumps have already been purchased to remove rainwater from waterlogging areas quickly. Currently, water from the DSCC areas is being drained through three outlets. Activities to construct one more outlet are underway and a plan has been taken to construct one new outlet (large sewer) from Gulistan to Sadarghat section with World Bank funding. A plan has been taken to construct the required number of outlets after conducting a survey and feasibility study by engaging a consulting firm. If the overall action plan is implemented, waterlogging will be reduced in the upcoming monsoon season. It is hoped that it will be possible to control dengue, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases, the minister said.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday told Parliament that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) continues its investigation into alleged anomalies in the Tk 3,825-crore Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) project. “A project was implemented for the period of July 2018 to June 2024 at an estimated cost of Tk 3825.34 crore for procurement of 1.5 lakh EVMs under the Election Commission Secretariat,” he said. The minister said this, replying to a scripted question from treasury bench lawmaker Md. Shamsur Rahman Simul Biswas (Pabna-5). Earlier, the parliamentary session resumed at 3:00pm with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair. The LGRD Minister said The EVM project was completed in June, 2024 and the Project Completion Report (PCR) was sent to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division on May 13, 2025, but the evaluation report has not been received till date, he said “Audit objections regarding the EVM project have been raised by the audit directorate, which have not been resolved yet. An investigation is underway under the Anti-Corruption Commission regarding the project,” he said. Mirza Fakhrul Islam said the Election Commission at a meeting on July 10, 2025 decided that EVMs will not be used in any national and local level elections. Currently, the EVMs are stored in various godowns, Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) and the basement of the Election Commission Secretariat, he said.