United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said his party, if voted to power, will create one crore jobs within 18 months. He made the remarks at a discussion titled ‘Business, Trade and Economy’ at the Zila Parishad auditorium. Speaking at the event as the chief guest, Khosru said BNP would ensure a democratic economic system so that everyone has equal opportunities to participate in economic activities. He also criticised the government saying that they are trying to impose their opinions on the public without mandate and accused them of delaying the upcoming election process. BNP to ensure Bangladesh Bank’s full independence: Khosru Talking about the country’s trade and business situation, he said it is in a dire state, with investors unable to make new investments. “Why do you wait until February? If possible, hold the election now and free the businessmen,” he said, quoting business leaders. Former FBCCI director and ex-president of the Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Md Lutfor Rahman presided over the event, while BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and former Rajshahi City Corporation mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu attended it as the special guest. Leaders from the Chapainawabganj, Natore, Naogaon and Joypurhat chambers, along with the presidents of the Hili and Sonamasjid land ports’ CMFFs, also joined the programme, organised by Rajshahi Divisional Business Forum. Read more: BNP to revoke power sector indemnity provision if voted to power: Rizvi

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday questioned who gave political parties the authority to decide on holding a referendum over introducing a proportional representation (PR) system in Bangladesh. “Why should we go for a referendum on PR? First of all who has given us that responsibility? The people didn’t give us this responsibility,” he said while addressing a seminar. The seminar, titled ‘Election 2026: A Critical Look at Proportional Representation’, was arranged by Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cosmos Group, at the Cosmos Centre in the capital’s Moghbazar area. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) was the media partner of the event. UNB Editor-in-Chief Enayetullah Khan presided over the session. Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, also said the country’s people not political parties, will on PR system through elections. The BNP leader said every party has many issues where there is no consensus. “So, if you go for a referendum on each of them, you’ll end up doing referendums for the next two years.” He said the current interim government in Bangladesh has been formed based on the constitution and it is also being run under the same constitutional framework. “So, we want to restore democratic order and bring about any changes later, we must first hold an election under the current constitution and return to a democratic system,” the BNP leader observed. Once a democratic system is restored in the country, Khosru said, discussions can take place inside and outside parliament on reform issues like the PR system. “You can’t have a meaningful public debate when you don’t have a democratic government in place,” he argued. The BNP leader also said those who want PR should first earn people’s mandate.” No one has given 30 political parties the authority to decide the country’s future. It’s the people who will decide through elections.” Moyeen Khan rejects proportional representation system He also said it is unrealistic to expect all political parties to agree on every issue. “We’re not forming a one-party Baksal system. Differences in ideas and policies will always exist, and that’s the beauty of democracy. Each party should go to the people with its own vision.”

he European Union (EU) has decided to send election observers to Bangladesh for the upcoming national election, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday. “The EU has decided to send observers following requests from the government and the Election Commission. They are eagerly waiting to see a fair, transparent and acceptable election in Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting between BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Khosru said the discussion mainly focused on the upcoming national election, expected to be held in the first half of February, and the overall electoral process. He said the EU has always played an important role in Bangladesh’s electoral process and will continue to do so this time as well. Fakhrul issues fresh warning of election conspiracy The BNP leader said the talks also covered several issues, including the economy, trade relations, institutional reforms, and the importance of strengthening democracy in Bangladesh. Highlighting Bangladesh’s strong economic ties with the EU, Khosru said the country’s ready-made garments sector has grown significantly thanks to the EU’s duty-free market access. “They want to continue this support, and in the coming days, they want Bangladesh–EU trade relations to remain strong and uninterrupted.” He said the EU also expressed its willingness to continue supporting efforts to make democracy in Bangladesh more institutional and sustainable. The BNP leader said the EU wants to see democratic institutions — Parliament, government, judiciary, and the media — functioning independently. Khosru said the EU is also keen to help create an environment where people can enjoy freedom of expression and democratic rights. “We welcome this initiative. If we want democracy in Bangladesh to continue, we must make it institutional. The elements that make democracy work also need to be institutionalised, and the institutions themselves must function independently. We need to restore our democratic culture and revive the values that have been lost,” he said. Sheltering an ‘autocrat’ is India’s choice: Tarique Rahman The BNP leader said their discussion also touched on the need to make Parliament stronger and more effective. “A strong democracy cannot exist without a strong Parliament, and the EU wants to support efforts to strengthen parliamentary activities." The EU ambassador arrived at the BNP Chairperson’s office around 11am and held the meeting with Fakhrul for one hour and ten minutes. Apart from Khosru, BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were also present at the meeting.

Top business leaders in a meeting with BNP on Sunday voiced their concerns about the immediate impact of graduating from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and advocated for a three-year deferment. “We have heard from the business community about the advantages and disadvantages. From this, it is quite clear that moving towards LDC graduation at this moment will not be helpful for Bangladesh’s present and future trade, business, and investment,” said BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury after the meeting. He said the statistics presented by the previous Awami League government in the context of LDC graduation have now come under question. “Taking everything into account—Bangladesh’s future, economy, investment, business, and trade—if we truly want to keep moving forward towards the vision of a new Bangladesh, then at this moment LDC graduation needs to be put on hold,” the BNP leader said. He mentioned that the business leaders discussed with them the necessity of deferring LDC graduation for now. Khosru, who attended the meeting, said the business leaders also suggested that the government should formally write to the United Nations on this issue—clearly stating whether Bangladesh is genuinely ready for graduation at this stage. He said the interim government needs to send a letter to the UN so that its representatives can come to Bangladesh and directly assess the ground reality of the country’s readiness. Earlier, an 11-member business delegation, led by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office around 5pm. After nearly the hour-long meeting, Amir Khosru and Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu talked to reporters about the outcome. Other members of the business delegation included Tapan Chowdhury, AK Azad, Syed Nasim Manzur, Kamran Tanvirur Rahman, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Taskeen Ahmed, Mohammad Hatem, Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, and Dr Rashid Ahmed Hossaini. Khosru said that almost all the leaders of Bangladesh’s business community, who drive the country’s economy, met Fakhrul and mainly discussed two issues—LDC graduation and the labour issue. BNP’s Rizvi accuses Jamaat of trying to build ‘state within the state’

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday warned that anyone trying to create instability in the country ahead of the upcoming national election with various demands must face political consequences. “The country is now heading towards an election, and we have all made sacrifices together over the past 15 or 16 years for this. Whatever demands any party may have--that is their right--but those demands have no connection with the election process,” he said. Talking to reporters after visiting injured Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, the BNP leader said political parties can take their demands to the people and come to Parliament with the people’s mandate to implement their proposals. “But these demands are not linked to the election process. If anyone tries to create instability at this stage, they will have to pay a political price for it,” he added. Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, met Nur at his residence in the capital’s Rampura Mahanagar area and enquired about his treatment and health condition. He said Nur is set to go to Singapore for advanced treatment as he received serious injuries. The BNP leader said the people want a stable environment and everyone wishes to see Bangladesh gradually return to a democratic order where stability ensures the safety and security of people’s lives. “What Nur said is true — the sooner we can have a democratic government through an election, one that has the people’s support and is politically strong, the better,” he said. Khosru said the recent attack on Nur has shown that without an elected government, there is no accountability. “A government’s strength comes from the people. Without that, incidents like these will keep happening… and may increase in the days ahead.” He said restoring political stability in the country is only possible through an elected government backed by the people’s support. BNP must rebuild public trust, woo young voters: Tarique Amir Khosru said the sooner the nation moves towards elections and restores a proper political atmosphere, the sooner the country will have an elected government supported by the people--one under which all state organs can be properly controlled under political authority. “This is not possible without an elected government. Without it, untoward incidents will continue and instability will remain.” The BNP leader said there is clearly a crisis of accountability in the country as there is no functioning Parliament or elected government. “We cannot deny that a lack of accountability already exists, but blaming anyone will not help.” Khosru said there is nothing wrong with demanding a proportional representation (PR) election system or other political reforms, as different parties have different ideologies, views and principles. “We cannot expect all parties to be in full agreement, as each one has its own views. But any demand or political agenda must be pursued through democratic means. There’s nothing wrong with making such demands. But those demands must be taken to the people… they have to be fulfilled through elections with the people’s mandate — and that is what democracy is,” he observed. BNP leaders meet EU team; discuss election, democratic transition The BNP leader said those who believe in democracy must have faith in the people, and any party that wants to bring change in the future must go to the people, gain their mandate, come to Parliament, engage in discussion and debate, and then pass laws. “That is what democracy means, and people must believe in this process. If we don’t, stability will not come to the country. It will only open the door for a defeated force, and we will create space for them,” he said. On the night of 29 August, a clash broke out in Bijoynagar between leaders and activists of the Jatiya Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad. Law enforcement later intervened to disperse both sides. At least 50 people, including Nurul Haque Nur and the party’s General Secretary Rashed Khan, were injured during the incident. Due to serious injuries, Nur was initially admitted to Islami Bank Hospital and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on doctors’ advice. After 18 days of treatment, he returned home on Monday.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said the party will begin discussions on seat sharing with its political allies once the election schedule is announced.  “We’ve not reached that stage yet to talk about seat sharing. This process will begin once the election schedule is announced and election-related activities start,” he said. Khosru, also a BNP Standing Committee member, made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting between BNP’s liaison committee and the Gono Odhikar Parishad at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. He said the seat-sharing issue will be addressed only after the election process officially begins. “We’ll discuss it with all like-minded parties once the schedule is announced.” During the meeting with Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders, Khosru said they shared the outcome of the recent meeting between Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London. PM’s term limit to curb path to autocracy: Salahuddin He mentioned that both parties are pleased with the announcement that the election is likely to be held in February next year. The BNP leader also said they discussed how to move forward and carry out necessary preparations ahead of the election, including how to implement the 31-point reform agenda. “As we were united during the movement, we’ll move forward together in the coming days – during the election, in forming the government and in implementing the 31-point reform.” Speaking about the ongoing meetings of the National Consensus Commission, Khosru said reforms will be carried out based on issues where political parties can agree. “There is no scope to go beyond that.” He said every party has its own political ideas, philosophy and future goals. “So, it’s not necessary to reach a consensus on everything. Some issues are important to BNP, while others matter more to different parties. These differences will remain. That’s why the reforms will focus on the agreed issues, while other matters will be presented to the people in the election.” Khosru said BNP is waiting for the government’s decision on swearing in its leader Ishraque Hossain as the Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), following a court ruling that declared him the winner of the DSCC election. “The judiciary has given a clear decision by declaring Ishraque the mayor. The Election Commission also approved this and gave its opinion. So, legally, he should take charge as mayor,” he said. EU envoy hopes for restoration of democracy in Bangladesh: Khosru Khosru said both the BNP and the current interim government believe in the rule of law. “We firmly believe that if we truly follow the rule of law, it is only natural for Ishraque to be sworn in as mayor. We are now waiting for the government’s decision in this regard.”  

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.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said their party expects nothing from current Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal as he is working as a ‘tool’ of the government. “The statements he (CEC) is making manifest that he’s thinking of putting (Awami League) in power though stealing (votes) like in the past. So, there is no reason to expect from him,” he told a seminar. Instead of focusing on the polls, the BNP leader also said the CEC has been making contradictory comments about the government’s assistance in holding the next general election. “What this man (CEC) is doing now is his job since he was put there as a tool of the fascist regime. His task is to put Sheikh Hasina in power again by stealing votes in the next election. What do you expect from him? You can't expect anything from them,” he observed. US pre-election monitoring team to meet BNP Monday The seminar titled 'Acceptable National Elections: Election-time Neutral Government, Structural Reforms and the Role of Major Stakeholders organized by NDM’s Think Tank, 'Governance and Policy Research-GPR), at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity Office. Professor AKM Waresul Karim presented the keynote at the programme. Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, also said no institution of the country, including the judiciary is now functional under the rule of the current regime. BNP announces fresh programme with renewed focus on Dhaka  He said all institutions are now serving the ‘fascist’ regime while the media outlets are being regulated. “The only way to get rid of this situation is to remove this regime through united efforts. This is not a single party's struggle as this is a struggle for the freedom of the country’s 18 crore people. Bangladesh became independent once through the Liberation War. It’s now the second liberation war for establishing democracy in the country,” the BNP leader said. Khosru alleged that the Awami League government annulled the polls-time non-party government system, which was added to the constitution based on national consensus, as part of its plan to hang onto power. "The cancellation of this provision by the court was unconstitutional and illegal.” BNP trashes Quader’s claim about ‘clandestine’ understating with US He said their party has already presented a 31-point proposal to restore democratic politics and build the country through various reforms after the fall of the current regime. The BNP leader said they their party wants the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government to restore true democracy, human rights, the rule of law, press freedom, and freedom of expression and ensure a level playing field and equal rights of all. Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM chairman Bobby Hajjaj, BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and AB Party member secretary Mujibur Rahman Monju, among others, spoke at the seminar.  

BNP Senior leader  Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currying favour with foreigners to hang onto power after getting isolated from the country’s people. “The Prime Minister is out on tours.  Those who are alienated from people are now seeking the favour of foreigners (to stay in power),” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said Awami League has got completely isolated from people and politically defeated.  “They have become dependent on certain apparatuses of the state and the are dependent on other forces to cling to power. So, they’re going from country to country and door to door seeking a favour. They have no connection with the people of Bangladesh,” he observed. Sher-e-Bangla Jatiya Jubo Smriti Foundation arranged the discussion meeting  at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 61st death anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to Tokyo on Tuesday at the start of her four-day official visit to Japan. Tokyo is the first stop during the PM’s two-week three-nation official visit that will also take her to the United States and the United Kingdom. Read more: People have given verdict for restoration of caretaker govt: Khasru Khosru said the Prime Minister will not be able to make any political gain, no matter how many countries she goes around with a stance against the people of Bangladesh. “You have to be defeated.  When the people of the country take a decision and take a political stance, no force can fight against them." He said their party’s ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy will surely turn out to be successful with the spontaneous participation of people. The BNP leader said the country’s people are closely observing everything they will also impose sanctions on the government and on those who were involved in vote rigging. BNP Standing Committee Member Selima Rahman, Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, and Legal Affairs Secretary Barrister Kaiser Kamal, among others, spoke at the programme.    

BNP had a closed-door meeting with the diplomats of the European Union (EU) countries in Bangladesh on Sunday where the party leaders told the envoys that their party will not go to the elections under the current government. “Like the people of Bangladesh, all democratic countries have been closely observing Bangladesh’s current situation and the atmosphere for the next election,” BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told reporters after the meeting. Replying to a question, the BNP leader said they clearly told the EU envoys that their party will not go to the elections under the current government. He said EU countries are trying to look at Bangladesh’s current democratic and human rights situation, the rule of law, human rights, freedom of speech, and media freedom. “Especially, as there is an apprehension about the next election both in the country and beyond, they (EU naturally has a view on the matter. From that point of view, we had our discussion today (Sunday).” The one and a half--hour meeting was held at ABC House in Gulshan where the ambassadors of France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Norway and the Netherlands, led by EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, were present. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir led a four-member BNP delegation at the meeting. The other delegation members are Amir Khosru, BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obaed and Human Rights Affairs Secretary Advocate Asaduzzaman. Read more: EU delegation meets BNP leaders, discusses election issues Asked what they discussed about the next election, Khosur said they talked about how the electoral system in Bangladesh has collapsed as an 'illegal' government has been in power 'snatching' the right to vote of the country’s people. He said the foreign countries are also fearing that Bangladesh will fall into a crisis if the people of the country cannot exercise their right to vote in the next election. “From this apprehension, they (European Union) want to know how the next election is going to be held and how to make it neutral and participatory.” He said those countries of the world are closely observing Bangladesh they clearly know that the people of this country will not be able to exercise their right to vote and elect their representatives, government and parliament under the current "usurper regime". “They (EU countries) are aware of this fact and they also know the reasons behind it.” When asked whether the issue of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was discussed, Khosru replied in the negative. Read more: EU keen to send observers for upcoming general election in Bangladesh: Envoy