United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged members of the armed forces to remain committed to the Constitution, laws, military regulations and humanitarian values while discharging their duties, saying discipline, professionalism and public trust are fundamental to the strength of the forces. While speaking at a ceremony to present National Standard to several battalions and regiments of the Bangladesh Army at Savar Cantonment, he also stressed the need to modernise the armed forces, strengthen domestic defence production and develop new technological capabilities to meet changing security challenges. “An armed force’s strength is not limited to weapons, equipment or manpower. Its real strength lies in discipline, skills, leadership, morality, training and public trust,” the Prime Minister said, stressing the importance of maintaining the chain of command. He said modern warfare increasingly involves cyberspace, outer space, drones, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and information-based capabilities, making it necessary for Bangladesh to keep its defence preparedness in line with changing global security conditions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday pledged a range of steps to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, including expanding their allowances, creating employment opportunities, improving access to public services and considering reserved representation in Parliament. “We have started working, though I cannot say how much we will be able to do. But I can assure you that you will receive the highest possible cooperation from us,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while speaking at an exchange of views with the Bangladesh Protibondhi Kallyan Samity at the Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office. He said the government will stand beside persons with disabilities and work to ensure they can live with dignity and enjoy their rights. Tarique Rahman said the government has increased the allowance for persons with disabilities to some extent, although it might not meet their full needs. “We will take initiatives to increase their allowances in the future, considering the financial capacity of the state, so that they can live somewhat more comfortably,” he said. The Prime Minister said he will instruct the relevant authorities within the next couple of days to explore the introduction of sign-language services at government offices and courts to make it easier for persons with hearing and speech impairments to communicate and access services. He said he will also ask the health ministry to consider arrangements for sign-language support at hospitals so that patients with such disabilities could explain their medical needs. Tarique Rahman directed the social welfare minister to explore ways to expand skills training, including information technology training, and create more employment opportunities for persons with disabilities so they could become economically self-reliant. He also said he will ask the education ministry to consider creating employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in educational institutions. The Prime Minister also said he will instruct the relevant authorities to examine the possibility of extending the age limit for persons with disabilities applying for government jobs by at least one or two years. On transport, he said the government will explore ways to improve access for women with disabilities on the newly introduced pink buses and consider introducing dedicated buses for persons with disabilities in Dhaka and other major cities. Tarique Rahman said instructions have already been issued to ensure accessibility facilities in building designs, adding that plans lacking such provisions would not be approved. “The instructions would apply to government buildings as well as private buildings under the relevant approval process.” He also pledged to ask the agriculture ministry to consider special support for farmers with disabilities and the statistics authorities to establish a more accurate count of persons with disabilities in the country. On their demand for representation in parliament, the Prime Minister said the issue involved constitutional considerations and required discussion within his party. If feasible, he said, the government will consider arrangements for representation by a woman and a man with disabilities. Tarique Rahman welcomed a proposal to provide legal assistance to persons with disabilities and said a memorandum of understanding has been signed among the ministries concerned to provide legal assistance to persons with disabilities. He hoped that the agreement will help advance efforts to ensure such assistance, he added. The Prime Minister said many people have not received the support and opportunities they needed, adding that both the government and society have a responsibility towards persons with disabilities and other communities requiring additional support. “You have the same right as everyone else to live with dignity,” he said, expressing hope that the government would be able to address at least some of the challenges raised at the meeting. At the programme, the Prime Minister persons with disabilities and listened to their problems and various demands. Around 30 persons with disabilities and representatives of organisations working for them spoke at the meeting, moderated by BPKS Founder and Executive Director Abdus Sattar Dulal. They raised demands for increased budgetary allocations, skills development, political participation, involvement in decision-making and expanded employment opportunities. During the meeting, a para-athlete named Mohammad Mohsin said he brought a cap as a gift for the Prime Minister. Tarique Rahman came down from the stage to receive it and assured Mohsin that he will support his team in participating in sporting events abroad. At the end of the programme, the Prime Minister joined a group photograph with the participants at their request. Social Welfare, and Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, State Minister Barrister Farzana Sharmin and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday urged the country’s Hindu community people to enthusiastically celebrate Sharadiya Durga Puja across the country, saying that everyone has the right to security irrespective of religion. “Religion is a personal matter, but the state belongs to everyone. Religion is a personal matter, but the right to security belongs to all. Brothers and sisters of the Hindu community, please celebrate these festivities across the country with enthusiasm, peace of mind, and a sense of security,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks in a message issued on the eve of Sharadiya Durga Puja, which begins on Saturday. He also extended his greetings to members of the Hindu community and followers of Sanatan Dharma on the occasion. Tarique Rahman said, in his message, said Durga Puja is one of the major religious festivals of the Hindu community in Bangladesh and around the world. According to Hindu belief, Goddess Durga descends from heaven to earth for the welfare of the world, bringing blessings to devotees, destroying evil forces and nurturing creation, he said. The Prime Minister said the praying for the destruction of malevolent forces and the devotion to truth and beauty have given a unique significance to the Sharadiya Durga Puja. He said people of different religions, groups and communities in Bangladesh would celebrate their respective religious festivals with enthusiasm, describing this tradition as a reflection of the country's longstanding religious and social values and cultural heritage. Through religious, cultural and social activities, Bangladeshis of different faiths and communities demonstrate their mutual friendship, harmony, goodwill and fraternity, he said. Equality, human dignity and social justice are fundamental to all religions, while promoting the welfare of humanity is one of their core teachings, Tarique Rahman said. He stressed the importance of maintaining mutual respect, honour and empathy among people while practising their respective religious beliefs and cultures to preserve peace in society. Following the ouster of the fascist regime at the cost of thousands of lives, Bangladesh has embarked on a renewed journey towards democracy, he said, adding that a massive task of rebuilding the country has begun. “Establishing a welfare-oriented, safe and humane Bangladesh for all citizens, irrespective of party, opinion, religion or race, is our commitment,” the Prime Minister said. He expressed hope that the country's diverse society and outlook on life would be enriched by the spirit of harmony and goodwill.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged people from all walks of life to come forward to protect the environment and forests, calling Dhaka’s persistent air pollution a matter of shame for the country. Speaking at a meeting to review the progress and implementation of activities of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, he also stressed the need for greater public awareness and collective efforts to build a liveable Bangladesh for future generations. The Prime Minister urged government officials to take initiatives beyond their assigned duties to protect the environment and forests. The meeting, held at the ministry’s conference room, decided to identify and preserve the country’s mother trees within the next six months. It also directed the authorities to ensure regular care of planted trees, monitor their survival through field visits, and explore ways to expand afforestation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Noting that people have limited access to places where they can spend time in nature, Tarique Rahman stressed the need to increase such spaces and encourage people to develop rooftop and school gardens, as well as gardens in different buildings. He said public awareness is essential alongside government initiatives to protect the environment, adding that greater awareness will make the work easier. The Prime Minister also stressed the need for separate public awareness plans to support the implementation of decisions and programmes for environmental and forest conservation. Expressing concern over Dhaka’s air pollution, he said the capital has been ranking first or second among the world’s most polluted cities for many years. “This is a matter of shame for the country. Everyone must take responsibility from their respective positions to change the situation,” Tarique Rahman said.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged every family and every person to spend at least 30 minutes to an hour on two days a week cleaning their homes and surroundings to stop mosquitoes from breeding and help prevent dengue. “My appeal to you today is this: let every person and every family spend at least 30 minutes to an hour, at least twice a week, cleaning their homes, surroundings and nearby roads to prevent dengue mosquitoes from breeding,” he said. The Prime Minister made the call in a video message to the nation posted on his Facebook page.He also called upon people to join hands with the government to tackle dengue by removing stagnant water and cleaning up waste where Aedes mosquitoes breed. “Let us all try together. If we work together, we can certainly save many lives from the curse of dengue in the coming days,” Tarique Rahman said. He said people had united to achieve independence in 1971, to overthrow autocracy in 1990 and to make the mass uprising of 2024 successful. “If we could achieve all these things together, why cannot we contribute a little each and take part in solving the country’s other problems?” the Prime Minister asked. He said people of different ages are falling ill and dying from dengue, adding that those who have lost loved ones understood the pain of such a loss. Tarique Rahman said collective efforts could help prevent many families from suffering the same tragedy. He said around 2.5 crore students study at schools, colleges and universities across the country.In addition, the Prime Minister said nearly 40 lakh members of organisations such as the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Scouts, Girl Guides and the Red Crescent and Red Cross could contribute to the effort. He said students and members of these organisations have been trying for about a month to clean up rubbish and waste across districts and upazilas every Saturday. Tarique Rahman said Aedes mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, including in corners of homes, along roads and in places where waste accumulates and allows water to collect. He noted that a dengue vaccine has been developed but said studies have shown that it is not very effective in treating the disease. The most effective way to prevent dengue, the Prime Minister said, is to remove stagnant water and clean up waste where mosquitoes could breed. He said a government can succeed when it works with people to address the country’s problems.“My government wants to work with all the people of the country to solve our problems. Solving the country’s problems means solving the problems of you, me and all of us,” Tarique Rahman said. He urged everyone to take part in the effort, expressing hope that collective action will help save many lives from dengue.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday directed officials to take steps to promote Bangladesh’s culture and heritage among the younger generation and encourage children to read books. “Our culture is thousands of years old, but we may not be presenting it properly to our younger generation,” he said during a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Tarique said technology is drawing young people towards foreign cultures and exposing them to new things, but this should not lead them to forget their own culture. “We need to think about how to present our culture and heritage more effectively to the younger generation,” he added. He also stressed the need to build reading habits among children. The Prime Minister asked officials to consider using mobile libraries to bring books to children and arrange reading circles and book-reading competitions. The prime minister visited the ministry as part of his regular programme and discussed its ongoing activities and future plans. Officials briefed him on programmes planned for the Lalon festival, Nazrul Year and a winter cultural festival scheduled from December to May. The winter festival is planned to feature circus, folk culture, boat races, kite festivals, horse racing, puppet shows and other cultural events, including programmes for people with special needs. Representatives of the July Museum, Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh National Museum, Bangla Academy, National Book Centre and other agencies under the ministry also presented their activities and future plans. Tarique asked officials to take steps to make the Shilpakala academies more active. Addressing the officials, he said everyone had skills and should work to the best of their ability. “If we all make our best efforts, we can build at least some of the country we want to see. We have an opportunity to do something for the country, and we should make use of it,” the prime minister said. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Cultural Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and relevant officials attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday met three inspiring individuals who have set remarkable examples in society through their dedication to education, overcoming physical challenges and planting trees. The three are Nayla Sharaf, a BUET graduate who chose to teach at a primary school, Md Altaf Hossain, who established a school despite having no hands, and Rezaul Kibria Babul, who has planted thousands of trees on his own initiative. They met the prime minister at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat and became emotional at the opportunity to meet him, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. Tarique listened attentively to their life struggles and initiatives for public welfare, praised their contributions and assured them of necessary support. “People like you are greatly needed to build the country. Nation-building will become easier if everyone comes forward like you,” he said. Nayla Sharaf completed her studies at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and joined the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) as an assistant engineer. She later worked as an officer at Janata Bank. Despite qualifying for the 34th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, she chose not to join a government job and instead pursued teaching. For the past seven years, she has been teaching at Panchananpur Government Primary School in Netrokona. She also develops teaching materials and digital content to make learning easier, particularly for disadvantaged children. Another person who met the prime minister was Md Altaf Hossain of Narsingdi, who was born without both hands. He learned to write with his feet and established Protiba Dukhu Mia Kindergarten School in Panchdona, Narsingdi, in 2007. Using his savings and money from the sale of ancestral land, he built the school, which now has 145 students and 10 teachers. He continues to write with his feet and manages various school activities despite his physical challenges. After hearing his story, the prime minister assured him of support to construct a new school building. Rezaul Kibria Babul of Charfasson in Bhola has also set an example through his long-standing efforts to plant trees. Alongside his work as a mosque imam, he has spent nearly three decades planting thousands of trees along roads with his own money and labour. After selling ancestral property to establish a nursery, he began planting saplings grown there in different areas. Many of the trees have now grown large enough to provide shade for passers-by. The prime minister praised all three for their efforts, saying individual initiatives for the welfare of society and the country play an important role and can inspire others to undertake similar work. He encouraged them to continue their activities and assured them of support.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and visiting Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma on Tuesday discussed strengthening trade and investment ties, the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), cooperation on the Teesta project and the Rohingya crisis. The issues came up when Sjoerdsma paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his Secretariat office, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. Tarique Rahman welcomed the Netherlands’ interest in conducting a feasibility study for the Teesta project and providing technical assistance and sharing expertise in this regard. He said Bangladesh and the Netherlands are both delta countries, offering ample opportunities for cooperation in addressing common challenges and sharing experiences. The Prime Minister also expressed particular interest in the Netherlands’ experience in land reclamation. Sjoerdsma said it is the right time to further strengthen relations between the two countries by expanding investment and cooperation, particularly in water resource management, transboundary river management, democracy and economic development. He also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation and exchanging knowledge and experience in water resource management, land reclamation, char development and adaptive river management. Trade and investment The two sides also discussed free trade and Bangladesh’s trade relations with the EU. Sjoerdsma expressed interest in promoting free trade, while Bangladesh sought the Netherlands’ support in exploring the possibility of an FTA with the EU.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to step up public awareness campaigns and strengthen coordination among government agencies to prevent and control dengue. He gave the directives at a meeting on dengue prevention and control at the Cabinet Division of Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. The Prime Minister said the next few months would be crucial for controlling dengue and asked all relevant government agencies to work together to prevent its spread. He stressed the need to strengthen preventive measures, particularly in areas reporting higher numbers of dengue infections. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of public participation in dengue prevention. He directed the authorities concerned to arrange regular announcements in neighbourhoods using loudspeakers and include dengue prevention messages in Juma prayer sermons. The meeting also decided to ensure cleanliness at government residential quarters and hospital premises. It underscored the need to strengthen coordination among the ministries concerned, divisions and agencies to make dengue prevention efforts more effective. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hussain, State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton attended the meeting. Secretaries and senior officials of the relevant ministries were also present.  

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday warned party leaders and activists against sacrificing their long political struggle for personal benefits such as fertiliser dealership and government contracts, saying the party must maintain public confidence through tolerance and responsible conduct. “If we sell out our long political struggle to obtain fertiliser dealerships and contracts, we will not be able to achieve anything significant. We will fail to secure our greater goals. General people, who are the voters, should see that BNP leaders and activists are extremely tolerant,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while addressing a commemorative meeting marking the 10th death anniversary of former minister and BNP National Standing Committee member Brig Gen (retd) A S M Hannan Shah. He said BNP leaders and activists should not remain preoccupied with what they gained or failed to gain personally, but should instead focus on the broader responsibilities of the party and government. “After 17 years of hardship, we have secured a BNP government through a free and fair election under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He is working day and night to make the country prosperous,” Rizvi said. Despite the difficulties, the government is trying to provide relief to people and meet their essential needs, Rizvi said. He said industrial mills and factories have been at risk of shutting down amid the gas and electricity shortages, but the situation was gradually improving under Tarique Rahman's leadership. “By the grace of Allah, we are gradually getting these services back in many places. Gas stoves in our kitchens are burning again. I believe the situation will gradually return to normal in the coming days,” he said. Rizvi said every party leader and activist should consider themselves part of the government, regardless of the positions they had received. “What matters is that the government maintains a good image and continues to run the country with sincerity. We must all cooperate in this effort,” he said. He urged MPs to maintain peace and stability in their respective constituencies and asked party leaders and activists to support them. He also called on lawmakers to stand beside people in both good times and difficult situations.“We have all been involved in politics. We did not enter politics to become wealthy overnight.” Rizvi said BNP leaders and activists are not behaving like those who are involved in what he described as the fascist rule of the past. He alleged that during the previous regime, those in power looted public money, occupied people's land and even took cattle from cowsheds and fish from ponds, plunging the country into disorder to establish a system of plunder. “The BNP will not repeat those practices. The party has no such commitment. The BNP stands for peace, stability and the rule of law,” he said. He stressed that even grassroots-level party workers are part of the government and must act with restraint to preserve peace and stability. Rizvi said various conspiracies and attempts to create instability are continuing, adding that police have arrested two retired army officers on Sunday over suspected plans for sabotage. He urged party leaders and activists to remain alert, particularly ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja. He said party leaders and activists should voluntarily perform these duties on a voluntary basis, without waiting for specific instructions. “If we understand our responsibilities and work accordingly, the people of this country will continue to support the nationalist forces,” he said, warning party members to ensure that their conduct never resembled that of activists of the previous regime. Rizvi concluded this part of his speech by praying for the eternal peace of the late Hannan Shah. The event was attended by BNP Gazipur district president Fazlul Haque Milan, BNP National Executive Committee Organising Secretary for Dhaka Division Saiful Haque Bablu, Hannan Shah's son and BNP leader Reazul Hannan, former central Chhatra Dal leaders and BNP lawmakers.