United News of Bangladesh

A meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) is underway with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The meeting began at 10am on Monday at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Planning Commission at Agargaon in the capital, according to a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. The agenda includes finalisation and approval of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The NEC is also expected to review and approve the outline of a five-year economic strategy paper titled “Five Year Strategic Framework for Reform and Development (FYSF 2026-2030)”. Officials said the NEC meeting is scheduled to continue until 1pm. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury will brief reporters after the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has extended support to two orphan brothers of Sirajganj after a media report highlighted their struggle for survival following the deaths of both parents. The report, published recently, drew attention to the plight of nine-year-old Raihan and his seven-year-old brother Rohan, who lost their father in early childhood and their mother four months ago. Since then, the two children have been living in hardship with their elderly maternal grandparents at Ekdala village under Ratankandi union of Sadar upazila in Sirajganj. After the report came to his attention, the Prime Minister, also chief patron of Amra BNP Poribar, instructed his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon to ensure necessary support for the children. As part of the initiative, a delegation from Amra BNP Poribar, led by its Member Secretary Mokhsedul Momin Mithun, visited the family’s home on Friday afternoon. During the visit, the delegation spoke with family members and conveyed the Prime Minister’s message of sympathy and support. The organisation also initiated assistance for the children’s daily food, education, medical care and safe housing. On behalf of the Prime Minister, the delegation announced a one-time education grant as well as a monthly scholarship to help continue their studies. Several local political and social leaders were present during the visit, including lawmaker Selim Reza. Family members said financial hardship had forced the children to stop attending school, and they had been living in a dilapidated tin-shed house with their grandparents – Azizur Rahman and Maleka Begum. The support extended by the Prime Minister has brought fresh hope to the two brothers, they said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday chaired a meeting on easing traffic congestion in the capital and modernising Dhaka’s traffic management system. The meeting was held in the evening at the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said a release issued by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing. Different measures to reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic management in the capital came up for discussion at the meeting. Road Transport, Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton and Advocate Shimul Biswas MP, among others, attended the meeting. This was the second meeting held on traffic congestion and traffic management in Dhaka.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday urged police personnel to rise above differences of opinion and work together in the national interest. He made the call during a meeting with senior police officials on the third floor of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, said PM’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly. “This country belongs to all of us. We must work together to protect it. We may not all share the same ideology, but while working with the government, your personal beliefs or ideology should not be reflected in your official duties,” Shibly quoted the Prime Minister as saying. The Prime Minister also said differences of opinion should be reflected only through the ballot box. “Before that, we must all love this country and remain united in the interest of the nation,” he added. Tarique also said ensuring a “Safe Bangladesh” would guarantee a secure and better future for everyone. “Many of you have spoken about your hopes for the future of your wives and children. If we can all work together to ensure a safe Bangladesh, then everyone’s future will be secured. If Bangladesh becomes safe, we will all live well,” he added. After the programme marking Police Week-2026, the Prime Minister walked with police officials and exchanged greetings with them, making the remarks during informal conversations. The Prime Minister also took part in a photo session with police officials in front of the Tiger Gate of the PMO. Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed police officials at a programme marking Police Week-2026 at Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon. During his speech, he gave various directives regarding law and order and asked police to treat criminals as criminals, regardless of their political identity. He also stressed that there would be no compromise with corruption, terrorism and misrule, and urged police officers to work in a people-oriented manner. Tarique reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing all pledges made in its election manifesto and the July Charter. Speaking about police welfare, the Prime Minister said the government would remain committed to ensuring the wellbeing of police personnel. “Honesty, merit and efficiency will be the key principles in recruitment, transfer and posting within the administration,” he said. Tarique acknowledged that police duties are not confined to fixed working hours, noting that police personnel work day and night including holidays. “The government cannot remain indifferent to ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing of police members. Therefore, every logical and necessary demand of yours will be implemented gradually, Inshallah,” he said. The Prime Minister said public perception of the government largely depends on the conduct and activities of the police. “Let us all move forward from our respective positions by making sacrifices for the country and its people as much as possible,” he added.    

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday directed police officers to treat criminals as criminals regardless of their political identity, stressing that no compromise would be made with corruption, terrorism and misrule. “While dealing with corruption and terrorism many times you face pressures related to political identity or political affiliation. I want to give you a clear message that you should not consider anyone’s political identity. Whoever is involved in crime must be treated as a criminal,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing senior police officers at his Tejgaon office on the occasion of Police Week 2026. Stating that the application of law is equal for everyone, he said police are the protectors of law, not any political party, and urged officers to carry out their duties for the welfare of the state and the people. “No individual or political party is your party. Rather, you are the protectors of law. You must always remember this. Your duty is to serve the welfare of the state and the people,” Tarique said. He said the role of police is indispensable in building a strong, accountable, lawful and people-friendly state system. “As I said yesterday, and have said before, the government does not want to compromise with corruption, terrorism and misrule.” Tarique said the relationship between police and people must be both legal and humane, urging the officials to gain the public trust. “Alongside your other responsibilities, a significant amount of your time is also spent dealing with political instability. This is part of your duty, and it happens, more or less, in every country around the world,” he said. The Prime Minister said his government wants to ensure the democratic and political rights of people. “But, we must also remember that no one should be allowed to engage in activities that could harm communal harmony or involve any form of sabotage.” He acknowledged that maintaining law and order has become more difficult because of changing patterns of crime driven by technological advancement and transnational organised crimes. “As crime patterns evolve, the scope of police activities has also become broader and more extensive. Today’s policing is no longer limited to a city or district. Police officers now need broader and more specialised skills to deal with various forms of global and technology-based crimes,” Tarique said. He also warned officers against seeking postings based on personal preference or promotion ambitions, saying professionalism must come first. “If we focus only on promotions or desired postings, it compromises professionalism,” the Prime Minister said, asking officers to work sincerely wherever they are posted. Tarique also said neither governments nor administrative positions are permanent. The Prime Minister said there is no alternative to an efficient, brave, honest and neutral police force for the success of any government in the world. “When people face danger, they first go to the police station. From the police response, they judge the government itself…So, Police is the mirror of the government” he said. Referring to the situation after August 5, the Prime Minister praised police for handling several difficult situations strategically and helping control mob violence in many instances over the last one and a half years. Tarique said the government wants to transform the police into a truly people-friendly force where ordinary citizens can place their trust and confidence. He also stressed the importance of protecting communal harmony in the country, saying officers must ensure it firmly and responsibly. “You may have a very good colleague who belongs to another religion. As fellow human beings and colleagues, we must protect harmony and respect for all communities,” the Prime Minister said. “We want to build a prosperous, self-reliant, democratic, safe and humane Bangladesh. Beyond your uniforms, I believe you will agree with me as citizens as well. We want to turn this aspiration into reality, and Insha’Allah it is possible to achieve,” he said But to fulfil this aspiration successfully, Tarique said maintaining law and order in the country and ensuring peace and security for the people is imperative. “So, my special appeal to you is that wherever responsibilities are entrusted to you within the police administration, you must carry them out with sincerity and importance. Only then will we be able to ensure an efficient, dynamic and professional police force,” he said. The Prime Minister said people become involved in crime for many reasons in society and the economic inequality is one of the major causes. After assuming office, he said the current government has taken various initiatives to reduce economic disparity among different sections and professions and to ensure a socio-economic safety net for citizens. Tarique said the government will continue to work for the welfare of the police force as well. “Honesty, merit and efficiency will be the key principles in recruitment, transfers and postings within the administration. We know that police duties are never confined to fixed working hours.” Reiterating that how people view or evaluate the government largely depends on the behaviour and activities of police, he said the state expects honesty, efficiency, service, fairness, professionalism and humanity from them. “If you can uphold these qualities as much as possible, then your slogan, ‘My Police, My Country — Bangladesh First’, will truly become meaningful and successful. Let us move forward from our respective positions by doing whatever we can for the country, the nation and the people of this land,” the Prime Minister said. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manjur Morshed Chowdhury and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir, Additional IGP AKM Awlad Hossain and senior police officials spoke at the programme Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the Police Week-2026 at the Rajarbagh Police Lines here. The theme of this year's Police Week is “Amar Police, Amar Desh, Sobar Age Bangladesh” (My Police, My Country, Bangladesh First). Police Week 2026 will conclude on May 13.      

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday called for building a people-oriented administration to ensure faster, transparent and harassment-free services for citizens. “The administration must be made people-oriented, and much of that depends on your role. Our government wants an administration where ordinary people receive services at government offices with respect, quickly, transparently and without harassment. It is you who must ensure this,” he told deputy commissioners (DCs). The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the “Annual Conference-2026” of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar of Agargaon. He also called upon the deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners to work impartially and without fear for the welfare of the country and its people. “Work without fear and impartially for the welfare of the country and its people. The government will provide active support to your lawful and humane initiatives,” he said. Tarique Rahman described public trust as the state’s greatest asset, saying it grows gradually through transparency and accountability in government and administration. “I strongly believe you will remain careful about this. We must remember that the administration is not just a tool for enforcing the law; rather, it is a means of serving the people,” he observed. The Prime Minister said he also strongly believes that although the country faces numerous challenges, it also has significant potential. “If we can make use of our country’s demographic dividend and turn our young and working-age population into a skilled workforce, this population will become a valuable resource. They can transform our Bangladesh,” he said. He urged the deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners to work with a mindset of helping people as much as possible. “We also need to find all possible ways to uphold the religious and social values of our state and society. We must be guided by strong family values,” he said. “We should remember that the smallest unit of a state is the family. In the same way, a state is made up of many families. So, if families uphold religious and social values, national values will also become stronger,” Tarique Rahman added. He said the responsibility of implementing the government’s programmes largely depends on the administration, particularly field-level officials such as DCs and divisional commissioners, whom he described as the government’s administrative ambassadors on the ground. The Prime Minister said people judge the entire government by the service they receive at public offices. “When a citizen goes to a government office, he/she often does not know where to go or how to proceed. In such cases, a sincere and helpful attitude from officials can build trust in the state,” he said. The Prime Minister warned that harassment in service delivery not only deprives people of services but also erodes trust in the government. “Even if problems cannot be solved immediately, people should at least feel that the administration is sincere in addressing their issues,” he said. Tarique Rahman also said while law is important, humanity is even more important, stressing the need for humane behaviour towards service seekers, especially the elderly and the vulnerable people. He said people have high expectations from the current democratic government, which is committed to meeting their legitimate demands. “If people are truly the owners of the state, they should feel that ownership when they seek services at public offices,” he said. The event was held marking the conclusion of the four-day Deputy Commissioners’ Conference 2026, which began on May 3 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. During the conference, ministers and officials from different ministries held sessions with the DCs, providing guidelines and responding to their queries.  

Recalling his difficult road journey back to Dhaka from Sylhet during the election campaign, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday said his government has started work to improve both road and rail connectivity between the two districts to make travel faster and more comfortable. “During the election campaign, I came to Sylhet by plane but I returned by road. The road condition between Sylhet and Dhaka is so poor that the journey can take nearly 10 hours,” he said while addressing a gathering at the Sylhet City Corporation. At the time of election campaign, the Prime Minister said he promised that if his party could form the government, it would take up the road construction work. He said that after assuming office, he spoke to the ministry concerned and learned that the project had been delayed due to land acquisition problems at 11 points, particularly for setting up site offices for the companies involved. “There were also some administrative complications.” “However, the ministry concerned has already taken the necessary steps. I hope we will be able to begin the work very soon. It will take some time, but we expect to complete it within the next few years. Once completed, people will no longer have to endure such hardship while travelling by road between Dhaka and Sylhet,” he added. Tarique, also the chairman of BNP, said rail connectivity is also being prioritised to reduce travel costs and ease pressure on roads. “If we improve railways, travel will become cheaper for people and businesses will be able to transport goods at lower cost,” said. Tarique also said expanding roads alone would not solve transport problems, as more vehicles would continue to increase traffic congestion. He also said Bangladesh is densely populated with limited land and as an agriculture-based country, excessive road expansion can reduce fertile land. “We must maintain food self-sufficiency. So while we will improve roads and connectivity, we also want to develop the railways,” the Prime Minister said. He said the government is also working on introducing a double rail line on the Sylhet-Dhaka route. “Of course, we will develop roads and improve the transport system, but we also want to develop the railway. I am sure you will be interested in the development of Dhaka–Sylhet rail link or the Sylhet–Dhaka rail system. We are trying to see how a double line can be introduced in Sylhet,” the Prime Minister said. He also spoke about efforts to reduce waterlogging in Sylhet City Corporation and stressed the importance of cleaning drains and removing waste, including plastic and polythene. The Prime Minister urged city corporations to raise awareness, especially among schoolchildren, about waste management and environmental protection. “Children learn quickly and carry those habits into adulthood. If we teach them properly, they will also influence their families,” he said. Referring to the project to develop both banks of the Surma River at Chandni Ghat in Sylhet, including beautification and flood protection infrastructure, he said he hopes it will help ease the waterlogging problem in Sylhet city. “I believe that once this project is implemented, Sylhet will be free from waterlogging. It will help protect city dwellers from floods and water congestion,” he said. Tarique also highlighted concerns over excessive use of underground water, warning that it is gradually lowering groundwater levels in urban areas, including Dhaka and Sylhet. He said the government’s canal excavation programme aims to address water management issues by improving natural water flow and creating water reservoirs. The Prime Minister said the government is only about two and a half months old and compared its early stage to a very young child that cannot yet walk and needs time to develop. Tarique said despite this, the government has already started implementing the promises made to the people. He mentioned initiatives such as Family Cards, Agriculture Cards, Sports Cards, and allowances for Imams and Muazzins, adding that other projects will also be gradually implemented. He expressed confidence that with hard work, Bangladesh can be developed like advanced countries, and said the government is moving forward with that belief. Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Labour and Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, the Prime Minister’s Adviser Humaiun Kobir , and Chief Whip of Parliament G K Gaus spoke at the programme, with Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury in the chair. Prime Minister’s wife Zubaida Rahman, MP Tahsina Rushdir Luna, newly elected reserved seat MP Shammi Akhter, and BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Enamul Haque Chowdhury, among others, were present.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka for Bogura by road early Monday on his first visit to his hometown after assuming office. He started the journey at 6:10am from his Gulshan Avenue residence accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister is travelling by bus with his entourage. The additional press secretary said Tarique is set to have a busy day in Bogura with several programmes including distribution of family cards, inauguration of a measles vaccination campaign, and addressing a public rally. He is also scheduled to visit his ancestral home there.

Expressing optimism over strengthening the Dhaka-Delhi relations, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has said there will be a visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the dates have not yet been finalised.    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already invited Prime Minister Tarique, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman to pay a visit to India at a convenient time, an official told UNB, referring to Prime Minister Modi’s letter to his Bangladesh Prime Minister. “A warm welcome awaits you in India,” Modi said in his recent letter handed over to PM Tarique by Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla who represented the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh. “There will be a visit. We have not yet done the dates. Of course, in the run-up to the visit, we will have activities,” Dr Khalilur told the Indian media during his visit to Mauritius.  Talking to World Is One News in Mauritius, the Foreign Minister said leaders of the two countries had not only exchanged letters but had also spoken.  He said both the leaders wanted to advance the relationship and it is a relationship that is consequential for both the countries. The Foreign Minister returned home on Saturday after visiting India and Mauritius, a senior official told UNB. “The visit and the meetings that I had (in India) were very productive. We talked about how to carry it forward. So, I am hopeful in this objective that we will be carrying forward our work in next few weeks and I feel reasonably optimistic,” Dr Khalilur said in Mauritius, adding that both the countries are willing to engage and talk to take the relationship forward.  External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman in New Delhi on April 08. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir was also present at the meeting. The Indian External Affairs Minister reiterated India's desire to engage constructively with the new government and further strengthen bilateral ties. The two sides agreed to explore proposals for deepening the partnership through the relevant bilateral mechanisms. Follow-on official meetings are expected to take place at an early date, said the Indian side, noting that both sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. During the visit, Foreign Minister Rahman also met the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Sunday. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir were present at the meeting.