United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday questioned Jamaat-e-Islami's claim of being an Islamic political party, saying its election manifesto contains nothing about establishing Shariah rule. “There is no pledge in the party's election manife sto to establish Shariah rule …. You have even removed 'Establishment of Islam' from your party's monogram. How can you claim to be an Islamic party?” he said questioning Jamaat's ideological position. The Home Minister was participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year in the House. He also accused opposition Jamaat lawmakers of defending Islami Bank instead of addressing allegations over its operations. "When the issue of Islami Bank is raised, it appears to me that the bank's board of directors is sitting on the opposition benches. They speak as though they are defending the bank," Salahuddin said, pointing towards Jamaat lawmakers. He claimed that Tk 11,000 crore had been disbursed under Islami Bank's Rural Development Scheme (RDS) on political considerations between August 5, 2024 and the February-12 national election held in 2026. Displaying documents in Parliament, the minister said he had brought a breakdown of the disbursed amount and challenged opposition lawmakers to refute his claims. "If any of you want to respond or challenge the authenticity of my claims, you can collect these documents from me," he said. About the proposed budget, the minister said the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year was formulated against the backdrop of an economy devastated by massive capital flight and institutionalised corruption, expressing hope that its economic and social benefits would become visible within six months. "The economic and social impacts of this budget will not be seen right now. Inshallah, after six months, the changes will become visible," he said. The minister said prices of some essential commodities have already declined to some extent and asserted that the country's development journey would continue uninterrupted. "None will be able to resist our journey (of progress)," he said, expressing optimism that their government would be able to implement the budget successfully. Salahuddin alleged that around US$234 billion had already been siphoned out of the country before the Awami League’s regime, forcing it to prepare the budget amid a severely weakened economy. "We are formulating this budget while standing on an economy that has virtually been turned into a bottomless basket," he said. He alleged that the previous fascist regime had institutionalised "the economics of plundering", leaving behind a legacy of crony capitalism, oligarchy and endless corruption. He said the cumulative amount of laundered public money stood at around Tk 30 lakh crore. Salahuddin urged the Prime Minister to direct the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate all allegations of corruption during the 18-month tenure of the interim government. "Those who are now demanding accountability over corruption and foreign loans should welcome such an investigation. Let the ACC find out where corruption occurred, how it happened and who was responsible," he said. Referring to a recent report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), he claimed that allegations had been raised regarding corruption during the interim government's tenure and said those claims should also be thoroughly investigated. Describing the proposed budget as a "Budget of a New Economic Order for the Country", Salahuddin said its expanded social safety net programmes would stimulate a revolving economy by enabling beneficiaries to spend the financial assistance they receive, thereby boosting economic activities. Highlighting improvements in law and order, the home minister said people can now file cases at police stations without recommendations or influence from powerful persons. "As a result, the number of registered cases is now higher because, in the past, many cases were deliberately not recorded to keep crime statistics low," he said. He said comparative data between 2025 and 2026 showed that several categories of crime had declined, although incidents of rape had increased to some extent. Regarding mob violence, Salahuddin said the number of incidents had fallen to 29 from 86 in 2025. "But we want to bring the number of mob violence incidents down to zero," he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday firmly rejected claims that the current Jatiya Sangsad is a "Parliament of loan defaulters," saying no sitting lawmaker can be classified as a loan defaulter as all MPs contested the 13th parliamentary election after meeting the legal eligibility requirements. “Those who are here, none of them is a loan defaulter,” he said while participating in a heated debate over whether remarks made by an independent lawmaker describing Parliament as a "Parliament of loan defaulters" should be expunged from the official record. The minister said everyone should show due respect to all members of this august House. According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and other relevant rules, anyone declared as a loan defaulter by a court becomes disqualified to be a candidate in the election. Salahuddin said some lawmakers might have debts, but that should not be confused with being a loan defaulter. "Someone may be indebted, not loan defaulters,” he said. He said some lawmakers, who faced allegations of loan default, were elected after being cleared from such allegations by the court. When the High Court or the Supreme Court disposes of a case and declares a person a legitimate candidate, that person is no longer a loan defaulter, the minister added. "Someone may be loanee while going to do business. But they are being defined as loan defaulters. It is a defamatory statement. It should be expunged.” Earlier, BNP lawmaker AKM Fazlul Haque Milan raised a point of order, objecting to the use of the phrase "Parliament of loan defaulters." He said the current Parliament was formed through a credible and acceptable election following years of political struggle and sacrifice, and lawmakers should avoid making remarks that undermine the dignity of the House. "Loan defaulters cannot contest parliamentary elections. So, how can this be called a Parliament of loan defaulters?" Milan asked, urging the chair to expunge the expression from the official record. Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal, who was presiding over the session, said the matter will be examined before any decision is taken. "We will examine the statement. If it is found in the record and deemed appropriate for expunction, it will be expunged," he said. Then Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam took the floor and said it was not really a statement that should be expunged. He said such concerns over loan defaulters had been raised both before and after the election. Nahid said he had previously mentioned in Parliament the amount of defaulted loans linked to several lawmakers, although he did not disclose their names. "If a political party nominates loan defaults and brings them to Parliament, that responsibility lies with the party. People may naturally describe it as a Parliament of loan defaulters," he said. Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana also joined the discussion, referring to recent data from Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) that showed members of the current Parliament collectively owe Tk 11,356 crore to banks. The lawyer-turned-lawmaker also alleged that some candidates manage to reschedule loans or obtain court orders to temporarily suspend their status as loan defaulters in Credit Information Bureau (CIB) list before the election. Rumeen further said the total amount of bad loans stands at around Tk 11 lakh crore in the country.

The government is reviewing a proposal to reduce passport fees for Bangladeshis living abroad while continuing efforts to simplify passport services for migrant workers and expatriates, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament on Wednesday. Responding to a tabled starred question from ruling party lawmaker Khairul Kabir Khokon (Narsingdi-1), he said Bangladesh had a total of 25,433,063 active passport holders as of June 4, 2026. Regarding passport services for migrant workers, Salahuddin said a proposal submitted by the Department of Immigration and Passports to lower passport fees for Bangladeshis residing in different countries is currently under review by the Ministry of Home Affairs. He highlighted a number of initiatives already undertaken to make passport services more accessible for Bangladeshi expatriates. The minister said arrangements have been made to process passport applications through Mobile Enrolment Kits (MEK) in remote areas under Bangladesh missions abroad, enabling Bangladeshis abroad to apply for passports conveniently. He also said initiatives have been taken to provide passport services for expatriate workers through outsourcing companies engaged by Bangladesh missions overseas. To ensure faster delivery, passports are being sent to Bangladeshi embassies and high commissions abroad through the international courier service FedEx, Salahuddin added. He further informed the House that steps are underway to introduce home delivery services for passports through outsourcing companies, making passport collection easier for expatriates. The minister also said the government has already introduced the issuance of 10-year passports for all Bangladeshi citizens aged 18 and above.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday dismissed the recent report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on the country's law-and-order situation, saying it was based on newspaper clippings rather than independent investigations and did not reflect official crime statistics. “TIB prepares its reports based on newspaper clippings. It does not conduct investigations or verify every incident before making statements. TIB is not a government agency. For the actual picture, one should rely on crime statistics maintained by the police and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he said. Killings linked to illegal intrusion or criminal acts should not be called border killings: Salahuddin While talking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister said TIB's assessment should not be considered the definitive picture of law and order in the country. Responding to a question on whether the government considers the law-and-order situation satisfactory despite TIB's claim that more than 600 murders occurred during the BNP government’s first 100 days, he said he had not reviewed the report and therefore could not comment on its specific figures. “We prepare monthly crime statistics covering robbery, murder, rape and other offences. We compare them with the same period of previous years. Based on the reports, I have seen that the situation has improved significantly compared to 2025, with reductions across various categories,” Salahuddin said. He said official statistics indicated improvements in public safety, though he refrained from commenting on figures cited in the TIB report without reviewing them. On public confidence in the police, the minister said the government has made progress in transforming the force into a more people-friendly institution. “I believe we have been able to make the police more citizen-oriented. They need encouragement so that they can continue working in line with public expectations, the law and the principles of the rule of law,” he said. Reiterating the government's approach of “reward and punishment,” Salahuddin said good performance will be recognised while misconduct will be dealt with through disciplinary measures. “Our policy is to reward the good and punish the wrongdoers. We have already demonstrated our commitment to this principle, and our success will become more evident in the days ahead,” he said. Rejecting the methodology of the TIB report, the minister said the organisation does not conduct investigations before publishing its findings. He added that the government relies on crime data collected routinely from districts across the country and treats those records as the most reliable source of information. “Various reports appear in newspapers every day. We take those reports seriously and send them to the relevant departments for verification. But it cannot be said that every published report reflects the exact facts,” he said. On the issue of financial support for police investigations, the minister acknowledged that officers face resource constraints and said the government will work to increase allocations for investigation-related activities, including patrol operations and post-mortem examinations. “We are aware of the financial limitations faced by the police. We will try to ensure adequate allocations for investigations, post-mortem reports and police patrol duties in the future,” he said. Asked about disciplinary action against police officers who have remained absconding for more than 60 days, Salahuddin said departmental proceedings were underway against them. “Departmental cases have been filed against all those you are referring to. Some cases are ongoing, while others may be nearing completion. Appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of those proceedings,” he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said all important border-related issues including push-ins across the frontier will be discussed at the four-day director general-level meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India's Border Security Force (BSF). “The DG-level meeting is held alternately in Bangladesh and India. This time it is our turn to visit India. All relevant issues will be discussed there,” he told reporters at Secretariat. Bangladesh is already engaging with India through diplomatic channels on border-related concerns while the country's border guards remain on alert.  “We will, InshaAllah, resist all attempts of border push-ins. However, these issues should primarily be resolved through diplomatic discussions,” he added. The 57th Director General (DG)-level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) will be held in New Delhi from June 8 to 11. A 15-member Bangladesh delegation, led by BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, will participate in the four-day conference. The Indian delegation will be led by the BSF Director General and will comprise senior BSF officials as well as representatives from India's Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and other relevant agencies. This is the first DG-level talks between the border guard forces of the two countries since the BNP government came to power in February this year.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said killings of individuals, who are involved in crime or illegal intrusion, by any border force within its own territory cannot be labelled as “border killing.” “If any foreign force kills someone by entering our border or at the zero line, then it can be called border killing. But if someone is involved in any sort of crimes within our borders and their borders or if someone commits illegal trespassing, then they (border forces) will address the issue as per their own local laws. In such cases, it should not be called border killing,” he said. The home minister made the remarks while replying to a question from reporters at the Secretariat. He said all border-related issues and possible solutions will be discussed at the Director General-level meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF), beginning in New Delhi on June 8. Salahuddin described the meeting as a routine annual exercise held alternately in both countries. Responding to another question about reports that large numbers of people are being gathered at the border in West Bengal after being labelled Bangladeshis, he said the members of BGB have been kept on alert. “We are against any form of illegal push-in or push-back. However, if any Bangladeshi citizen has gone to that country for any reason and their identity is verified through national identity card, and if the central government sends a verified list to our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then repatriation will be carried out following legal procedures,” the home minister said. No such verified list has been received so far, he said, adding that if any such cases existed earlier, they will also be addressed legally.

Police on Sunday pressed charges against the two accused – Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter – in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the capital's Pallabi area. Investigating Officer (IO) of the case – Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station – submitted a charge sheet against them before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in the afternoon. Earlier in the morning, the accused were produced before the court. On Saturday, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police handed over the DNA report to the IO. Meanwhile, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the trial in the rape and murder case could be completed within five to seven days. Ramisa Akter, daughter of Abdul Hannan Molla, was raped and murdered by Sohel Rana, tenant of a neighbouring flat, on Tuesday. According to the case details, the suspect reportedly lured her into his room and later killed her after rape. Later, Ramisa’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head was found hidden inside a bucket in the bathroom. While Swapna was detained from the scene by neighbours and subsequently handed over to police, Sohel Rana managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was tracked down and arrested by police later Tuesday evening in Fatullah in Narayanganj.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been instructed to remain vigilant along borders to prevent any possible push-ins from India following the BJP’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly polls. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after the third session on the fourth and final day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. Replying to a question on whether push-ins of Muslims into Bangladesh might increase following the BJP’s win in West Bengal, the minister said the government has already taken precautionary measures. “We have instructed the BGB to stay alert along borders. Although we do not see such a possibility, we have taken precautions in advance so that we can address the situation if it arises,” he said. Asked about directives to the Deputy Commissioners on maintaining law and order, Salahuddin Ahmed said it is part of their routine responsibilities. “Maintaining law and order is one of their primary duties. The police, district administration and judiciary work in coordination in this regard. It is not about specific directives, but about ensuring effective cooperation within themselves,” he said. The minister also said the ongoing drives against drugs and illegal weapons will continue maintaining a zero-tolerance policy. “Drugs and online gambling are serious threats. If these cannot be controlled, social stability will be undermined,” he said. On online gambling apps, Salahuddin Ahmed said relevant agencies, including Bangladesh Bank and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police, are taking action. “As we move further into a technology-driven world, the nature of crime is evolving. We are planning to enact necessary laws to address these challenges. A committee has already been formed,” he said. The minister added that authorities are trying to block illegal websites and platforms as much as possible. “Online gambling, drugs and related crimes are now among our top priorities, and we are determined to curb them,” he said.

The government has decided to review the crimes against humanity cases filed during the tenure of the interim government, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday. The deputy commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to send district-wise case lists to the Ministry of Home Affairs for scrutiny, he said while talking to reporters after the third session of the final day of the DC Conference held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. The minister said a number of cases were filed after August 5 in connection with the anti-discrimination movement including allegations of committing crimes against humanity linked to what he described as fascist activities.  “We will verify and examine these cases carefully as thousands of people were named in many of them. Investigators will determine the actual accused and ensure quick disposal of the cases,” he said. The minister further said that individuals who were included in cases with malicious intent would be given relief through legal procedures. When asked about the timeframe given to DCs for sending the case lists, the minister said they have been asked to submit them as soon as possible preferably within one month. He said district-level committees headed by deputy commissioners, with members including additional deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, public prosecutors and others, have already been formed to review such cases. These committees will verify politically motivated or false cases and applicants will need to submit forms along with FIRs, charge sheets or ejahars and related documents. Verified cases will be recommended for withdrawal, he said. “Such cases will first be sent to the Home Ministry which will not take immediate action but forward them to the Ministry of Law.” A committee headed by the Law Minister will review and vet the cases and only those deemed appropriate for withdrawal will be sent back to the Home Ministry for final action under Section 494 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), said Salahuddin. After assuming responsibility, the interim government began reviewing and withdrawing some of those cases, although certain categories such as murder, arms, women and child abuse, drug trafficking and human trafficking were initially excluded, he said.

Expressing concern over a significant decline in global assistance for the Rohingyas Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said it is now imperative to enhance international support to improve their living standards and meet their humanitarian needs. Despite being one of the world’s most densely populated countries Bangladesh has sheltered a large number of Rohingya refugees purely on humanitarian grounds, said the minister. He came up with the remarks when Ivo Freijsen, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangladesh, met the Home Minister at the Ministry of Home Affairs at Secretariat. He also noted that the United States has recently reduced its funding allocation by 50 percent. During the meeting, they discussed the overall situation of the Rohingya population sheltered in Bangladesh, including international funding and repatriation issues. Highlighting the current condition in the camps, the UNHCR representative said refugees are facing severe challenges due to high population density in a very limited space. In response, the minister said expansion of camp areas is difficult given Bangladesh’s socio-economic and geographical realities. He stressed that safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas remains the most viable solution to the crisis. Referring to the prevailing geopolitical situation, the minister said the Rohingya crisis should not be overshadowed by global issues such as the Gaza conflict, the Ukraine war and tensions between Israel and Iran. He urged the United Nations and UNHCR to play a more proactive role in keeping the Rohingya issue high on the agenda at international platforms. The UNHCR representative invited the minister to attend the Joint Response Plan (JRP) presentation on Rohingya refugees scheduled to be held on May 20.