United News of Bangladesh

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Tuesday called on Asian countries to work together to address the escalating water crisis describing it as one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. “The water crisis has become so severe that for some countries including Bangladesh it has emerged as a matter of life and death,” the Speaker said during a courtesy meeting with a high-level South Korean delegation led by Ha Sang Je, Secretary-General of the Asia National Assembly Water Consultative Board (AAWC), at his office at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. He said crisis has become particularly acute in South Asian countries including Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Highlighting Bangladesh’s longstanding efforts to secure a fair share of transboundary waters, the Speaker said the country has been engaged in discussions with neighbouring India since independence on water-sharing issues. During the meeting, Ha Sang Je sought the Speaker’s support in encouraging Bangladeshi lawmakers to join the AAWC and contribute to global efforts aimed at addressing water-related challenges. He also invited the Speaker to attend the organisation’s annual conference scheduled to be held in Laos in 2026. The Speaker thanked AAWC leaders for their continued efforts since 2019 to address water-related issues through a legal and institutional framework. He said he would recommend that members of the Bangladesh Parliament take part in the legislative initiatives launched by the AAWC which seeks to involve parliamentarians across Asia in tackling water security challenges. The Speaker also assured that a delegation of Bangladesh would participate in the upcoming AAWC annual conference in Laos. The AAWC is an inter-parliamentary platform comprising lawmakers from various Asian countries. It works to strengthen legislative and policy cooperation on water security, climate change, water management and sustainable development.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday clarified that MPs are not required to bow to the Chair when entering, leaving, taking or vacating their seats in the House, as the relevant provision was removed from the Rules of Procedure two decades ago. Delivering a ruling from the Chair, the Speaker said the issue was raised through points of order by lawmaker Mohammad Mujibur Rahman of Rajshahi-1 on June 16 and lawmaker Joynal Abdin Faruk of Noakhali-2 on June 17 regarding the practice of showing respect to the presiding officer by bowing. The Speaker said he had earlier informed the House that the matter would be examined and a decision communicated after reviewing the relevant rules and records. Referring to Rule 267(1) of the Rules of Procedure, he noted that the current provision states: “During a sitting of Parliament, a member shall show respect to the Chair when entering or leaving the House and when taking or vacating his or her seat.” He said the word “bowing” was removed from the rule through an amendment adopted in 2006. The Speaker explained that the Standing Committee on the Rules of Procedure of the Eighth Parliament submitted a report to the House on September 20, 2006. The report was considered and adopted by Parliament on September 26, 2006, and included the amendment to Rule 267(1). “Therefore, the word ‘bowing’ no longer exists in Rule 267(1) of our Rules of Procedure,” he said. The Speaker said the existing rule only requires members to show respect to the Chair and does not prescribe any specific form of salutation or gesture. “In accordance with their respective religious customs and practices, honourable members may show respect to the Speaker’s Chair or to the presiding officer,” he said.

Irked with what he described as a 'Shahbagh-like attitude', Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Friday asked NCP's Hasnat Abdullah, MP for Cumilla-4, to adopt Parliamentary norms. “Don't be so intolerant, Mr. Abdullah. This is not Shahbagh Square. This is the Parliament. Here you have to wait patiently. You have to listen,” the Speaker said. The Parliament witnessed a heated exchange during a contentious debate over the passage of the July Memorial Museum Bill, 2026. 91 bills passed to convert Yunus era ordinances into laws  Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, while addressing the House, compared the current parliament with previous ones, describing the present assembly as more disciplined, vibrant, and effective. His remarks were immediately met with fierce protest from Hasnat Abdullah, a front-line leader of the July movement and a National Citizen Party (NCP) MP. Hasnat had left his seat and stood up, shouting in protest. Attempting to restore order amidst the shouting, the Speaker directly addressed the NCP lawmaker with a stern warning. The Speaker continued his address, emphasizing that parliamentary procedures must be strictly followed. He noted there is very little scope for verbal protests and advised the member to submit a notice, which the chair would adjudicate and take into account. The primary cause of the friction was the passage of the July Memorial Museum Bill in an amended form. The opposition, led by Chief Whip Nahid Islam, alleged that the bill was passed in violation of a previous consensus reached by a special committee. The opposition bench expressed deep resentment, claiming the amendments deviated from the agreed-upon structure intended to preserve the legacy of the July movement. While the Speaker maintained that the House was functioning more effectively than in the past, the opposition's protest highlighted deep-seated divisions over the legislative process. The bill was eventually passed by voice vote amidst the ongoing protests and chaos within the chamber.

The sitting of 1st session of the 13th Parliament has been adjourned till 3:00 pm on March 29. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad made the announcement at 2:59 pm on Sunday. The first session of the Jatiya Sangsad commenced on Thursday last. Special committee in parliament to review 133 ordinances by Apr 2