United News of Bangladesh

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is continuing its review of Bangladesh’s progress under the ongoing loan programme and a final decision regarding the next installment is expected only after the formation of the next political government. “The IMF has acknowledged that the government has been working to address macroeconomic challenges and implement reforms. They have some recommendations, particularly on revenue generation. We agree that tax revenue remains low, and there are structural reasons for this,” Dr Ahmed said. Talking to reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat after holding a series of meetings, the adviser said the government has already undertaken necessary reforms and is consolidating the progress before the upcoming general election, scheduled for February 2026. He said tax compliance among citizens remains weak, while the temporary suspension of the new National Board of Revenue (NBR) for two months also had an impact on revenue collection. “We are working to resolve these issues.” According to the adviser, the IMF has also emphasised increasing expenditure in the social sectors, especially health, education and social protection. “On food security, we are performing reasonably well.” BGMEA briefs IMF on RMG risks, urges govt to prioritize FTAs to counter LDC graduation challenge Responding to a question on whether the government expects to receive the next IMF tranche during the tenure of the interim administration, Dr Ahmed said the focus now is to maintain stability and hand over a well-structured economic reform framework to the elected government. “We will consolidate the work done so far. Of course, we cannot complete everything. Major reforms such as tax restructuring, public sector pay commission review, and strengthening the banking sector will continue. These will be carried forward by the next government,” he said. The adviser said Bangladesh has already submitted relevant reports to the IMF, and a review mission will visit the country again early next year. “The IMF will review again around the election period and then decide on disbursement. We have no objection to this. A stable political government is needed for sustained reform.” Asked about recent remarks by the Bangladesh Bank Governor on certain policy proposals, Dr Ahmed declined to comment but said any major decision would be taken collectively by the government. “This is an internal matter of the Bangladesh government. It will go to the advisory council for consideration,” he said. In response to a question, the adviser said he is scheduled to hold final discussions with the IMF on November 15.  “I have already had a virtual meeting with them. They said they are very happy with the overall economic direction. They acknowledged the efforts we have made and are making.” IMF to probe ‘NPL data concealment’ in Bangladesh’s banking sector The adviser also informed that an independent committee comprising economists has been formed to recommend reforms in the tax system. He identified the banking sector as the most critical challenge in the economy. “Some reforms have already begun, and the rest will proceed gradually. These issues will also be handed over to the next government.” Responding to whether the sixth installment of the IMF loan will be released during the interim government’s tenure, Dr Salehuddin said the IMF will review progress again after the national election expected in February.   “They want to see how much the political government continues the reforms. That is important for them. So, after their review early next year, they will make a decision,” he said. The $4.7 billion IMF loan programme, approved in January 2023, aims to support Bangladesh’s economic stability, strengthen fiscal reforms, and enhance resilience amid global economic pressures. Several tranches have already been disbursed, while further installments remain tied to policy performance benchmarks and structural reforms. The IMF will delay disbursing the sixth tranche until the next national election and the new elected government assumes office. The interim government that assumed power on August 8, 2024 three days after the Awami League regime was ousted amid a mass uprising has announced that the next general election would be held in February. Finance ministry officials said that they were expecting the releases of the sixth and the seventh tranches in June 2026.  IMF-WB proposes unified debt management office in Dhaka to strengthen public debt governance On June 23, the IMF approved the release of the fourth and fifth tranches amounting to $1.3 billion, taking the overall amount of disbursement to $3.6 billion. In June 2025, the IMF also increased the overall loan amount to $5.5 billion from $4.7 billion under the loan programme that began in 2023 under the AL regime in 2023 to meet the balance of payment shortage.  The progarmme period has also been extended by six months to January 27, 2027 from July 2026, following requests from Dhaka. The interim government has already reduced the balance of payment pressure. Driven by higher remittance and export earnings, the country’s gross foreign exchange reserves increased to $32 billion on October 16, the highest in 31 months. The latest IMF mission is also linked to the Article IV report, an annual consultation with its member countries on overall economy, on Bangladesh.    

The government has imposed a ban on all meetings, rallies and gatherings inside the Bangladesh Secretariat as part of heightened security measures. Officials wishing to remain on the premises after 6pm must notify the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Public Security Division under the Home Ministry issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday. According to the notification, it is said the security of every building inside the Bangladesh Secretariat is extremely important as it is the nerve centre of the country's administration. Multiple decisions have been made to ensure the security of each building and premises located within the secretariat, it said. Single-use plastic to be banned at Secretariat from Oct 2 : Cabinet Secretary The directives include: · All forms of processions, rallies or mass gatherings inside the Secretariat are strictly prohibited. · No unauthorised meeting or gatherings should be held in the conference rooms of various ministries or departments located within the secretariat, nor shall any meeting, conference or gathering of a professional organisation or association be allowed. · Prior permission from the Home Ministry is required for officials to remain inside the Secretariat after 6 pm, on weekends or public holidays for official duties. · Officials and staff working inside the Secretariat must display their entry passes at all times. ·Distribution of leaflets or display of banners and festoons within the Secretariat premises is prohibited. · Security personnel will conduct necessary checks on vehicles and individuals entering the Secretariat to ensure safety. It also requested all concerned to comply with the instructions mandatorily.

Education Adviser CR Abrar on Wednesday said there was no deviation in the activities of the Education Ministry in taking decisions following the jet crash into Milestone School and College in Uttara, and he has no intention of resigning on his own. “I have no intention to resign on my own. I don’t believe there was any lapse in my duties. Even then, if it is considered that there was deviation, I will leave if asked. There is nothing for me to cling to or justify myself,” Abrar told reporters at the Secretariat in response to a question. On Tuesday, students staged demonstrations in front of the Bangladesh Secretariat and they later forcefully entered its premises demanding resignation of the education adviser and secretary. The Education Secretary has already been removed. Suspended HSC exams of July 22, 24 to be held on same day: Education Adviser Asked about the government’s stance on the demand for his resignation, Abrar said, “That’s for the government to decide. I am trying to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to me.” When questioned whether he should remain in his position after such mismanagement in suspending the exam, he responded, “It seems you are already delivering the verdict. There hasn’t been any mismanagement. That’s what I’ve been trying to explain.”

Students moved to Stadium Market area near Gulistan on Tuesday afternoon after being dispersed from the Secretariat by law enforcers using baton charge, sound grenades and teargas shells. Police have now taken position near Noor Hossain Chattar at Zero Point, while students remain stationed at the Stadium Market, blocking a major part of Gulistan’s road network and disrupting vehicular movement in the area. Education Secretary already removed: Mahfuj Alam The confrontation began earlier in the day when demonstrators broke through Gate No. 1 of the Secretariat, demanding justice over a recent aviation incident involving Milestone College students and seeking the resignation of Education Adviser CR Abrar for delaying the HSC examination suspension.

Tension is running high at the Bangladesh Secretariat following a clash between two rival groups of employees over the control of its canteen operations. The clash centering the management of canteens inside the Secretariat took a violent turn on Tuesday night when members of one group attacked their rivals, leaving at least five people injured. On Wednesday morning, the Padma Canteen behind Building No. 4 was found shut and the adjacent Milk Vita shop and other nearby food stalls also remained closed. Grocery and daily essentials shops under Building No. 4, as well as the OMS outlet and Canteen No. 2 under Building No. 6, were not operating. Police were seen deployed in and around Building No. 4 which also houses the office of the Secretariat Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited. The Cooperative Society has long been operating two canteens and the OMS outlet inside the Secretariat premises. Secretariat employees are divided into two groups under the umbrella of Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council. One faction is led by Md Badiul Kabir and Nizam Uddin Ahmed, while the other group is headed by Md Nurul Islam and Mujahidul Islam Selim. Employees from both groups said the dispute over canteen control began after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year. Secretariat staff to stage mass campaign Tuesday over ordinance One faction of the employee council reportedly attempted to seize control of the canteen but the Cooperative Society insisted on running operations until the end of its designated term. Following allegations of irregularities and corruption by the previous Cooperative Society committee, the Department of Cooperatives conducted an investigation and later formed an interim management committee to oversee operations. The previous committee was reluctant to hand over responsibilities, leading to further tensions. Meanwhile, one group of employees reportedly took control of the canteen and began managing it. Although the previous committee eventually handed over control to the interim committee led by Assistant Secretary Md Golam Razzak on June 3, they also filed a writ petition with the High Court. Following the petition, the High Court issued a stay order on the activities of the interim committee, according to employee leaders. Mujahidul Islam Selim, General Secretary of the Nurul Islam faction, said, "The previous committee informed us about the court's verdict yesterday evening. We asked them to notify the Home Ministry, the Department of Cooperatives, and other relevant authorities. If the government instructed, we would close the canteen." "Around 8:30 pm, when goods for the canteen, including OMS items, were being unloaded from a truck, Badiul's men, along with some Awami League supporters, launched a sudden attack on us with rods, sticks, and other weapons. Our president, Nurul Islam, and several others, including myself, were injured. Nurul Islam suffered a head injury and is still hospitalized,"he said. Selim claimed the attack was a deliberate attempt to disrupt their ongoing movement demanding the cancellation of the Public Service Ordinance and to cover up the financial irregularities within the Cooperative Society. On the other hand, Nizam Uddin Ahmed, General Secretary of the Badiul group, said, "I wasn’t present during the incident, but as far as I heard, Nurul Islam's group tried to run the canteen forcibly, defying the court order, which led to arguments and altercations. We have informed the top officials of the administration regarding the matter."

The movement at the Secretariat will continue until the government service ordinance is completely withdrawn, said Md Badiul Kabir, president of the Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum on Tuesday. "Today, we will submit memorandums to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social Welfare," Badiul Kabir said during a demonstration by employees from various ministries in front of the new building of the Ministry of Public Administration. Protests continue at Secretariat demanding repeal of ordinance Nurul Islam, co-secretary general of the Forum, said preparations for departmental conferences have already been completed in eight divisions. "Senior government officials have betrayed our trust under the guise of dialogue. We demand a 50 percent dearness allowance. Moreover, bureaucrats aligned with this fascist government must be removed," he said. Addressing the gathering, he further stated, "As separate processions have been brought out today, tomorrow each ministry will bring out individual rallies. Tomorrow’s demonstration will be even more robust." Nazrul Islam, another leader of the forum, told protesters that they believed in discipline and due process. “There will be more comprehensive discussions in the coming days,” he said. The draft of the controversial ordinance was approved at a meeting of the Advisory Council on May 22. It includes provisions allowing dismissal of government employees for four types of disciplinary offences without a formal departmental inquiry, requiring only a show-cause notice. Demand to repeal govt service ordinance: Employees resume protest at Secretariat The ordinance was promulgated on May 25, sparking widespread backlash among public servants. Government employees have condemned the ordinance as regressive and a ‘black law’. Since May 24, they have been staging protest marches, work abstentions, and sit-ins within the Secretariat. Memorandums have also been submitted to several advisers demanding its repeal.

Government employees on Sunday continued their protests at the Secretariat, demanding the withdrawal of the ‘Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025’. The protesters said they would submit memorandums to three advisers following today’s (Sunday’s) demonstrations. The protest rally began around 11 am in front of Building No. 6 at the Secretariat’s Badamtoli point. Md Nurul Islam, Co-Chairman of the Bangladesh Secretariat Employees Unity Forum, told reporters that memorandums would be handed over to advisers Ali Imam Majumder, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, and Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Earlier, on Thursday, employees had announced plans to submit memorandums to five advisers on Sunday and Monday as part of their ongoing movement. The ordinance, issued on May 25, allows for the dismissal of employees for four types of misconduct through show-cause notices, without any departmental proceedings. Following its draft approval on May 22, all employee associations at the Secretariat have been staging protests since May 24. Last week, employees met with several secretaries, including the Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry. Officials said the demand for withdrawal would be conveyed to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus upon his return. Prof Yunus returned home from Japan on Saturday night after wrapping up a four-day visit. Meanwhile, a one-hour nationwide work stoppage was observed on Thursday.

Bangladesh Secretariat Oikya Forum on Thursday suspended its one-hour work abstention and announced to submit memorandums to five advisers on Sunday and Monday to press home its demand for scrapping the Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. The announcement came at a press briefing held at the central library of the Secretariat following a one-hour work abstention. Secretariat employees stage one-hour work abstention Md Nurul Islam, co-chairman of the forum, said, "We will submit memorandums to Advisers Ali Imam Majumder, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday. On Monday, memorandums will be handed over to Advisers Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain." He stressed the need for a specific timeline regarding the issue and said, “We have four working days before Eid. We cannot wait forever. We've heard that the Chief Adviser is expected to return this Saturday. In that case, we are hopeful of receiving positive news on Sunday. However, that does not mean we are backing down from our movement.” He expressed hope that the cabinet secretary, the secretary of Public Administration Ministry and other relevant officials would hold talks with the Chief Adviser upon his return and deliver a favourable outcome. “We are holding on to that hope,” he said. Nurul further mentioned that memorandums would also be submitted to the cabinet secretary through heads of institutions and agencies working at the field level.  Visitors banned from entering secretariat on Mondays, Thursdays “If we get a positive response on Sunday, we will withdraw all our protest programmes and celebrate Eid with a sense of achievement,” he added. Earlier in the day, employees from various ministries and divisions observed a one-hour work abstention from 10 am at the secretariat, in line with their pre-declared programme demanding the repeal of the 'Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025'.

Secretariat employees on Thursday observed a  one-hour work abstention from 10 am demanding repeal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. Badiul Kabir, President of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Coordinated Council and Co-Chairman of the Oikya Forum, said, “The work abstention was successfully observed in various ministries and divisions as per our call.” Visitors banned from entering secretariat on Mondays and Thursdays Earlier on Wednesday, leaders of the Secretariat Officers-Employees Oikya Forum announced that the work abstention would continue for one hour each day until their demand is met. They also urged all government offices at the field level including those of divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners to observe the work stoppage simultaneously. The forum leaders further warned that if their demand remains unmet, fresh programmes would be announced after May 31.

Visitors from now on will not be allowed to enter the Bangladesh Secretariat on Mondays and Thursdays each week, according to a decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs. According to sources from the Public Security Division of the ministry, visitors were restricted from entering the secretariat only on Mondays previously. However, under the new decision, the restriction will apply on both Mondays and Thursdays every week. Decision to repeal public service ordinance after CA’s return: Land Secretary A formal notification in this regard will be issued by the Public Security Division on Thursday, sources said.