Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday (January 17, 2024) said Bangladesh has agreed to deepen ties with the United States through expansion of trade and strengthening efforts to combat “militancy and fanaticism.” "We have expressed our commitment to work together," he told reporters after his separate meetings with US Ambassador Peter Haas and European Union Ambassador Charles Whiteley at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The Foreign Minister said the rise of fanaticism is a problem worldwide.  Responding to a question, he also said there has been exploration of oil offshore.  Bangladesh, China discuss promoting FTA negotiation and attracting investment The Foreign Minister said there are oil reserves as discovered by a US company. He said Bangladesh and the US have cooperation in the defence area and they have discussed the issue.  The Foreign Minister said he has discussed the Rohingya repatriation issue with both the ambassadors. He said Bangladesh wants Rohingyas to return to their homeland with full rights. EU to start negotiations on Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon, says Charles Whiteley Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh is now hosting around 15 lakh Rohingyas, and the number is growing . "It's a burden for us." Talking to reporters, US Ambassador Peter Haas said he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh in the coming months on issues of mutual importance.  He mentioned climate change, expanding business opportunities, and other areas of cooperation to advance the relations.  "I look forward to working very closely in the coming months to advance our mutual interest," said Ambassador Haas. Referring to the meeting with the Foreign Minister, he said it was an opportunity to talk about the future of the US-Bangladesh relationship.  Lavrov to Hasan Mahmud: Russia-Bangladesh ties based on solid foundation of friendship Regarding his meeting with EU Ambassador Whiteley, the Foreign Minister said they discussed the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) so that both sides can reach a fruitful position through negotiations. 

Asserting that her government will continue its drive against militancy, terrorism, drugs and corruption Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the people to remain vigilant against the evils. “Our drive against militancy, terrorism, drugs and corruption will be continued. All of you must remain cautious regarding this matter,” she said. The prime minister was addressing a huge public rally at TT High School ground at Bhangar Haat in Kotalipara upazila here. She also asked all guardians to remain alert so that their children don't get involved with drugs and militancy.  With Kotalipara upazila unit AL president Bhabendra Nath Biswas in the chair the rally was addressed among others by AL presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim And AL general secretary Obaidul Quader. Kotalipara upazila unit AL Aynal Hossain conducted the rally. Earlier, the PM inaugurated 43 development projects and laid foundation stones of another five in Kotalipara. She came down heavily on a section of people who often compare Awami League and BNP on the same scale. “Some people compare Awami League with BNP, some say two parties,” she said. She mentioned that in 2008 election, BNP and its 20-party alliance got only 30 seats out of 300 while AL-led grand alliance won the rest. “Then how can these two parties be same?” She questioned. She said that during the BNP regime there were militancy, terrorism, grenade attacks, bomb blasts in 500 places, while it became champions in corruption for five times. “They did not give anything to people, they just looted people’s ’ money," she asserted. She said that BNP does not comply with their own party constitution. Also Read: Boost research on agriculture to increase production: PM Hasina tells scientists In this connection, she mentioned that as per the constitution of BNP the convicted criminals can not lead the party.  “Why does BNP fails to get some one who is not convicted to be their leader?,” she wondered. She said that BNP is being led by Khaleda Zia and her son who both are convicted criminals.  “They do not obey their own party constitution, country’s law, and how that party can be compared with Awami League,” she said. She said that those who often mention ‘two big parties’ are making mistakes. She said that AL is the organisation of the people of Bangladesh.  “This party has been formed in the struggle to realise the rights of the people of this country, and that's why when AL comes to power the country sees development, “ she said. On the other hand, she said, parties like BNP, Jatiya Party and Jamaat lack that credentials. “Zia grabbed the power illegally through violating the constitution, there is a verdict of the higher court,” she said. She recalled that BNP is the party that was formed by Gen Ziaur Rahman while staying in power by grabbing it illegally and bribing some people.  “They never wanted the good and welfare of the people,” she said. In this regard, she mentioned that BNP set people on fire, play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people.  “So, there is no way to compare Awami League with them (BNP),” she said. She said that Awami League is the organisation of this country’s land and people. It works for the welfare of the people. “We (Awami League) have attained the independence under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The results of the independence is reaching every door and it will continue this way,” she said. Hasina thanked the people of her constituency (Tungiara-Kotaliara) for always standing beside her though she can’t go to them regularly like other lawmakers as she has to oversee 300 parliamentary seats and their overall socioeconomic developments.  “I express my gratitude to you (Tungipara-Kotalipara people) as you always feel for me from your hearts. I get the love and affection of my father, mother and brothers from you people after losing them,” she said.  Briefly describing her government's measures for the development of Gopalganj, she said it used to take 24 hours to reach Kotalipara through waterways from Dhaka, but it now takes a few hours to reach here. The premier said her government has built the Padma Bridge with its own funds after overcoming many challenges that include corruption allegations. She reiterated that they have come to power to improve the fate of the people instead of  making their own fortunes through corruption. Hasina said she is out to give the people a beautiful and improved life by transforming the country into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh, free from hunger and poverty as envisioned by  Bangabandhu. Spelling out various measures taken by her government for ensuring overall development of the country, she said they have increased the education rate by establishing schools and colleges in every upazila alongside computer and digital labs, reached healthcare services to people's doorsteps by setting up community clinics, giving various allowances to the people under the social safety net programmes and giving houses to every landless and homeless people.  The prime minister said that the government is determined to maintain law and order to ensure safety and security of the citizens alongside carrying out the country’s socio-economic advancement.  She once again asked the people to bring every inch of fallow land under cultivation to grow their food as the ongoing global economic recession and food crisis can hit Bangladesh too.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon Alem and Olama (Islamic scholars) to instil humanitarian values among people and guide them against terrorism, militancy and drug addiction. “These are destroying families and the society as well,” she said while virtually inaugurating 50 more model mosques across the country from her official residence Ganabhaban. She also requested all, particularly the children, not to get involved in militancy, saying, “Militancy is dishonouring Islam instead of dignifying it.” Sheikh Hasina urged the guardians and teachers of educational institutions to be cautious as children and youths are targeted by militants. “We can develop our society in a beautiful manner by erasing miseducation, differences, conflicts, terrorism, and militancy through realising the true sense of Islam,” she said. The prime minister said that through the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres, people would get true knowledge on Islamic values and culture. This will help in not being misled in the name of religion, alongside contributing immensely to stop terrorism, militancy and repression on women, she added. Also read; PM Hasina urges affluent section to stand by destitute people She said that the government has undertaken the projects of constructing model mosques so that no one can mislead people in the name of Islam. The PM said the model mosques would enhance people’s knowledge of Islam – a religion of peace, fraternity and friendship. “It would help stop terrorism, militancy and repression on women, with imparting the true knowledge of Islamic values and culture on people,” she said. Describing the Alem and Olama as the “Orasatul Ambia”, she said people of the country respect the Khatibs and Imams of mosques. “Make sure that none can mislead people using our religion. You can educate people to refrain from getting involved in social ills that include drug addiction, child marriage, repression of women, food adulteration and corruption through your daily sermons and khutba during Jummah,” she said. Also read; AL always fulfills election pledges made to the nation: PM Hasina She said religion cannot be used as a political weapon. “Our target is to put an end to torture and repression, using religion,” she said. The PM said Islam ensures free exercise of religions by people of all faiths. “Irrespective of political identity and opinion, we can build a developed, prosperous and ‘Smart Bangladesh’ – with equal respect to every religion and with the non-communal spirit,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said that Awami League has always been a “servant of Islam”, and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stopped racing, gambling and alcohol sales. She mentioned that Bangabandhu established madrasa board, allocated land for Baitul Mukarram Mosque and Ijtema ground – to uphold Islam.   “Bangabandhu had taken initiatives to hold Bishwa Ijtema in Bangladesh and incorporate the country as a member of the OIC,” she said. Following the ideals of the Father of the Nation, she said they have taken various programmes to dignify Islam that includes constructing 564 model mosques at each of the upazilas and districts. The prime minister said that she has so far opened 100 model mosques across the country while the rest will be opened in phases. The government is now building three storey model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in every upazila and four storey mosque in every district. State Minister for Religious Affairs Ministry Md Faridul Haque Khan and its Secretary Kazi Enamul Hassan spoke at the function from the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Rajshahi, Shariatpur and Chouddagram of Cumilla district sites were also connected to the programme, where the local lawmakers, public representatives, political parties, government officers and common people were present. A video-documentary on the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres was screened at the function.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid on Friday said the government has been implementing different initiatives to promote cultural activities at the grassroots level of the country. “The cultural practices can be one of the tools to prevent moral degradation of the youth and resist terrorism and militancy.  So, the government continues taking and implementing initiatives to promote cultural practices at the grassroots,” he said. The state minister said this while inaugurating the two-day inter-school cultural competition at St. Joseph International School in the city’s Mohammadpur. Also Read: Bhupen Hazarika's songs inspired our freedom fighters: KM Khalid He said once larger cultural activities were seen in the rural areas unlike now.  Khalid thanked St. Joseph International School for arranging the cultural competition and festival. Naimur Rahman Durjoy MP and noted artist Sujit Mustafa also spoke at the function presided over by Principal of the school Br. Chandan B Gomes, said a PID handout.    

President Abdul Hamid on Thursday called upon the people of the country to work more unitedly to eliminate corruption, terrorism, drugs and militancy. The President came up with the call in his speech in the 21st session of the current Parliament that began on Thursday. He said Bangladesh achieved independence through a bloody war under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In this independent sovereign country, the people are the source of all power and the center of all their hopes is great National Parliament. "You are the people's representatives, so public interest should be placed above everything else. It is our sacred duty to gift a safe, happy, beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh to the new generation," he said. Read more: PMO's Principal Secretary meets President Abdul Hamid The President said that the spirit of the Liberation War and the ideals of the Father of the Nation should be adopted to speed up the development of the country. He termed Padma Bridge as a symbol of Bangladesh's ability and pride as it was built with its own funding and inaugurated on June 25, 2022. "More than 3 crore people of the country will benefit directly from it. The construction of the southern tube of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman multi-lane tunnel under the Karnaphuli river has been completed,” he said. He also said he is hopeful that soon the tunnel will be opened for public use. President Hamid also congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for launch of the first metro train from Uttara to Agargaon. Referring the year 2022 as the year of challenges, President Hamid said that the nation and the entire world is going through a difficult time. Read more: President Hamid urges public representatives to work for the people "We were able to successfully deal with the Corona pandemic and maintain economic progress but the war between Russia and Ukraine has slowed down our progress," he said. Hamid said amid the global economic crisis currently the amount of food grain stock in the country is 16.14 lakh metric tons, which is satisfactory. The President said that pension will be introduced for all citizens above the age of 60 from the fiscal year 2022-23.

A senior counter terrorism official said on Thursday that Ameer(chief) of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman has confessed the involvement of his son Dr Rafat Sadiq Saifullah with the new militant outfit Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya. The chief of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Asaduzzaman claimed this at a press conference in the DMP media centre on Thursday. The CTTC chief said the Jamaat chief was aware that his son was involved in militancy. “But he remained silent and didn’t inform the law enforcement agencies,” Asaduzzaman said. “If someone wants to return to normal life after being involved in militancy, the law-enforcement agencies consider an application on behalf of the family. But he (Shafiqur) did not inform the law enforcers and concealed the whole thing,” he said. Rafat, son of Shafiqur Rahman, along with one of his associates were arrested from Jatrabari area of the city on November 9. Read more: Dr Shafiqur Rahman made Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Rafat was a suspected member of Ansar Al Islam and collected some supporters from the militant group to join their new militant outfit Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, the official claimed. A group of young people, who left homes recently, led by Rafat went to Bandarban from where they went to Sylhet for training from militants with Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), an armed group in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, claimed the CTTC chief. Shafiqur Rahman was arrested on December 13 for his alleged involvement in militancy. Police found the evidence of supporting and funding the new militant outfit Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya by the Jamaat chief, said DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq on December 17. Meanwhile, about the escape of two militants from the Dhaka court, the CTTC chief said on Thursday: “It is not time to say it yet. They’ve not escaped from the country yet.” Read more: Arrest warrants issued against Jamaat chief, 11 others in sabotage case

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on Monday said that the police is working firmly against militancy and terrorism in light of the zero tolerance policy announced by the prime minister.  He said militancy and terrorism have been brought under control through working together on the same platform by  all law enforcement and intelligence agencies, administration, public representatives, general people and media under the leadership of the prime minister. These activities will continue in the coming days, the IGP added.  Read: IGP calls on new police officers to perform duties impartially, efficiently The IGP came out with the comments while talking to reporters after the inauguration of IGP Cup Mymensingh Premier Division Cricket League-2022 organized by Mymensingh District Sports Association and Mymensingh District Police at Mymensingh Circuit House ground this morning.  Terming Bangladesh Police as a professional force, the IGP said that the trained professional members of this force have been successfully fulfilling the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the country. They are ready to deal with any kind of disorder, any sabotage and the force has the ability to face any challenge of maintaining law and order in the coming days as well, he added.  Replying to another question, the police chief said that the police are performing their duties as required to maintain law and order in the country and to enforce the law for the safety of people's lives and property.  The police are performing their duties with professionalism without any partisan bias, the IGP said.  Read: Kabaddi can play vital role in building drug-free society: IGP Later, IGP exchanged views with the police officers and forces of Mymensingh district and urged all to strive sincerely to keep the reputation that Bangladesh Police has earned by providing services to the people.   Saying that police engagement with the public has been enhanced through community policing, beat policing and open house days, the IGP called upon the Police members to perform its duties with a professional attitude to make it a place of people's trust and confidence.   

Awami League General Secretary and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Monday that people are afraid of BNP's rally as the party is the sponsor of militancy and communalism.  He made the remark after paying tribute to the leader when he visited the grave on the occasion of the 59th death anniversary of Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy on Monday. Read more: 'Smart Bangladesh': Quader reveals AL's slogan for next election BNP wants to hold its public rally in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan on December 10. But the government has given BNP permission to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan. They will not be exempted if they cause disorder in the name of rally, he said. Quader said that under BNP’s rule elections were farce and Awami League activists were not allowed to stay at home with false cases. He said that obstacles have been created step by step in the development of democracy in Bangladesh. After Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina returned home in 1981, Shaheed Suhrawardy started fighting for democracy.  Read more: BNP won't be allowed to orchestrate violence surrounding December 10 rally: Quader "He traveled all over the country and campaigned for the values of the liberation war, for the ideal of liberation war and for democracy. He united the people and freed the shackles of democracy. Terming Hossain Suhrawardy as the son of democracy, the minister said that there is a mystery about the death of Suhrawardy. “We still do not know whether there is any conspiracy behind it or not,” he said.  

Members of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Wednesday arrested the banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam’s member Dr Jakir Hossain from the capital’s Jatrabari area, eight days after he went missing from work at the Bhanga upazila health complex in Faridpur.   Dr Jakir Hossain is son of Md Shamsul Alam of Bangram Residential Area in Manikganj district town. He was produced before a Faridpur court with a remand prayer while it granted a two day remand for interrogation, Ahmedul Islam, additional deputy commissioner of the CTTC, said.   Dr Jakir joined the government’s health department as an assistant surgeon at Tujarpur Health Center under the upazila on December 11, 2019, through the 38th  BCS, he said.    However, the Tujarpur facility only existed in theory, so he remained attached throughout to the Bhanga UHC. Dr Jakir went missing from his workplace on the afternoon of November 8, after finishing his duty. He sent an SMS to the Upazila Health and Family Planning officer and his colleagues saying that he was going to Dhaka because of the illness of his mother-in-law. Later his mobile phone was found switched off. Read more: Militancy under full control in Bangladesh: IGP On early November 9, he also sent another SMS to his wife Koly, saying that his mobile phone would die anytime due to low battery. Dr Mohsin Uddin Fakir, officer of Bhanga Upazila Health and Family Planning, said they came to know about the arrest of Dr Jakir after talking to the concerned police station. “He was a member of the banned militant outfit,” he added.    Read more: Drug, militancy to be uprooted at any cost: Home Minister

Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday reiterated that drugs, militancy and terrorism will be uprooted from the country at any cost. He made the remark while addressing at an anti-drug, militancy and terrorism rally held at Madrasha Babunagar Government Primary School in Satkania upazila of the district, as the chief guest on Tuesday. “No drug is produced in our country, we don’t let anybody produce drugs and drives are on against the drugs” he said. The prisons of the country can accommodate only 40,000 accused while the number of accused can’t be reduced from that anyhow, he said.   Read more: Truth about drug smugglers firing at DGFI officer at Tombru border will be revealed: Home Minister “A section of people carried out attack on Masjid, Temple and Church, it was found when looked back,” he said. “We overcame from the killing of priest of Iskan temple, Holey Artisan Bakery”, he said adding that the world got surprised asking what was happening in Bangladesh. Minister Kamal said “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a devoted soul of Islam and she does noting which goes against Islam, she starts her works with Namaz and recitation of the holy Quran,” he said.  Read more: Need to be tougher on drugs: Home Minister    Local lawmaker Pro Dr Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin Nadwi presided over the programme where local Awami League leaders and high-ups of administration among others were present at the programme.