United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday (December 08, 2025) urged party leaders and activists to prioritise the party and its electoral symbol, the “Sheaf of Paddy,” over individual candidates ahead of the upcoming election, warning that a serious setback could follow if unity is not maintained. “There is no time for us to sit idle. Candidates have already been announced in various areas. For your area, the party has made a decision based on who we thought would do best,” he said while speaking virtually at the concluding session of BNP’s second day of the ‘Plan to Build the Country’ programme. Tarique also noted that perhaps the candidate announced in their area was not the one they personally preferred, or that their connection with the candidate was not very strong. “But you are not working for the candidate. You are working for your Sheaf of Paddy. The candidate is not the main focus. What matters is that our party, BNP, the Sheaf of Paddy, and the country. If people vote for the Sheaf of Paddy, we will be able to carry out every plan for building the country,” he said. Read more: Conspiracies underway to undermine democracy: Tarique Rahman He also said the plans to build the country will not just remain on paper but will be implemented at any cost with people’s involvement. “Our promise and our work for the next two months are to involve the people of Bangladesh in these plans. There is no other work beyond this.” Tarique called upon Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to reach out to people in their areas, explain the party’s plans, gather support, and mobilise voters. Urging the younger generation to unite, he said, Bangladesh’s immediate future depends on them. If you move forward together, the country has a future. Otherwise, a terrible situation may wait. If we unite and work from our respective positions, the country will move forward.” The six-day programme, titled ‘Plans to Build the Country’, was announced on November 27 and involves BNP’s affiliated bodies, including Chhatra Dal, Krishak Dal, Ulema Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal, ahead of the national election. Conspiracies underway to undermine democracy: Tarique Rahman BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin inaugurated the second day’s programme in the morning, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Farmgate. Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal from across the country joined the programme so they can explain BNP’s plans, election manifesto, and promises to the people ahead of the polls. The programme highlighted BNP’s detailed plans for the country, including canal excavation, air pollution control, environmental improvement, waste management, nationwide sports development, education, health, reducing unemployment, and social support initiatives such as the Family Card, Farmers’ Card, and Health Card. Tarique urged party leaders and activists to take these plans directly to people. Read more: Shahadat Hossain Selim joins BNP dissolving his party

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 07, 2025) expressed the hope that their critically ill party chairperson Khaleda Zia will recover with 'divine blessings'. “People all over the country are praying for her, regardless of their political affiliation. We have faith in Allah, and we believe that with the prayers of so many people for her recovery, Allah will surely respond to them,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while inaugurating BNP’s six-day “Plan to Build the Country” programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Farmgate area. Read more: Fakhrul urges BNP followers to strongly counter misinformation in cyberspace He said highly reputed national and international doctors are providing treatment to Khaleda at Evercare Hospital. “None of us can feel happy at this moment. We are heavy-hearted because our great leader, the guardian of Bangladesh — now called the Guardian of Democracy of Bangladesh — is critically ill and receiving treatment in hospital,” the BNP leader said. He said Khaleda has never bowed to injustice and has never compromised on the country’s independence, sovereignty, or the principles of democracy. Fakhrul said all necessary measures are being taken for her treatment, and BNP Acting Chairman and her eldest son Tarique Rahman is personally monitoring her situation. Read more: Zubaida visits Evercare Hospital to stand beside ailing Khaleda The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 with multiple health complications. Her treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with both local and foreign specialists involved. Her daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman--also a member of the medical board--arrived in Dhaka from London to accompany her abroad once she is cleared to fly. Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, one of her physicians, on Saturday (December 06, 2025) said Khaleda’s travel to London for advanced treatment will be delayed until she is medically declared fit to fly by an air ambulance. Read more: Khaleda’s London trip to be delayed until she’s fit: Dr Zahid

Stating that there is a campaign underway to brand their party as a negative force in politics, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 07, 2025) urged the party leaders and workers to be active in cyberspace to counter misinformation and not let conspiracies defeat them. Inaugurating BNP’s six-day “Plan to Build the Country” programme, he also accused a vested quarter of trying to create division in the country in the name of religion. “A trend has emerged now to portray BNP as a negative political party on a large scale. This trend must be broken, and we have to do it ourselves,” Fakhrul said. Read more: Khaleda to fly to London Sunday pending doctors’ approval: Fakhrul He said BNP leaders and activists must prove through their actions — by taking forward and implementing the plans of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman — that their party is the one which in the past introduced key political and economic reforms and helped Bangladesh advance. “In the same way, under the leadership of Tarique and the BNP, Bangladesh will again move forward and become one of the prosperous economies and countries in the future.” The BNP leader said Bangladesh is now at a critical turning point as after 15 years of authoritarian rule a chance has come to return to democracy.He said many obstacles have already appeared and more will come, but BNP must overcome them and achieve success. “Many types of plots and propaganda are going on against us — false campaigns are being spread. The biggest challenge is this misinformation. We must work against it with our own actions. I always say — this is a cyber-war. If we cannot become fighters in this cyber war, then we will be defeated,” Fakhrul said. He said the young generation must take responsibility for tackling false information online.Recalling the struggles under authoritarian rule, he said BNP always stressed in district and divisional meetings that the youth must come forward. Pointing at the leaders and activists of BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Fakhrul said they must remember that the biggest challenge ahead is the upcoming national election. “In that election, you must prove that BNP is the only political party that can turn the country into a prosperous nation. This is your first task. And all the necessary tools are being provided to you.” He said BNP leaders and activists must tell the people that whatever success Bangladesh has achieved came through BNP’s initiatives. “Today, a group is trying to create deep divisions in Bangladesh — they want to divide the country in the name of religion. We Bangladeshis are religious people. We respect our faith. But we do not believe in dividing the state or society using religion,” the BNP leader said.He said BNP believes that people of all religions in Bangladesh will live together and enjoy equal rights, upholding the core spirit of the 1971 Liberation War that Bangladesh belongs to everyone. “That is why the slogan ‘Bangladesh First’ given by our leader (Tarique) is extremely important — both nationally and internationally. We must keep this slogan in our hearts and move forward with this principle,” Fakhrul said. On November 27, BNP announced a six-day programme titled “Plans to Build the Country”, involving its affiliated bodies including Chhatra Dal, Krishak Dal, Ulema Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, ahead of the upcoming national election. Fakhrul inaugurated the programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Farmgate. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the concluding session in the afternoon. He said the ‘Plan to Build the Country’ programme reflects the vision of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and aims to prepare the party, especially the student wing, with new ideas for building a modern Bangladesh and addressing the country’s current challenges. “Since 24 July, the mindset of the people of Bangladesh, particularly the youth, has changed. Everyone now wants change – in governance, in our thinking, and in building a new Bangladesh. This idea is now in the minds of all,” the BNP leader said. Fakhrul criticised the Awami League government for allegedly destroying public institutions during 15 years of rule and said Tarique Rahman has been working with experts and grassroots workers to develop practical plans to rebuild the country. He said the first responsibility for delivering these plans to the people has been given to BNP’s student wing, with other affiliated bodies following gradually. The BNP leader said the plans focus on areas such as supporting small and medium enterprises, developing the IT and industrial sectors, creating employment opportunities, providing vocational training and career support in higher education institutions, offering language and skills training for overseas employment, ensuring internet access for all, improving banking sector stability, promoting inclusivity, and creating opportunities for marginalised communities. Fakhrul said employment is one of Bangladesh’s most pressing issues, with around three crore people unemployed. Read more: Khaleda will recover with 'divine blessings', hopes Fakhrul The BNP leader said Tarique Rahman has promised to create one million jobs in 18 months, not only through formal employment but also through business, agriculture, and labour opportunities.“Through this programme, BNP is proving that it is an advanced political party. Just as BNP has contributed to all of Bangladesh’s past achievements, it is now presenting new ideas to build a modern Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader also recalled the legacy of their party founder Ziaur Rahman, saying he established the foundation for modern political and economic reforms, including the ready-made garments sector, media freedom, and democratic institutions. He mentioned that their party chief, Khaleda Zia, introduced a parliamentary form of government, replacing the presidential system, and established free education for girls up to class ten.Fakhrul also cited former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman for introducing VAT, which has now become an effective method of revenue collection. He urged the Chhatra Dal to increase their presence and activities in educational institutions, saying the lack of campus-based programmes has affected their performance in university elections. Read more: Khaleda Zia to be flown to UK for advanced treatment: Fakhrul

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (August 01, 2024) said the United Nations and any country can send their experts for the proper investigation of every incident of the recent violence related to the quota reform movement. “I want everything to be investigated. Because, it needs to be found out what happened behind it and how these happened. I’ve appealed to the United Nations to send their experts. If any other country wants, they can send their experts too,” she said. The premier said this while addressing a voluntary blood donation programme, discussion and doa mahfil, arranged by Bangladesh Krishak League at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the city's Farmgate, on the occasion of the National Mourning Day. She said, “I want these incidents to be investigated properly. We’ll have to take action against the culprits no matter who they are.” The Awami League President, Sheikh Hasina, said she formed a one-member judicial enquiry committee, without waiting for any demand in this regard, in a bid to investigate the killings of six people in the violence initially. Later she upgraded it to a three-member committee to expand its scope when a larger number of incidents occurred, said the PM. She said her government has brought the status of a developing country for Bangladesh. “But today the image of Bangladesh worldwide is being tarnished by carrying out false propaganda and such militant acts. I’m leaving it to the people to judge it,” she added. PM Hasina visits Kurmitola Hospital to see the injured of recent violence Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said the father of the nation is no more today but her government has built the country following his ideals. But these developments were destroyed and the lives of people were snatched. "They (the perpetrators) would be tried one day. This is why I want it to be investigated internationally and a fair trial to be held,” she said. The prime minister said not a single militant incident occurred after the Holey Artisan attack in Bangladesh due to the vigilance of the law enforcement agencies. The law enforcers sacrificed their lives but freed Bangladesh from militancy, she said. “But today they showed ugly teeths of militancy in the banner of the quota movement,” she said. PM seeks public help to resist Jamaat-Shibir as militant organisation: The premier said there should be no place for militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh and their main strength is Jamaat-e Islami and Shibir. “They (Jamaat-Shibir) will be banned under the clause 18 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 so that they won’t have any social dignity,” she said. She said they would try to carry out destruction again as militants. “At that time, all will have to try to resist them as a militant organisation and save the people (from their hands). All will have to do it in unison,” she said. “There would be no room for militants in the land of Bangladesh. We all will have to stay vigilant in this regard. I seek cooperation from the people of the country to stay vigilant in this matter,” she went on. PM blasts intellectuals for supporting movement: It was like a terrorist attack to topple the govt: PM Hasina tells Indian envoy on quota violence Sheikh Hasina questioned what the rationale was for the continuation of movement when 100 percent demand was fulfilled. Noting different brutal incidents carried out in the name of movement, she also questioned what type of mayhem and movement it was. She criticised a section of intellectuals for supporting the movement. “Many of our knowleagble personalities, dignitaries and intellectuals continue giving their support to this movement. What support are they giving? The demand has already been fulfilled completely,” she said. She said conducting sabotages in this way in the name of a quota movement is nothing but acts of militancy. At the outset of the programme, one-minute silence was observed in memory of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabanddhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the 15th August 1975 carnage. In the event, a special prayer was conducted praying for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of the 15th August 1975 carnage and the people who were killed in the recent mayhem centring the movement for quota reform in the public service jobs. AL advisory council member Advocate Yousuf Hossain Humaiyun and AL agriculture and cooperatives secretary Faridun Nahar Laily MP spoke on the occasion. Bangladesh Krishak League President Samir Chanda delivered the welcome speech in the event moderated by its general secretary Umme Kulsum. Six quota protest coordinators released from DB custody

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday put immense importance to research on demand, production and marketing to flourish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the country.

The National SME Products Fair 2020 will kick off Wednesday in the capital to promote products made in Bangladesh in both local and international markets.