United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday announced his government’s firm stance against the siphoning of money abroad, stressing that public money belongs to the people and should be used to improve their lives and change their fortunes. “We will take a tough position from today against those who have laundered money from this country and those who want to siphon off people’s money abroad,” he said while addressing a programme marking the inauguration of the third-phase Family Card distribution programme at the Victoria High School ground in Sreemangal. The Prime Minister said the country’s people should also remain vigilant so that no one can siphon off the country's wealth. “If we all keep our eyes and ears open, no one will be able to launder the country's assets abroad. We will work together and use that money to change the lives of our people,” he said. When Tarique Rahman asked whether people will stand with the government in that effort, thousands of attendees, including tea workers and local residents, responded in unison with a resounding “yes.” Calling for collective commitment, he said, “Let our pledge on this joyous day be one thing: work for the country and put Bangladesh first.” The Prime Minister also coined a new slogan, saying: “We will work, we will build the country. Bangladesh first, Bangladesh for all.” "We have seen over the past 17 years how public money was siphoned out of the country. Instead of being spent on the people, it was sent abroad by a political group," he said. Referring to opposition’s questions about funding government’s welfare initiatives, Tarique Rahman said some people often ask where the money for Family Cards and Farmers' Cards would come from. "I want to tell them that we will no longer allow people's money to be siphoned abroad," he said. He said public funds will be used for the welfare of citizens and the development of the country. "People's money will be spent on the people. It will be used for the country's development and for changing the fate of its citizens. So, there will be no shortage of money, Insha-Allah," the Prime Minister said. The programme, organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, began with recitations from the Holy Quran and other religious scriptures. The national anthem and the BNP party song were also played. The Prime Minister personally handed over Family Cards to 10 women representing beneficiary families before formally inaugurating the third phase of the programme by pressing a button. He also distributed grants of Tk 200,000 each as housing support for tea workers, scholarships for children of tea workers and financial assistance cheques for people with disabilities. Referring to the government's welfare initiatives, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh is both the first and last address of its citizens and the government's sole objective is to improve the lives of the people. “We have to build this country ourselves. The 40 crore hands of our 20 crore people must be turned into productive hands. Only then can we transform Bangladesh,” he said. The Prime Minister also warned people against what he described as attempts to spread misinformation about government’s welfare programmes. Addressing those who question the funding of the Family Card and Farmers’ Card programmes, he said the assistance distributed among tea workers, students and people with disabilities on Wednesday was being provided from public funds. Referring to allocations for Family Card and Farmers’ Card programmes in the proposed 2026-27 national budget, Tarique Rahman criticised those describing the budget as anti-people despite the government's decision to remove duties on 60 essential products. “You have seen that though we have allocated funds in this budget for ordinary working people, some have refused to accept it. We have allocated funds for mothers through the Family Card programme, for farmers through the Farmers’ Card scheme, for persons with disabilities, for students and for improving healthcare services,” he said. The Prime Minister lamented that the opposition is comparing the budget to “chanachur”, saying such remarks undermine efforts to improve people's lives. “This is a people’s budget. Through these allocations, we want to change the lives of our citizens. We have set aside funds for healthcare, for farmers and for ensuring that our children receive the best possible education. Yet some describe it as an anti-people budget,” he said. Tarique Rahman also noted that the government has withdrawn duties on 60 essential commodities but said a political party was still portraying the budget as anti-people. “When a budget contains measures for the welfare of citizens and relief for consumers, can those who oppose it truly claim to be friends of the people? The answer is no,” he said, urging people to remain alert to what he termed efforts to create confusion and instability, both inside and outside Parliament. “If those who want to create unrest get the opportunity, it will become difficult to continue programmes like Family Card, support for persons with disabilities, assistance for poor students and tax relief on essential commodities,” Tarique Rahman said. He stressed that public unity is essential to sustaining development and protecting democracy. “If people remain united, no conspiracy can succeed and no one will be able to undermine democracy in Bangladesh,” he said. The Prime Minister also claimed that forces opposed to democracy had historically worked together despite public differences, while the BNP had always stood by the people. “The greatest strength of the BNP is the people. That is why we always say that the people are the source of all power,” he said. Recalling past political struggles, Tarique Rahman said late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had never left the people during difficult times. “Bangladesh was her first address and her last address. We are the soldiers of Khaleda Zia,” he said. State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Moulvibazar district BNP Convener Faizul Karim Mayun, lawmaker Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Additional Secretary Kamal Uddin Biswas and beneficiaries Shiuly Rani Das and Wajeda Begum also spoke at the programme with Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain in the chair.

BNP senior leader Barkatullah Bulu on Friday alleged that the government has begun the work on underground metro rail project amid economic crisis only for plundering public money. "There is a crisis all over the country. Imports are being hampered due to dollar crisis. Amid this crisis, you (Prime Minister) have given a budget of Tk52,000 crore for 20 km subway. You’re implementing this project for plundering,” he said. Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader also questioned the justification of taking such a mega project when the country’s huge number of people remained unemployed. “What benefit will the state get from the Tk 52,000 crore subway?” Bulu, a BNP vice-chairman, said the government can invest the money in the agriculture sector or can set up mills factories for generating job opportunities for unemployed people. “We know you won’t do that as it will not create scope for you to loot public money.” Nagorik Odhikar Andolo (Civil Rights Movement), a pro-BNP platform, arranged the human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club to demand the release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction of Bangladesh’s first-ever underground metro rail, a month after the country rolled out its first metro rail system. Bulu alleged that the government siphoned off Tk14,00,000 crore abroad from Bangladesh to different countries, including Canada, Dubai and America. He also said an MP, who is also the Prime Minister’s special assistant, became the owner of 17 houses in the USA in four years. “It seems as if Aladdin’s magic lamp is in their hands." Read more: BNP continues blind criticism of govt: Quader In this way, Bulu said people belonging to the Awami League have got their named written in the list of world's rich abroad by indulging in looting a huge amount of money in the name of quick rental and rental power project. “The power sector has been looted. There is no country in the world where no one can file a case against the corruption of any project. But the government passed the indemnity bill in parliament so that no one can file any case against the plundering in the name of quick rental power,” he observed. The BNP leader said there is now no alternative to ousting the Awami League government to save the country from misrule and plundering. “The next election must be held under a non-party caretaker government by ensuring the fall of current regime through the movement,” he said.  

BNP on Saturday asserted it is now a ‘historical fact’ that Awami League leaders have laundered untold billions abroad by indulging in widespread plunder of wealth, that AL general secretary Obaidul Quader himself admitted. “Their (AL’s) general secretary Obaidul Quader himself said yesterday (Friday) at their party council in Faridpur that those leaders who siphoned thousands of crores abroad through plunder won’t find any place in Awami League,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Fakhrul said the statement was an admission on the part of Obaidul Quader that ruling party leaders plundered thousands of crores and siphoned off a huge amount of the money. “It’s now a historical fact.” Fakhrul made the remark while addressing a biennial council of Dinajpur district unit BNP. Also read: BNP won’t fall for govt’s false assurance in joining polls: Zainul Abedin He said the US sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and 7 officials also proved that Awami League has been indulging in repression, enforced disappearance and assassinations of its opponents. “The US State Department's human rights report has clearly stated that Begum Khaleda Zia was sentenced and jailed for political reasons out of political vengeance on the part of the government,” Fakhrul observed. He also alleged that the government has destroyed the judiciary and the administration through politicisation. “They’re controlling the media and taking the country towards destruction.” The BNP leader also accused the government of turning Bangladesh into a fascist country by destroying the spirit of the Liberation War, annihilating democracy and snatching  away all the rights of the people. As a responsible political party, the BNP leader said it is now their responsibility to restore democracy and rebuild Bangladesh. “People are looking to us (BNP) for the restoration of democracy. We must build a new and prosperous Bangladesh where there will have democratic practice, not repression.” He urged the young generation to wake up to restore all the rights people have lost, by braving any and all obstacles. “Our victory is certain.” Also read: Bangladesh on verge of collapse like Sri Lanka: Fakhrul Renewing their party’s stance on the next polls, Fakhrul said, “We want the current government to hand over power to a neutral government after immediately relinquishing power. And then, a fair election will be held conducted by an impartial election commission where people will be able to cast their vote freely.” He said the BNP will force the government to meet their demands through a ‘fierce’ movement.

BNP on Saturday expressed doubt that the government has taken a move to introduce the universal pension scheme for all citizens as part of its new ploy to plunder public money. Speaking at a rally, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also alleged that the government has haired lobbyists with taxpayers’ money to legalise its repressive acts, including enforced disappearance. As part of BNP’s 11-day countrywide programme, its Dhaka north and south city units arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the growing price hike of daily essentials and utility services. Also read: AL 'helping big power' make Bangladesh a subservient country: BNP “I’ve seen a media report about whether the government will introduce a universal general pension. They’re not saying anything clearly about it. But can realise that they are going to resort to another trick to loot public money,” Fakhrul said. He said the government will take Tk 1,000 from each person per month for up to 60 years. “If any one dies before the age of 60, their money won’t be given back…that means they’re taking the step as to how people’s money can be looted and their pockets can be cut.” The BNP leader said the government is unable to take any step to resolve people’s problems. “Rather, they’re putting people in danger. People have started now considering this regime as their enemies.”  Why lobbyists?  Fakhrul said though the government was talking tall about the US sanctions on Rab and the force’s some former and current officials, it has now appointed lobbyists to lift the bans by spending $20,000 every month. Also read: Long queues near TCB trucks exposes reality: BNP “Why have you now engaged the lobbyists? The only reason is to legalise and hush up the repressions like killing and enforced disappearance, on people by spending their tax money on lobbyists,” he said. The BNP leader said the government will not be able to hide its misdeeds as those are getting exposed one by one. “You’ve no way to suppress (your misdeeds) no matter what step you take or appoint lobbyists.” Stating that a poster carrying a sobbing photo of a minor daughter of enforced disappearance victim Mahfuzur Rahman Sohel pasted on different walls around the capital, Fakhrul said it has created a commotion all over the world. “This government has looted all of our good things and achievements. The people of this country will never forgive this government. We would like to tell Awami League it won’t be able to subdue people by resorting to enforced disappearance, killing and repressive acts,” he observed.   He urged people, including the youth, to wake up and become involved with their party’s movement for protecting the country from the misrule of the Awami League. “We call upon all democracy-loving and patriotic political parties to initiate a struggle against the horrible fascist regime. Our victory is there for sure.” Fakhrul asked the government to quit and arrange a credible election under a non-party neutral administration before time runs out fast. Corruption  He said the prices of all commodities and services that are needed for people’s survival have gone beyond the buying capacity. “We all need rice, pulses, oil and salt. The lines of people near the TCB’s trucks are getting longer every day. Even people belonging to the middle class are standing in the lines to buy goods from TCB’s trucks.” The BNP leader said the prices of electricity, gas and water have been rising every year for several times only because of corruption and looting by the government and its administrations. “Corruption has become pervasive everywhere in the country.” Awami League has now become a party of looters. “They want to hang onto power by looting public money. There’s no place where there is no corruption and plundering during the rule of this regime.” Referring to a leaked telephonic conversation between Law Minister Anisul Huq and Prime Minister’s Adviser Salman F Rahman, he said they talked about a project of Prime Minister’s son and IT adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy. He said though their party has long been seeking a clear explanation on the matter, the government still did not pay heed to it. “People want to know why Joy’s name was used for passing the project.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday again directed government officials to refrain from the unnecessary expenditure of public money as she fears a second wave of COVID-19 might hit in the coming days.

Expressing concern over mobilisation of funds to implement the fiscal budget in this situation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday asked all to exercise austerity in spending public money.