United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered the authorities concerned to keep 100,000 volunteers ready in Dhaka to deal with any potential earthquake situation. Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu disclosed this while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday after a meeting with the Prime Minister. The minister said the Prime Minister gave several instructions in view of the recent increase in earthquake incidents. “He (PM) has instructed us to prepare 100,000 volunteers in Dhaka city following the same model we have in the coastal areas,” Dulu said. The minister said the Prime Minister also directed the authorities to identify open spaces, including playgrounds and schools in Dhaka, to relocate people during emergencies. The Prime Minister instructed the ministry to ensure quick procurement of necessary equipment and work with other ministries to build public awareness, he said. “We will work on these issues and sit again on the 11th to review the follow-up,” the minister added. Asked about the country’s rescue capacity in the case of a major earthquake, Dulu said the discussions were aimed at capacity building. “So far, the equipment we have procured has been handed over to the Armed Forces Division and some to the Fire Service,” he said. On long-term disaster management planning, the minister said there is a 180-day plan in place. “We will implement whatever falls within our jurisdiction,” he added. Regarding the removal of risky high-rise or vulnerable buildings in high-risk zones under Rajuk, the minister said, “Yes, it is within our purview. Where it involves the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, we coordinate and work together,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged the officials and staff of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to work sincerely to change the fate of the country’s people. “The people of Bangladesh are looking up to the government with great expectations. You are also part of this government,” he said while addressing officials and staff of the PMO at a meeting. The prime minister mentioned that PMO officials and staff are part of the administration and said the government will perform well only if they extend full cooperation. “We consider this country our first and last address. So we must work ourselves to change the destiny of our people.” Tarique Rahman arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon at 10:15am and held his first meeting with officials and staff of the PMO since assuming office. The meeting was held at the Shapla Hall of the PMO in Tejgaon in the morning. Prime Minister’s advisers Mirza Abbas, Ismail Zabiullah, Humayun Kabir, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Brig Gen (retd) ATM Shamsul Islam and Zahedur Rahman were present, along with Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, according to a press release issued by the PMO. Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar delivered the welcome address and Director General of the PMO Mohammad Abdul Wadud Chowdhury gave a presentation on the structure and functions of the office. Addressing the meeting, Tarique said every political party has a manifesto and noted that through a fair election, people gave their mandate in favour of implementing the manifesto of the BNP.  “So, we must work in line with the commitments made in the manifesto,” he said. The Prime Minister sought the cooperation of government officials and employees in implementing the manifesto pledges, particularly in the health and education sectors, women’s education, employment generation, sports and other priority areas. Tarique stressed the need to ensure the security of citizens so that they feel safe. “If we all work together, we will certainly be able to achieve this goal,” he said. He also expressed hope that officials and employees would extend full support in eliminating corruption from the country. At the meeting, the prime minister instructed officials to maintain confidentiality where necessary in the interest of the state. He also emphasised strict adherence to government rules and regulations to build a disciplined and orderly nation. Heads of departments and agencies under the PMO, along with its officials and staff members, were present at the meeting. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended office on Saturday, although it was a public holiday Last Saturday, he worked at the PMO in Tejgaon for the first time.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday walked from the Secretariat to the Osmani Memorial Auditorium to attend the Ekushey Padak award ceremony and later returned to his office on foot. The Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the Prime Minister reached his office at the Secretariat at 9:04am and joined the cabinet meeting at 9:30am. At around 10:40am, he left the Secretariat through Gate No. 5 and walked to the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, located just across the road, to attend the Ekushey Padak distribution ceremony. His daughter Zaima Rahman accompanied him. PM promises UN recognition of Bangla, globalising Ekushey Book Fair On entering the auditorium, the Prime Minister went up to the stage and asked officials to replace the ‘royal’ chair kept for him with an ordinary one.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said efforts would continue to secure UN recognition for Bangla and proposed turning the Amar Ekushey Book Fair into an international event in the coming years. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 at Bangla Academy, he also stressed the importance of promoting reading habits and increasing the publication of research-based books. “In the course of time, you may consider whether, in the coming years, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair could be organised as the Amar Ekushey International Book Fair,” the prime minister said. Tarique said an international Amar Ekushey Book Fair will not only introduce our citizens to world literature but also encourage them to learn about and understand multiple languages and cultures. “I believe that, in today’s global village, it is essential to be familiar with not only our mother tongue but also with several other languages,” he said. To achieve prosperity and dignity in this competitive world, the Prime Minister said there is no alternative to building a knowledge- and talent-based society. “We must enrich ourselves through knowledge, science, technology, and skill. At the same time, our efforts to secure recognition for Bangla as an official language of the United Nations will continue,” he said. The Prime Minister also reflected on the distinctive identity of Bangladesh’s book fair. He noted that while book fairs are held in many countries, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is unique, symbolising the achievement of language rights and the establishment of Bangla as the state language. “Although the size and scale of the fair increase every year, there is currently scope for thought on whether research-based publications are increasing at the same rate, and whether citizens’ reading habits are developing accordingly,” the prime minister said. Recalling the supreme sacrifice of the language martyrs of 1952, Tarique said February 21 is now observed globally as International Mother Language Day. “We observe Ekushey every year with pride in memory of those who sacrificed their lives to establish the dignity of our mother tongue. The day now belongs not only to Bangladesh but also to the whole world,” he said. The Prime Minister said Bangla Academy carries the spirit of the Language Movement and that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is one of its most important creative initiatives. He said the fair should not remain just a marketplace for selling books. “Let Amar Ekushey Book Fair become a centre for the growth of education and culture. Let it be a meeting place of hearts.”

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, the annual gathering for book lovers and publishers, in the capital. The Prime Minister opened the country’s largest book fair around 3:12 pm, joining the inaugural ceremony at the Bangla Academy premises. The Bangla Academy organised the fair at its premises and the adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan. The fair will remain open from 2 pm to 9 pm on regular days, with entry closing at 8:30 pm. On holidays, it will run from 11 am to 9 pm. Fridays and Saturdays will feature a dedicated Children’s Corner from 11 am to 1:30 pm, hosting 63 institutions across 107 units. At the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister presented the Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar 2026 to eight distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to Bangla literature. This year’s recipients are Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children’s literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammedy for science, and Moidul Hasan for works on the Liberation War. Unlike previous years, the fair began at the end of February instead of February 1 due to the national election held on February 12. The ceremony began at 2 pm with the national anthem and a recitation of religious scriptures. A one-minute silence was observed in tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and the July mass uprising. Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Chairman of Bangla Academy, chaired the inaugural session. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, and Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam, among others, addressed the programme. Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman were present. Cabinet members, members of parliament, notable citizens, writers, publishers, and senior civil and military officials also attended. Organisers promised a 'zero-waste' and environmentally conscious edition of the country’s largest literary gathering. This year’s fair carries the theme 'Multidimensional Bangladesh' and will continue until 15 March. The traditional book fair remains a central feature of Bangladesh’s cultural calendar, celebrating the spirit of the Language Movement and the wider observance of Amar Ekushey. According to the organisers, 549 publishing houses are participating this year, with 81 stalls at the Bangla Academy and 468 at Suhrawardy Udyan, making a total of 1,018 units. A 'Little Magazine Corner' has been arranged under the trees near the open stage at Suhrawardy Udyan, featuring 87 little magazines. The overall layout remains largely unchanged from last year, though some structural adjustments have been made.

The government has constituted the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the country’s highest body for approving public investment projects, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as its chairman. The committee was formed through a gazette notification issued on Thursday, outlining its composition, supporting officials and scope of responsibilities. According to the notification, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been appointed as the Vice-Chairman of ECNEC. Ecnec approves Tk 244.14 cr project to enhance disaster resilience The other members of the committee include Finance Minister, Housing and Public Works Minister, Foreign Minister, Industries, Housing and Public Works Minister, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Health and Family Welfare Minister, and Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister. The Planning Minister will serve as a member of the committee, while the Secretary of the Planning Division will act as the Member-Secretary. The gazette also specified a group of senior officials who will assist the committee in its functions. These include the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary or Secretary, Secretaries of the Finance Division, Economic Relations Division, Statistics and Informatics Division, Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division, and Planning Division. 1000-bed Bangladesh–China Friendship Hospital, 24 other projects get ECNEC nod Secretaries from relevant ministries and divisions will also participate in committee proceedings when required. ECNEC is empowered to review, consider and approve all development project proposals, including Development Project Proposals (DPPs), Technical Assistance Project Proposals (TPPs), and revised project proposals. It will also examine and approve investment projects involving government funding exceeding Tk 50 crore, based on recommendations from the relevant appraisal committees. Besides, the committee will review the implementation progress of ongoing development projects to ensure timely completion and effective utilisation of public funds. ECNEC will also consider investment proposals from private sector entities, joint ventures and state-owned enterprises that require government approval or policy support. As the apex executive body for approving development projects, ECNEC plays a crucial role in implementing the government’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) and advancing national economic priorities through coordinated planning and oversight.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended his office at the Secretariat for the third consecutive day on Sunday morning, where he enquired about the punctuality of cabinet members and other officials. PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the Prime Minister arrived at the Secretariat at 9:05am. “Many were surprised to see the Prime Minister at the office so early,” he added. After reaching his office, Rumon said, the Prime Minister enquired which ministers, state ministers and advisers had already arrived. He also gave verbal instructions that all officials must be present at their offices on time. Tarique Rahman took oath as Prime Minister on February 17. The following day, he began working at his Secretariat office and continued there for two days. On Sunday, which was a public holiday, he worked from the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.    

Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim on Friday telephoned Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and congratulated him on assuming office following a landslide election victory. “Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called Tarique Rahman around 3pm and warmly congratulated him on becoming the Prime Minister and on the massive election victory,” Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told UNB. During the conversation, Anwar Ibrahim also conveyed Malaysia’s interest in working closely on various bilateral issues. Congratulating Tarique, Anwar Ibrahim hopes for 'renewed energy' in Malaysia-Bangladesh ties Tarique Rahman thanked his Malaysian counterpart for the call and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing cooperation for the development and prosperity of both nations. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a two-thirds majority in the February-12 national election and formed the government on February 17, with Tarique Rahman being the Prime Minister.    

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to strengthen their partnership and advance shared priorities. "I look forward to this next chapter in the partnership between our two countries," he said in a letter extending his congratulations to PM Tarique on his victory in the Bangladesh elections and his confirmation as Prime Minister. As one of the largest foreign investors in Bangladesh, Starmer hoped to continue to grow their trade and investment relationship. President Trump greets PM Tarique; seeks decisive action on defence front The British Prime Minister said the United Kingdom and Bangladesh share a close and long standing relationship.  "I am confident that under your leadership our collaboration will only grow, building on our shared values and rich history," he said. The British Prime Minister welcomed further cooperation to tackle illegal migration, combat the effects of climate change and strengthen our long-standing defence and security ties. "The UK will also continue to support Bangladesh as you generously host Rohingya refugees," he said.

The government will provide protein-rich food at subsidised prices to around 10 lakh low-income families across the country during the holy month of Ramadan, said State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku on Thursday. He said the initiative, taken in line with the government’s commitment to public welfare under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, will ensure the supply of milk, eggs, meat and fish for low-income people at affordable prices. He made the remarks is morning while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a programme to sell milk, eggs and meat at affordable prices at the conference room of the Livestock Research Institute at Mohakhali. He said all concerned must work with honesty and dedication to fulfil the commitments made by the Prime Minister to the nation. PM Tarique urges market restraint ahead of Ramadan Collective efforts are essential to move the country towards development and prosperity, he said . The state minister noted that during Ramadan some unscrupulous traders hike prices of essential commodities, increasing hardships for low-income people. He said such government initiatives would help ease their suffering and there are plans to expand the programme further in the future. The programme was chaired by Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Md Abu Sufian.