United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Jashore on Monday morning to inaugurate Ulashi Canal excavation project and attend various programmes, including a public rally and civic reception. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique landed at Jashore Airport around 10:20 am on a domestic flight. During the day-long visit, Tarique will inaugurate Ulashi Canal excavation project in Sharsha upazila and address a civic reception there. Later, after offering Zuhr prayers and having lunch at the Jashore Circuit House, he will lay the foundation stone of Jashore Medical College Hospital and visit Jashore Institute Public Library.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday told Parliament that the government is attaching top priority to recovering assets siphoned off from Bangladesh. “As part of a broader strategy to combat corruption, money laundering and financial crimes, the present government is working with the highest priority to recover laundered assets abroad,” he said while replying to a starred question from treasury bench member Md Qamruzzaman (Munshiganj-3). Citing information from a white paper formulation committee formed by the interim government, the Prime Minister said an estimated $234 billion was illicitly transferred out of Bangladesh between 2009 and 2023—an average of $16 billion annually (around Tk 1.8 lakh crore). He said since these funds were transferred to several countries, efforts are being made to strengthen information exchange, asset identification and mutual legal assistance with the countries concerned. To this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working closely with all ministries and agencies concerned to conclude Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) and facilitate the exchange of Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLARs), he said. Among 10 initially identified destination countries— USA,  UK, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Thailand, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong (China)—three countries, namely Malaysia, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, have agreed to sign agreements, while the process is underway with the remaining seven countries, said the PM. He further said an inter-agency task force has already been formed under the leadership of the Governor of Bangladesh Bank. Legal process is going on to recover laundered funds in 11 priority cases identified by the task force, he added. To expedite investigation and inquiry into these cases, 11 Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) have been formed under the leadership of the Anti-Corruption Commission, comprising officials from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police, the Central Intelligence Cell of the National Board of Revenue and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate. Focusing on the progress made so far in case of priority cases, the Prime Minister said as of March 25, 2026, courts have ordered the attachment and freezing of movable and immovable assets worth Tk 57,168.09 crore within the country, while movable and immovable assets worth Tk 13,278.13 crore laundered abroad on the other hand. “In total, assets worth approximately Tk 70,446.22 crore have been attached and frozen both at home and abroad,” he added. The Prime Minister also said 141 cases have so far been filed to recover laundered money, of which charge sheets have been submitted in 15 cases and verdicts delivered in six cases. To further accelerate and strengthen the recovery process, a ‘Stolen Asset Recovery Division’ has been formed under the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit on February 22 last, said the PM.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated the Bogura City Corporation, upgrading the 150-year-old municipality to city corporation status. At around 12pm, he unveiled the plaque of Bogura City Corporation, marking its official launch as the 13th city corporation in the country. The existing city corporations are Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Rangpur, Gazipur, and Mymensingh. Speaking at the ceremony, the Prime Minister said the long-standing demand of people has been fulfilled through the creation of the city corporation.“You have had this demand for a long time. Today, with the establishment of the city corporation, that demand has been fulfilled.” “Bogura must be turned into a model town. This cannot be done by the government alone; everyone’s cooperation is needed,” he said. Calling himself a son of Bogura, Tarique said he belongs to the people of Bogura like one of their own, but now the people of the entire country have entrusted him with national responsibility. He sought prayers so that he can work for the welfare of the country as a whole. Bogura municipality, one of the oldest in northern Bangladesh, began its journey on 1 July 1876 during the British colonial period. It currently has 21 wards and a population of around 4 lakh, according to the 2022 census. In 2006, the municipality was expanded to 69.56 square kilometres with the inclusion of 48 mouzas, and was upgraded from 12 to 21 wards. A plan was also made at the time to develop it into a city corporation, but it was not implemented later. Before the inauguration, the Prime Minister arrived at the Bogura Circuit House at around 10am. He later unveiled the newly constructed building of the District Bar Association on the court premises and inaugurated the e-bail bond system in Bogura and six other district courts. He also planted a sapling on the premises after inaugurating the Bogura City Corporation. This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Bogura since assuming office on February 17. He is also scheduled to carry out a series of programmes across the district, including launching an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign at Ziaur Rahman Gram Hospital in the Bagbari area of Gabtoli. He is further expected to distribute family cards at the Shaheed Zia Degree College ground, inaugurate excavation work on Chowkidah Canal in Nasipur, visit his ancestral home in Bagbari, and address a public rally organised by the district BNP at Altafunnessa Playground.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Bogura on Monday on his first official visit to his hometown since assuming office. A bus carrying the Prime Minister and his entourage arrived at Bogura Circuit House around 10:00 am, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. This is his first visit to Bogura since assuming office as Prime Minister on February 17. The visit has created great enthusiasm among leaders, activists and supporters. Banners and festoons have been put up across Bogura along the roads welcoming the Prime Minister. People from different wards of Bogura town began lining both sides of the roads from 9:00am to welcome him. Abdul Halim, an elderly man from Sonatala, said, “Tarique Rahman is the pride of Bogura. He is now the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. I am standing by the roadside to pray for him. May Allah grant him a long life.” Another resident, Sujauddin of Sonatala, said, “President Ziaur Rahman was from Bogura, and his son Tarique Rahman is now the Prime Minister. This makes us very proud.” Bogura District BNP President and Member of Parliament from Bogura Sadar, Rezaul Karim Badsha, said, “The Prime Minister is a son of Bogura, the beloved leader of the people of Bogura and of the country. He has visited Bogura many times before, but this visit is special as he is coming as the Prime Minister.” He also said people’s excitement and emotion are much higher this time as they eagerly waited to welcome their leader and see him. The Prime Minister left his Gulshan Avenue residence for Bogura at 6:10am accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman. Rumon said the Prime Minister has a busy schedule in Bogura. His programmes include the distribution of family cards, the launch of a measles-rubella vaccination campaign, and addressing a public rally. He will also visit his ancestral home at Bagbari. After completing the day’s programmes, he is expected to return to Dhaka by road at night. The prime minister unveiled the plaque of the newly constructed Bogura District Bar Association building at 11:15am. Later, he inaugurated the e-bail bond system at the district court. He will also unveil a plaque at the Bogura municipal building. At about 12:45pm, he will launch an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign at Ziaur Rahman Gram Hospital in Gabtoli’s Bagbari area. He will distribute family cards at Shaheed Zia Degree College ground at 1:00pm, and later inaugurate excavation work of the Chowkidah Canal in Nasipur. He will then visit his ancestral home at Bagbari. In the afternoon at 4:00pm, the Prime Minister will address a public rally organised by the district BNP at Altafunnessa Playground. After the rally, he will also inaugurate the new building of Bogura Press Club and the reconstruction work of Baitur Rahman Central Mosque.      

Outlining government's plans to raise the health sector allocation to 5 percent of GDP, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged physicians working at the grassroots to lead efforts to build an accessible, affordable, effective and humane healthcare system. “You are the main drivers in turning our dream of a healthy nation into reality. We together with all want to build a healthcare system that is accessible, affordable, effective and humane for everyone,” he said while addressing the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officers (UHFPO) Conference-2026 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The Prime Minister said he firmly believes that the physicians will be able to establish an accountable, sustainable and people-centric health service. PM says Fatema Begum now a member of their family “We expect each of you to turn your respective workplaces into model healthcare service centres in your own areas,” he told the health officers. The Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organised the conference. Over 500 UHFPOs from across the country participated in the event where the Prime Minister also handed over awards to the best-performing officers in six categories. The Prime Minister said the ideas he presented reflect the government’s manifesto, plans and overall vision for the health sector. He stressed that the government alone cannot achieve everything and called for active cooperation from healthcare professionals. “The government cannot do it alone. We need your support. Everyone has to come forward,”  said. Tarique Rahman said even small, collective efforts can bring meaningful change. “I am not saying one person will do everything. But if all of us contribute a bit, change will surely come. If people in other countries can do it, we can do it too,” he added. Urging doctors to stand beside people, he said, “As a citizen of this country, I request you to support the government and the people so that they can receive at least basic healthcare services without difficulty.” Reassuring the health professionals, the Prime Minister said the government is committed to addressing their challenges and improving the overall system. Among immediate concerns, he said, the government will prioritise ensuring security for doctors working in rural areas, and consider providing vehicles and drivers for them. Highlighting long-term plans, Tarique Rahman said the government aims to gradually increase the health sector allocation to 5 percent of GDP. He said the government plans to recruit 100,000 new health workers, 80 percent of whom will be women. The Prime Minister urged all healthcare officials to work together with dedication to strengthen public health services and ensure better care for citizens across the country. Sharing his personal experience, he referred to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, widely known as NHS, to highlight the challenges of running a universal healthcare system. Tarique Rahman noted that the NHS, established in 1948, has been serving people for over 75 years in a country that is economically stronger and has a much smaller population than Bangladesh. “Even then, the UK government often struggles to manage the system and ensure services for all, with frequent discussions about increasing budgets and support,” he said. Drawing the comparison, the Prime Minister said it is natural for Bangladesh’s healthcare system to face challenges and acknowledged that doctors working at the grassroots often encounter various difficulties delivering services. Appreciating the participants for raising their problems during the conference, he called it a constructive and necessary step. Tarique Rahman, however, reminded the doctors that they are all part of the same country and society, and understand the realities on the ground. He said the government is working to ensure healthcare as a basic right, guided by the principle-- prevention is better than cure. The Prime Minister also pledged to improve the dignity, safety and living standards of healthcare workers. He said steps will be taken to address structural and manpower shortages in the health sector and to modernise upazila health complexes with technology-based services. Tarique Rahman stressed the need to build a corruption-free and accountable healthcare system and called on officials to play an active role in local-level leadership, vaccination, maternal health and disease prevention. He said those who are present at the programme are, in one way or another, more privileged than most citizens of the country. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of ensuring comprehensive maternal and child healthcare services. “All upazila health complexes must be turned into centres capable of providing full maternal care, safe childbirth and quality newborn and child healthcare,” he said. Referring to recent measles outbreaks, Tarique Rahman termed the failure to vaccinate children in the past as a serious lapse. He said the government has taken emergency steps to inoculate children against measles nationwide, which has helped prevent further deterioration of the situation. The Prime Minister thanked doctors and health workers for their efforts in protecting children, and expressed deep sympathy to families who lost their children. He said it is time to bring all hospitals and health centres under accountability to ensure proper services for citizens. “Healthcare is not a favour or charity by the state. Ensuring proper treatment is the duty of the state, and receiving healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen,” Tarique Rahman said. He said the government is planning to introduce an integrated e-health card system, which will digitally store health information of every citizen. “This will allow people to access treatment easily at any hospital in the country when needed.” The Prime Minister also said the government is considering introducing a national health insurance system in phases to reduce the financial burden of medical expenses on citizens. “Our goal is to further improve upazila health complexes, ensure necessary manpower and make healthcare more accessible and effective through technology,” he added. State Minister Dr MA Muhit, Health Services Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury and Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Prof Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas, among others, spoke at the conference with Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain in the chair.

Noted educationist and founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Thursday. The Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon said the meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the afternoon. He said Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed discussed with the Prime Minister ways to encourage students to develop reading habits. “The government will work jointly with Bishwo Shahitto Kendro to promote reading habits among students. The programme will be implemented at primary, secondary and higher secondary levels,” Rumon said. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman was present at the meeting. The Additional Press Secretary also said the Prime Minister hosted a luncheon in honour of Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed.

A meeting of the National Committee on Hajj Management was held on Sunday, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting was held at the Cabinet Room of the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly. Various issues relating to the upcoming Hajj were discussed at the meeting, he said.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday sought cooperation from people of all religions to build a happy, prosperous and better Bangladesh. “Let us all work together, regardless of religion or background, from our respective positions to build a happy, prosperous and better Bangladesh. People of all religions and communities must come forward for the greater cause of the country,” he said. The Prime Minister made the call while exchanging Easter greetings with leaders of the Protestant Church at the Cabinet Room of the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. A 13-member delegation, led by Bishop Philip P Adhikari, President of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Bangladesh, met the Prime Minister around 11:45am and exchanged views with him on the occasion of Easter Sunday. Addressing the gathering, Rumon said, the Prime Minister wished success and prosperity for the Christian community. Tarique Rahman explained his government’s position, saying, “We view people of all religions equally and love everyone in the same way. We believe religion belongs to individuals, but the country belongs to all.” Referring to the Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election held on February 12, he said people from all religious communities had voted for the BNP. “There was a perception that people of other religions do not vote for the BNP. This election has proven that wrong,” the Prime Minister said, adding that people from all walks of life supported the party and ensured its victory.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday expressed firm determination to implement his party’s electoral manifesto as the present government has already started keeping the commitments made before the people. “I would like say clearly that InshaAllah, we will continue to try our best to fulfill the promise we made to the people of Bangladesh,” he said, while replying to a supplementary question from treasury bench lawmaker ABM Mosharrof Hossain (Patuakhali-4) during the question-and-answer session in Parliament. The Prime Minister said the current government has begun the initial work of implementing the promises. “We’re determined to fulfill the promises we made before the people,” he said, adding that the government would implement its all programmes in phases.   Replying to a starred question from the same lawmaker, Tarique Rahman said the family card programme was launched on March 10, 2026 and in the initial phase, allowances have been provided to 37,817 female-headed households. In the remaining three months of the current fiscal year of 2025-2026, more 30,000 families will be brought under the programme, he added. “We’ll bring four crore families under the family card programme in phases throughout the country in the next four years,” said the Prime Minister. In reply to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Tahsina Rushdi (Sylhet-2), the prime minister said all ministries and divisions are taking necessary initiatives to formulate action plans for the next 180 days, the next fiscal year and the next 5 years to implement the commitments announced in the government's election manifesto. “Significant progress has already been achieved in the implementation of some important activities announced in the election manifesto,” he said. To protect marginalized and low-income families, the initial phase of providing 'family cards' to 37,814 female-headed families in 15 wards of 13 districts has begun, he added. Tarique Rahman said the government has taken the initiative to provide farmers with comprehensive protection. In the initial stage, piloting will be done in 11 blocks of 11 upazilas of 10 districts of 08 divisions through the Department of Agricultural Extension, he said. Besides, in order to implement the election promise, the government has already waived agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000 in the crops, animal husbandry and fisheries sectors, he added. He said the honorarium was sent to the bank accounts of a total of 9,102 beneficiaries, including 3,295 Imams, 2,975 Muazzins, 2,604 Khadems, 114 Hindu temple priests and 83 servicemen, 15 principals and 16 vice principals of Buddhist monasteries/pagodas before Eid-ul-Fitr. A project to issue 2.5 million e-health cards in Khulna district under the pilot programme on 'issuance of e-health cards' is under the process, he said. The PM said the implementation of the 20,000 km canal excavation/re-excavation programme in the next 5 years has started from March 16, 2026 as per the government's election manifesto. Some 1.5 crore saplings of various species have already been produced for afforestation with the aim of planting 25 crore trees and creating green jobs in 5 years. The produced saplings will be planted in this monsoon, he said. Tarique Rahman said the government has a plan to distribute free-school uniforms to 200,000 children in government primary schools this fiscal year.

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman on Monday held a brief meeting with Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman at his chamber in the parliament secretariat. The meeting took place in the afternoon following the namaz-e-janaza of Professor Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister brought the opposition leader to his chamber after the janaza and they spoke for around 20 minutes. “After the formalities of the janaza, the Prime Minister came to his chamber along with the opposition leader and held a brief discussion,” he said. After the meeting, Rumon said the Prime Minister came out of the chamber with the opposition leader and walked a short distance to see him off to his room. Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present during the meeting. Earlier, at around 12:00pm, the Prime Minister attended the janaza of Dilara Hafiz at the South Plaza. Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman also joined the prayers. Before the janaza, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who was standing beside the Prime Minister, stepped aside to allow the opposition leader to stand next to him. After the janaza, the Prime Minister and the opposition leader were seen walking together through the South Plaza towards the parliament building, talking to each other. The Prime Minister then invited the opposition leader to his chamber where the meeting was held. Later, both the Leader of the House and the Opposition Leader entered the parliament session hall before the session began at 3:00pm.