United News of Bangladesh

A local BNP leader was injured in a gun attack by miscreants in Keraniganj on Thursday night. The victim was identified as Hasan Mollah, 45, son of Akar Mollah of Jagannathpur village under Keraniganj thana. He is the general secretary of Hazratpur Union BNP under the Dhaka-2 constituency. He was shot by unidentified assailants around 9:00pm, said M Saiful Alam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Keraniganj Model Police Station. He was initially taken to Square Hospital in critical condition and later shifted to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 10:45 pm for further treatment. Rakib Hossain, younger brother of the injured BNP leader, said miscreants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire in front of the house of the Hero Chairman of Ward No. 7 before fleeing. The bullets hit Hasan Mollah on the right side of his abdomen, he added. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp at DMCH, said a man from Keraniganj was brought to the hospital with gunshot wounds and is currently undergoing treatment in the emergency department.  

NCP convener Nahid Islam warned that loan defaulters should not be allowed into power, saying they would plunder the country rather than repay debts if elected to parliament. Speaking at a public gathering organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for Dhaka-15 constituency, Nahid said, “The people of Bangladesh do not want to witness looting. We will not let looters come to power, and the people will not either.” Addressing the city’s low-income and underprivileged residents, he said a political party promised flats to slum dwellers, but they actually seek a safe life, which is possible even in slum areas. He alleged that past attempts to provide flats ended in eviction after elections, and now the slum dwellers recognize these as empty promises. “They will vote not for flats but for justice and the nation’s interest.” Read more: NCP officially launches election campaign from Dhaka University Criticizing BNP’s promised family card scheme, Nahid questioned its feasibility, asking, “Who will actually receive the 2,000-3,000 Taka cards? Will the genuinely needy get them, or will they have to pay a bribe of 1,000 Taka?” He accused a major political party of nominating loan defaulters, saying the party is simultaneously offering family cards while trying to bring debtors to parliament to carry out looting. Nahid also urged the Election Commission to ensure a fair and transparent election, warning against giving undue advantage to any party. “The commission must act impartially. We are still active on the ground and will not tolerate injustice.” Read more: Feb-12 polls must be fair, with no room for bias: Prof Yunus Calling the upcoming election more than just a contest between rivals, he appealed for a ‘Yes’ vote in the national referendum. “We must vote yes to reject discrimination, extortion, injustice, oppression, and authoritarianism. The fight against fascism and exploitation must continue.” Speaking on behalf of the 10-party alliance led by Jamaat, Nahid urged city residents to vote for the coalition’s candidates, adding, “Cast your vote at Dariapalla and Shapla Kali; ensure the victory of our 10-party alliance candidates.”

At least nine supporters of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates were injured following a clash between the groups in Ullapara on the first day of campaigning on Thursday (January 22, 2026). The identities of the injured could not be immediately confirmed, said Rupkar, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Ullapara Model Police Station. Read more: BNP leader shot and injured in Keraniganj OC Rupkar said both sides were campaigning in Tetulia village under the Sirajganj-4 (Ullapara) constituency when a verbal argument escalated into a physical clash. Supporters from both sides reportedly chased each other, and private cars and motorcycles belonging to Jamaat supporters were vandalised. Police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Patrolling has been strengthened in the area to prevent further clashes. Legal action will be taken if any formal complaints are filed regarding the incident, added the OC. Read more: No loan defaulter to be allowed to rule Bangladesh: Nahid 

The government has started selling rice at a subsidised rate of Tk 30 per kg under the additional Open Market Sale (OMS) programme in 419 upazilas to stabilise rice prices and provide price support to people. Under the programme, one metric tonnes of rice will be distributed in each upazila. Read more: CAB seeks govt action to rein in LPG, sugar, edible oil prices The additional OMS programme will operate alongside the regular OMS, said a PID handout. Currently, under the regular OMS programme, 1,417.5 metric tonnes of flour (Tk 24 per kg for loose flour and Tk 55 for a 2-kg packet) and 1,175 metric tonnes of rice per day are sold in 1,081 centers in  12 city corporations, 52 district municipal areas, 15 labour-intensive upazilas, and five labour-intensive municipalities at subsidised rates of Tk 30 per kilogram. Although there is adequate food stock, some areas of the country have recently seen a sporadic rise in the price of fine rice, it said. Read more: Rice prices keep food inflation high despite slight easing in Nov: GED The Ministry of Food has instructed regular market monitoring in these areas and necessary legal actions to prevent price hikes.

Bangladesh Bank has reversed a contentious policy that barred depositors of five recently merged banks from receiving profits for 2024 and 2025, following widespread criticism and ethical concerns. The central bank’s move restores interest payouts, easing tensions among affected account holders. Under the new decision, depositors will now receive a 4 percent profit rate for those two years. Starting from the current year (2026), market-based profit rates will apply. Currently, the bank has announced a profit rate of approximately 8.5 percent. Read more: Banking sector reform can’t be done overnight: Salehuddin The central bank communicated this updated policy via a letter sent to the administrators of the affected banks on Wednesday (January 21). Backtrack on ‘Haircut’ Policy The reversal comes just a week after a January 14 directive which stated that no profit would be applicable to any deposits from January 1, 2024, to December 28, 2025. That letter even suggested that any profit already withdrawn by depositors would be "adjusted" from their principal amount, a process known as a ‘haircut’. The initial announcement sparked widespread outrage. Many depositors gathered at various branches of the newly formed Sammilito Islamic Bank PLC to express their anger. Furthermore, the Central Shariah Board intervened, stating it was ‘not Shariah-compliant’ to shift the burden of embezzlement, caused by the negligence of the banks and the regulator, onto the depositors. Read more: Depositors of 5 merged banks can withdraw Tk 2 lakh initially, then Tk 1 lakh every 3 months  The government recently created Sammilito Islamic Bank PLC by merging five Shariah-based lenders—Exim Bank, Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, and Union Bank—that were weakened by massive loan irregularities and embezzlement. These banks hold approximately Tk 1.42 lakh crore in deposits from nearly 76 lakh depositors. In contrast, out of the Tk 1.92 lakh crore distributed as loans, roughly 77 percent has become defaulted. Shariah and Accountability Internal debates within the central bank and insights from Islamic banking experts played a key role in this policy shift. Experts pointed out that: Mudaraba Principles: In Shariah banking, depositors are "Sahib-al-Mal" (capital providers) and the bank is the ‘Mudarib’ (manager). Liability for Negligence While depositors normally share business losses, Shariah standards (specifically AAOIFI standards followed in Bangladesh) dictate that if a loss occurs due to the bank's negligence, misconduct, or breach of trust, the bank alone must bear the liability. Read more: Bangladesh Bank to ease rules, give banks more freedom: Governor By reinstating the profit, the central bank acknowledges that depositors should not be penalised for the systemic failures and financial crimes that led to the banks' instability.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said it continues to work closely with sector partners to scale up assistance and address urgent and evolving needs, stressing that fire risks remain high in the Rohingya camps. While immediate assistance continues, the latest incident underscores the persistent fire risks facing refugee communities in Cox’s Bazar, which hosts more than one million Rohingya refugees, it said. The fire risks remain high, particularly during the dry season, due to the dense layout of the camps and the use of highly flammable materials in temporary shelters, IOM said. It launched an emergency response following a large fire in a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar early Tuesday morning. Read more: Canada reaffirms commitment to dignity and justice for Rohingya Relief efforts are being carried out in close coordination with the Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian partners to ensure timely and appropriate assistance to affected families. “When fires strike in overcrowded camp settings, the impact extends far beyond damaged infrastructure,” said Lance Bonneau, IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh. “Families lose shelter, essential belongings, and access to basic services, increasing immediate protection risks. Our response is guided by a clear responsibility to protect lives, uphold dignity and ensure that those affected receive assistance quickly and safely, so families can begin to regain a sense of normalcy.” The fire affected more than 2,000 refugees, causing extensive damage to shelters and camp-based facilities. No fatalities or major injuries have been reported.  More than 400 shelters were damaged and camp infrastructure was severely impacted, including over 160 water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities such as water points and latrines, as well as 11 learning centres and two mosques. Beyond the destruction of shelters, the fire also destabilized the hillside terrain on which much of the camp is constructed, damaging drainage networks and public infrastructure, and increasing risks related to access and erosion. After the fire was contained, IOM deployed health teams and ambulances to support those with minor injuries and worked with partners to rapidly assess damage and immediate needs. Building on these assessments, IOM and its partners rapidly deployed specialized teams in shelter, WASH, and protection to support affected families. Within 24 hours of the incident, IOM’s camp management team, together with refugee volunteers, cleared debris from the fire-affected areas to restore safe access for emergency assistance and essential services. Over 49.5 lakh Bangladeshis internally displaced by natural disasters: IOM In coordination with the World Food Programme (WFP), emergency food assistance was provided, while affected households received emergency shelter assistance, blankets, floor mats, mosquito nets, and portable solar lights. Following previous devastating fires, including the March 2021 incident that displaced 45,000 people, IOM and humanitarian partners have continued to strengthen refugee-led emergency preparedness and response mechanisms to enable faster, safer, and more effective action when hazards occur.

Trading at the country’s stock markets began on a positive note on the last working day of the week, with key indices of both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) posting gains. During the first half of the session, the DSE’s benchmark index rose by 16 points. The other two indices—the Shariah-based DSE Shariah Index (DSES) and the blue-chip DS30—also advanced by 3 points each. Share prices increased for most of the listed companies. Of the issues traded on the DSE, prices rose for 218 companies, fell for 85, and remained unchanged for 83. The total turnover on the DSE stood at Tk 230 crore in shares and units during the period. Stocks open mixed as DSE advances, CSE slips Meanwhile, at the CSE, the overall index CASPI gained 18 points in the first half of trading. Prices advanced for 46 companies, declined for 24, while 10 issues remained unchanged. The port city bourse recorded a turnover of Tk 1.5 crore in shares and units during the first half of the session.

A prolonged delay in regular promotions has triggered a deep crisis within the public administration, leaving hundreds of officials in three tiers frustrated. According to insiders, nearly 800 qualified officers are still waiting for promotion, including around 350 eligible for the rank of additional secretary, about 345 for joint secretary and at least 84 for deputy secretary. Many of them say the prolonged delay has created widespread frustration and resentment within the civil service. Senior officials and administration experts said uncertainty over promotions has intensified since the announcement of the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election although the election process itself poses no legal barrier to routine career advancement.  “If regular promotions are blocked, the country will be left with a frustrated and demoralised administration. That will inevitably slow down decision-making and day-to-day governance,” said former secretary AKM Abdul Awal Mazumdar. The number of deprived officials at the deputy secretary and joint secretary levels is also rising. Recently, 79 officers of the 30th BCS batch were denied promotion from senior assistant secretary to deputy secretary. Almost all of them have applied to the Ministry of Public Administration for a review. Former additional secretary Mohammad Firoz Mia said delays in promotion always create resentment within the administration. “If qualified officers are not promoted on time, frustration and anger grow and administrative work suffers. The election schedule is not a barrier to regular promotions. If necessary, the government should take approval from the Election Commission and ensure promotions on time. There is still time. If the government wants, it can act,” he said. Sources at the ministry said at least 183 officers of the 24th BCS batch were deprived of promotion to joint secretary under the regular batch system. Govt abolishes Public Administration Committee On March 20, 196 officials were promoted to joint secretary, but only 137 were selected from the 320 officers of the regular batch, leaving out 183, including five serving deputy commissioners. In the case of promotion from joint secretary to additional secretary, the 20th BCS batch is being considered as the regular batch. Around 300 officials, including 244 from the administration cadre and a significant number from other cadres are under consideration. Ministry sources, however, said 43 officers of this batch who served as deputy commissioners and 40 who worked as personal secretaries to ministers during the tenure of the Sheikh Hasina government are not being considered this time. The recruitment process of the 20th BCS batch was completed in 1999. Although they became eligible for promotion to joint secretary in 2019, they received promotion only in 2021. Under service rules, they became eligible for promotion to additional secretary in 2023 after completing two years as joint secretary. The Superior Selection Board (SSB) has already finalised the promotion list after analysing their service records but the government failed to issue the gazette at the last moment. Apart from the administration cadre, more than 150 officers from other cadres are also eligible for promotion to joint secretary but have not been promoted. Most of them have applied for a review. The SSB has held several meetings in response. The officials facing allegations of irregularities or corruption, those with ongoing cases by the Anti-Corruption Commission or departmental authorities, and those who served as ministers’ personal secretaries or deputy commissioners during the previous government are not being considered, ministry sources said. Public Administration Secretary Ehsanul Haque told UNB that the government is fully aware of the issue. “We are collecting information regarding those who have not received regular promotions. A decision will definitely come on this,” he said. Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid said several applications have already been received and multiple meetings have been held. “We are working on the issue. Let us see how much we can do within this time,” he said. On condition of anonymity several officials said many officers who were close personal secretaries to ministers during the Awami League government have already received promotions. Administration experts warn that failure to ensure timely promotion will severely disrupt the functioning of government, weaken morale and ultimately harm public service delivery.

BNP has fielded the highest candidates 288 while Jamaat-e-Islami is contesting the February 12 parliamentary election with 224 candidates across the country. A total of 1,732 contenders from 51 registered political parties and 249 independent candidates are competing in the national election from the country's 300 constituencies, according to the Election Commission’s latest statistics released on Wednesday night. Of the total candidates, 1,972 are contesting in 298 constituencies and nine have been declared valid candidates in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2. Among other participating parties, 253 candidates are from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, while 192 from Jatiya Party, 90 from Gono Odhikar Parishad, 65 from Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), 42 from Insaniat Biplap Bangladesh, 39 from Basad, 34 from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and 32 from National Citizen Party-NCP. This time Awami League is out of the electoral race as its registration remains suspended since the interim government slapped a ban on its activities. Besides, eight other registered political parties didn't join the  election. The eight parties included Bangladesh Workers Party, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Trinimul BNP, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, Krishan Sramik Janata League, Bangladesher Samybadi Dal (ML), NAP and BNM. Fifteen candidates are vying for the Dhaka-12 seat in the polls, the highest from a constituency in the country, while only two contenders, from BNP and Jamaat, are running in Pirojpur-1, the lowest. The total number of contesting candidates stands at 1,972 in 298 constituencies (except Pabna-1 & 2). But, the figure is expected to rise further once the candidates from Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 are finalised and if the court would direct the EC to allow any other to run in the election. According to the EC statistics , 305 candidates withdrew from the race by the final deadline. In the election, the lowest two candidates -- BNP’s Alamgir Hossain and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Masud Sayeedi-- are running from Pirojpur-1 constituency. Besides, three contenders are in the electoral race from 14 other constituencies --Thakurgaon-1, Joypurhat-2, Naogaon-2, Meherpur-2, Chuadanga-1 and 2, Khulna-2,Tangail-7, Netrakona-5, Manikganj-2, Dhaka-2, Sunamganj-1 & 2, Chattogram-15 and Cox’s Bazar-1. At least 10 contestants are running from 32 parliamentary seats. Dhaka-12 leads with 15 candidates, followed by Narayanganj-4 with 13. Khulna-1, Dhaka-9, Dhaka-14 and Gazipur-2 each have 12 contenders. According to the EC statistics released on Wednesday (which differed with its previous statistics), a total of 2,580 aspirants submitted nomination papers to contest the election by the December 29, 2025 deadline. Among them, the returning officers declared 1,855 nomination papers valid and rejected 725 others during the scrutiny from December 30 to January 04 last. Following the disposal of appeals filed challenging the decisions of the returning officers, though 436 invalid candidates regained their candidacies, five valid candidates lost their candidatures. Later, 305 candidates withdrew their candidacies by the January-20 deadline. Highest Candidates in 30 Years Ultimately the number of contesting candidates stood at 1,972 for 298 constituencies (nine valid candidates for Pabna-1 and 2 not included here), beating out the last five general elections. Even without them though, the number of candidates making it onto the ballot this time will be the highest since 1996, despite the absence of the Awami League and some other parties staying away of their own accord. As many as 1,896 contesting candidates and 28 political parties were in the race in the 12th parliamentary election (held on January 7, 2024), while 1,861 candidates and 39 political parties in the 11th parliamentary election ( December 30, 2018). In the 10th parliamentary election held in 2014, only 390 candidates and 12 political parties contested from 147 constituencies, while 153 other parliamentary seats went uncontested. Candidacy appeals: All dual citizenship-related petitions to be settled Sunday Earlier, a total of 1,567 candidates and 38 political parties contested the 9th parliamentary election (December 29, 2008), while 1,939 candidates and 54 political parties in the 8th parliamentary election (October 1, 2001) and 2,574 candidates and 81 political parties in the 7th parliamentary election (June 12, 1996). The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule to hold the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer and Cumilla-11 (Chauddagram) candidate Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher on Wednesday said the 13th parliamentary election would determine the future course of Bangladesh. “This election will decide whether Bangladesh moves forward with independence and self-respect or returns to the dark phase of the past 54 years,” he said while addressing a views-exchange meeting at a party office in Chauddagram in the ditrict in the afternoon. He said the polls would also determine whether the country would revert to what he described as fascist politics or move towards building a democratic, civil and just society by safeguarding the rights of all citizens. Read More: Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s most popular leader: Jamaat’s Taher Dr Taher said that the election would pave the way for a new phase of national development and create an opportunity for the actual reflection of people’s opinions. The meeting was chaired by Chauddagram Upazila Jamaat Ameer Mahfuzur Rahman. Jamaat-e-Islami Central Majlish Shura member and Cumilla South District Ameer Advocate Mohammad Shahjahan, former district Ameer Mohammad Abdus Sattar, former upazila Ameer VP Sahab Uddin, and Municipal Ameer Maulana Ibrahim also spoke at the event.