United News of Bangladesh

The BNP will distribute food items and clothes among poor and destitute people at 16 locations across the capital on May 30, marking the 45th death anniversary of party founder and former President Ziaur Rahman, with BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman set to attend all the programmes as the chief guest. BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan told UNB on Tuesday that Tarique Rahman will distribute food items and clothes at the designated spots on the day. He said Dhaka North and South city units of BNP will organise the programmes in 15 constituencies of Dhaka and in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office. Ministers, MPs and leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies will remain present at the locations. Lawyers of the Supreme Court are also expected to arrange similar programmes this year. Earlier, BNP announced an eight-day programme from May 25 to June 1, marking the 45th death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman. As part of the programmes, at 6:00am on May 30, party flags will be kept at half-mast and black flags will be hoisted at the BNP central office and other party offices across the country. At 11:00am on the same day, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, along with party leaders and activists, will place wreaths at the grave of Ziaur Rahman and offer prayers there. After visiting the grave, they will participate in a doa mahfil to be organised by Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal on the mausoleum premises. As part of the observance, a discussion will be held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium at 2:00pm on May 31.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working to take the country forward, drawing inspiration from National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is trying to move the country toward development. Nazrul is the inspiration behind his work,” Rizvi said while speaking to reporters after paying tribute at the poet’s grave at the University of Dhaka on the occasion of Nazrul’s 127th birth anniversary. He also said National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was a major source of inspiration in the struggle against fascism. “When we were tortured in remand, Nazrul’s songs, poems and literary works inspired us to survive and resist,” he said. He said Kazi Nazrul Islam remains relevant in both national and social life. The BNP leader said the poet carried the banner of rebellion, equality and humanity, and people drew inspiration from his songs and poems during every national movement. “Kazi Nazrul Islam was the principal inspiration in the struggle against fascism.” Rizvi said Nazrul continues to inspire the implementation of the government’s electoral pledges and national vision. He further said Nazrul would be remembered throughout the year during the Nazrul anniversary celebrations.

Dhaka South City BNP on Thursday conducted a leaflet distribution and public outreach campaign at Motijheel against what the party described as propaganda by vested interests about the July National Charter and referendum, and in support of the positive steps taken by the BNP government. The programme was organised in the morning around the Bangladesh Bank headquarters under the initiative of ward No. 8 unit of BNP under Dhaka South City Corporation. Dhaka South City BNP Convener and MP from Feni-1 constituency Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Senior Joint Convener Harunur Rashid Harun, Motijheel Thana BNP Convener Alamgir Hossain, Member Secretary Zahid Hossain and Joint Convener Ismail Hossain were present. During the campaign, the BNP leaders distributed leaflets among people on important roads, alleys, business establishments and general public. They also explained in detail the objectives of the July Charter, the necessity of the referendum, BNP’s role in restoring democracy and various activities undertaken by the party to establish people’s rights. The leaders alleged that a quarter has been deliberately trying to create confusion among people regarding the July Charter and referendum. They said BNP has always practised politics based on the hopes and aspirations of the people and has consistently played an uncompromising role in establishing democracy, voting rights and human rights in the country. During the outreach programme, BNP leaders also highlighted what they described as the achievements of BNP governments in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, communication, agriculture and the economy, saying those developments are still remembered by the people. They said BNP had worked sincerely in the past to improve people’s living standards, create employment opportunities, establish the rule of law and build a democratic and accountable state system, and will continue to stand beside the people in the future as well. They urged people not to be misled by propaganda and rumours, and to remain united in the interest of the country.

BNP leader M R Islam Swadhin has been appointed administrator of the newly formed Bogura City Corporation. The Ministry of Local Government issued a notification on Monday in this regard, and Swadhin assumed office at the ministry on Tuesday morning. According to the notification, he will serve in the post under Section 25A(1) of ``the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024,’’ until further orders. The notification also said that he will exercise the powers and duties of the mayor until a new elected council is formed for the city corporation. He will be entitled to allowances and benefits as per rules during his tenure. Swadhin is a resident of Baksibazar Road in Maltinagar area under Bogura Sadar upazila.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Monday visited BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, who is undergoing treatment at Prince Court Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The information was confirmed by Jamaat’s Senior Assistant Secretary of the Central Publicity Department Mujibul Alam. During the visit, Golam Parwar inquired about the latest condition of Mirza Abbas and prayed to Almighty Allah for his speedy and full recovery. Barrister Nazibur Rahman Momen was also present at the time. Mirza Abbas was elected as an MP in the February 12 election but right on the eve of the inaugural session of the 13th parliament on March 11, fell ill during iftar and was admitted to Evercare Hospital. He has since received treatment in Singapore and Malaysia, and his condition is said to be improving.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday said political opponents are trying to distort and divert public attention regarding the implementation of BNP’s electoral pledges including the ‘Family Card’ and ‘Farmers Card’ programmes but are failing to shake people’s confidence. “An atmosphere of hope and trust has emerged among people today. They are unable to destabilise that confidence. That is why they are resorting to sarcasm and making various adverse comments,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while briefing reporters after a joint meeting organised by BNP at the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the capital. He presided over the meeting. BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel was present at the briefing. Rizvi said that before the opponents’ criticisms can even gain traction, BNP Chairman PM Tarique Rahman is already moving ahead rapidly in fulfilling the promises made to the people. “When they see that Tarique Rahman is moving much faster in implementing promises than their comments can spread, they become frustrated. His works are already being accomplished,” he said. He said Tarique Rahman had clearly outlined before the people what BNP would do if it came to power and what role it would play for public welfare. “Since the day he formed the government after winning a landslide mandate, he has been playing an extraordinary role in fulfilling those commitments,” Rizvi said. The PM's Political Adviser also criticised a previous government for failing to fulfil their promises to people. “They could not provide rice at Tk 10 per kg, could not ensure jobs in every household and could not provide fertiliser free of cost, despite making those pledges,” he said. “But BNP Chairman  Tarique Rahman has only promised what is realistically possible in our socio-economic condition and he is doing exactly what he said,” he added. Rizvi described former President Ziaur Rahman as a ‘rare statesman’ who established multi-party democracy in Bangladesh and guided the country towards development. The meeting was organised marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. He said Bangladesh had plunged into famine, violence and political chaos after independence and at that critical moment people and members of the armed forces jointly accepted Ziaur Rahman as their leader to restore peace and stability. “His success remains a bright chapter in history,” Rizvi said. He said Ziaur Rahman took groundbreaking initiatives to increase production, create employment opportunities, send manpower abroad and reform the agricultural sector. He also excavated 1,600 kilometres of canals as part of his efforts to tackle the impacts of reduced water flow caused by the Farakka Barrage, he added. Rizvi said Ziaur Rahman also internationalised the issue of Bangladesh’s fair share of water from transboundary rivers and worked to protect the country’s sovereignty and national interests. “He not only focused on development and production, but also strengthened the country’s independence and sovereignty through various initiatives,” he added. He said Ziaur Rahman revived multi-party democracy after what he termed the killing of democracy through the formation of the one-party BAKSAL system on January 25, 1975. “Many political parties resumed their activities and everyone began speaking freely again,” Rizvi said. He also praised Former Prime Minister and Former BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for continuing the struggle for democracy following Ziaur Rahman’s path and enduring repeated repression and imprisonment.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday announced a seven-day programme from May 25 to June 1 marking the 45th death anniversary of the party’s founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a press briefing after a joint meeting organised by the party at its Nayapaltan central office in the capital . Rizvi, who presided over the meeting, said the programmes were taken to observe the martyrdom anniversary of the party founder. BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel was also present at the briefing. He said various associate bodies and affiliated organisations of the party would organise discussion meetings and publish posters marking the occasion. A discussion meeting organised by BNP will be held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on May 31, he added. Rizvi said that, as in previous years, party flags will be kept at half-mast and black flags hoisted at the BNP central office at Nayapaltan and party offices across the country at 6am on May 30. At 11am on the same day, BNP Secretary General and senior leaders along with leaders of associate bodies will place wreaths at the grave of Ziaur Rahman and offer prayers there. He also said Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to be present during the programme. The BNP senior joint secretary general said clothes, rice and other food items would be distributed among underprivileged people in every thana under Dhaka North and South city units of the party. Besides, discussion meetings, doa mahfils and distribution of clothes and food items among the poor will be organised across the country by BNP’s district and metropolitan units, he added. Different associate and affiliated bodies of BNP will also observe separate programmes marking the day. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal will arrange milad and doa programmes at educational institutions on the occasion. Krishak Dal, Olama Dal and other associate organisations will also organise different programmes marking the day. Earlier, joint secretaries general of the party and leaders of Dhaka North and South city units, along with leaders of BNP’s associate and affiliated organisations, attended the joint meeting. Ziaur Rahman, who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978, was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

The namaz-e-janaza of former state minister for health and convener of Munshiganj district BNP Mizanur Rahman Sinha was held on Monday in front of the BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the capital. The namaz-e-janaza  was held around 10am where BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and several central leaders of the party joined. Before the janaza, BNP leaders highlighted Sinha’s political and personal contributions. Rizvi said Mizanur Rahman Sinha was greatly needed for building a “new Bangladesh.” “He worked throughout his life for the welfare of the country and its people. People will remember him forever for his contributions to social development and the country’s economy,” he said. Special prayers were offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul and blessings were sought from the country’s people. Mizanur Rahman Sinha, also managing director of pharmaceutical company Acme Laboratories Ltd, died on Friday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore. He was 83. Born on August 18, 1943, in Dohuri village under Kolma Union of Louhajang upazila in Munshiganj district, Sinha completed his graduation in Business Studies from the University of Dhaka and became involved in politics during his student life. He was elected MP from Munshiganj constituency as a BNP candidate in the seventh parliamentary election in 1996 and again in the eighth parliamentary election in 2001. Following the 2001 election, he served as state minister for health and family welfare in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Apart from serving as treasurer of BNP’s central executive committee he was also the convener of Munshiganj district BNP. Sinha was also nominated by BNP for the 13th parliamentary election from the Munshiganj-2 (Louhajang-Tongibari) constituency. Later, after he fell ill, BNP Joint Secretary General Abdul Salam Azad was nominated in his place.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday attended the appreciation dinner hosted by the BNP high-level delegation following its visit to China. Ambassador Yao congratulated the delegation on the successful visit to China, noting that this visit further enhanced political mutual trust between the two sides, according to the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka. China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen exchanges on governance experience, promote high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation, and advance the continuous development of the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. A 19-member high-level delegation of BNP visited China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in mid-April. BNP Secretary General, and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who led the delegation, expressed gratitude at the dinner for the warm and thoughtful arrangements made by the Chinese host and highly praised the outcomes of the visit. He further stated that China is a trusted and reliable friend and partner of Bangladesh. BNP attaches great importance to developing relations with China, adheres to the one-China principle, and is willing to further strengthen exchanges between the two parties and the two countries, learn from China’s development experience in various fields, and promote new achievements in Bangladesh-China friendly cooperation.  

Newly elected BNP MP from reserved seat Nipun Roy Chowdhury on Tuesday said women lawmakers will not remain symbolic figures in Parliament but will actively represent people’s concerns and work across multiple sectors to rebuild the country. “We are not going to Parliament as ornaments. We are going to speak for the people and bring their real-life issues to the House,” she said after paying tribute to BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Zia Udyan in the capital. BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy was also present. Nipun Roy said many women, especially those who are poor, oppressed and vulnerable, continue to face serious challenges, adding that lawmakers must not only highlight these issues but also ensure sustainable and legal solutions. She emphasised the importance of legal awareness from an early age, saying initiatives will be taken so that children can understand the language of law and the Constitution. “We will prove that women are not limited to women’s issues. We will speak on education, healthcare, administration and local government. We will be part of decision-making and help rebuild the nation,” the women MP said. Expressing gratitude, Nipun Roy said she felt honoured to be entrusted with such responsibility and thanked party leadership, including Chairman Tarique Rahman, for their confidence in her. She said she was inspired by the ideals and political guidance of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, particularly their roles in movements against authoritarianism. Nipun Roy also congratulated those elected in the West Bengal assembly elections. She added that Bangladesh’s future politics should be guided by people’s interests and national priorities. “We believe BNP will not take any decision against the interests of the people of Bangladesh. That is where our confidence lies,” she added. Leaders of Dhaka district and Keraniganj BNP, and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and other associate bodies were present on the occasion.