United News of Bangladesh

An activist of Jubo Dal, BNP’s youth wing,  was shot dead and two others suffered bullet injuries in Kafrul area of the capital on Friday night. The deceased was identified as Yusuf Ali, 45, an activist of Kafrul thana unit Jubo Dal. Witnesses said, when local Jubo Dal leader Hafizur Rahman along with 7-8 others were chatting in front of a garment factory around 11:30 pm in Mirpur-13 area 3-4 armed miscreants opened fire on them, leaving Yusuf and two others injured. The injured including Nalam Sardar, 45 and Monir Hossain, 32 were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital around 12:30 am, where the doctors declared Yusuf dead, said Inspector Faruk, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp. Local people managed to detain a suspect and handed him over to police.

A local BNP leader in Faridpur has been expelled from the party after an obscene video allegedly involving him went viral on social media. The expelled leader is Md Obaidur Rahman, organising secretary of Aliabad union unit of BNP in Sadar upazila. The expulsion was confirmed in a letter signed by Faridpur district BNP Convener Advocate Syed Modarres Ali Isa and Member Secretary AKM Kibria Swapon on Thursday night. According to the letter, Obaidur was removed from his party post and his primary membership was revoked for allegedly engaging in an act amounting to moral turpitude. Isa said the decision to expel him was taken at a meeting of the district unit on Thursday night after the allegations against him were found to be true. Repeated attempts were made to contact Obaidur over the phone for his comments, but he did not answer the calls. Earlier, an obscene video of the BNP leader – 5 minutes and 37 seconds long – with a woman proliferated widely on social media.

Ziaur Rahman Foundation Vice President and cardiologist Dr Zubaida Rahman on Thursday called for building a humane and effective healthcare system to ensure that no villager dies for lack of medical treatment and no pregnant woman or newborn loses life due to inadequate healthcare. "We want a future Bangladesh where no sick villager dies because of lack of treatment, no pregnant woman dies without receiving proper medical care, and no newborn leaves its mother's lap because of inadequate healthcare," she said. "We want to build a healthcare system that will set an example for the world because everyone's health matters," she said at a programme as the chief guest at the Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College auditorium in the capita, where meritorious students were honoured for their academic achievements. Congratulating the award recipients, she also praised students who managed to pursue cultural activities alongside their hard academic schedules. "If you continue to nurture your talents this way, it will be highly commendable. Culture is what we are; civilisation is what we have. Culture is the foundation of civilisation," she said. Describing the students as some of the country's brightest minds, Dr Zubaida said they had earned the opportunity to study medicine through merit and urged them to combine excellence with compassion. Expressing hope that many students would pursue higher education and advanced medical training abroad, she urged them to return and serve the people of Bangladesh. Citing healthcare statistics, she said Bangladesh currently has only 0.83 physicians per 1,000 people, meaning one doctor often has to serve between 1,200 and 1,800 patients, with the situation being even worse in rural areas. "This situation can change if we commit ourselves to serving the country from our student life," she said. She noted that 70 to 75 percent of doctors work in urban areas while 78 percent of the country's population lives in rural and remote regions. Dr Zubaida also said the nurse-to-population ratio in Bangladesh is only 0.549 per 1,000 people, compared to the World Health Organization's benchmark of 1.48 nurses per 1,000 people. She added that the WHO recommends 2.28 doctors per 1,000 people while in Bangladesh there is only one government doctor for every 6,500 people. "That is why healthcare remains one of the major causes of poverty." She expressed confidence that through merit, hard work, perseverance and patriotism the students would build the healthcare system the country aspires to have. "Our villagers are often deprived of timely treatment because of the shortage of doctors. But if you dedicate yourselves to serving the people, this challenge can certainly be overcome," she said.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said it is up to the Election Commission (EC) and the courts to determine who is eligible to contest the upcoming local government elections. "The local government elections will be held in a non-partisan manner. Who can contest and who cannot is a matter for the courts and the Election Commission. They will determine eligibility in accordance with the existing laws," he said while talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Rizvi, also the PM’s political adviser, made the remarks replying to a question about Awami League’s participation in the local government elections.  Earlier, a three-member BNP delegation submitted the BNP’s annual financial statement for 2025 to EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Responding to a question about Jamaat-e-Islami's letter to the Election Commission seeking to prevent Awami League leaders from participating in the local government elections, Rizvi said the issue should be resolved strictly in accordance with the law. "It does not matter what any political party says. It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to determine who can contest the elections and who can’t do as per the existing laws and the new legal provisions. We are leaving the matter to the Commission," he said. Asked about BNP's process for selecting candidates in the non-party local elections, Rizvi said the party's highest policymaking body would decide the process. "As the elections are being held without party symbols, our highest policymaking forum will determine how our candidates will participate. No decision has yet been taken on the matter," he said. Replying to another question whether BNP would allow anyone to seek its support in the local polls, Rizvi said the party has not yet finalised its policy. "Once a decision is made, we will inform you," he added. Regarding BNP's next national council, Rizvi said party Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have already indicated that the council would be held. "The council will definitely take place. However, no decision has yet been made on the month or date. We hope it will be held very soon, and we will announce the schedule once it is finalised," he said. The two other BNP delegation members are BNP Treasurer and State Minister for Civil Aviation M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Assistant Office Secretary Monir Hossain. According to the audited financial statement, BNP earned some Tk 22.20 crore (exactly Tk 22,19,55,182) and spent Tk 15.26 crore (Tk15,26,10,857), leaving a surplus of nearly Tk 7 crore (Tk 6,93,54,325) during the 2025 calendar year. BNP began 2025 with an opening balance of Tk 21.14 crore. BNP had the balance of a total of Tk 28.07 crore at the end of 2025.  

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has issued a show-cause notice to Fakhar Uddin Ahmed Bachchu, MP from Mymensingh-11 constituency and convener of Bhaluka upazila BNP, on charges of violating party discipline and engaging in unethical activities. According to the notice signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Bachchu was expelled from the party on September 1, 2024 over specific allegations of involvement in controversial activities that violated party discipline following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Later, following his apology and an application expressing regret over his actions, the party withdrew the expulsion order and restored his primary membership on October 24, 2025. The notice said recently, reports from different media outlets and party sources revealed that Bacchu and his associates have again been involved in activities, including attempts to control local scrap (jhut) businesses and exerting unethical influence, in breach of party discipline. He was asked to submit a written explanation to the party’s central office within 48 hours.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday urged party leaders and activists to remain united as they had over the past 17 years, warning that internal division will only benefit "fascist forces" and infiltrators ahead of the upcoming local government elections. Addressing an organisational meeting of local BNP leaders and activists at the Barishal Shilpakala Academy, he said differences of opinion are natural but should never be allowed to weaken the party and destroy the unity. "You remained united during the last 17 years and brought the party to victory in the parliamentary election. You must maintain that same unity in the local government elections. If we remain united, no fascist force or infiltrator will be able to enter or take advantage. They will benefit only if our unity breaks,” the Prime Minister said. Recalling the party's years in opposition, he praised grassroots leaders and activists for keeping BNP afloat despite repression. "You suffered enforced disappearances, killings and persecution, yet you stood together and protected the party…You gave more time to the party than to your own family. You spent your own money and endured anxiety and suffering for the party. Now that fear no longer exists. If you could remain united then, why cannot you remain united now?" the BNP chief said. He warned party members to remain vigilant against "hybrid" politicians and infiltrators, saying there were many conspiracies before the election, and those conspiracies have not stopped. “Some people are still plotting inside the country, while another group is conspiring from abroad…We must further organise the party, but while doing so we must ensure that hybrids and infiltrators do not enter the party leadership,” Tarique Rahman said. He said the BNP came to power because of the sacrifices of its leaders and activists, making it essential to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots. "If you want your party to remain in government, the grassroots must remain united and strong. It is because of you that BNP has come to power," the Prime Minister said. Referring to the planned local government elections, he said the party first needs to prepare organisationally. "You say you want local government elections. Are you prepared? Without preparation, can you win? And if you cannot win, how will the government function?" Tarique Rahman asked. "We will certainly hold local government elections. We will discuss the timing after the monsoon. Before that, you must unite and decide among yourselves who will contest for chairman, who will contest for member and who will lead the organisation,” he said. The Prime Minister urged party workers not to make unrealistic promises merely to gain popularity. "I will not promise what I cannot deliver," he said, adding that the responsibilities of government requires difficult but realistic decisions rather than populism,” he said. Tarique Rahman expressed confidence that BNP leaders and activists will remain united and repeat their organisational success in the upcoming local government elections. He also instructed party leaders to ensure peaceful celebrations of the upcoming major Hindu religious festival. "I am telling everyone here, and those who are absent should also be informed, that the festival must be held peacefully at any cost. No one should be allowed to create any untoward incident or exploit the occasion," the Prime Minister said, referring to Rath Yatra.  

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) National Standing Committee has decided to make the party’s activities more active and instructed all units, including affiliated organisations, to take necessary steps in this regard. The meeting also discussed holding elections at different levels of local government and urged party units to strengthen organisational activities. It decided to arrange a meeting of the National Executive Committee as soon as possible and assigned BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to take necessary measures. The decisions were disclosed in a press release signed by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who is also the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister. The meeting of the party’s highest policymaking body was held at BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office on Saturday night, with BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. According to the press release, the meeting discussed various issues in detail and took several decisions. At the meeting, the BNP Secretary General informed the members about the implementation of decisions taken at previous meetings. The meeting discussed the implementation of priority projects of the BNP government and expressed satisfaction over the progress of programmes including Family Card, Farmer Card, canal excavation initiatives, and allowances for mosque imams and muezzins, temple priests, church fathers and Buddhist temple caretakers. The meeting also discussed the implementation of the party’s election manifesto. It praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s initiatives in this regard and expressed hope that the targets outlined in the manifesto would be achieved within the stipulated time. The meeting condemned what it described as attempts by the opposition to mislead people over the July Charter and referendum. It decided to accelerate the process of informing the public about the party’s position on the issue and directed the concerned individuals and institutions to take necessary steps. The meeting reviewed the results of the 2026 national parliamentary election and requested BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan to prepare a comprehensive report on the matter. The meeting was briefed about the agreements signed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visits to Malaysia and China. It praised the participation of the two countries in creating mutual development and cooperation opportunities and Bangladesh’s economic progress. The meeting said significant progress had been achieved through the visits based on mutual respect and congratulated the Prime Minister for their success. The Standing Committee expressed deep concern over the resumption of clashes between Iran and the United States following a recent ceasefire. It called upon the two countries to end hostilities and establish peace through dialogue, saying the conflict was severely affecting economies across the Middle East and beyond. The meeting described the election of Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman as president of the United Nations General Assembly as a major success under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. It expressed hope that the achievement would enhance Bangladesh’s global image and play a positive role in resolving the Rohingya crisis. The meeting also expressed concern over the growing drug problem in the country and called upon the government to take more effective measures to address the issue. The meeting expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of former BNP treasurer, former MP from Munshiganj and former minister Mizanur Rahman Sinha, and former MP from Brahmanbaria, former chief whip and former minister Harun-or-Rashid. It prayed for the salvation of their souls and conveyed condolences to their bereaved families. The meeting also expressed concern over the illness of BNP Standing Committee member, former Speaker, former Acting President, former minister and former MP from Panchagarh Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar; Standing Committee member, current government adviser and former minister Mirza Abbas; and Standing Committee member, former ambassador and current government adviser Nazrul Islam Khan. It prayed to Almighty Allah for their speedy recovery. At the end of the meeting, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman thanked all participants and concluded the session. Those present at the meeting included BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku and Selima Rahman. Mirza Abbas, who is currently undergoing treatment in Malaysia, joined the meeting virtually.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the party never bowed to fascist regime despite enduring 17 years of political struggle, repression and imprisonment. "We fought against fascism for 17 years. We endured repression, sacrificed lives and spent time in jail, but we never bowed our heads. Under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, we secured victory. Now we have an opportunity to build a new Bangladesh," he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a public awareness programme titled Alokito Lalmonirhat (Enlightened Lalmonirhat) as the chief guest at MT Hossain Ground in Lalmonirhat town. He said the movement to rebuild Bangladesh has now taken shape through the Alokito Lalmonirhat initiative led by Asadul Habib Dulu. Expressing concern over the growing drug menace, Fakhrul said drug abuse is destroying the future of the country's youth and weakening society. "We cannot allow this to continue. We must build a social movement by raising public awareness and engaging people in resisting drugs and other social crimes," he said. He expressed hope that the anti-drug campaign launched by Dulu would spread across the country. Calling on people to reject drugs, dowry and gambling, Fakhrul said such social evils must be eliminated to build a prosperous nation. Referring to the Teesta issue, he said the government is committed to implementing the Teesta Master Plan, which he said would open a new horizon for the socio-economic development of people living along the Teesta River. Highlighting various government initiatives, Fakhrul said programmes such as the Family Card, Farmers' Card and allowances for imams and muezzins have already been introduced as part of efforts to build an economically prosperous Bangladesh. "We want the light of Lalmonirhat to spread across the country," he said. The keynote paper on Alokito Lalmonirhat was presented by the initiative's chief patron, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu. The programme was chaired by Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Rashedul Haque Prodhan. Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain, lawmakers Rokon Uddin Babul and Hasan Rajib Prodhan, Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman, Zila Parishad Administrator AKM Mominul Haque, among others, attended the event. A procession led by the ministers and lawmakers was brought out after the discussion, marching through the town before ending at Mission Mor in the district headquarters.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday cancelled the candidature of BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury, who was unofficially declared elected from the Chattogram-4 constituency in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, on the ground of loan default. The verdict, delivered by a four-member bench headed by the Chief Justice, means the election result for the constituency cannot be gazetted, effectively preventing Aslam from taking oath as a member of parliament. The apex court had concluded hearings on June 15 and fixed June 30 for delivering its judgment. Senior lawyers Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Miftah Uddin Chowdhury represented Aslam Chowdhury, assisted by Advocate Rokon Uddin Md Faruk. Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kajal appeared for the state, while Senior Advocate Kamal Ul Alam represented Bank Asia PLC. Earlier, on June 20, the Appellate Division appointed two senior lawyers M Kamrul Haque Siddique and Probir Neogi as amicus curiae (friends of the court) to assist the court during the hearing over Aslam's candidature. The legal dispute began after the Returning Officer declared Aslam's nomination paper valid on January 3. Subsequently, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Anwar Siddiqui and Bank Asia PLC challenged the decision before the Election Commission, alleging that Aslam was a loan defaulter. On January 18, the Election Commission rejected the appeals, allowing Aslam's candidature to stand. The decision was then challenged separately before the High Court, which dismissed both writ petitions on January 27, enabling the BNP leader to contest the election. Aslam contested the February 12 parliamentary election as the BNP candidate from Chattogram-4 and was unofficially declared elected. However, publication of the official result was suspended following an earlier order of the Appellate Division. On February 3, the Appellate Division granted leave to appeal against the High Court verdict following a petition filed by Jamaat candidate Anwar Siddiqui. The court ordered that if Aslam won the election, publication of the result would remain suspended until the appeal was finally disposed of. Following the leave order, separate appeals were filed on March 31. The Chamber Judge's Court later referred the matter to the regular Appellate Division bench for hearing on April 28, and the case subsequently appeared on the court's cause list several times before the final hearing. Meanwhile, Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kajal said that if a fresh election is held in the Chattogram-4 constituency, there would be no legal bar to Aslam Chowdhury contesting the polls.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury on Thursday said Bangladesh has 50 gazetted ethnic communities and their total population stands at 1.65 million, accounting for around one per cent of the country's population. The minister made the statement in Parliament while replying to a question from BNP reserved-seat lawmaker Selina Sultana. The figure is based on the preliminary report of the Population and Housing Census 2022, which counted both scheduled and other ethnic communities, he said. Among the ethnic communities, the Chakma constitute the largest group, accounting for 29.29 per cent of the total ethnic population, or 483,299 people, the Marma community makes up 13.59 per cent, with a population of 224,261, while the Tripura community accounts for 9.49 per cent, or 156,578 people. The Santal community represents 7.82 per cent of the ethnic population, numbering 129,049. The minister said Chattogram Division is home to the highest number of ethnic community members with a population of 990,860. Of the total ethnic population, 22.60 per cent reside in Rangamati district, amounting to 372,864 people, while 21.17 per cent live in Khagrachhari, with a population of 349,378. Bandarban hosts around 12 per cent of the country's ethnic population, or 197,975 people, he added. Responding to another question from MP Md Anwarul Islam of Kurigram-1, the minister said a project titled "Construction of Cultural Centres at Upazila Level" is currently under consideration by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The proposed project includes provisions for allocating one floor of each centre as a public library to promote reading habits, spread knowledge among citizens and help protect young people from drug abuse and cultural degradation through the development of healthy cultural practices. Replying to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Mostafizur Rahman Babul, the minister said the government has a specific plan to expand cultural programmes in educational institutions to promote the practice of music and fine arts. As part of the initiative, the subject of "Arts and Culture" is being incorporated into the new national curriculum in coordination with the Ministry of Education. He said the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is also distributing musical instruments to educational institutions, organising school- and college-based theatre festivals and holding creative talent competitions. District and upazila-level Shilpakala Academies are involving local youth directly in these programmes. In response to a question from Dhaka-18 MP SM Jahangir Hossain, the minister said the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has been working relentlessly to preserve indigenous culture, heritage, history, the spirit of the Liberation War, contemporary arts and literature, while promoting free thinking, research and intellectual development. He further said that the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has already allocated 41 kathas of land in Sector 17 of Uttara for the construction of a cultural complex.