United News of Bangladesh

The government on Saturday appointed administrators to five more city corporations. The Local Government Division issued a notification in this regard on Saturday. Advocate Bilkis Akhtar Jahan Shirin has been appointed administrator  to Barishal City Corporation, Md. Mahfuzur Rahman  to Rajshahi City Corporation, Md. Rukunuzzaman Rokon to Mymensingh City Corporation, Mahfuz un Nabi Chowdhury  to Rangpur City Corporation and Md. Yusuf Molla to Cumilla City Corporation. Administrators of six city corporations assume office Earlier, on February 22, the government appointed administrators  to six city corporations including the two in Dhaka. The notification stated that their appointments were made under Section 25Ka(1) of the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024. As per Section 25Ka(3), the administrators will exercise the powers and responsibilities of the city mayor and receive allowances according to regulations.

The government on Thursday announced a series of measures to tackle the global energy crisis amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In a statement, the Cabinet Division said that addressing the current global crisis requires saving electricity and energy at the national level. Officials and employees in all offices, including government, autonomous, statutory bodies, and corporations, are urged to use electricity and energy responsibly and economically. Avoid decorative lighting, reduce personal vehicle use amid energy supply uncertainty: Govt The statement outlined the following measures: Make use of natural daylight by keeping windows, doors, or blinds open and avoid using electric lights when sufficient natural light is available. Reduce existing lighting by half and avoid using extra lights. Turn off unnecessary lights, fans, air conditioners, and other electrical appliances during office hours. Maintain air conditioner temperatures at 25 degrees Celsius or above. Switch off all electrical appliances, including lights, fans, and air conditioners, when leaving the office room. Avoid unnecessary lighting in corridors, staircases, washrooms, and other areas. Use energy-efficient appliances wherever possible. Turn off all electrical appliances, including computers, printers, and scanners, after office hours. All lighting should be avoided. Limit the use of vehicles and ensure fuel consumption is economical. The Cabinet Division said strict adherence to these measures is essential to manage the impact of the global energy crisis.

The government has appointed new secretaries to four key ministries and divisions as part of a major reshuffle in the country’s administrative structure. Separate notifications in this regard were issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday night. As per the orders, Rafiqul I Mohammad has been appointed secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Md Kamruzzaman to the Health Services Division, Abdul Khalek to the Secondary and Higher Education Division, and Md Shahidul Hasan to the Local Government Division. Govt proposes opposition nominee for Deputy Speaker: Salahuddin According to the notifications, the appointed officials will serve in their respective posts on a contractual basis for one year from the date of joining. The notifications stated that their appointments have been made on the condition that they sever all ties with any other profession, business, or employment with government, semi-government, private institutions or organisations before joining their new posts. Other terms and conditions of their appointments will be determined through separate contractual agreements, the notifications added.

The government has transferred and posted three senior police officers in the public interest, according to a notification issued by the Home Ministry. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police (Barishal Range) Md Manjur Morshed Alam has been transferred and posted as DIG of the Tourist Police. Md Mostafizur Rahman, DIG at Police Headquarters, has been posted as DIG of Barishal Range. Ali Hossain Fakir appointed as Bangladesh police chief Meanwhile, Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, Commandant (Additional DIG) of 5th Armed Police Battalion (APBn) in Dhaka, has been transferred and posted as Additional DIG at Bangladesh Police Academy (BPA) in Sardah, Rajshahi. The order, issued in the public interest, will come into effect immediately, the notification said.

The government has decided to conduct mobile court drives to identify passengers without tickets and prevent ticket black marketing and stop travel on the roof of trains during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The decision was taken at a meeting held at Rail Bhaban in the capital on Monday to ensure safe, smooth and comfortable train journeys during Eid, with Railway Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam in the chair. The meeting decided to sell standing tickets equivalent to 25 percent of the total number of seats on each train to manage additional passenger pressure during the Eid-ul-Fitr. 'Not all collections in the road transport sector is extortion': Roads, Railways and Shipping Minister However, authorities have been instructed to ensure that passengers with non-seat tickets are not allowed to travel in AC coaches or first-class compartments. Officials said necessary steps will be taken to ensure a safe and hassle-free Eid journey for passengers.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Monday said they will do everything for the Bangladeshis to ensure their welfare and safety of its citizens amid current situation in the Middle East. Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said they have discussed all the issues in the inter-ministerial meeting held at the Ministry. "They are our top most priority," said the Adviser, adding that the government is fully supportive of their welfare and protection. 2 Bangladeshis killed, 7 injured in Middle East attacks Kobir said they want deescalation of the situation and urged all to choose the path of diplomacy. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed, State Minister for Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Hoque, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, representatives from Biman Bangladesh Airlines and other departments were present at the meeting. Two Bangladeshi nationals have lost their lives and seven others have sustained injuries due to missile and drone attacks in different parts of the Middle East. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared the updates on Monday, noting that the government of Bangladesh is "deeply saddened". Experts flag possible energy pressure for Bangladesh amid US-Iran tensions In the United Arab Emirates, Saleh Ahmed, a Bangladeshi national from Baralekha, Sylhet, lost his life in Ajman after being struck by debris resulting from an aerial attack on a civilian installation. The Embassy of Bangladesh in the United Arab Emirates is in close contact with the local authorities regarding the matter and is extending necessary assistance to repatriate the mortal remains once commercial flights resume, said the Ministry. It has been reported that one Bangladeshi national has been killed and three more have been injured in Bahrain. Bangladesh Mission in Manama is in touch with the local authorities regarding the incident. In the State of Kuwait, four Bangladeshi nationals, Aminul Islam from Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria; Rabiul Islam from Sathia, Pabna; Masudur Rahman from Begumganj, Noakhali; and Dulal Miah from Chandina, Cumilla, sustained injuries following a drone attack in the vicinity of the civilian airport. They have received necessary medical treatment and are currently reported to be in stable condition. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kuwait remains in regular contact with them and the Ambassador personally visited them at the hospital, said the Ministry. Separately, the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation vessel Banglar Joyjatra is currently stranded at Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates. The Embassy is maintaining close communication with the vessel's captain. All crew members are reported to be safe. The government of Bangladesh reiterated its deep concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East and continues to monitor developments closely.

The newly formed government has taken a move to expedite the annual development rate (ADP) of the country to an expected level although two-thirds of the fiscal period has been gone under the interim government. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury gave the directive during his first meeting with senior officials of the ministry on his first day in office recently. Irked with the very poor annual development, the minister asked the top officials to find out effective and implementable ways to improve the ADP implementation rate, according to the meeting sources. ADP implementation rate at 5-year low The ADP is moving at one of its slowest paces in recent memory, with the first half of the 2025–26 fiscal year recording historically weak execution rates. Government data shows that only around one-fifth of the ADP allocation has been spent so far, underscoring persistent challenges in public project execution and raising questions about the country’s broader development trajectory. The ADP is the government’s main fiscal instrument for financing public sector development projects, covering infrastructure, health, education, agriculture and other priority sectors. It plays a central role in job creation, improving services, and boosting economic growth. But official figures from the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) show that by January in the current fiscal year, only about 21.18 percent of the ADP had been spent – marginally lower than the same period last year, when it stood at 21.52 percent. ADP implementation falls to 5-year low in first half of FY26 Mid-year implementation rates have typically lagged in past years, with early execution often below average, but the current figures are still well below what is needed to hit year-end targets. In fact, IMED data indicate that during July–December of FY26, just 17.54 percent of the original allocation was implemented, marking one of the weakest mid-year performances in recent years. Talking to the ministry officials, Amir Khosru said the rate in the last one and a half years is very much unsatisfactory. He asked the ministry officials and others to work with utmost sincerity to level up the rate for the sake of the country and its people, a planning ministry official who was present at the meeting told UNB. Experts and officials point to several factors behind the weak performance. Delays in procurement remain a central problem, with lengthy procedures slowing down the release of funds and the start of projects. Land acquisition issues continue to plague major infrastructure programmes, holding up work and tying up resources in legal and administrative processes. From the meeting, the officials pointed out that Shortages of experienced project directors and technical staff have also contributed to delays, particularly in sectors that require specialist management. In this regard, the minister asked them to find appropriate officials and project directors to engage on an emergency basis. He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is very much serious about the issue as he wants to see a significant rise in the implementation rate, according to the meeting source. Political developments have added to these structural issues. After anti-government protests and administrative uncertainty in 2024, many contractors linked to the previous regime reportedly withdrew from ongoing work, leaving gaps in implementation that were slow to fill. The interim government also cut the ADP’s size by around Tk300 billion in the revised budget, reflecting tighter fiscal conditions that further constrained project spending. The health and education sectors have been particularly hard hit, with steep cuts in their revised allocations. Health spending, for example, was reduced by more than 70 percent, while secondary and higher education saw more than a 50 percent drop in funding. These cuts have compounded execution problems in sectors already struggling with administrative and logistical hurdles. The pattern is not confined to the current fiscal year. In FY2024–25, Bangladesh recorded its lowest ADP implementation rate in decades, with just 67.85 percent of the revised programme executed by June. That was a significant drop from the 80.63 percent implementation the year before and reflected the impact of political upheaval and policy reassessments on development work. Planning experts say that slow ADP execution has broader implications for the economy. When allocated funds are not spent on time, planned projects are delayed or scaled back, reducing the stimulus they provide to economic activity. It can also undermine investor confidence, as visible progress on infrastructure and social development projects tends to attract private investment. There are calls within policy circles for reforming project planning and execution mechanisms to make them more resilient. Streamlining procurement procedures, strengthening institutional capacity for project management, and ensuring continuity in leadership roles across administrations are among the measures proposed. Some economists argue that maintaining stability in project oversight and reducing mid-year budget revisions could also help smooth implementation. Government officials acknowledge the challenges but say there are efforts underway to improve performance. They point to modest improvements in some sectors and emphasise ongoing work to accelerate spending in the second half of the fiscal year. Still, critics argue that without addressing deeper structural and administrative weaknesses, progress will remain slow and inconsistent. For Bangladesh, improving the ADP implementation rate is not just a matter of bookkeeping. It is central to delivering on development priorities, improving public services, and sustaining economic growth in a period of global uncertainty and domestic pressures. As the fiscal year advances, attention will remain on whether the new government can translate their plans into visible results on the ground.

The government is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad said on Sunday. He made the remarks while meeting passengers stranded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport due to the escalating tensions in the region. The minister visited the airport to assess the situation, listened to the concerns of stranded passengers and assured them that the government is by their side during this difficult time. The minister said ensuring the safety and welfare of passengers is the government’s priority. He said coordination with relevant authorities is ongoing to facilitate the resumption of travel as soon as the situation stabilises. He urged everyone to remain patient. Several international flights have already been canceled amid rising tensions in the Middle East following attack on Iran by US and Israel . Flights to destinations including Amman, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain have been suspended, leaving many Umrah pilgrims stranded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, said a PID handout. Airport authorities and related agencies are working to manage the situation and provide information to passengers.

The Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has congratulated the newly formed government of Bangladesh following the swearing-in of the Cabinet, led by Honorable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Chamber expressed optimism that the new leadership's vision for national progress will catalyze "timely and effective actions" to bolster economic growth and stabilize the country’s investment climate. Rupali Haque Chowdhury elected FICCI president for 2026-27 FICCI, the apex body for multinational companies in Bangladesh, emphasized the need for a transition toward more investor-friendly policies. The Chamber highlighted that sustainable development will require: FDI-Friendly Policies: Prioritizing foreign direct investment to drive innovation and competition. Regulatory Reforms: Implementing structural changes to increase transparency and bolster investor confidence. Enhanced Ease of Doing Business: Reducing the cost of operations and clarifying policy frameworks for international businesses. A "Defining Moment" for the Nation FICCI President Rupali Haque Chowdhury described the current political transition as a "defining moment" in Bangladesh's history. FICCI, Competition Commission discuss Competition Act to foster fair market "We wish the government every success in steering the country forward," she said, stressing that restoring confidence is vital for driving global competitiveness and job creation.

The BNP-led new government officially began its journey on Tuesday under the leadership of party Chairman Tarique Rahman, marking the BNP’s return to power after nearly two decades following a landslide victory in the 13th national election. Among the 50-member cabinet, Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister, followed by the ministers and state ministers, at a ceremony held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament complex in the afternoon. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath. Tarique Rahman: From London exile to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister With this, Tarique became Bangladesh’s 11th Prime Minister in the country’s renewed democratic journey after the 2024 uprising, while the BNP assumed state power again after over 19 years. Breaking with long-standing tradition, the oath-taking ceremony was held at the parliament complex instead of Bangabhaban. The programme began with the national anthem, followed by recitation from the Holy Quran. In last Thursday’s national election, the BNP won 209 seats, while its alliance partners secured three more. Nearly 150 of the winning candidates were elected to parliament for the first time. Leaders and representatives from several countries attended the ceremony, alongside outgoing interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, the Chief Justice, Election Commission officials, senior political leaders, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, journalists, and high-ranking civil and military officials. Diplomatic sources said leaders from 13 countries, including China, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan—were invited to attend the ceremony. Among the guests, India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented New Delhi. Tarique Rahman arrived at the venue at 3:58 pm with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, receiving a standing ovation from the audience. President Mohammed Shahabuddin came to the venue a few minutes later, and the formal proceedings began. The President first administered the oath and secrecy pledge to Tarique as the Prime Minister of the new government. Tarique Rahman sworn in as Prime Minister After congratulating the new Prime Minister, the names of cabinet members were announced. The President then administered the oath and secrecy pledge to the ministers, followed by the state ministers, concluding the ceremony. Cabinet Composition Apart from Tarique, the new government includes 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, with a strong presence of new faces. Among the ministers, 16 are serving for the first time, including the Prime Minister himself, who had never previously been a minister, state minister, or MP. Nine ministers have prior cabinet experience from previous BNP governments led by Khaleda Zia. In contrast, all 24 state ministers are first-time office holders. Overall, 41 members of the government have never served in ministerial roles before, reflecting Tarique Rahman’s plan to combine new leadership with experienced figures. Several senior BNP leaders, including standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, and Selima Rahman, were not included in the cabinet. BPP elects Tarique as Leader of the House However, Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Ismail Zabiullah, and Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir have been appointed advisers to the Prime Minister with the status of ministers. Besides them, Humayun Kabir, Brig Gen (retd) Shamsul Islam, Dr Zahedur Rahman, Dr Mahdi Amin, and Rehan Asif Asad have been appointed as advisers with the status of state ministers. A major surprise in Tarique Rahman’s cabinet is Khalilur Rahman, who previously served as the interim government’s National Security Adviser and High Representative on the Rohingya issue. Though not an MP, he will serve as a technocrat Foreign Minister. Another technocrat minister is Mohammad Aminur Rashid Yasin, former general secretary of Comilla BNP, who will also take office. Former footballer and BNP sports secretary Aminul Haque has been appointed technocrat State Minister for Sports. Both are first-time ministers, bringing expertise and fresh faces to the cabinet. The formation of the new government follows the BNP’s decisive electoral victory and signals a major political shift after two decades. Tarique Rahman appears to be prioritising generational change, administrative renewal, and broader political inclusion through a cabinet dominated by newcomers but supported by experienced politicians. The 13th parliamentary election was held on February 12. Out of 300 seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, the results of two seats have been suspended, while election in one seat was cancelled following the death of a candidate. After winning the election, Tarique Rahman also met the chiefs of three opposition parties—including Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, sending out a message of positive politics. During the meetings, he also sought cooperation from the opposition parties in governing the country.