United News of Bangladesh

The contractual appointment of Faisal Mahmud, who was serving as Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, has been cancelled. The Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday issued a notification saying the remaining tenure of his contractual appointment has been cancelled. Faisal was appointed for two years in September 2024. BNP, which is set to form the new government on February 17 following its landslide victory in the Feb 12 elections, is likely to finalise a series of new appointments soon. Faisal has reported on Bangladesh for several international outlets, including Al Jazeera, Nikkei Asia and Anadolu Agency. He is also the editor of an online news portal Bangla Outlook (English).

Bangladesh Police Headquarters (PHQ) on Sunday dismissed reports claiming that Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam has resigned from his post. “The news regarding the IGP’s resignation is not correct. Everyone is requested to refrain from spreading such misinformation,” PHQ said in a statement issued at night. Speculation about the resignation began circulating two days after the 13th national parliamentary election, ahead of the swearing-in of newly elected MPs and cabinet members scheduled for Tuesday.

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) on Sunday observed the 57th death anniversary of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque with due solemnity. Marking the day, a Milad Mahfil was held after Fajr prayers at the central mosque of Bangladesh Air Force Base Zahurul Haque in Chattogram, seeking divine blessings for the departed soul and continued peace and prosperity of the country. Air Officer Commanding of BAF Base Zahurul Haque, Air Vice Marshal Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, along with senior officers, airmen and other members of the base, attended the programme.\ BAF marks 55th death anniversary of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque: ISPR On this day in 1969, Sergeant Zahurul Haque, a Bengali member of the then Pakistan Air Force and an accused in the Agartala Conspiracy Case, was shot dead by a Pakistani soldier while in detention at Dhaka Cantonment. He had been arrested in December 1967 in connection with the case filed by the Pakistan government and was initially kept at Dhaka Central Jail, according to an ISPR media release. He was later taken into custody under the Air Force Act and held at Dhaka Cantonment. Amid the mass uprising of 1969, the then Pakistani ruler Ayub Khan withdrew the Agartala Conspiracy Case. However, Sergeant Zahurul Haque was killed on February 15, 1969, while still in detention. BAF observes 54th death anniversary of Sergeant Zahurul Haque In recognition of his contribution to the country’s liberation struggle, a residential hall of Dhaka University was named Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, and Bangladesh Air Force Base Zahurul Haque in Chattogram was named in his honour in 1982. He was posthumously awarded the Swadhinata Padak in 2018.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Sunday said the Army will return to barracks once the newly elected government assumes office. He, however, said a portion of the Army will remain deployed in the field to assist in maintaining law and order until the police regain full control of the situation. British High Commissioner meets Army Chief  The Army Chief made the remarks while addressing members of all ranks of the Bangladesh Army at the CAS Darbar on Sunday morning. Members deployed in United Nations peacekeeping missions were also joined in the address virtually. At the event, the Army chief expressed gratitude to Army personnel for their ‘excellent sense of responsibility’ and professionalism in carrying out election duties.  Referring to the Army’s role in stabilising the country’s volatile political environment, General Waker-Uz-Zaman said, “The country and its people will remember this service of the Army.” In his speech, he also quoted a verse from the Holy Quran, saying, “Indeed, Allah rewards those who are patient.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday expressed his sincere appreciation to the members of the Council of Advisers, describing the recently concluded national election as both historic and highly successful. “We are lucky people who got the opportunity to serve the nation,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted Prof Yunus as saying at the last meeting of the Council of Advisers. Describing the election a ‘massive success’, Prof Yunus extended his gratitude to all those involved in ensuring its smooth conduct, particularly the law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces for their active and professional roles. Prof Yunus calls upon all to work together to fulfill people’s expectations Press Secretary Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy following the meeting. Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad and Assistant Press Secretary Shuchismita Tithi were also present. Alam said the Council adopted a formal resolution expressing deep appreciation to all stakeholders for their outstanding contributions towards organising what it termed a successful, historic and festive national election. The Council conveyed special thanks to Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for his ministry’s leadership, noting that Bangladesh may not have previously witnessed an election of such high standard. The Council extended gratitude to all agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs, including the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Ansar, and the Armed Forces, for their commendable performance in ensuring a peaceful electoral process. The Council approved a vote of thanks to immediate past Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid for effectively coordinating the administration and contributing to the conduct of a free, fair, peaceful and festive election. It feels like Eid, creating a new Bangladesh: Prof Yunus Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan moved the motion of thanks, which was unanimously adopted. A key point highlighted during the meeting was the anticipated emergence of a strong opposition in Parliament, comprising individuals who had been victims of enforced disappearance and killings, as well as those who were at the forefront of the July Revolution, reflecting broader representation across Bangladesh society. The Council also underscored that individuals from similar backgrounds would be represented on the treasury bench, marking what it described as a new and inclusive chapter in the country’s parliamentary history.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday described the advisers of the interim government as ‘proud citizens of the country’ and confirmed that they are there  in Bangladesh, stating that they will also participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on February 17. “They are still in the country. They are proud citizens of the country, and they will put in their best efforts to take the country forward in the future,” Alam told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. Shafiqul Alam says his properties unchanged, bank deposit up slightly The Press Secretary said the advisers will attend the oath-taking ceremony, arriving in flag-carrying vehicles. Once the ceremony concludes, the vehicles will take them back to their respective residences, but without the flags, he said. The Press Secretary made the remarks amid questions and social media speculation that some advisers were leaving the country, similar to Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the former special assistant to the Chief Adviser on ICT and telecommunications, who has already left the country. When asked about Taiyeb’s departure, Alam said he had no additional comments beyond the former assistant’s own statement. The newly elected MPs are scheduled to take oath at approximately 10am, followed by the incoming Prime Minister and cabinet around 4pm. Quoting Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Alam said the Foreign Ministers from Qatar and SAARC member states have been invited to attend the ceremony. Smooth power handover after Feb-12 election: Shafiqul Alam Meanwhile, referring to discussion at the last meeting of the Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, the Press Secretary said it was unfortunate to see that in the previous elections, minorities have been subjected to post-election violence. “So far, this is the first time that we have not heard of any attack on any of our religious minority brothers and sisters after the election. Many of them, as you have seen, have happily cast their votes in a festive mode at the polling stations,” Alam said.

Hassan O. Rashid, managing director and chief executive officer of Prime Bank, has resigned from his position. Prime Bank’s board of directors accepted Rashid’s resignation at a meeting on February 10. The decision was disclosed on Sunday through the website of Dhaka Stock Exchange. According to the official filing, Rashid’s resignation will take effect on March 31, 2026, subject to final approval from the Bangladesh Bank. To ensure continuity in leadership, Prime Bank has appointed its Additional Managing Director Faisal Rahman as acting CEO, effective from April 1, 2026.  

Gas supply in areas under Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, including Dhaka and its adjoining districts, has experienced a severe pressure drop that is expected to continue for more than 24 hours, the company said on Sunday. In a statement, Titas said one of the floating terminals supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) remains temporarily shut down due to maintenance work. The suspension of one terminal has significantly reduced the volume of regasified LNG being fed into the national grid, leading to a sharp decline in supply pressure across Titas-served areas. As a result, consumers in Dhaka and nearby districts are facing acute low gas pressure. Titas authorities said residential, commercial and industrial consumers will continue to experience low gas pressure at the end-user level until 12:00am on February 16. Gas supply is expected to gradually return to normal once maintenance work at the LNG terminal is completed, the company said, expressing regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to customers.

The High Court on Sunday ordered the authorities concerned to keep the secondary schools closed during the whole month of Ramadan. The HC bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Ashif Hasan passed the order after hearing a writ petition. Barrister AKM Foyez and Advocate Ilias Ali Mandal stood for the petitioner. High Court issues rule against CEC over contempt of court Advocate Ilias Ali Mandal, a Supreme Court lawyer, filed a writ petition seeking a closure order on secondary schools during the month of Ramadan last week. According to the petition, the government has taken a decision to close the Madrashas for the whole month of Ramadan but it also asked the authorities to continue academic activities of secondary schools both under government and private management till March 7, which is a discriminatory decision of the ministry. On January 5, Advocate Ilias served a legal notice to the secretaries of the Education Ministry, Primary and Mass Education Ministry seeking a closure notice of the educational institutions.  

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday said no journalist was sent to jail for expressing opinions during the interim government’s tenure. “I am not aware of any journalist being arrested solely for criticism during our tenure. Any action taken against individuals was part of legal procedures based on available information,” she said responding to a question from a reporter at the Bangladesh Secretariat.  When her attention was drawn mentioning the names of two journalists she said they were not imprisoned for expressing their views or their social media posts. “The state machinery certainly had some specific information.” Rizwana Hasan urges action for horn-free streets in Dhaka There were many who had criticised the interim government but they were not arrested for expressing their views, she said. About the performance of the interim administration, she said it is not appropriate to label the 18-month tenure as either a success or a failure. “I have tried my best. The people will evaluate.” On the departure of the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Fayez Ahmed Tayeb, Rizwana said he had been living abroad and returned to the country for complete his state responsibility.  He had stayed away from his family for one and a half years, while his family remained in the Netherlands. “He has simply returned to his family after finishing his responsibilities. There is no scope to present it otherwise,” she added. Vote ‘Yes’ for accountable governance, moral leadership: Rizwana Hasan On the election issue, the adviser said it has already been decided that future national elections will be held under a non-partisan government.  The caretaker government system has been reinstated following a court directive and subsequent elections will be conducted under that framework, she added.