United News of Bangladesh

Shayan F Rahman, son of Salman F Rahman, lost his directorship of IFIC Bank due to defaulted loans. Bangladesh Bank has rejected his application for re-appointment as a director as IFIC Bank citing his defaulted loan as the reason. The central bank sent a letter in this regard to the Managing Director of IFIC Bank last Sunday. The letter said that Shayan F Rahman's company Esses Fashions Ltd defaulted on loan repayments. So, Shayan cannot hold onto his directorship, said Bangladesh Bank. Officials of the central bank said that IFIC Bank appointed Shayan as a director despite him having defaulted on loans. Due to this, Salman F Rahman may also be dropped from IFIC Bank. But if the loan has already been regularized, then there is no problem with him being a director.

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (Financial) has instructed banks and financial institutes to freeze the accounts of former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, his wife, their offspring and all the businesses they own.  At the same time, the BFIU asked for information about all types of transactions in their accounts. A senior official of BFIU confirmed the development to UNB on Tuesday. In a letter sent by BFIU to banks and financial institutions, it has been stated that all personal and business accounts in the names of Asaduzzaman Khan, his wife Lutful Tahmina Khan, son Safi Muddasir Khan and daughter Safia Tasnim Khan will be closed.  The BFIU also sought the names and national identity cards of Asaduzzaman Khan and his family members. BFIU issued this order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2012. Initially, for the next 30 days, the concerned parties will not be able to make any kind of transactions. The letter mentions that the suspension period will be extended if necessary.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is set to get a police escort once again after nearly a decade. The Ministry of Home Affairs  issued an order for ensusring police escort for Khaleda Zia, Jahangir Alam, senior secretary to the Public Security Division of the ministry said on Tuesday. The police escort was withdrawn by the then Awami League government after Khaleda Zia lost her post as the opposition leader in parliament in 2015. On August 6, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The president passed the order under Article 49 of the Bangladesh Constitution, according to a gazette issued by the home ministry on August 6. Article 49 states that "The president shall have power to grant pardons, reprieves, and respites and to remit, suspend, or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal, or other authority." She was placed in Old Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, 2018, after a special court sentenced her to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. On October 30, 2018, the High Court raised her punishment to 10 years. Later, she was convicted in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail after 776 days through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she would stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. Khaleda, a former prime minister, aged 79, has long battled various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues related to the kidney, lung, heart, and eyes. Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment frequently at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Khaleda's doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021. On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia's stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.

The number of students assisting with traffic control on Dhaka’s roads has decreased significantly as police have resumed full duties. JnU students give 24-hr ultimatum to VC, proctorial body, provosts to resign On Tuesday, students were observed at a few intersections between Rampura and Malibagh in the city, while traffic police managed most of the work. In Malibagh, for instance, traffic policemen were actively directing traffic at an intersection, with students standing nearby on the footpath. Hajee Mohammad Danesh University bans politics for teachers and students alike Safayet Hossain, a police surgeon overseeing several zones under Sher-e-Bangla police station, including Jahangir Gate and Agargaon, explained that the reduction in student involvement is expected. It is natural for the number of students on traffic duty to decrease now that most of the traffic police have returned to work, he told UNB. BAU students demand ban on campus politics Students acknowledged the change, noting that while they previously managed traffic at numerous spots, they are now collaborating with officials where needed. Earlier, they could stand everywhere. Now that the officers have resumed their duties, students are working together with them, one student explained.

The Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs has appointed three Supreme Court lawyers as additional attorney generals and nine others as deputy attorney generals. The appointments were announced on Tuesday through separate notifications issued by the ministry, with Runa Nahid Akter, Solicitor of the Ministry of Law, signing the orders on behalf of the President. The newly appointed additional attorney generals are Advocate Abdul Jabbar Bhuiyan, Advocate Mohammad Arshadur Rauf, and Barrister Anik R. Haque. The nine lawyers appointed as deputy attorney generals are Ainun Nahar Siddika, Sultana Akter, Foyez Ahmed, Md. Zahirul Islam, Redwan Ahmed Ranjib, Md. Manjur Alam, Samima Sultana, Mohsina Khatun, and Md. Rafiqul Islam. According to the notifications, the appointments have been made "until further order" from the President. These appointments come in the wake of resignations within the attorney general’s office. On August 6, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, Additional Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Morshed resigned. The 16th Attorney General of the country, A.M. Amin Uddin, also stepped down on August 7. In total, 70 legal officers have resigned since August 6, up until Monday.

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed emphasized the need for government officials to enhance their skills in loan negotiations with development partners, highlighting that neighbouring countries have proven to be particularly adept in these areas. Speaking to reporters after a view-exchange meeting with Economic Relations Division (ERD) officials at the ERD conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, the adviser underscored the importance of strengthening negotiation capabilities to safeguard national interests. When asked about potential pressure on the government regarding loan repayments, especially for mega projects, Dr. Salehuddin acknowledged that the government is committed to meeting its repayment obligations. There’s no denying that loans must be repaid, and the government will ensure this is done, he said, adding that the country’s economic situation is stable enough to handle these repayments. The adviser directed ERD officials to prioritize ongoing foreign-aided projects based on their effectiveness, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in their implementation. “Donors are willing to support us, but we must first conduct proper scrutiny and due diligence. It’s crucial that we protect our interests and ensure the optimal utilization of these projects,” he said. He reiterated that Bangladesh has never defaulted on loan repayments and expressed the government’s preference for securing soft-term loans over hard-term loans to ensure they are used effectively. He also stressed the importance of enhancing coordination among executing agencies. Dr. Salehuddin noted that Bangladesh’s debt-to-GDP ratio is relatively low compared to countries like Italy, Greece, and Sri Lanka. “Our position is relatively comfortable, but we must focus on better management and effectiveness to fulfill our commitments,” he added. He stressed the importance of setting clear priorities before undertaking foreign-aided projects.  

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced a 'Resistance Week' programme to press home their 4-point demand including the trial of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As part of the campaign, students gathered in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University at 3 pm on Tuesday holding various placards. Anti-Discrimination Student Movement issues ultimatum to CJ, judges of the Appellate Division to resign They observed a one-minute silence in memory of the martyrs, followed by prayers and memorial services. The programme includes a nationwide road march towards locations where the national heroes embraced martyrdom. The four new demands of the Anti-Discrimination Students' Movement are as follows: CJ pays tributes to martyrs of Liberation War, language movement, anti-discrimination student movement 1.A special tribunal must be formed to ensure the swift trial of Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders for "massacres" carried out using the fascist framework. 2. Those involved in the planned killings, robberies, and looting by the Awami League and its affiliates to undermine the people's uprising must be brought to justice swiftly, and the rightful demands of minorities must be acknowledged. Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announces one-point demand 3. Immediate removal and prosecution of those in the administration and judiciary who legitimised attacks and cases against the students and mass people, and who repeatedly attempted to establish a fascist regime. 4. Equal opportunities must be ensured soon for those who have been victims of discrimination within the administration and judiciary.

Gas has been found at a new location in Begumganj gas field through drilling a well. According to state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex), the testing results in the Begumganj-4 (West) well are showing a good prospect for the gas field. Gas supply in several Dhaka areas to remain off for 9 hours on Friday “We hope, initially it will produce 10-15 million cubic feet (MMCFD) of gas per day,” Bapex Managing Director Md Shoyeb told UNB. He informed that gas was found at the new location at three separate layers of the field during drilling that went to a depth of 3113 meters. The distance of the new location is about 2.5 km from the existing well which has been producing 8-10 MMCFD of gas. Country experiencing about 1200mmcfd shortfall in gas supply He noted that gas structures were identified at 3081 meter, 2500 meter and 1900 meter. “But now we're producing from the layer at 3081-3055 meter.” He, however, said it will take 3-4 months to take the gas to the national grid as construction of a new pipeline will be required. Gas supply to remain off for 8 hours in parts of Dhaka today Over 200 engineers, officials, employees, and labourers from the state-owned organisation Bapex are engaged in the work of digging wells and extracting gas near Wasekpur village in Ambarnagar union of Sonaimuri upazila under Noakhali district.

Freedom Fighter Farooq-e-Azam, Bir Pratik, has been given the charge of the adviser to the Liberation War Affairs Ministry. The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday. KM Shakhawat Moon reappointed Deputy Press Secretary to PM There were 25 ministries and departments under the Chief Adviser. Now the number of ministries and divisions under the Chief Adviser has been reduced to 24 with the distribution of the portfolio. Earlier in the morning, he was sworn in as an adviser to the interim government. The swearing-in- ceremony was held at the Durbar Hall of the Bangabhaban in the morning. Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan has resigned: Asif Nazrul President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to adviser Farooq-e-Azam while Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain conducted the oath-taking ceremony. Naval-Commando Farooq-e-Azam took oath at 11:05 am in presence of the chief adviser. A total of 17 members of the 'Council of Advisers' headed by Nobel Laureate Prof Dr. Muhammad Yunus took oath in three phases. ‘Access to internet a right; those involved in internet shutdown will face action’: Adviser Nahid The President administered the oath to 14 advisers, including the chief adviser, on Thursday last while two of them - Supradeep Chakma and Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder- were sworn in on Sunday.

Eminent economist Ahsan H Mansur is likely to be the next governor of Bangladesh Bank according to officials familiar with the development on Tuesday. Bangladesh Bank raises maximum cash withdrawal limit to Tk2 lakh The interim government has decided to appoint a new head of the central bank after governor Abdur Rouf Talukder resigned on August 9 in the wake of the fall of Awami League regime amid mass movement. Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf resigns Mansur, 72, is currently the executive director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI), a think tank. Bangladesh Bank operates without governor and deputy governors Earlier he held various important positions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He is well known as an analyst of the country's financial sector.