United News of Bangladesh

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain on Friday said people will no longer have to run after doctors as the government aims to ensure that doctors reach out to patients at their doorsteps. “We will build the Health Ministry as a completely corruption- and syndicate-free ministry,” he said while addressing a civic reception accorded to him at his ancestral home at Hafizpur village i. Monohardi upazila of Narsingdi. The minister said healthcare services would be made easily accessible and universal. “We are moving forward with the mindset of delivering medical services at the doorsteps of citizens,” he said. He said the government bears equal responsibility towards all citizens, regardless of whether they voted for the ruling party or not. Responding to the long-standing demand for establishing a medical college in Narsingdi, the minister sought prayers and cooperation from the people to expedite the process. “We will work to establish a medical college in Narsingdi as soon as possible. Similar initiatives will be taken wherever necessary across the country,” he said. Health Minister announces on-the-spot monitoring of doctors’ services He also said steps would be taken to make the 250-bed Narsingdi District Hospital fully functional at the earliest and to introduce two ICU units in the district. Among others, Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Md Kalimullah, Superintendent of Narsingdi District Hospital Dr ANM Mizanur Rahman and leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies were  

An auto-rickshaw driver was killed as a pickup hit his vehicle near Azimpur Orphanage in Lalbagh in Dhaka. The deceased identified as Amzad Hossain, 68, from Jainki village in Dohar upazila of Dhaka. His son, Sakib, said his father left home in the morning as usual to drive his auto-rickshaw. “A fast-moving pickup struck my father’s vehicle and fled the spot. He was severely injured and later died,” he said. Hossain was rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition where doctors declared him dead. Inspector of DMCH police camp Md. Faruk said the body has been kept in the morgue and police have been informed for further investigation.

Thousands of Muslims poured into the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram on the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan to offer Juma prayers in an atmosphere marked by devotion, restraint and spiritual reflection.

No one will be allowed to hold the general public hostage or create public suffering in the name of movements or demands, said RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman on Friday. All necessary measures will be taken to ensure uninterrupted movement and daily life of ordinary people, he told reporters while visiting the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital to inspect RAB’s security arrangements. The RAB DG said there is currently no specific security threat centring the observance of Language Martyrs Day but all necessary preparations have been taken to deal with any possible situation. Adequate security measures have already ensured not only at the Central Shaheed Minar but also at all Shaheed Minars across the country where people will pay tributes, he said. Shahidur said comprehensive preparations have been taken to ensure the smooth observance of International Mother Language Day. In coordination with other law enforcement agencies, a central security ring has been established around the Shaheed Minar area, he added. He said inner and outer perimeters have been designated, with RAB members deployed accordingly. The entire area has been divided into several sectors, with foot patrols, vehicle patrols and striking reserves assigned to each sector, he said. No security threat around Ekushey February programmes: DMP Commissioner To strengthen security, bomb disposal units, dog squads and intelligence personnel in plain clothes will be deployed, he said, adding that more than 300 RAB members will remain on duty at the Shaheed Minar area. The entire area has also been brought under CCTV surveillance. The RAB chief further said law enforcement agencies have succeeded in restoring stability from previously fragile law and order situations and ensuring a conducive environment for holding a free and fair election.  He said the forces will continue to maintain maximum vigilance to further improve law and order and control crime.

There is no security threat surrounding this year’s Ekushey February observance in the capital, according to the commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police ( DMP). Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali said on Friday that around 15,000 police personnel would be deployed in and around the Central Shaheed Minar to ensure the safe and orderly observance of Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. He was speaking after inspecting security arrangements at the memorial, where large crowds are expected to gather to pay tribute to the language martyrs. The commissioner said a multi-layered security plan had been put in place, involving police, other law enforcement agencies and volunteers, to maintain discipline and preserve the sanctity of the site. Referring to the recently held national election, he said voters had exercised their franchise peacefully and in a disciplined manner, without security concerns.  He expressed confidence that the Ekushey February programmes would also pass off without incident. DMP to provide escort service for transport of cash and valuables ahead of ramadan, Eid In addition to regular police deployment, specialised units, including SWAT, the dog squad, the bomb disposal unit and the crime scene team, will remain on standby around the clock, he said.  Intelligence surveillance and cyber monitoring have also been strengthened. Responding to a question, Sajjat Ali said security measures were not limited to the Shaheed Minar area, adding that police remained vigilant across the capital. He also outlined movement guidelines for visitors. Entry to the Shaheed Minar will be permitted only through the Palashi Mor–Jagannath Hall crossing route. Visitors must exit via the Romana crossing towards Doel Chattar or Chankharpool. No alternative routes will be allowed. Members of the public have been urged not to carry sharp objects, flammable materials or explosives, and to follow the designated entry and exit routes.  Visitors have also been requested to maintain discipline and leave promptly after paying tribute to allow others to enter. For security and traffic management, diversions will be enforced at entry points to the Dhaka University area from Friday evening.  Teachers, students, officers and employees residing in the area have been asked to cooperate by following traffic instructions.

Commerce  Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Friday said the government has adequate stocks of essential commodities to keep market prices stable during the holy month of Ramadan. “The main responsibility of the Ministry of Commerce is to ensure price stability of essential food items. This responsibility becomes even more important during Ramadan,” he told reporters in Sylhet.  The minister said when the current government assumed office, there was little scope to take special measures ahead of Ramadan.  “However, the positive aspect is that the amount of food stock we currently have is sufficient to maintain price stability in the market,” he added. Minister Muktadir speaking to journalists at Sylhet Osmani International Airport after exchanging greetings with officials of different government departments and party leaders. Responding to a question on development plans for Sylhet, the minister said he had highlighted these issues throughout his election campaign and manifesto.  “We want to implement initiatives that are directly linked to improving the quality of life of the people of Sylhet,” he said, adding that priority would be given to employment generation, expansion of IT-related professions and the establishment of an AI centre. The minister also said the government would work sincerely over the next five years, utilising every single day to move Bangladesh forward in the global arena. 'Not all collections in the road transport sector is extortion': Roads, Railways and Shipping Minister Replying to a question about job creation at the Sylhet IT Park, he said investment is essential to generate employment.  “To attract investment, we need to improve communication systems, reduce red tape and ensure a supportive environment, including political stability,” Muktadir said. He added that special policy support is needed for expatriate and local investors in Sylhet. “We are working on these issues and their implementation will be visible very soon." Among others present were Sylhet MP MA Malik, Divisional Commissioner Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi, Range DIG Md Mushfekur Rahman, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP Acting President Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi and Sylhet District BNP President Abdul Qaiyum Chowdhury, along with leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its associate bodies.

A female flower vendor was killed after being hit by a speeding motorcycle in the capital’s Shahbagh area on Thursday morning. The victim was identified as Mukta Akhter, 45, who used to sell flowers in the Shahbagh and Shaheed Minar areas, her relatives said. The accident occurred around 10:30 am in front of the gate of Dhaka Nursing College in Shahbagh when Mukta was getting off a rickshaw. A motorcycle hit her from behind, leaving her critically injured. She was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where she was admitted to the One Stop Emergency Centre. She succumbed to her injuries around noon while undergoing treatment. Inqilab Moncho protesters leave Shahbagh Mukta was the daughter of Ijar Ali of Noapara area in Jashore Sadar. She had been living with her family in a rented house in the Rani Market area of Kamrangirchar. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and the matter has been reported to the concerned police station. 

Roads, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam on Thursday said money collected through mutual understanding among transport-related organisations cannot be termed extortion, which he defined as forced payment. Responding to journalists’ questions at a press briefing at the Secretariat in the afternoon, the minister said not all collections in the road transport sector should be labelled as extortion. He explained that owners’ associations and workers’ organisations collect money at fixed rates to run their welfare activities, which has long functioned as an unwritten practice. “When the money is given voluntarily, it cannot be called extortion. But if someone is compelled to pay, that is what should be considered extortion,” he said. The minister said owners’ associations collect funds with the intention of spending them on the welfare of vehicle owners. While there may be debates over whether the money is used properly, the collections are generally made through mutual understanding. He added that various organisations, including labour welfare federations, also collect funds in a similar manner, and acknowledged that labour bodies linked to the ruling party often wield greater influence. He made it clear that no one will be allowed to collect money by exerting pressure in areas under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. However, if owners collect money among themselves based on consensus, authorities will examine whether anyone is being deprived or whether the funds are being misused. Everything in place for 'fair, transparent and smooth' SSC exams: Education Minister Milon Speaking on traffic congestion, the minister said unauthorised roadside markets along highways are creating traffic jams, stressing the need to bring such activities under discipline. Regarding Eid travel, he said effective holiday management is crucial to reducing sufferings of homebound people. “Like last time, there are plans to maintain an extended holiday pattern. We are also working on new measures to make journeys more comfortable,” he said, expressing hope that details would be shared within the next five to ten days.

Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman on Thursday took iftar with orphan students at a women’s madrasah in the capital on the first day of Ramadan. They joined the iftar at Jamia Qurbaniya Talimia Dawra Hadis Mohila Madrasah and Orphanage in West Bhashantek under Dhaka-17 seat, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Before the iftar, Zubaida and Zaima spoke with the orphan students and enquired about their well-being. Tarique Rahman is the MP from Dhaka-17 constituency. Free education for girls up to honours if BNP wins: Zubaida Rahman  

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has formed a four-member committee to investigate corruption allegations against Mahbub Morshed, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). The committee was formed to ensure a neutral, transparent and fair review of the allegations recently published in different media outlets. An Additional Secretary (Grade-1) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will lead the committee as its chair. The other members are the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Information, the Director General of the Mass Communication Department, and a Senior Assistant Secretary (Press-1) of the ministry, who will act as member secretary. Mahbub Morshed made MD and Chief Editor of BSS According to an order issued by the ministry on Thursday, the committee will closely examine the allegations, take statements from relevant persons, and carry out necessary inquiries. The committee has been asked to submit a full report with recommendations to the ministry by February 25, 2026.