United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) on Tuesday congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for its landslide victory in the 13th national election and urged the newly formed government to take priority-based and effective measures for quick economic recovery. In a statement, the chamber said the much-anticipated election has enabled people to elect their chosen representatives and expressed hope that capable leadership would help transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and democratic nation. Prolonged tight monetary policy stalling Bangladesh’s growth: DCCI Highlighting the prevailing economic challenges, DCCI said ongoing global geopolitical uncertainties—particularly reciprocal tariff measures imposed by the United States, along with various domestic constraints have significantly disrupted local economic activities. It pointed out that Bangladesh has long struggled to attract substantial foreign direct investment (FDI), while export-oriented sectors have also failed to make notable progress. The SME sector has been the worst affected, resulting in reduced marginal employment and disruptions across the manufacturing ecosystem, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to continue business operations. The chamber also expressed concern over the recent deterioration in the law-and-order situation, which it said has discouraged both local and foreign investors from making fresh investments. According to DCCI, lack of coordination in port operations and management, delays in implementing reform initiatives of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), uncertainty in energy supply to industries, high interest rates, contractionary monetary policy, prolonged loan processing procedures and inadequate policy support have further impacted the private sector. DCCI calls for immediate normalisation of Ctg port operations DCCI said there is no alternative to the role of elected representatives in addressing these challenges and called upon the government to urgently remove the existing constraints in the country’s industrial and commercial sectors to keep the national economy vibrant and resilient. The chamber expressed its willingness to work closely with the government to ensure sustainable economic development.

A writ petition was filed on Tuesday challenging the legality of the referendum that was held on February 12. ABM Ataul Majid Touhid, a Supreme Court lawyer filed the writ petition with the HC bench concerned. The petition also sought cancellation of the results of the referendum. The Chief Election Commissioner, the Cabinet secretary and the Law secretary were made respondents in the petition. The petition is likely to move before a High Court bench led by Justice Fatema Najib. Meanwhile, the ‘Yes’ vote won in the nationwide referendum held on February 12. According to the announced results, a total of 4,80,74,429 voters cast their votes in favour of the proposal, while 2,25,65,627 voted against it.    

The Bangladesh Parliament Journalists Association (BPJA) on Tuesday strongly condemned the ‘restriction on journalists’ access’ to the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of the 13th Parliament. In a statement, the BPJA President Harun Jamil and General Secretary Shawkat Ali Khan Litho expressed deep concern over what they described as a sudden and unexplained decision to limit media entry to the swearing-in event. According to the BPJA leaders, journalists have been allowed access to parliamentary proceedings, including oath-taking ceremonies, in all of the previous 12 parliaments. The statement alleged that the situation arose due to the inefficiency, inexperience and arbitrary decisions of a senior official at the Parliament Secretariat. The BPJA leaders said they held several meetings with the concerned authorities and requested that journalists be allowed access to areas outside the main ceremony venue, as had been the practice in the past. They also urged the Secretariat to at least permit entry for journalists holding valid accreditation cards. Although assurances were reportedly given, no effective steps were taken, they claimed. As a result, journalists were unable to cover the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected members, which the association described as “deeply unfortunate”. The BPJA called on the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against those responsible for creating distance between Parliament and the media and to ensure that such restrictions are not repeated in future.

Six MPs-elect of the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Tuesday took oath as members of the Parliament and members of the Constitution Reform Council(CRC). Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath of office to the MPs at the Oath Taking Room of Sangsad Bhaban at 1:05 pm. Earlier, BNP MPs took  oath as only members of the 13th parliament, not as members of the Constitution Reform Council on Tuesday morning. Parliament Secretariat Secretary Kaniz Moula conducted the oath-taking ceremony. The MPs-elect of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam took  oath as members of both the 13th Parliament and the Constitution Reform Council at 12:22 pm. The 13th parliamentary election and referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025 were held on Thursday last (February 12) in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies amid festivity and peaceful atmosphere. On Friday last, the EC published a gazette of 297 elected MP candidates. The election results of two other constituencies – Chattogram-2 and 4-- were withheld as per the court orders.  Besides, the election to Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a contesting candidate. But, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman left Bogura-6 seat for by-election, taking oath as a member of parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency. In the election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68. Besides, National Citizen Party-NCP settled victory in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat. So, the BNP-led electoral alliance sealed victory in a total of 212 constituencies, while the Jamaat-led electoral alliance won in 77 constituencies.  

Forty-five government vehicles have been kept ready at the Secretariat for ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers-to-be. Officials concerned said according to the Cabinet Division’s requirements, the vehicles were arranged through the transport pool of the Ministry of Public Administration. From around 10:30 am, the vehciles began arriving at the Secretariat one by one. Officials said the vehicles are being stationed under and in front of the new Number 1 building at the Secretariat. Sources added a few extra cars have been included as backups to ensure immediate replacement in case of any problem with a vehicle. BNP MPs-elect take oath as members of parliament Most of the cars are Toyota Camry with a few Mitsubishi Lancers. An official said the vehicles will be driven by drivers accompanied by a liaison officer to the residences of the respective to-be ministers, state ministers, or deputy ministers once instruction is given.

BNP MPs-elect have taken oath as only members of the 13th parliament, not as members of the Constitution Reform Council on Tuesday morning. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath at 10:43am in line with the Constitution as the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament are currently vacant. Parliament Secretariat Secretary Kaniz Moula conducted the oath-taking ceremony at 10:43am at the oath-taking room of the Jatiya Sangsad.  Jamaat MPs-elect is scheduled to be sworn in at 12pm at the same place. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman's wife, Zubaida Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman were present at the oath-taking ceremony. Now the newly elected MPs signed the oath book and provide fingerprints, images and digital signatures for preparation of their digital identity cards following the ceremony. The 13th parliamentary election and referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025 were held on Thursday last (February 12) in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies amid festivity and peaceful atmosphere. On Friday last, the EC published a gazette of 297 elected MP candidates. The election results of two other constituencies – Chattogram-2 and 4-- were withheld as per the court orders.  Besides, the election to Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a contesting candidate. But, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman left Bogura-6 seat for by-election, taking oath as a member of parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency. In the election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68. BNP to hold parliamentary party meeting after oath Tuesday Besides, National Citizen Party-NCP settled victory in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat. So, the BNP-led electoral alliance sealed victory in a total of 212 constituencies, while the Jamaat-led electoral alliance won in 77 constituencies.

The government has reduced value Added Tax(VAT) on LPG in a move aimed at stabilising the market and keeping the essential fuel within consumers’ purchasing power. In a press release issued on Monday night, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said it had issued two separate notifications on February 16, effective until June 30, 2026, revising the existing VAT structure on LPG. Under the previous system, 7.5 per cent VAT was applicable at the local production and trading stages, while a 2 per cent advance tax was imposed at the import stage. Following an application from the Liquified Petroleum Gas(LPG)Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) and a recommendation from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, the government has withdrawn the 7.5 per cent VAT at the local production and trading levels as well as the 2 per cent advance tax at the import stage. Instead, a uniform 7.5 per cent VAT has been imposed at the import stage. According to the NBR, the restructuring means that while VAT will now be collected at the point of import, no VAT will be applicable on the value addition occurring at the local production and sales stages after import. Officials said the decision was taken in the public interest, considering LPG is an essential commodity for both industrial use and household consumption. The authorities expect the measure to help maintain price stability in the domestic market. LPG price rises by Tk50 per 12kg cylinder in Bangladesh for Feb The NBR said that from the effective date of the notifications, the overall VAT burden on consumers purchasing LPG would decrease by around 20 per cent compared to the previous structure. The revised VAT arrangement will remain in force until June 30, 2026, unless further extended or amended by the government.

Bangladesh’s booming food industry, now estimated to be worth over Tk 10,000 crore, is expanding at an unprecedented pace across urban and semi-urban areas but experts warn that this growth is outpacing quality control and regulatory oversight, posing a serious public health risk. From roadside carts to high-end restaurants, food businesses are mushrooming nationwide with minimal monitoring. The absence of strict regulation, coupled with unsafe raw materials, is fueling concern among consumers and health specialists alike. The Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BFSA) found adulteration in 33.3 percent of food samples tested in the last fiscal year, highlighting a sharp rise in food contamination. Data from BFSA shows that between January 1 and December 31, 2025, a total of 11,220 food samples were tested, with 4,653 samples, or 41.47 percent, deemed unsafe. The rate of adulteration has climbed steadily over the past three years. In 2022–23, 8.5 percent of samples were adulterated. This rose to 15.4 percent in 2023–24, before surging to 33.3 percent in 2024–25. A 2021 BFSA survey revealed that around 40 percent of food items in Bangladesh were adulterated, with 60 percent of vegetables containing excessive pesticide residues and 67 percent of bottled soybean oil containing trans fats. Food safety experts emphasise the urgent need for stronger enforcement, upgraded laboratory capacity and coordinated efforts to curb adulteration and protect public health. Food Carts Everywhere, Oversight Nowhere Street food and mobile eateries are now a ubiquitous feature in cities like Dhaka, Chattogram, and Gazipur, serving millions of daily consumers. Most, however, operate without licences, hygiene certificates, or regular inspections. “There is virtually no monitoring of how food is prepared, stored, or served in these carts,” said Sumon Dutta, a resident in Dhaka’s Baily Road area. “Consumers are exposed to unsafe cooking practices, contaminated water, and unhygienic handling.” According to a recent Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) survey, the number of food service establishments nearly doubled over the last decade, reaching 436,274 in 2021. Of these, 344,687 are roadside tea stalls, 67,991 fast-food outlets, and 19,637 restaurants and mobile food vendors, employing over 2 million workers. Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, a BFSA member, stressed that food safety must be ensured at every stage—from production and supply to storage, distribution, and serving—as each step requires specific regulations to keep food safe. BFSA has been working under the Safe Food Act, 2013, formulating regulations in line with international standards such as those of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, he said. Draft Packaged Food Labelling Regulations, notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in August 2023, are being modernised, with front-of-pack labelling considered a tool to reduce non-communicable diseases. Restaurants Operating Without Regulation Many small and mid-sized restaurants operate without proper registration or compliance with safety standards. Enforcement by BFSA is hampered by manpower shortages and overlapping responsibilities. “A restaurant can open overnight without any prior inspection,” said a consumer rights activist. “The system focuses more on occasional raids than continuous regulation.” Outside Dhaka, only 65,000 establishments are registered with the Bangladesh Hotel Restaurant Owners Association, leaving the majority unmonitored. Food prices push January inflation up to 8.58%: BBS A 2018 BFSA survey found that only 4 out of every 100 restaurants met quality standards, with over half receiving poor ratings. Chemical-Laced Raw Materials Chemically treated raw materials—fruits ripened with harmful chemicals, vegetables grown with excessive pesticides, and adulterated spices—are widespread, making it nearly impossible to guarantee safe food. Shahanuare Shaid Shahin, President of Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum, described the overuse of pesticides, exceeding one billion kilograms over four decades, as a “public health disaster.” Regulatory Challenges and Long-Term Planning BFSA Chairman Zakaria said that of 1,713 food samples tested last year, 571 were adulterated or substandard. He added that the authority cannot impose strong legal penalties without its own advanced laboratory, but once established, strict action against adulterators will be possible. Food Secretary Md Firoz Sarkar emphasised that food safety is as critical as availability. Citing global data, he said one in ten people worldwide suffers from foodborne diseases, stressing that “everyone—from farmers to consumers—must be more aware.”

The government has cancelled the contractual appointment of M Siraj Uddin Mia to the post of Principal Secretary of Chief Adviser based on his resignatioin application. In a gazette notification dated Feb 16, 2026, the Ministry of Public Administration said that the contractual appointment of M Saraj Uddin Mia to the post of Principal Secretary was revoked.

A fire broke out at a five-storey L-shaped building at the Karwan Bazar timber market area in the capital on Monday night, affecting parts of the third, fourth and fifth floors. The fire started around 10:22pm, said Talha bin Zashim, Station Officer of FSCD headquarter media cell. He said fire service teams received the report at 10:28pm and reached the spot at around 10:45pm. A total of 10 fire service units were working to bring the blaze under control. According to officials and employees of the building, warehouses of Huggies diapers are located from the second to the fifth floors of the building, while several timber warehouses are situated nearby. Fire service officials said details about the cause of the fire and the extent of damage would be known after the blaze is fully extinguished. No casualties were reported until the filing of this report.