United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 16 (UNB)--Bangladesh has climbed three places in the latest Henley Passport Index, moving up to 93rd position from 96th in the previous ranking. According to the new list, Singapore remains at the top of the index, retaining its position as the world’s most powerful passport. Japan and South Korea jointly hold the second spot. Sweden and the United Arab Emirates are ranked third. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Switzerland share the fourth position. Among South Asian countries, India ranks 75th, ahead of Bangladesh. Pakistan stands at 97th, four places behind Bangladesh, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index.

A 32-year-old woman in Feni’s Parshuram upazila has allegedly been divorced by her husband for voting for the BNP’s “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol in the 13th national election held on February 12. The incident took place in Paglirkul village under Chithlia union and sparked a stir in the area after it came to light on Monday afternoon. The woman, Runa Akhter Munni, claimed that on the night before the election, her husband, Nur Mohammad Sumon, asked her which symbol she would vote for. “I told him I had seen my father vote for the Sheaf of Paddy since childhood and I would do the same. He then forbade me from going to the polling station,” she alleged. Runa said that after her husband left home on election day, she went to Rajshapur Ali Azzam High School polling centre and cast her vote for the Sheaf of Paddy. “When he returned at night, he said he had voted for the Scale symbol and that it had won here. When I told him I had voted for the Sheaf of Paddy, he did not say anything further that night,” she said. According to her, the next morning he allegedly beat her and their eldest son, took land documents from the house and left. “He later told neighbours that he had divorced me through the court,” she added. However, when contacted by phone, Sumon denied divorcing his wife over voting. He said he had ended the marriage due to family disputes. “It was not because of voting. She was not even a voter, so how could she vote?” he claimed, adding that he had registered the divorce through an affidavit at the Feni Notary Public Office on February 15 and sent the divorce notice by post. Documents seen by UNB show that an affidavit, No. 170, regarding the divorce was issued on February 15 under the signature of lawyer Rabiul Haque Robi of the Feni Notary Public Office. In the petition, Sumon cited various family issues, including alleged misconduct and failure to maintain family life. Local sources said Runa is a registered voter, with voter number 4229560646 and voter slip number 578. Mohila Dal leader found dead in Feni; police suspect suicide Runa and Sumon were married on November 7, 2014. They have two sons — Mobarak Hossain Murad, 10, and Mohammad Mostakim Hossain, 3. Sumon runs a shop named Bhai Bhai Store at Rajshapur Bazar. Neighbour Kausar Alam said Runa informed him about the matter after Sumon left home. Farmer Abdul Kader said Sumon had called him last Sunday, saying a divorce notice had been sent from the court and asking that she be told to leave the house. After the matter became public, local BNP leaders, including Chithlia Union BNP President Munshi Nazrul Islam Jahangir and General Secretary Master Sheikh Ahmed, visited Sumon’s house. Upazila BNP Convener Abdul Halim Manik alleged that Sumon divorced his wife for voting for the Sheaf of Paddy. “Such incidents are reprehensible and harmful to society,” he said.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said the just-held national election is not just a process of transferring power; rather it is the beginning of a new journey for the country’s democracy, the birth of a new Bangladesh. “We have delivered a festive, free, impartial, peaceful, clean, and credible national election, through which the people have regained their right to vote,” he said in a televised speech, expressing his deep respect and gratitude to those who were behind this achievement. Prof Yunus paid tribute to the young protesters who took to the streets in July 2024, as well as to those who were injured or lost their lives. “This transformation would not have been possible without their unprecedented sacrifice.” Reflecting on his tenure, Prof Yunus said, “My colleagues and I have sought to honour that promise. Where we have succeeded and where we have fallen short - that judgment rests with the people.” He emphasised that his government placed accountability above political considerations, prioritising the prosecution of crimes against humanity, corruption and systemic irregularities without regard for partisan interests or retribution. Implementation of July Charter to block fascism’s paths to return: Prof Yunus  “We have initiated administrative, commercial and financial reforms in fragile institutions to ensure that no future government can entrench itself against the will of the people,” the Chief Adviser said. Outlining the broader vision of a new Bangladesh, Prof Yunus said when his administration assumed office, the country’s law and order situation was deeply precarious. “Police stations were empty, and public confidence had eroded, replaced by fear and uncertainty. Step by step, we have worked to restore stability and rebuild trust,” he said.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday identified the July National Charter as the biggest achievement of the interim government, on the basis of which the people of the country decided to implement it with a huge majority in a referendum. “If the July Charter is implemented, the paths to the return of fascism will be closed forever. I hope it will be implemented within the stipulated time frame,” Prof Yunus said in a televised address to the nation. Even if the interim government forgets many things, big and small, good and bad, the nation will never forget the July Charter, Prof Yunus said. “Today, I congratulate all the political parties, social organisations, and human rights organisations who worked tirelessly to draft this charter and get it passed in the referendum,” he said. Before his speech, National Citizen Party (NCP) signed the July National Charter, giving it compete shape on the aspects of approval of all stakeholders. Earlier, NCP remained absent from signing the instrument saying signing would be meaningless without clarity on implementation. In the presence of the Chief Adviser, NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossain signed the charter at State Guest House Jamuna on Monday evening. National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz, Commission Member Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider were present on the occasion. Prof Yunus sees vast economic prospects in wider regional cooperation For the first time, Prof Yunus said, the opportunity has been created for expatriates to vote in this election. “When a voter proudly shares his experience of voting in this election and the referendum on social media, as a citizen, I cannot contain my joy. I hope that many more expatriates will be able to participate in this process safely in the future,” he said. “When we took office, the economy was in turmoil. The banking system had collapsed, and money laundering was rampant. We have brought structural reforms in revenue management, tax policy, currency management and financial sector,” Prof Yunus said. He said the ‘bottomless economy’ was left for them by the previous fascist government. “Now, while leaving, I am relieved that we have been able to deal with the situation. And I can leave the foundation of a new economy. Now the creditors will not come to chase us anymore,” Prof Yunus said. He said the reserves are now 34 billion dollars. “This reserve is gradually increasing with the remittances of our patriotic expatriate brothers and sisters.”

Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin on Monday said he never compromised on ethics during his time in office. “I came here with a very negative impression about you. Today I am leaving with gratitude. I believe you are an asset to the country. You have shown that you can work well under the right leadership,” he said. He made the remarks at a farewell reception organised by the Ministry of Commerce. Extra flight fees to be waived for 3 days: Commerce Adviser Speaking at the event, he said the change brought by the 2024 student uprising should be reflected in officials’ behaviour. “If anyone asks you to do something illegal, you should say it is not possible. Or politely explain how it should be done properly,” he said. He added that the arrival of the new leadership on the 18th should be a day of celebration for the ministry. “Please support the new minister in carrying out his responsibilities. If you disagree with him, you should express your views respectfully and clearly,” he said. The adviser said he had never compromised on moral principles after taking charge of the ministry and would never do so. “I have worked for Bangladesh and for our children. I am returning to my previous work with happy memories, knowing that all wings and departments of the ministry worked together,” he said. Businesses raise edible oil prices without government approval: Commerce Adviser Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman presided over the event. Among others who spoke were Additional Secretary (Export) Md Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (FTA) Ayesha Akhter, Bangladesh Tea Board Chairman Major General Md Mejbah Uddin Ahmed and Competition Commission Chairperson AHM Ahsan. Officials of the Ministry of Commerce and heads of its various departments and organisations attended the farewell reception.

An initiative to issue digital bank licenses just a day before the formation of a new government has been stalled following strong protests from the Bangladesh Bank Officers Welfare Council. The Council demanded the cancellation of an emergency board meeting scheduled to approve the licenses on Monday. Although the meeting of the Board of Directors took place in the afternoon, no licenses were approved. Instead, the board was briefed on the evaluation scores of the applicant institutions, effectively halting the approval process amidst day-long tension at the central bank. Bangladesh Bank announces banking timings for Ramadan During a press conference leaders of the Officers Welfare Council expressed deep concern over the timing of the emergency meeting. They noted that the meeting was called with only one day’s notice while the process of government formation following the 13th National Parliamentary Election (held on February 12) was still underway. The Council alleged that the primary objective of the meeting was to grant a license to a specific group. They pointed out a potential conflict of interest, noting that the current Governor previously served as the chairman of a bank owned by that same group. "This initiative is contrary to the fundamental principles of neutrality of the central bank," the Council stated. They further alleged that unqualified individuals were being appointed as consultants based on personal ties to the Governor and that outsiders were being allowed to attend critical board meetings without official approval. The Council raised several legal objections, citing the ‘Bank Company Act’, which prohibits one bank from being a subsidiary of another. They also highlighted that government approval is mandatory for holding more than 10 percent of shares. Taking such a major policy decision during a political transition is a violation of both law and established custom, the officials argued. Bangladesh Bank lowers floor of interest rate corridor to boost interbank liquidity Furthermore, the Council emphasized the fragile state of the banking sector, where the default loan rate exceeded 36 percent as of September 2025. With 61 scheduled banks already operating and many struggling to return depositors' money, they questioned the immediate necessity of new digital banks without a transparent and thorough review. In the wake of the protest, the central bank issued an official order prohibiting employees from making statements to the media or at public gatherings regarding bank policies without prior approval. Arif Hossain Khan, spokesperson for Bangladesh Bank, clarified to the media that the emergency meeting only reviewed a progress report on the digital bank applications and that no final decisions were made. According to central bank data, 13 entities have applied for digital bank licenses.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday renewed his emphasis on the economic opportunities in the region, underscoring the vast growth potential of a broader regional cooperation encompassing Nepal, Bhutan and northeastern India. In a televised address to the nation ahead of Tuesday’s handover of power, Prof Yunus outlined Bangladesh’s maritime access as a strategic asset. “Our open sea is not merely a geographical boundary; it is a gateway to the global economy,” he said, highlighting connectivity as central to the country’s next phase of development. Prof Yunus said through economic zones, trade agreements and access to duty-free markets, a strong foundation will be established for this region to become a global manufacturing hub. “We have come a long way in signing agreements with the best international port management companies to take the efficiency of our ports to the international level. If we cannot increase its efficiency, we will lag behind in economic achievements,” he said. The Chief Adviser said they have been able to firmly restore these three fundamental foundations of Bangladesh's sovereignty, national interests, and the country's dignity in foreign policy. “Bangladesh is no longer a country with submissive foreign policy or dependent on the instructions and advice of other countries, today's Bangladesh is confident, active and responsible in protecting its independent interests,” he said. Prof Yunus said they are committed to building relations with all countries of the world based on mutual respect and interests. At the same time, he said, Bangladesh has established itself today as a state capable of taking necessary strategic decisions for the future while maintaining balance. Prof Yunus said the Rohingya crisis has created a serious and long-term strain on the national security, regional stability and economy. CA Prof Yunus thanks NCP for signing July Charter Unfortunately, he said, for a long time, no effective and coordinated international initiative was visible to resolve this crisis. “Since assuming office, we have been able to bring this issue, which was moribund in the international arena, back to the center of global attention.” Realising the importance of this crisis, he said, the United Nations has stood by Bangladesh. The UN Secretary-General himself has visited Bangladesh and pledged to help find a sustainable solution to the problem, he said, adding that at his request, a special conference on the Rohingya issue was held at the UN.

Additional traffic police will be deployed across the capital to ease congestion and ensure smooth movement of vehicles and pedestrians during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, a senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) official said on Monday. Md Anisur Rahman, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) of the DMP, made the announcement at a coordination meeting with representatives of shopping malls and business communities held at the DMP headquarters on Monday. DMP launches election hotlines to report code violations In his speech, chief of the DMP's Traffic division urged business owners to remain vigilant alongside police so that roads remain free from congestion and pedestrians can move freely on footpaths during Ramadan. Anisur Rahman also called on shopping mall authorities to deploy volunteers in front of and around their establishments to help manage crowds and traffic flow. The meeting discussed overall security, law and order, and traffic management in shopping centres across the Dhaka metropolitan area ahead of Ramadan. Speaking at the event, Md Sarwar, Additional Commissioner (Admin) of DMP, said traffic congestion remains one of the major problems in Dhaka city. He said, alongside members of the Traffic Division and Crime Division, additional police personnel will be deployed during Ramadan to reduce traffic congestion. DMP Commissioner orders highest security at Dhaka polling centres Sarwar urged all to comply with traffic rules and expressed hope that with sincere cooperation from all quarters, the holy month of Ramadan would pass smoothly. Senior DMP officials, including joint police commissioners, deputy police commissioners and representatives of various shopping malls and business bodies, attended the meeting and shared their opinions on ensuring security during Ramadan.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will address the nation at 9:15pm on Monday. Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will broadcast his speech, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Earlier, he delivered a farewell address to officers and staff at the Chief Adviser’s Office, marking the end of the interim administration’s tenure. Following his speech, he joined officials and employees for a photo session at the office. The interim government, which assumed office on August 8, 2024 under Prof Yunus, is set to conclude its term with the swearing-in of a new government on Tuesday (February 17). The BNP-led alliance is poised to form the next government after securing a landslide victory in Thursday’s national election, winning 212 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami led alliance won 77 seats.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday appreciated the National Citizen Party (NCP) for signing the July National Charter. NCP Convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain signed the charter on behalf of the party in the presence of the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna in the evening. “The nation had the faith that the NCP would sign this charter, and today that faith has been fulfilled. Thank you for participating in this great work,” the CA said. Prof Yunus delivers farewell speech as interim govt prepares to hand over power Prof Yunus said the charter should guide actions at every level to build a new, humane Bangladesh, emphasising that all stakeholders must remain vigilant in implementing its principles. The Chief Adviser also mentioned that the oath-taking ceremony for the members of the new parliament would be held on Tuesday and wished everyone success in the days ahead. Nahid Islam said the MPs elected from his party would take their oaths tomorrow. “Although we were the last to sign the charter, we have been most active in implementing it. We will honor the trust the people have placed in us.” Army Chief meets Chief Adviser Prof Yunus National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz, Commission member Badiul Alam Majumder and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider, were present. The NCP delegation included Monira Sharmin, Sarwar Tushar, Javed Rasin and Zahirul Islam.