United News of Bangladesh

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep disappointment and indignation over the Advisory Council’s final approval of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Ordinance ‘ignoring strategically important recommendations.’ The recommendations were essential for ensuring transparency, accountability and institutional independence of the anti-graft body, it said in a statement on Friday (November 28). The exclusion of “Selection and Review Committee” from the final ordinance despite  being included in the July Charter is not only disappointing, but also indicates that like almost all other cases of reform proposals the state reform agenda has become hostage to the conspiracies of anti-reform circles within the government, it added. TIB also questions whether by denying the provision to make ACC accountable as much as independent, the Chief Adviser, as the head of the consensus commission and the groundbreaking decision-maker to form the 11 reform commissions, is trying to send a message to all including political parties, that ‘state reforms are just a rhetoric for the Government.’ Read more: ACC’s year of mixed outcomes: 249 cases closed, yet acquittals dominate Noting that the ACC Reform Commission had recommended the formation of a “Selection and Review Committee” considering the experience of the past two decades, the opinions of all stakeholders, international best practices, and the political and bureaucratic context of Bangladesh in order to ensure that the ACC does not continue to function as a tool of protection of  those in power and harass political or other opponents, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said. “This proposal was made to overcome the dire situation of ACC as the institution has been suffering from a lack of public trust since its inception, as a puppet of vested quarters, it has become a tool of protection for those in power and harassment of opponents,” he said. It is regrettable that the government has failed to understand the strategic value of this recommendation to transform the ACC into a truly accountable, independent, and impartial institution through half-yearly reviews, public hearings, and recommendations by the proposed committee, he said. ACC’s year of mixed outcomes: 249 cases closed, yet acquittals dominate “For a government responsible for state reforms, this is a self-contradictory and anti-reform precedent,” he added. Dr. Zaman further said the matter is even more disappointing because according to reliable sources, at least seven Advisors have opposed this proposal at the Cabinet meeting. “Yet they know that all the political parties that signed the July Charter have fully agreed on this provision. Before creating such a bad precedent of violating the July Charter, why the government does not realise that through this the Government is by itself actually encouraging political parties to violate the July Charter? Why then unprecedented bloodletting sacrifices were made? What kind of state reform is it that blocks the way to effectively curb corruption?” he questioned. The draft of the ordinance that TIB had the opportunity to review seemed to be in some ways of a higher standard than the existing law for which the organization commends the government, it said. TIB calls for full disclosure of agreements with foreign cos on Laldia, Pangaon terminals However, the TIB Executive Director has expressed deep disappointment and regret as according to reliable sources, in addition to the mentioned issue several other important strategic recommendations on which political consensus was achieved have been omitted. “This can be nothing but a corruption-enabling  and anti-reform stance of vested interests and influential quarters within the government,” he added.

The family of slain ex-Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader  Saddam has filed a  complaint naming a  Swechchhasebak Dal leader as the prime accused in his killing. Saddam’s father, Mostu Mia, lodged the complaint on Friday night mentioning the names of  convenor of district Swechchhasebak Dal Delwar Hossain Dilip of Kandipara area and others at Sadar Model Police Station, said Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Azharul Islam. The complaint also includes 5–7 unnamed suspects. Earlier in the evening, family members and locals brought out a protest procession in the town. They later gathered in front of Sadar Model Police Station demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of Dilip and others. “Criminals have no political identity. Those involved in the murder will be arrested soon,” said the OC. According to locals,there was  long-standing rivalry between the group of Lion Shakil and district Swechchhasebak Dal convenor Delwar Hossain Dilip over establishing dominance. Three injured in Brahmanbaria clash over local dominance On Thursday evening, Lion Shakil and his associates opened fire on Dilip’s supporters, injuring three people. Saddam’s family  alleged that Delwar Hossain Dilip and his associates  picked Saddam up from his home and killed him. They alleged the murder was carried out to frame the rival group in the ongoing conflict.  

Platform BLUE, an initiative by WaterAid Bangladesh, hosted the much-anticipated jury and award-giving ceremony of the “Toilets on the Go” mobile toilet design competition supported by the Embassy of Sweden on Friday at a hotel in Dhaka. The event marked a significant milestone in empowering young innovators to develop innovative, inclusive and cost-efficient mobile toilet designs. Launched as a nation-wide call for ideas, the competition received an overwhelming 40 submissions from aspiring students, designers and youth professionals. After a rigorous screening process, 12 outstanding individuals and teams were shortlisted to present their concepts before a distinguished jury board. Their designs ranged from low-cost modular toilets to fully mobile sanitation units aimed at improving hygiene access in densely populated or underserved areas. Throughout the day, participants moved through two rounds of design pitches in front of the jurors. Md Mostafizur Raman from Embassy of Sweden; Md Tahmidul Islam from WaterAid, Farhana Rashid from Bhumijo and Mazedur Rahman Masum from Amar Source evaluated all the teams of this final round of the competition. The award ceremony was graced by Hasin Jahan, the Country Director of WaterAid Bangladesh. She said, “Participants in this event should not view it merely as a competition. Rather, these remarkable innovations will be recognized as meaningful contributions to the development sector.” She congratulated the winners of the competition and expressed her sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone involved in the arrangements, including Dhaka City Corporation, partner organizations, and all individuals who contributed. Four designer individuals or teams were ultimately selected for their innovative, impactful, and scalable solutions. Md. Ahnav Shahriar Tanim, Mahmudul Hasan Mahmud, Md. Nafiz Fuad, and Dhiraj Roy from Team BU; Sumon Paul, Yasir Afiyat Rafi, Noiret Chakma, Md. Raihanul Hai, and Mekhi Datta from Potro Design Studio; Zannatul Fardous, Lamiya Fariha, and Mahmuda Haque Moon from Team Shoktikonnya; and Tunisha Kurl and Fiha Binte Hafiz from Tollet in the Loop received winners’ recognition.  Each winner team received a prize of TK 1,00,000 in recognition of their achievements. All winning designers retain full intellectual property rights to their creations, including copyright and design rights, as well as the option to apply for patents where applicable. WaterAid representatives also confirmed that viable designs will be considered for future expansion under the BLUE platform.  

The Shishu Sasthya Foundation, which has been working for the health and protection of children for four decades, celebrated its ruby jubilee on Friday evening at the Dhaka Club in Ramna. Speaking as chief guest, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Professor M R Khan—the foundation’s founder—was “a noble man who lived a truly meaningful life.” “You have preserved his legacy by sustaining the institutions he created,” he added. “I knew him as a great physician, but I did not know he founded so many institutions. Continue running the nursing institute under the foundation and turn it into a world-class one. We will provide full support.” In his welcome remarks, the foundation’s current General Secretary and son-in-law of Professor M R Khan, Engineer Reza Karim, said the late national professor established the foundation in 1983 as part of his retirement vision. Patient services began under the foundation in 1985 and continue to this day. Reza said the foundation is successfully operating institutions in Dhaka, Jashore, Satkhira, Tangail and Chuadanga. Its initiatives include healthcare for underprivileged children, microcredit for disadvantaged women, evening schools for deprived children, vocational training centres and various environment-related welfare projects. Foundation President and Professor M R Khan’s daughter, Mandy Karim, said three hospitals are currently running under the foundation, including the 250-bed M R Khan Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Mirpur, built with support from the Ministry of Social Welfare and the foundation. “We wanted all members of the foundation to come together. We hope the foundation advances even further in the coming years,” she said. Additional Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, Mahbub Alam, said, “The foundation has marked its ruby jubilee. We hope it continues its service for more than 100 years.” Special guest Director General of the Department of Social Services, Saidur Rahman Khan, said the department and the foundation have long worked together through partnerships that he expects will grow even stronger. At the event, Adviser Touhid Hossain handed over certificates and appreciation cards to foundation members.  

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep concern over the current health condition of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and sought prayers  from the nation for her quick recovery. Professor Yunus has been regularly monitoring Khaleda Zia’s health updates and has instructed all concerned to ensure every form of necessary medical support for her treatment, according to CA’s press wing. The Chief Adviser prayed for the swift recovery of the three-time former Prime Minister and called upon the people of the country to keep her in their prayers. “There must not be any shortcomings in Begum Khaleda Zia’s treatment. The government is prepared to provide all necessary assistance,” he said. Khaleda’s health ‘very critical’, says Fakhrul, urges all to pray for her Professor Yunus added during this crucial phase of the nation’s democratic transition, Begum Zia remains a source of inspiration for many and her good health is of great importance for the country. He also instructed the authorities concerned to remain fully prepared and maintain coordination to ensure uninterrupted support for her care.  

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against former Padma Bank chairman Chowdhury Nafis Sharafat and three others for allegedly misappropriating over Tk 1,613.68 crore. The case was filed with Gulshan Police Station on November 27 following an investigation by the CID’s Financial Crime Unit, said a media release signed by Jasim Uddin Khan, special superintendent of police (media) of the CID in Dhaka, on Friday. Investigators found that in 2008, Nafis Sarafat, along with his associate Dr. Hasan Taher Imam, managed a license to operate a fund management company named ‘Race Management PCL.’ Within five years of its launch, the company was entrusted with managing ten fixed-term mutual funds, which has now grown to thirteen mutual funds. Nafis Sarafat and his collaborators exploited these mutual funds for personal gain, according to the documents. Bangladesh Bank orders pay cuts for Sammilito Islami Bank’s employees Using fund money, Nafis Sarafat, his wife Anjuman Ara Shahid, and Taher Imam purchased shares in Farmers Bank (now Padma Bank), and Nafis Sarafat subsequently became a director on the bank’s board. He also tactfully made his wife a director of Southeast Bank. The group allegedly used a brokerage house, Multi Securities, to misappropriate fund money through fraudulent trades. They further invested in a fund named Strategic Equity, which included multiple sub-funds under their control, using Padma Bank’s money and channeling investments to individuals linked to them. The investigation revealed extensive fraud, including opening and managing multiple bank accounts, acquiring plots through RAJUK, and establishing institutions and universities abroad to facilitate money laundering. CID found that a total of 78 bank accounts were operated in the names of Nafis Sarafat, his wife, their son Rahib Safwan Sarafat Chowdhury, and related entities. The accounts collectively held deposits of Tk 1,809.75 crore, with withdrawals totaling around Tk 1,805.58 crore. Of these, 21 accounts remain under the family’s control with a current balance of just Tk 29.21 lakh. The CID found ownership of multiple offshore companies, including Canadian Maple Strategic Wealth LP (Canada), Blue Ocean Supply Ltd and Lhotse Summit Investments Ltd (British Virgin Islands), and several joint accounts in Singapore’s Standard Chartered Bank. Safwan Sarafat operates 76 accounts abroad, including in the Royal Bank of Canada, United Overseas Bank (Singapore), Bank of Singapore, and Toronto Dominion Bank. Nafis Sarafat also owns a three-room flat and a five-room villa in Dubai. Evidence shows Taher Imam maintains accounts through Next Frontiers Fund PTE Ltd in Singapore. The CID’s Financial Crime Unit found that the fraud involved a combination of deception, forgery and both domestic and international currency transfers. The total illicit funds involved amount to over Tk 1,613.68 crore.  

An outrage has triggered among devotees after several old date palm trees inside the premises of Hazrat Shahjalal’s (RA) shrine in Sylhet were cut down. These trees, planted nearly 50 years ago, were an integral part of the shrine’s heritage. The trees were felled between Monday and Wednesday, according to shrine authorities, who claimed that the removal was necessary for mosque expansion. Locals and devotees recall that the trees, planted around 1980 in front of the shrine’s mosque, served as a resting place for visitors at night. During prayer times, temporary shades and tarpaulins were set up beneath the trees, creating a unique and familiar environment for devotees. By Thursday, the stumps of the removed trees had been leveled with the ground. Devotees fear that additional trees may also be cut. Abul Hossain, president of the 360 Aulia Devotees’ Association, expressed dismay, saying the date palms were a recognizable feature of the shrine and an important part of Sylhet’s history and culture. He criticised the overzealousness of some mosque committee members, stating that temporary prayer areas could have preserved the trees while still accommodating mosque expansion. MM Sohel Uddin Ahmed, joint secretary of the mosque committee, said several meetings were held to discuss the matter, with opinions both for and against the tree removal. However, he added that the trees could not be saved if the mosque expansion proceeded. Shrine caretaker Samun Mahmud Khan said that keeping the front area open would allow devotees space for prayer and walking.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday provided emergency food assistance to families affected by the devastating fire that swept through the Korail slum on Tuesday (25 November). According to a WFP media statement, the agency — in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Dhaka North City Corporation, and partner organisation Eco Social Development Organization (ESDO) — distributed High Energy Biscuits (HEBs) to 1,900 affected families. Each family received a 5-kg carton of HEBs, a ready-to-eat food fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. The biscuits require no cooking or water and are lightweight and compact, making them suitable for emergency situations. The assistance is expected to help families meet roughly three days of nutritional needs.

The Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Mohammad Emdadullah Mian, announced that the agricultural sector managed to save Tk 4,000 crore over the past year by curbing corruption and waste in development projects. He further declared that Bangladesh aims to achieve self-sufficiency in onion and ginger production, halting imports of both commodities within the next three years. He made these statements on Thursday (November 27), at a seminar titled ‘Agricultural Transformation: Locally Adapted Farm Machinery and Agricultural Export Challenges,’ held at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF). Dr. Emdadullah elaborated on the financial discipline enforced by the government, which has led to a remarkable reduction in project corruption and waste: He confirmed that Tk 4,000 crore was saved last year through these measures. Tk 2,500 crore was returned to the treasury by mitigating corruption in various projects. This year alone, Tk 1,000 crore has been saved in fertilizer costs, he said. Citing a specific example, he stated that Tk 600 crore allocated for a mechanization project was returned to the government, and the project was successfully completed with an expenditure of just Tk 20 crore. The Agriculture Secretary stressed the importance of protecting farmers' interests, asserting that a farmer-friendly agricultural economy cannot be built without ensuring fair prices for their produce. Dr. Mian also announced that a 25-year long-term plan is being developed to ensure the overall development and modernization of the country's agricultural sector, with the final draft expected to be ready by December. Addressing public criticism over onion prices, he expressed dismay that while a price of Tk 100 for other vegetables is generally accepted, the same price for onions generates significant controversy. He posed the question: "Shouldn't the farmer get a fair price for onions?" He also expressed anguish over reported incidents of farmers committing suicide due to low potato prices, urging the government to step up for the proper valuation of farmers' efforts. During the seminar, the keynote paper presenter, Dr. K M Saiful Islam, Project Director for Mechanized Rice Cultivation at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), emphasized the realization of ‘Made in Bangladesh’ in agricultural mechanization. He noted that local production of quality farm machinery, supported by technological cooperation from countries like Sri Lanka and Japan, is taking shape. However, Durul Huda, Chief Scientific Officer at BRRI, highlighted the main obstacles to realizing this vision: The major impediment to producing sophisticated farm machinery like combine harvesters and rice transplanters is the inefficiency and infrastructural weakness of the light engineering sector. He lamented that even after 54 years of independence, no state-owned engine manufacturing institution has been established in the country. Kamruzzaman Kamal, Director (Marketing) of PRAN-RFL Group, pointed out the vast potential in the global agro-processing market (valued at $4 trillion), where Bangladesh’s share is currently only $1 billion. He demanded the implementation of a ‘One-Stop Service’ to eliminate the complexity of securing approval from 18 different departments for agricultural exports. He also cited the lack of internationally standardized quality control laboratories as a major constraint. Onion imports withheld to protect farmers: Agriculture Adviser Mohammad Arifur Rahman, Project Director for Exportable Mango Production, noted that mango exports have tripled over the last five years, with imports dropping to zero. He stressed that high air freight costs and the inability to secure guaranteed space on flights are hindering further export growth, advocating for dedicated space allocation for agricultural produce on aircraft. In his presidential address, BAJF President Shahanowar Sayed Shahin stressed that a political commitment is crucial for protecting the interests of farmers and agriculture. He urged all political parties to include clear and long-term strategies on agriculture in their election manifestos. Other speakers underscored the objective of transforming farming into a profitable, educated, and dignified profession. Md. Fazlul Kader, Managing Director of PKSF, highlighted the crucial role of the MFI (Microfinance Institution) sector, which currently accounts for approximately 85 percent of the total agricultural financing in Bangladesh.    

Amid speculations about his political ambitions, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday clarified that he has no intention of joining politics. Alam, who currently holds the rank of senior secretary, also confirmed that he would not contest the upcoming national election. “For everyone asking: I am not contesting the parliamentary elections and have no plans to enter politics,” said the Press Secretary. The national election is scheduled to be held in February next year.