United News of Bangladesh

BNP lawmaker Nurul Islam Moni MP of Bagura-2 constituency has been appointed as chief whip of the 13th national parliament. A gazette notification was issued by the National Parliament Secretariat as per the order of the President on Monday. Besides, six more MPs were appointed as whips. Separate gazette notifications were issued in this regard. The newly appointed whips are G K Gaus (Habiganj-3), Rakibul Islam Bakul (Khulna-3), Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu (Shariatpur-3), M Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu (Natore-2), Akhtaruzzaman Mia (Dinajpur-4) and ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan (Lakshmipur-4). Nurul Islam was elected as an independent MP from Barguna-2 in the 1988 and 1991 parliamentary elections. He later joined the BNP after the 1991 polls and was elected as an MP with the party’s nomination in 2001. He was re-elected from the same constituency in the latest election.

In a significant shake-up of the financial sector, the heads of three major state-linked financial institutions—Sonali Bank, Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA), and Shadharan Bima Corporation (SBC)—resigned from their respective posts on Monday. The outgoing officials are Sonali Bank Chairman Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, IDRA Chairman M. Aslam Alam, and Shadharan Bima Corporation Chairman Mohammad Jainul Bari. All three submitted their resignation letters to the Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division (FID), citing "personal reasons" for their departures. Sonali Bank Chairman steps down Sonali Bank posts record Tk 8,017 crore operating profit in 2025 Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, a former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and Finance Secretary, resigned. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the interim government appointed him as the Chairman of the country’s largest state-owned commercial bank on August 28. IDRA Chief Exits Simultaneously, M. Aslam Alam, Chairman of the insurance regulator IDRA, submitted his resignation to FID Secretary Nazma Mobarek. Alam, a former Senior Secretary, had been entrusted with the leadership of the insurance sector in September 2024 by the interim government following the mass student-led uprising. SBC Chairman confirms departure In a separate development, Mohammad Jainul Bari, Chairman of the state-owned Shadharan Bima Corporation, confirmed his resignation on Monday. Speaking to reporters, Bari stated that he decided to step down due to personal circumstances. The Financial Institutions Division has received the letters and is reportedly in the process of taking the necessary steps to fill the vacancies. The simultaneous resignations of these key figures come at a time when the interim government is working to bring reforms to the banking and insurance sectors to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday approved a charge sheet against former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, his wife and 33 others over allegations of embezzling Tk 230 million by taking loans in the names of fictitious paper companies from United Commercial Bank (UCB). Sources said the charge sheet was approved at the ACC headquarters and would be submitted to the court soon. The case was filed on August 7, 2025 at the ACC’s Integrated District Office. ACC files 2 cases against ex-Jessore-1 MP Sheikh Afil Uddin, wife According to the approved charge sheet, the accused include former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, his wife, former UCB chairman Rukmila Zaman, former vice-chairman Bazlul Ahmed Babul, former managing director Abul Ehtesham Abdul Mohaimin, former directors Yunus Ahmed, MA Sabur, Asifuzzaman Chowdhury, Haji Abu Kalam, Nurul Islam Chowdhury, Roksana Zaman Chowdhury, Bashir Ahmed, Syed Kamruzzaman, Md Shah Alam and Dr Selim Mahmud. Others named in the charge sheet are former senior executive officer Shrabanti Majumder, former executive officer Mujayona Siddika, former AVP and credit officer Mohammad Golam Rakib, former FAVP and operations manager Mosaddek Md Yousuf, and former FVP and Karwan Bazar branch head Alamgir Kabir. ACC to file case over Tk 1,325cr loan scam involving Bashundhara Group, National Bank officials Among the alleged owners of the paper companies are Mohammad Hossain Chowdhury, proprietor of Progressive Trading and assistant manager (accounts) of Aramit Cement Ltd; Md Abdul Aziz, proprietor of Imperial Trading and AGM of Aramit; and Md Yasinur Rahman, a peon of Aramit Cement. Although former UCB director Sharif Zahir was named as an accused in the case, he was relieved in the charge sheet. Investigation findings said a bank account was opened at UCB’s Karwan Bazar branch in the name of the fictitious entity Progressive Trading without proper verification. Later, loan application submitted in the same manner, branch officials prepared inspection reports containing false information and recommended a Tk230 million loan to the head office without due scrutiny. Despite negative observations in the loan proposal, the UCB head office credit committee approved the loan at the bank’s 424th board meeting, investigators said. The ACC alleged that the accused, in collusion with one another, abused their power to approve the loan using forged and false documents by showing relatives of employees of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury-owned Aramit Group as owners of the paper companies. The money was later withdrawn in cash, transferred and laundered, constituting criminal breach of trust. The charge sheet has been approved under Sections 406, 409, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 109 of the Penal Code, 1860; Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947; and Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. In September 2024, Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera published an investigative report titled “The Minister’s Millions”, alleging that Saifuzzaman Chowdhury owned assets worth an estimated US$500 million worldwide, including around 360 properties in the United Kingdom. Following the report, the ACC launched an inquiry. Courts in Bangladesh have since ordered the seizure and freezing of 343 properties in the UK, 228 in the United Arab Emirates, nine in the United States and other immovable assets in different countries in the names of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and his wife. In separate orders, courts also directed the freezing of 39 bank accounts holding Tk52.68 million, the seizure of shares worth Tk1.02 billion, and the attachment of 957 bighas of land owned by Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and his family.

Eight people were injured in a gas cylinder explosion at a private car on Humayun Road in Mohammadpur area of the capital on Monday. The injured were identified as Tarek Rahman, 23, Md Mona, 40, Miraz, 36, Rehan Badal, 23, Md Jony, 35, Md Akash, 25, Md Azad, 55 and Irfan, 11. The explosion occurred around 3:45 pm when the gas cylinder of the private car exploded with a big bang, leaving eight passengers of the private car injured. Mohammadpur Murders: Ayesha’s confession unravels a chilling crime Later, they were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery from where six people were Among the injured Tarek Rahman received 20 percent injuries while Md Mona and Irfan received 12 and 17 percent burn injuries, he said.

The government has decided to conduct mobile court drives to identify passengers without tickets and prevent ticket black marketing and stop travel on the roof of trains during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The decision was taken at a meeting held at Rail Bhaban in the capital on Monday to ensure safe, smooth and comfortable train journeys during Eid, with Railway Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam in the chair. The meeting decided to sell standing tickets equivalent to 25 percent of the total number of seats on each train to manage additional passenger pressure during the Eid-ul-Fitr. 'Not all collections in the road transport sector is extortion': Roads, Railways and Shipping Minister However, authorities have been instructed to ensure that passengers with non-seat tickets are not allowed to travel in AC coaches or first-class compartments. Officials said necessary steps will be taken to ensure a safe and hassle-free Eid journey for passengers.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Monday said the government is working on a plan to resolve the ongoing issue surrounding journalists’ access to the Secretariat by introducing one or more accreditation cards for media houses. Speaking at a view-exchange meeting organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat Media Centre, the minister said the proposed system would help streamline entry while ensuring security and maintaining a proper database. The meeting was chaired by BSRF President Masudul Hoque and moderated by its General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal. Swapan said he has already discussed the matter with the Home Minister to simplify journalists’ access to the Secretariat so they can perform their professional duties without hindrance. “We are thinking of a structured arrangement. You may nominate two or three representatives from among you, and we will consult with them before finalising the decision,” he said. The minister explained that under the proposed system, media houses would send designated representatives to the Secretariat. This would reduce pressure on entry management and ensure that only authorised journalists enter for professional purposes. “Regarding entry into the Secretariat, we will try to resolve the issue by targeting media houses and issuing one or more cards. It will also help us maintain a database of how many representatives from each media house are entering on a given day,” he said. Swapan said the process must strictly follow existing policies. “We want to proceed institutionally in all matters. Therefore, the accreditation system will be made more enforceable in line with policy,” he added. He assured that if any journalist has been unfairly excluded, the government will take initiative to provide accreditation card facilities in accordance with policy guidelines.

Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation Safiqul Islam Khan on Monday said the clogged and filled-up canals in the capital will be excavated and cleaned promptly to control waterlogging and dengue ahead of the upcoming rainy season. The DNCC administrator made the remark after inspecting the Paris Canal in Mirpur area. There is also a plan to gradually construct walkways along both banks of the canals to protect the environment while enhancing civic amenities, he said. “Constructive criticism and suggestions from journalists and citizens will help make our work more dynamic,” he added. Replying to a question, the administrator said canals that have long remained under illegal occupation would be freed through discussions with stakeholders and through legal action, if necessary. During the visit, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque said residents of the area suffer immensely whenever it rains. “If the canals are properly cleaned and required depth maintained, the waterlogging problem will be reduced significantly,” he said.

A suspected robber was killed in a lynch-mob attack at Chakpalashi village in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi district early Monday. The deceased was identified as Shaheen Ali, 35, son of Akram Ali of Durgapur upazila. Dulal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Puthia Police Station, said eight robbers, riding in a pickup van, entered the village around 3 am. Sensing the presence of robbers, locals raised the alarm and gathered people by shouting. At one stage, the robbers tried to flee in the pickup, but the local people blocked the vehicle by placing logs on the road and caught them. Later, local people beat them up mercilessly, leaving one killed on the spot and seven others injured. The injured were taken to a local hospital. They were later handed over to police.  

Mostafa Julfikar Hasan, Md Sujauddoula, Md Jahidul Islam and Shahadot Shadhin have been made deputy press secretaries to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Ministry of Public Administration issued separate gazette notifications on Monday confirming their contractual appointment. According to the notification, Mostafa Julfikar Hasan (popularly known as Hasan Shiplu), Md Sujauddoula (known as Suzon Mahmood), Md Jahidul Islam (known as Rony) and Shahadot Shadhin have been appointed as PM’s deputy press secretaries (Grade-IV), subject to his relinquishing any employment or professional engagement with any other profession, business, or government, semi-government or private institution or organisation.” The notification further stated that the appointment will take effect from the date of his joining and will remain valid for the duration of the Prime Minister’s tenure or as per the satisfaction of the Prime Minister.  

Mahfuzur Rahman, Editor of the United News of Bangladesh (UNB), has been appointed as the Speechwriter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification on Monday confirming the contractual appointment. According to the notification, “SAM Mahfuzur Rahman has been appointed on a contractual basis as the Honourable Prime Minister’s Speechwriter (Grade-1), subject to his relinquishing any employment or professional engagement with any other profession, business, or government, semi-government or private institution or organisation.” The notification further stated that the appointment will take effect from the date of his joining and will remain valid for the duration of the Prime Minister’s tenure or until further orders, whichever comes first.