United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday said that the government has taken steps to make the zakat management system more effective and targeted, noting that zakat can play an important role in poverty alleviation if it is distributed in a planned and organised way. “Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. I would like to share with you a plan regarding zakat management in the country. According to Islamic teachings, many wealthy people in our society pay zakat on their own initiative. Some also pay their zakat through the government’s Zakat Board,” he said. Tarique Rahman calls on PMO officials to transform lives of people If zakat is distributed in a planned and organised manner can make a significant contribution to reducing poverty, the Prime Minister said at an iftar mahfil hosted for ulema, Islamic scholars and orphans at State Guest House Jamuna. “In this context, the government has taken steps to make zakat management more effective and target-oriented,” he said. The Prime Minister mentioned that various research reports suggest the amount of zakat collected in Bangladesh exceeds Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000 crore every year and some estimates put the figure even higher. However, he said the absence of a planned and organised distribution system means that although wealthy individuals fulfil their zakat obligation, questions remain about how effectively the funds help reduce poverty. Committee for Administrative Reform formed with PM Tarique Rahman as chairman “As far as I know, Islamic teachings encourage zakat to be distributed in such a way that a recipient may not need to receive zakat again the following year after receiving it once,” the Prime Minister observed. He said there are currently around four crore families in the country, both rich and poor. If poor and extremely poor families are identified and five lakh families are given Tk 1 lakh each in zakat every year in phases, most of those families may not need to receive zakat again the following year, Tarique Rahman said. “If zakat is distributed in a targeted and well-planned manner, it could play an effective role in poverty alleviation in the country within 10 to 15 years through zakat management alone,” he added. The Prime Minister said if the idea of zakat management for poverty alleviation is considered logical, ulema and religious scholars can play the biggest role in raising awareness among wealthy people. He also said the existing Zakat Board under the Ministry of Religious Affairs can be reorganised with leading Islamic scholars, religious experts and government officials to work more effectively for poverty alleviation through zakat management. “By using zakat for poverty alleviation, there is an opportunity to present Bangladesh as a model in the Islamic world,” the Prime Minister said. Before iftar, the Prime Minister greeted the guests and spoke with orphan students, inquiring about their well-being. In his brief remarks, Tarique Rahman also said the iftar event symbolised the state’s commitment to orphans and sent a positive message about the responsibility of the wealthy to support them. “This iftar mahfil certainly carries symbolic significance in highlighting the state and government’s attitude towards orphans. I personally believe it will send a positive message about the attitudes and responsibilities of wealthy people towards orphans,” the Prime Minister said. He also said that if every wealthy person acts according to the guidance of the Holy Quran and Hadith, orphaned children, despite their pain, can find the motivation to move forward with confidence in society. The Prime Minister said the holy month of Ramadan is a month of sacrifice and self-restraint, as well as mercy and blessings, but unfortunately, it is a sad truth that some people turn Ramadan into a month of profit and greed. “I humbly request those who are engaging in wrongful practices during the holy month of Ramadan not to cause hardship to people,” he said. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hosen, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad, Jatiya Sangsad Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, As-Sunnah Foundation Chairman and eminent Islamic thinker Sheikh Ahmadullah, and Khatib of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek, among others, took part in the programme. Before taking iftar, a munajat was offered, praying for the country’s prosperity and welfare.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended office on Saturday despite it being a public holiday, continuing the practice for the third consecutive week since assuming office. He arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Tejgaon at around 12 noon, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. Shiplu said the Prime Minister first met Dr Nargis Akter, Director General of the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, to discuss ways to expand the diversified use of jute products and broaden their market. Later, around 2:30pm Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku met the Prime Minister, he said. Shiplu said the discussion focused on reducing costs in the power and energy sector and ensuring effective energy management. Prime Minister’s Public Administration Adviser Ismail Zabiullah, Finance Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Education and Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Mahdi Amin also attended office at the PMO. Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Speechwriter Mahfuzur Rahman, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and other senior officials of the PMO were also present. Tarique Rahman’s 20th imprisonment day today Tarique Rahman assumed office as Prime Minister on February 17 and has been attending office every Saturday despite the weekly government holiday. In the evening, he is scheduled to host an iftar in honour of alem-ulema, Islamic scholars and orphans at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to avoid holding large and lavish Iftar parties this year considering the overall situation in the country. However, he will attend two Iftar gatherings at State Guest House Jamuna in honour of diplomats and orphans, religious scholars and ulema. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon shared the information on Thursday. He said, “Considering the overall situation in the country, the Prime Minister will host only two Iftar gatherings — one on March 6 in honour of diplomats and another on March 7 in honour of orphans, religious scholars, ulema and mashayekh. Both events will be held at Jamuna.” PM orders opening language training centres to prepare workforce for overseas jobs The Additional Press Secretary said Iftar programmes scheduled for March 8 in honour of politicians and March 10 for journalists from the media at the State Guest House Jamuna have been cancelled considering the overall situation. After assuming office as Prime Minister this year, Tarique Rahman has been breaking his fast at home with his family instead of hosting large state iftar events.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday switched off half the lights at his Secretariat office and lowered the air-conditioner use, urging all government offices and institutions to be more frugal in electricity use. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman took the initiative shortly after he arrived at his office in the morning. “The Prime Minister reached his office at around 9:10am. After entering the room, he switched off about 50 per cent of the lights and adjusted the air-conditioner to 25.1 degrees Celsius to reduce electricity consumption,” he said. Rumon also said the Prime Minister asked officials to switch off half the lights and lower the air-conditioning level when he entered the Cabinet meeting room. The Prime Minister’s Office is located in Building No. 1 of Secretariat which houses several departments under the Prime Minister as well as the Cabinet Division. Following the Prime Minister’s initiative, lights were immediately reduced and air-conditioner settings lowered in other rooms of his office. He said the Prime Minister also called upon all ministries, government offices across the country,m as well as private institutions, shopping centres and commercial establishments to use electricity more efficiently and frugally. The Prime Minister also urged people across the country to reduce the use of artificial lighting during the day and make better use of natural sunlight by opening curtains and windows at offices and homes, Rumon added. He said the Prime Minister has asked the Power and Energy Minister to take proper steps to ensure the efficient use of electricity and to seek expert opinions on what further measures can be taken. The Prime Minister took the initiative amid rising fuel prices and growing concerns about the supply of petroleum fuel and natural gas — the two main sources used to generate electricity in the country — due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, which has spread to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments. Bangladesh, which already faces energy shortages, depends heavily on the Gulf region for its primary energy supply. The country imports most of its petroleum fuel, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) either directly or indirectly from the region.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to introduce ‘e-Health’ card to ensure medical services for people across the country, reaffirming the government’s commitment to delivering healthcare at the doorstep. The directive came at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office at Secretariat with the Health Minister, State Minister, advisers and health experts, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister instructed the Health Minister to start work on launching the e-Health card without delay. PM Tarique praises role of Ansar-VDP; assures continued support for development “The government’s policy is to ensure healthcare services reach the people’s doorsteps. The Prime Minister asked the ministry to be more proactive in this regard,” he said. The meeting also discussed identifying abandoned buildings of different government ministries and agencies and converting them into health and family welfare centres under the Health Ministry. The Additional Press Secretary said there are 170 abandoned buildings under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) alone. “The Prime Minister directed that such unused government facilities be renovated and turned into clinics and healthcare centres.” Rumon said the issue of population growth also came up at the meeting. PM Tarique orders women-only bus service in Dhaka “Statistics show that around 3.4 million babies are born in the country every year. Concern was expressed over the annual number of newborns and the ministry was asked to intensify efforts to control population growth, “ he said. He said the meeting further discussed recruitment of 100,000 health workers in line with the BNP’s electoral pledge, with 80 per cent women and 20 per cent men. “Filling vacant posts of doctors and other health staff in the ministry was also reviewed.” Rumon said the Prime Minister asked the minister concerned to ensure that doctors are posted and remain present at health centres in remote areas. Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain, State Minister MA Muhith and senior officials were present. Tree plantation drive to be intensified Earlier in the morning, Rumon said a meeting of the cell formed to implement the plan to plant 25 crore trees in five years was held at the Cabinet Division conference room with the Prime Minister in the chair.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday praised the patriotism and professionalism of the members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party and assured continued development of the force. The Prime Minister made the remarks during a courtesy call by the Director General of Ansar and VDP, Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat, said PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. During the meeting, they exchanged greetings and discussed the force’s ongoing activities and future plans. The Prime Minister commended Ansar and VDP personnel for their tireless efforts in maintaining peace and security and serving the public interest. He directed the force to continue its public service activities in the interest of national peace, security and stability. The Director General briefed the Prime Minister on various development initiatives undertaken by the force. The Prime Minister said the ongoing development of Ansar and VDP would continue in the coming days. He also called upon members of the force to remain fully prepared to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to take swift action for removal of advertisements and banners in Dhaka that displayed congratulatory messages with his picture. The Prime Minister gave the directive in the morning, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. “On his way to his Secretariat office, the Prime Minister ordered the immediate removal of a banner showing his picture in front of Police Plaza at Hatirjheel, and it was taken down immediately,” Rumon said. He added that the Prime Minister also instructed the authorities to remove quickly all billboards and advertisements across the capital that displayed congratulatory messages with his picture. A few days ago, Rumon said, while travelling along Bijoy Sarani, the Prime Minister noticed an LED screen showing a congratulatory message and immediately ordered its removal. He said the Prime Minister reached his office at the Secretariat around 9:10am today and later held a meeting with Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque. Rumon said the Prime Minister instructed increased patrolling in coastal and Bay of Bengal areas to prevent piracy, robbery, illegal trade, and to protect fisheries, ensuring fishermen’s safety. Vehicle speed increases The Additional Press Secretary said a report was submitted to the Prime Minister today, showing that vehicle movement speed in the capital has improved as people are now following traffic signals. “A report has been submitted to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on traffic congestion and vehicle speeds in the capital. It shows that vehicle movement has improved because top officials including the Prime Minister are now following traffic signals without taking advantage of VIP protocol,” he said. PM Tarique asks Coast Guard to continue public service, disaster response efforts Rumon said previously, the average speed on Dhaka roads was 4.5 km/h, roughly the pace of walking. Since taking office, he said the Prime Minister has reduced VIP protocol and started following traffic signals. Rumon said the report, covering the past 14 days, shows that vehicle speed has increased to 5.3 km/h as the President, ministers, and state officials now follow traffic rules. Rice price monitoring After learning about the rise in coarse rice prices, a staple for low-income people, the Additional Press Secretary said the Prime Minister  on Monday instructed the relevant ministries and authorities to take immediate action. “Yesterday (Monday), when Prime Minister Tarique Rahman learned about the rise in coarse rice prices, immediate measures were taken and the market has already started showing a positive impact,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday directed the authorities concerned to introduce a dedicated bus service for women in the capital. The instruction was given to Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Islam at the Secretariat on Monday, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. “The Road Transport and Bridges Minister met the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister enquired about the condition of the road transport sector and gave necessary directives,” Rumon said. PM consults experts to overhaul Dhaka's traffic system He said the Prime Minister specifically instructed the minister to launch a women-only bus service in Dhaka to make public transport safer and more comfortable for female passengers. Rumon also said the Prime Minister directed the Housing and Public Works Minister to complete renovation and development work at the grave of former President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar before Eid-ul-Fitr.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday talked to experts about overhauling Dhaka's traffic management system to ease chronic congestion in the capital. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat in the morning, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. “The Prime Minister exchanged views with a group of experts led by Buet Professor Shamsul Haque and sought their opinions on how to reorganise the traffic system to reduce gridlock in Dhaka,” he said. Rumon said the Prime Minister also spoke to architects about renovation and development work at the graves of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Tarique Rahman listened to their views on the proposed plans, Rumon added. Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher and Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmad also met the Prime Minister separately, he said. PM enquires about Bangladeshis in Middle East amid Iran crisis State ministers concerned were present during the meetings. Rumon said the Prime Minister arrived at the Secretariat from his Gulshan residence at 9:13am.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has once again provided financial assistance for the treatment of Mahmudullah Bin Jisan, the younger brother of martyred Abdullah Bin Zahid, who is battling cancer. On behalf of ‘Amra BNP Poribar’, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism and BNP Treasurer M Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, handed over the financial support to Abdullah’s mother at her residence in Gulshan on Sunday evening. Abdullah Bin Zahid was killed in firing by law enforcement agencies during the student-people’s mass movement in 2024. BNP to take country forward under Tarique’s leadership: Moyeen Khan His younger brother, Jisan, was later diagnosed with stage-three colon cancer. He has been undergoing treatment since then. The Prime Minister has taken full responsibility for Jisan’s treatment. Earlier, the costs of his chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other medical expenses were borne by ‘Amra BNP Poribar’. A few days ago, Jisan’s condition suddenly worsened. Following doctors’ advice, he underwent further medical tests and began additional medication. Financial support for this latest phase of treatment is also being provided by Tarique Rahman.