United News of Bangladesh

Leaders of the Pabna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) met President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday. During the meeting held at the Pabna Circuit House in the afternoon, a delegation led by PCCI President Md Forkan Reza Biswas Badsha, along with the organisation’s vice-presidents and directors, called on the President. They briefed him about the overall activities of the chamber, including an initiative aimed at creating employment opportunities for around 5,000 people in Pabna district. The President expressed satisfaction over the organisation’s activities and urged them to utilise the resources and potential of Pabna for the district’s development. Secretaries to the President were present during the meeting. President to return to Dhaka Tuesday after Pabna visit Earlier, a delegation of journalists led by Ishwardi Press Club President Abdul Mannan Tipu paid a courtesy call on President Shahabuddin. In the morning, the President visited Char Bhabanipur in Pabna Sadar and inspected the progress of construction work of a Shahi Jame Mosque.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. In a condolence message, the President conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the Speaker and the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul, said the President’s Press Secretary Sarwar Alam. PM mourns death of Speaker’s wife Dilara Hafiz The President also said the nation would remember with gratitude the remarkable contributions of Dilara Hafiz in the field of education.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Thursday evening. The Prime Minister arrived at Bangabhaban at around 6:10 pm marking the 56th Independence and National Day. He was accompanied by his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman. President Shahabuddin was accompanied by his wife, Professor Dr Rebecca Sultana. Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman said, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with the President.” During the meeting, the Prime Minister exchanged greetings with the President. Earlier, the Prime Minister went to Bangabhaban after inaugurating the Independence Day friendly football match at the National Stadium and watching the game. Tarique Rahman took oath as the Prime Minister on February 17 at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban while President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath. This was the first meeting between the Prime Minister and the President at Bangabhaban after Tarique Rahman assumed office. Earlier, the President and the Prime Minister paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, marking the Independence and National Day. They placed wreaths at the altar of the National Memorial in Savar at 5:56am. During the meeting, they exchanged greetings and discussed various programmes marking Independence Day. Both expressed satisfaction over the successful implementation of the activities undertaken on the occasion, the president's press secretary Sarwar Alam said. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also recalled his visits to Bangabhaban during his adolescence and shared several memories from that time. Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal and senior officials from the offices of the President and the Prime Minister were present at the meeting.

The government has appointed two Information Cadre officials as Deputy Press Secretary and Assistant Press Secretary to the President. Deputy Chief Information Officer of the Department of Information Molla Ahmed Kutubuddin has been appointed as Deputy Press Secretary to the President on deputation, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday night. Besides, Senior Information Officer of the Department of Information SM Rahat Hasnat has been appointed as Assistant Press Secretary to the President on deputation. Md Sarwar Alam is currently serving as Secretary to the President with the rank of a secretary. With these appointments, two new officials have been added to the President’s press wing. Following the mass uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government, all officials of the President’s press wing were removed by the interim government. After BNP formed the government , Sarwar Alam was reappointed as the President’s Press Secretary.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday emphasised the need for firm control of corruption and improvement of law and order to successfully implement the government’s reform agenda and strengthen democratic governance in the country. The President said this while delivering the inaugural address on the first day of the new parliament, in line with constitutional practice. He said the popular uprising of 2024 sought to bring about the fall of fascism and establish a democratic state and society based on justice and equity, where the government would remain accountable to the people through their direct vote. President's Speech at JS: Govt committed to democracy, corruption control and economic transformation As part of rebuilding state institutions in the aftermath of that political change, the government constituted 11 reform commissions to recommend reforms in sectors of critical national importance. The President said the government also presented its electoral manifesto to the people under the slogan “We Will Work, and Will Build the Country Together, Bangladesh Before All.” According to him, the manifesto places special emphasis on three key principles in reforming governance — democracy, accountability and good governance. However, he noted that the successful implementation of these initiatives largely depends on bringing corruption under firm control and ensuring improved law and order across the country. “On both these fronts, the present government is acting with determination and resolve,” the President said. Referring to earlier anti-corruption efforts, he said that when the previous government left office in June 2001, Bangladesh had gained the unfortunate distinction of being ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world. After assuming office in October 2001, the government led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia took several decisive measures to combat corruption, including the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, aimed at strengthening institutional mechanisms to prevent corruption. As a result of those initiatives, Bangladesh was able to overcome the stigma of being labelled as the world’s most corrupt country, he said. He added that even before the government left office in October 2006, the country had shed that negative image and began to gain international recognition as one of Asia’s emerging economic performers. The President reaffirmed that suppressing corruption and maintaining law and order will remain the government’s first and foremost priorities as it moves forward with reforms and institutional strengthening.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday said sustainable development cannot be achieved without the political and economic empowerment of people and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring democratic rights in all aspects of state governance. Addressing Parliament, the President said the government, despite inheriting a fragile economic situation, is moving forward with determination to build a just, humane, self-reliant and democratic Bangladesh. He acknowledged that the newly formed government faces major challenges, particularly in poverty alleviation, combating corruption and maintaining law and order. “The path ahead may be difficult, yet with genuine political will, no obstacle is insurmountable,” he said, urging all to work together with unity and a common purpose to build a secure Bangladesh for future generations. The President said the popular uprising of 2024 aimed to end fascism and establish a democratic state founded on justice and accountability where the government remains answerable to people through their direct vote. As part of rebuilding state institutions following the fall of the previous regime, the government formed 11 reform commissions to carry out reforms in sectors of critical national importance, he said. He noted that the government presented its electoral manifesto to the people under the slogan “We Will Work, and Will Build the Country Together, Bangladesh Before All,” placing priority on three key principles—democracy, accountability and good governance. However, he said the successful implementation of the government’s plans depends largely on firm control of corruption and improvement in law and order. Highlighting past initiatives to combat corruption, the President referred to the steps taken by the government led by Khaleda Zia, including the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 aimed at strengthening institutional mechanisms to prevent corruption. He said suppressing corruption and maintaining law and order will remain among the government’s top priorities. In formulating the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the 2025–26 fiscal year, the government has given priority to sustaining economic growth, reducing unemployment, creating jobs, alleviating poverty, advancing agriculture and industry, developing human resources and improving the quality of life of people, the President said. He said the government is also committed to democratising the economy by dismantling oligarchic structures and ensuring greater participation of citizens. “Our central objective is to transform a debt-dependent economy into one driven by investment,” he said, adding that the government has set a target of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034. Recalling the July–August 2024 mass uprising, the President said it will remain a defining chapter in the country’s democratic history. He said the movement, which began as a quota reform protest, gradually evolved into a broader national movement against authoritarianism. Students, farmers, workers, teachers, journalists, intellectuals, members of the diaspora and people from all walks of life joined the movement alongside pro-democracy political parties, he said. Their collective struggle ultimately led to the fall of the then government on August 5, 2024, he added. The President paid tribute to those who lost their lives and were injured during the uprising, noting that more than 1,000 people were killed and at least 30,000 others injured, many of whom suffered permanent disabilities. He also remembered the sacrifices of citizens who endured enforced disappearances, killings, extrajudicial executions and repression during years of authoritarian rule. The government remains committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the martyrs of the 2024 uprising as well as those who sacrificed their lives in the country’s democratic struggles, including the Bangladesh Liberation War, the President said. Shahabuddin said public confidence in the country’s constitutional institutions, particularly the Bangladesh Election Commission, had fallen to a near-zero level during what he described as 'a fascist regime', in reference to the fallen AL government that elected him as president. He went on to note that the situation has begun to improve following the Thirteenth National Election. Addressing Parliament, the President said the present government is committed to ensuring that future electoral processes further strengthen people’s trust in the Election Commission. He said the government will take necessary steps so that national institutions, including the Election Commission, can perform their responsibilities independently and strictly in accordance with the law. However, the President expressed optimism that with strong political will those challenges can be overcome. He emphasised the need for unity and collective efforts, saying that the nation must always come before party interests and the party must come before individual interests.

Former secretary Md Sarwar Alam has been reappointed as Press Secretary to the President on a contractual basis for one year. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday. The appointment has been made under Section 49 of the Government Service Act, 2018 on condition that he severs ties with any other profession, business or employment with government, semi-government or private organisations, said the notification. His contractual tenure will take effect from the date of joining. Earlier, on December 23, 2024, Sarwar Alam, a former joint secretary, was appointed as Press Secretary to President Mohammad Shahabuddin for two years on contract with the rank of secretary. However, he was later removed by the interim government. Sarwar, an officer of the 1985 BCS Information Cadre batch, also served as deputy press secretary to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He also served as Secretary (Public Relations) of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and as Executive Director (Joint Secretary) of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority. In February 2022, he went on post-retirement leave while serving as Director (Joint Secretary) of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority.

Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Wednesday. Shabbir Ahmed Akunjee, private secretary to the Public Division secretary at the President’s Office, shared the information with the media. During the meeting, the Chief Justice expressed his sincere gratitude to the President for his cooperation and support in discharging his constitutional duties. He also briefed the President on the key initiatives and activities undertaken during his tenure. President Shahabuddin praised the Chief Justice’s long and illustrious career, highlighting his professionalism, integrity and significant contributions to the establishment of justice and the rule of law.

President Mohammed Sahabuddin on Wednesday urged the Ambassador of and the high commissioners of Zambia, Kenya and Cyprus to work to increase import from Bangladesh The newly appointed non-resident ambassador of Laos to Bangladesh and the non-resident high commissioners of Zambia, Kenya and Cyprus presented their credentials to President Shahabuddin. A smart contingent of the Presidential Guard Regiment provided a guard of honor to the ambassadors and high commissioners upon their arrival at Bangabhaban in the morning. First, Laos Ambassador Bounmy VANMANY presented his credentials. After that, Kenyan High Commissioner Munyiri Peter Maina, Zambian High Commissioner Percy P. Chanda and Cyprus High Commissioner Evagoras Vryonides presented their credentials to the President. Welcoming the new ambassadors and high commissioners, President Shahabuddin said that Bangladesh prioritises developing bilateral and mutual relations with all countries of the world. Referring to the trade and investment-friendly environment prevailing in Bangladesh, the President called on investors from Kenya, Cyprus, Zambia and Laos to invest in various sectors.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has called on journalists to contribute to building a non-discriminatory and democratic Bangladesh by embodying the spirit of the Liberation War and the hopes of the July-August mass uprising. The President made this appeal during a meeting with the newly elected executive committee members of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) at Bangabhaban on Sunday. The delegation was led by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel. During the meeting, the DRU members discussed their activities and sought government support for various programmes aimed at the welfare of journalists. Recalling the vital contributions of journalists in the Liberation War, democratic movements, and the July-August mass uprising, President Shahabuddin emphasised the media's role as the fourth estate and the mirror of society.