BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said that if BNP comes to power in future, it would go for serious deregulation and serious liberalization to accelerate the economic growth through investment promotion. “We want to bring radical changes through simplification of everything so that the obstacles and adversities the investors face in Bangladesh would be no more. One of the radical changes is that we will carry out serious deregulation and serious liberalization,” he said. The BNP leader said this at a views-exchange with guests here for the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025. BNP arranged the event at Hotel Sarina in the city’s Banani area to raise the party’s future investment policy. Khasru, formerly a commerce minister under the BNP, said his party has already made a plan for the future economy, which is reflected in its Vision 2030 and the 31-Point State Overhauling Outline. Citing that BNP has always supported the private sector led economic growth since its inception, he said they want to make Bangladesh's economy as a liberal economy by providing all sorts of possible opportunities to the investors. The BNP standing committee member said investment is one of the issues where all should be united for the sake of the country and its people. “It is not possible for any economy to move forward without investment – either it may be local investment or foreign investment. An economy that moves forward through investment is a sustainable one,” he said. Amir Khasru said the policy to move the economy forward through investment promotion was BNP’s economic programmes in the past, which yielded a good result at that time.  The GDP growth was 7.06 percent at the end of BNP’s last government (2006).  If that trend had continued, the growth should have been 10 percent now. But that did not happen due to the mismanagement of the previous government, he claimed. Welcoming the interim government's initiative to increase investment, the BNP leader said they support all the things the interim government does in the public interest,

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, currently in Singapore with his wife for health check-ups, shared an emotional Facebook post on Thursday, expressing gratitude to her for  her unwavering support and patience through nearly 50 years of married life. On April 6, Mirza Fakhrul traveled to Singapore with his wife Rahat Ara Begum for health check-ups. In his Facebook post on Thursday afternoon, he recalled being arrested from home in the middle of the night on December 9 in 2022, just a day before Rahat Ara’s crucial surgery. “When my wife’s disease was diagnosed in December 2022, my world fell apart. She is the rock of our family. I decided to proceed with her surgery as soon as possible. Just the day before her surgery, I was taken from my home at 3am by the Awami police,” Fakhrul wrote. He also mentioned that his daughter rushed from Australia to Dhaka to care for her ailing mother and stay by her side during the surgery.  “While my wife was having her surgery, I was in jail. Nobody was in the hospital except my daughters and Dr Zahid (Hussain, BNP standing committee member). Our acting chairperson and my siblings were following up over phone,” he said. Praising Rahat Ara, Fakhrul said she handled everything with utmost patience and a smile on her face, enduring not only the years of difficult treatment but also the challenges they have faced as a family for almost 50 years. “Alhamdulillah, today (Thursday) her doctor in Singapore said that so far, everything looks good. However, we will need to return (to Singapore) in six months,” he concluded, saying, “I am grateful for your prayers and well-wishes.” On December 9, 2022 a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police picked up Fakhrul and party Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas from their homes in separate raids in the capital, a day before the party’s much-talked about grand rally in the capital – the culmination of a months-long programme of rallies in the divisional headquarters that had each drawn massive turnouts.   Later, they were shown arrested in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital's Nayapaltan, the BNP’s preferred venue , on December 7 centring preparations for the rally. BNP, however, went ahead and arranged the rally in the absence of Fakhrul and Abbas at the Golapbagh field and placed a 10-point demand, including the resignation of the then Awami League government and holding the national polls under a non-party polls-time government. Just after a month of their arrest, both Fakhrul and Abbas were freed from jail on bail on January 9, 2023.

BNP brought out a massive rally in the capital today (Thursday), expressing solidarity with the persecuted people of Gaza, in particular Rafah, in Occupied Palestine, and called for the Muslim world to unite to stop the ongoing genocide. The programme also aimed at condemning the mass killings, atrocities, and persecution inflicted upon the Palestinians by Israeli occupation forces. The activities of the rally formally began at 4pm with a recitation from the verses of the Holy Quran. Following brief addresses by senior leaders, BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas inaugurated the rally around 5pm. In his speech, Abbas said the gathering was unusual due to the large participation of ordinary people as their sentiments were hurt by the Israeli brutality.  He condemned the mass killings and repression of innocent Palestinians, including women and children, by Israeli forces amid the silence of global Muslim leaders. The BNP leader said had Muslim countries remained united and raised their voices collectively against the ongoing barbarism and genocide, Israel would not have dared to continue its actions. BNP Standing Committee Members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Salahuddin Ahmed also spoke at the event, strongly denouncing the mass killings and brutality inflicted on the people of Palestine by Israeli occupation forces. Later, thousands of leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies, including Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Swachhasebak Dal, Krishak Dal, and Mohila Dal, took out the rally. Thousands gather at Nayapaltan for BNP solidarity rally against Gaza massacre Braving the scorching heat, party leaders and followers from different parts of the city had been arriving in Nayapaltan in processions since early afternoon noon. Streets and alleys from Kakrail crossing to Fakirerpool and adjoining areas were packed with BNP supporters, causing serious traffic disruptions in the area. Carrying national flags, as well as the flags of the BNP and Palestine, along with banners, festoons, and placards inscribed with slogans against Israeli mass killings and oppression, they also chanted anti-Israeli slogans. The rally, which began in Nayapaltan, proceeded through Kakrail, Shantinagar, Malibagh, and Moghbazar before concluding at Bangla Motor. The city-dwellers in these areas endured serious suffering due to traffic disruptions, as it took more than two hours for the rally to conclude. Earlier on Wednesday, the party announced plans to hold protest and solidarity rallies in the capital Dhaka and all major cities on Thursday. Similar rallies were also held in major cities across the country today. Muslim World’s Unity Crucial Addressing the gathering, BNP senior leaders described the ongoing genocide and persecution in Gaza, and in particular Rafah, on the territory’s southern edge, as not only the destruction of the Palestinian people but also as a conspiracy to annihilate the Muslim community. Mirza Abbas expressed his distress over the images of ongoing violence in Palestine, describing them as unbearable and stressing that the situation goes beyond the suffering of Palestinian Muslims. He said the actions being carried out are part of a broader attempt to annihilate Muslims globally. "What’s happening in Palestine is not just an attack on Palestinians; it's an effort to gradually wipe out the entire Muslim world." “The so-called leader countries of the Muslim world, who are now not providing leadership and raising their voices only to protect their own rule and survival, will face Allah’s curse,” the BNP leader said. He also pointed out the failure of the Muslim world to take effective action to stop persecution in Palestine due to its divisions. Abbas recalled the leadership of the late President Ziaur Rahman, who played a significant role in intervening during the Iraq-Iran war. "Had Ziaur Rahman been alive today, I believe he would have taken a strong stance and action to prevent Israel from committing these crimes." Strong Voice Needed Against Israel BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said effective measures need to be taken to resist the brutal Israeli government and its forces and stop the massacre of innocent men, women, and children. “We call upon all Muslim countries of the world to unite and protest against this. The Muslim world can play its role in changing the views and course of action of those who support Israel,” he said. The BNP leader called upon the interim government of Bangladesh to take necessary steps in this regard. “It is unacceptable for the continued genocide and brutal killings of a nation. Those who tolerate these crimes are also committing crimes against humanity.” “I demand that everything necessary be done to stop Israel’s crimes against humanity. My friends have talked about boycotting Israeli products, and I support it. What does boycott mean? It means I will not use these products… and if someone gives me a gift, I won’t accept it,” he said. The BNP leader, however, slammed those who indulged in looting and attacking business establishments in the name of boycotting Israeli products. “We want to boycott, but attempting to seize them is also a crime. So, I urge everyone to stand with the Palestinian people with all our courage,” he said. Gaza Massacre: BNP’s solidarity rallies in Dhaka, other cities Thursday Israel Indulging in Crimes against Humanity BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said killing anyone, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, is a serious crime. ”The Israelis are committing this crime in Palestine.” “On behalf of BNP, I can say that 18 crore people in Bangladesh, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation, stand with the Palestinians,” he said. The BNP leader questioned why the interim government in Bangladesh is playing a silent role regarding the persecution of Palestine. “Why haven’t we heard anything from the government about Palestine yet? There are many intellectuals and civil society members in our country… they issue hundreds of statements at different times. Why haven’t we heard their voices for Palestine yet? Why?” The BNP leader said brutal killings have been happening in Palestine for generations. No one, be it men or women, is spared. “This is a direct crime against humanity… Even the United Nations is inactive—becoming a mere puppet.”

Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies began gathering in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office from Thursday noon to attend a rally expressing solidarity with the persecuted people of Gaza and Rafah in Palestine. The programme also aims to condemn the mass killings, atrocities and persecution inflicted upon the Palestinians by Israeli occupation forces. Visiting the rally venue around 2:30pm, the UNB correspondent saw thousands of party leaders and followers from different parts of the city arriving in processions. Carrying national flags, as well as the flags of the BNP and Palestine, along with banners, festoons and placards inscribed with slogans against Israeli mass killings and oppression, they are also chanting anti-Israeli slogans. Roads and alleys stretching from Bijoynagar to Nayapaltan were crowded with BNP activists, bringing traffic to a standstill in the area. The party has already set up a temporary stage in front of its central office, where senior party leaders are expected to address the programme. Tarique provides financial support for repair of Manikganj youth's self-built aircraft The rally is scheduled to begin at 4pm from the party’s Nayapaltan central office and will proceed through Kakrail, Shantinagar, Malibagh and Moghbazar, before concluding at Bangla Motor. Earlier on Wednesday, the party announced plans to hold a protest and solidarity rallies in the capital Dhaka and all major cities on Thursday. Similar rallies are set to take place in major cities across the country today.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has once again extended financial assistance to Julhas Molla, a 28-year-old youth from Manikganj, for the modification and repair of the aircraft he built with his own hands. On behalf of Tarique, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed handed over the cash assistance to Julhas at a simple ceremony held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday. After receiving the money, Julhas thanked the BNP acting chairman for standing beside him for the second time, demonstrating the party’s sincerity in nurturing talent. Speaking at the programme, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “This programme is a symbolic manifestation of how sincere Tarique Rahman is in recognising talent. He will continue to do so in the future as well.” He said many talented boys and girls like Julhas, in different parts of the country, including rural areas, fall behind prematurely due to the lack of state facilities and support, and thus they cannot become assets to the nation. SDF provides financial assistance to families of martyrs and injured in July-August student uprising The BNP leader said their leader, Tarique Rahman, will stand by talented people who have the potential to become assets to the state if given the right support. He said Tarique has taken the responsibility for many underprivileged people and distressed families through Amra BNP Poribar or under the party’s banner. Salahuddin said BNP works for the country, its people and for supporting meritorious people, regardless of whether the party is in power or not. Earlier on 5 March, Amra BNP Paribar, on behalf of Tarique Rahman, provided financial assistance to Julhas. Julhas Molla, son of farmer Jalil Molla and an electrician from Shaitgar Teota village in Shibalaya upazila, built an ultra-light aircraft and successfully flew it. The aircraft, weighing over 100 kilograms, was entirely handcrafted by Julhas using a mix of aluminum, stainless steel, and iron. 245 injured victims of July-Aug mass uprising given financial assistance: Sargis As he requires financial support to modify the aircraft by installing a new engine and carrying out some repairs, Tarique extended his helping hand to the talented youth.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday said a democratic process under an elected government is essential for boosting the economy and attracting investment. “The economy will remain stable as long as the democratic process continues. So, we must ensure its continuation. We aim to rebuild the economy by increasing investment,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters in front of the Hotel InterContinental after attending ‘Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025’. Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the speakers at the summit emphasised the importance of continuing the democratic process for economic development. "We must initiate a democratic process and, of course, sustain it through elections and an elected government,” he said. BNP delegation to meet Chief Adviser on April 16 The BNP leader explained that investors have greater confidence when an elected government is in place. “They (investors) want the democratic process to continue so they can place their trust in it.” He said the BNP would take steps to boost investment if it comes to power, as the party focuses on economic development and the politics of production. “This summit is very important for us. We will move it forward. We understand that its potential is immense. It has started today, and in the coming days, we will elevate it even further, as we aim to rebuild our economy through investment,” Khosru said. BNP requests meeting with CA to dispel election confusion He mentioned that the growth of the garment industry and the private sector in Bangladesh occurred due to BNP’s effective policies, which were rooted in the politics of production. The BNP leader pointed out that the country experienced a growth rate of 7.06 percent during BNP’s government 21 years ago. “If that trend had continued, Bangladesh would likely have a growth rate of more than 10 percent by now. However, in recent times, we have seen that progress has been ruined." At the summit, Khosru also said they promised investors a more investment-friendly and transparent trade environment in Bangladesh by introducing 'Investor Protection Regulations'.  

A BNP delegation is scheduled to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on April 16, following the party's request for a discussion regarding the upcoming national election and reforms. The meeting will take place at the Chief Adviser's official residence State Guest House Jamuna at 12:00 noon, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told UNB on Wednesday. Earlier, the BNP has requested an appointment with the Chief Adviser to resolve confusion regarding the national election. “We have sought time to meet the Chief Adviser. After meeting with him, we will talk about this (election) issue,” said Salahuddin. Salahuddin said they will certainly urge the Chief Adviser to present a clear roadmap for the next parliamentary election. “We will urge him to clearly present the roadmap for the national election through the proper process, so that the sense of instability and uncertainty over the election issue is removed,” he said. The BNP leader said a clear election roadmap is necessary not only to address the election issue but also to restore political stability and inject dynamism into economic activities. He said they will also ask Dr Yunus to ensure the election is held in December, which provides sufficient time for the interim government to organise the polls. “We have previously discussed this with the Election Commission, and they have confirmed that they will be able to complete all preparations for the election by June,” Salahuddin said. Gaza Massacre: BNP’s solidarity rallies in Dhaka, other cities Thursday He also noted that the Chief Adviser also assured them earlier that his government is working to ensure the election is held by December. “Given the confusion surrounding the election due to statements from various parties on different issues, we will call upon the Chief Advisor to clear it,” the BNP leader said. Another BNP Standing Committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said their party would also talk about the ongoing reform process during the meeting. “In particular, we will want to be sure about when the election will be held.” He said their Standing Committee meeting on Monday decided to meet with the Chief Adviser soon, as there is confusion regarding the interim government’s actual position on the national election time frame. The BNP leader also said their party Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has been in Singapore for a health check-up. “I hope he will return home in time to attend the meeting.” He said their delegation would send a clear message to the Chief Adviser that the BNP will not accept any attempt by the government to extend its power unnecessarily until June next year.

BNP has announced to stage protests and solidarity rallies in capital Dhaka and all major cities on Thursday to express solidarity with the persecuted people of Gaza and Rafah in Palestine. The programme also aims to condemn the mass killings, atrocities and persecution inflicted upon the Palestinians by Israeli occupation forces, said a press release issued by the party on Wednesday. The rally in Dhaka will begin at 4pm from the party’s Nayapaltan central office and proceed through Kakrail, Shantinagar, Malibagh and Moghbazar, before concluding it at Bangla Motor. BNP to launch countrywide protests against Israeli aggression in Palestine The press release also said similar rallies will be held in all major cities across the country on Thursday. The BNP has called upon people, as well as the leaders and activists of the party and its affiliated bodies, to participate in the protest and solidarity rallies and ensure their success.

The BNP has requested an appointment with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to resolve confusion regarding the national election. “We have sought time to meet the Chief Adviser. After meeting with him, we will talk about this (election) issue,” said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. He made the remarks at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office when journalists asked for his comments on the party’s future course of action to pressure the government into organising the national election by December this year. Salahuddin said they will certainly urge the Chief Adviser to present a clear roadmap for the next parliamentary election. Vested quarter deliberately misinterpreting statement of BNP on reforms: Fakhrul “We will urge him to clearly present the roadmap for the national election through the proper process, so that the sense of instability and uncertainty over the election issue is removed,” he said. The BNP leader said a clear election roadmap is necessary not only to address the election issue but also to restore political stability and inject dynamism into economic activities. He said they will also ask Dr Yunus to ensure the election is held in December, which provides sufficient time for the interim government to organise the polls. “We have previously discussed this with the Election Commission, and they have confirmed that they will be able to complete all preparations for the election by June,” Salahuddin said. He also noted that the Chief Adviser also assured them earlier that his government is working to ensure the election is held by December. “Given the confusion surrounding the election due to statements from various parties on different issues, we will call upon the Chief Advisor to clear it,” the BNP leader said. He also talked about BNP's various reform proposals submitted to the National Consensus Commission. Fakhrul urges Dr Yunus to remove advisers compromising govt’s neutrality Salahuddin said the BNP has proposed constitutional changes to ensure a better balance within the state. He said the constitution should be restored to its original form before the 15th amendment. The BNP leader said they want the constitution to reinstate the caretaker government system. “But, we have not made any statement about abolishing secularism. This has been misinterpreted.

BNP will soon announce extensive programmes across the country to register protests against ongoing Israeli genocide and barbaric aggressions in Palestine. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed made the announcement on Thursday while speaking at a protest rally on the Dhaka University campus. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal arranged the programme at the Raju Memorial Sculpture to express solidarity with the people of Palestine and protest against the genocide and barbaric attacks in Gaza and Rafah by Israeli occupation forces. "On behalf of BNP, I would like to announce that we will soon launch extensive programmes across the country and centrally to protest this Israeli genocide and barbaric aggression and to express our support for the Palestinian people," Salahuddin said. He said the Palestinian people are among the most persecuted, oppressed and subjected to mass killings in the world at the hands of Israel. The BNP leader urged the leaders of Muslim countries to raise their voices strongly against the ongoing genocide in Gaza and Rafah by Israeli occupation forces. "We call upon the leaders of all Muslim countries, as well as the superpowers that support Israel, to take action right now to stop the genocide in Palestine," Salahuddin said. He questioned the role of the United Nations (UN) regarding the Palestinian genocide. "Israel has never respected any UN resolution. They do not respect any UN rules or regulations, nor do they follow any directives or resolutions of the UN." The BNP leader lamented that whenever a resolution in favour of the Palestinian Muslims is passed at the United Nations, one or two superpower countries that support Israel use their veto power. BNP blames govt, police for failure to contain vandalism He said these superpowers are behind Israel's aggression and they must be held accountable to the people of the world for their role. “We demand an immediate end to the mass killings in Gaza and Rafah. People across the globe have woken up. People worldwide, including in Bangladesh, protested yesterday (Monday) and joined the 'No Work, No School' campaign,” the BNP leader said. Salahuddin alleged that the previous fascist Awami League government indirectly granted recognition to Israel by removing the clause from passports that barred the people of Bangladesh from visiting Israel. “Yet they used to shed crocodile tears for the Muslims of Bangladesh and for Muslims worldwide. Bangladeshi passports used to bear a clause that said, “This passport is valid for all the countries of the world except Israel.” But the Awami League government, in 2021, removed this clause without any public announcement when it introduced the new e-passport. Salahuddin claimed that Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government had procured Pegasus spyware from Israel, which was used to persecute opposition political leaders, activists, democratic forces, social groups and anyone who had protested against the fascist regime. "No matter where Hasina has now taken shelter, the people of Bangladesh will continue to denounce the fascist and anti-Islam regime of Awami League,” he said. The BNP leader also said Sheikh Hasina regime was hostile to Muslims, Islam, and the Ulema as it was supporter of pro-Israelis in the world.