United News of Bangladesh

In a rare display of political goodwill, newly elected BNP MP Mirza Faisal Amin visited the residence of his rival candidate, Jamaat-e-Islami's Delawar Hossain, on Friday, a day after winning the Thakurgaon-1 by-election by a huge margin. Faisal Amin went to Hossain’s home bearing a bouquet of flowers to pay a courtesy visit. Delawar welcomed him with open arms, as the two leaders embraced at the start of the visit. The entire meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. The newly elected BNP MP called for setting aside political differences and working together to build a better Thakurgaon in the days ahead. In response, the Jamaat leader assured him of his full support for any development initiatives in Thakurgaon. Earlier, Mirza Faisal Amin, younger brother of BNP stalwart and current President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was unofficially declared the winner in Thursday’s by-election to the Thakurgaon-1 constituency. Faisal secured 2,27,917 votes contesting with the BNP's sheaf of paddy symbol. Delawar Hossain came second receiving 96,513 votes with Jamaat's scales symbol. Voting was held peacefully.

Misinterpretation of religion and patriarchal attitudes remain major challenges to gender equality and women's empowerment in Bangladesh, Prime Minister's Political Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapan said on Thursday. “Misinterpretation of religion and patriarchal attitudes remain major challenges to achieving gender equality and ensuring women’s empowerment in Bangladesh. These challenges must be addressed if we are to build an equitable, inclusive and developed Bangladesh. Alongside reducing existing inequalities between women and men, it is essential to ensure equal opportunities for women in education, employment, leadership and decision-making,” he said. Swapan made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the 'IDG Carnival 2026', organised by Save the Children in Bangladesh at a hotel in the capital to mark the International Day of the Girl. He stressed the need to address these challenges and ensure equal opportunities for women in education, employment, leadership and decision-making to build an equitable, inclusive and developed Bangladesh. Held under the theme "Rooted in Every Region, Advancing Every Adolescent Girl", the event brought together policymakers, development partners, youth representatives and other stakeholders to promote the rights, leadership and meaningful participation of girls and adolescent girls in society. The prime minister's adviser said the government placed particular importance on gender equality and women's empowerment as part of its vision for building the Bangladesh of the future. However, achieving these goals required effective contributions from both the government and development partners, he said. "Save the Children's experience, support and partnerships can make an important contribution in this regard," Swapan said, expressing hope that the organisation would continue working with the government to advance women's rights, eliminate discrimination and build a more equitable society. Dr Md Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister on environment, forest and climate change, attended the event as the guest of honour. Members of Parliament Helen Zerin Khan, Mahmuda Habiba and Mansura Akter attended as special guests, while Dr Eliza Azei, head of the Adolescents and Youth Programme at UNFPA Bangladesh, was also present. Discussions at the carnival highlighted the need to remove barriers that prevent girls and adolescent girls from accessing education, employment, leadership opportunities, entrepreneurship and decision-making processes. The government places particular importance on gender equality and women’s empowerment as part of its vision for building the Bangladesh of the future, said the PM's Adviser. However, achieving this goal requires effective contributions not only from the government but also from development partners. The event highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for girls and adolescent girls to realise their potential, develop leadership skills and participate actively in decision-making processes. Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended the event as the Guest of Honour. Members of Parliament Helen Zerin Khan, Mahmuda Habiba and Mansura Akter attended as Special Guests. Dr. Eliza Azei, Head of Adolescents and Youth Programme at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Bangladesh, was also present. Speakers also stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by families, communities, the government, development partners and other institutions to create safe, inclusive and supportive environments where the voices, experiences and needs of girls and adolescent girls are recognised and valued. Organised under Save the Children in Bangladesh’s SWOCCHAR project, the initiative served as an important platform for strengthening collective efforts to promote the rights and empowerment of girls and adolescent girls. Participants expressed their expectation that creating equal opportunities for adolescent girls, amplifying their voices and increasing their participation in policymaking and decision-making processes will contribute to building a more equitable and inclusive society.

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday said voting in the by-election to Thakurgaon-1 constituency was peaceful, with no reports of polling-centre occupation, vote rigging or clashes. He said the BNP is optimistic about the election, citing satisfactory voter turnout and a favourable electoral environment. Rizvi made the remarks while talking to reporters at the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan in the afternoon. “Since morning, we have seen people casting their votes in an excellent and peaceful environment,” he said. The BNP leader said his party is optimistic about the election as voting took place in a fair environment with satisfactory voter turnout. He also urged opposition parties not to make baseless allegations about the election.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s wife and renowned cardiologist, visited several healthcare, elderly care, and cultural institutions in Tokyo on Wednesday. She also paid a courtesy call on Princess Takamado, a member of the Japanese Imperial Family. Zubaida began her day by visiting the Fujita Health University Haneda Clinic at Haneda Innovation City in Tokyo. Clinic officials briefed her on advanced medical technologies, including one of the world's only five cutting-edge CT scanners, PET-CT and MRI facilities, and robotic technology used for sample collection.

BNP-nominated candidate Eliza Zaman is set to be elected unopposed in the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23 in the 13th Parliament, as she is the lone candidate whose nomination paper was declared valid. Eliza Zaman was the only aspirant to submit a nomination paper before the deadline expired on Monday afternoon, and the Election Commission published the list of the lone validly nominated candidate on Wednesday. Her nomination paper was scrutinised on Tuesday, according to a notification signed by Md Moin Uddin Khan, returning officer for the reserved seats and EC joint secretary on Wednesday. Eliza Zaman is also a joint convener of Pirojpur district BNP and the organising secretary for the Barishal division of the party’s women’s wing, Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal. According to the Election Commission’s schedule, November 1 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Though voting is scheduled for November 12, the balloting will not be required. Now Eliza Zaman is set to be declared elected unopposed without a formal vote if she does not quit the race by November 1. Earlier, on October 1, BNP reserved-seat MP Ferdousy Ahmed Mishti resigned after being instructed to step down by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Parliament Secretariat issued a gazette notification declaring the seat vacant on the same day. The development came amid allegations of her involvement in an attack, vandalism, looting and demolition at the Radda MCH-FP Centre, a maternal and child healthcare facility in Mirpur. The health centre was attacked and vandalised around midnight, with allegations that ruling party leaders and activists at different levels were involved. Mishti, however, denied any involvement in the incident.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said the mismanagement and looting witnessed in the power sector under the ousted Awami League government must not return, stressing the need for accountability and transparency to prevent a recurrence. “We need to take steps and ensure their smooth implementation so that the chaos and mismanagement we witnessed in the power sector in the past do not recur,” Rizvi said. He made the remarks as the chief guest at a public dialogue organised by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and CAB Youth Parliament at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). The ousted Awami League government enacted the indemnity law to create opportunities for lootings in the power sector, he said. “Keeping in mind that there would be plunder in the name of various projects, including quick rental power plants, they enacted an indemnity law so that no one could file a case over activities in this sector. This clearly shows their ill intention,” he said. Rizvi said accountability is essential in every sector and department in a truly democratic society. “Every sector and department must be held accountable in various ways. The media should be able to write articles about any sector, criticise it and discuss its merits and shortcomings. The government and the relevant department must then clarify their positions,” he said. Such accountability, he added, ensures public participation in governance and makes the government more transparent. He cited the difficult living conditions of people on Dharla and Brahmaputra river chars in Kurigram, including Nageshwari, saying many residents remained deprived of electricity despite claims of 100 percent electrification in the country. He also referred to electricity shortages in rural areas in recent times, saying the issue is not merely whether electricity connections were installed but whether people could actually use the service. Rizvi said similar problems existed in urban slums, where poor families often shared electricity to support their children's education. He said identifying extreme poverty solely by examining electricity consumption among existing users would be difficult, as many poor people either lacked access to electricity or had to share it. Rizvi said the prospects for rooftop solar power and other renewable energy sources are gradually opening up. The BNP secretary general said energy security was an important agenda item at the meeting between the Prime Minister and Japan held on Tuesday, referring to agreements worth one trillion yen. He said the government has been in office for seven to eight months and that implementing its plans would take time. He said the government offered incentives to those who supplied surplus electricity to the national grid after meeting their own needs, adding that such initiatives could also create employment opportunities. CAB General Secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan chaired the dialogue. CAB Energy Adviser Professor M Shamsul Alam  along with the teachers and students involved in the research also attended.

Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, ruling party BNP's youth front, organised a free medical camp and a voluntary blood donation programme in Nayapaltan on Tuesday as part of its two-day programmes marking the organisation’s 48th founding anniversary. The activities began at noon on the ground floor of Jubo Dal’s central office in Nayapaltan. Alongside the blood donation programme, free medicines, medical services and health advice were provided to members of the public. Around 500 people received free medical care at the daylong medical camp, while 35 bags of blood were collected through the blood donation programme. BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi inaugurated the programmes. Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayon were present at the event. Jubo Dal Vice-President Professor Dr Lohani Mohammad Taizul Islam supervised the medical camp. As part of the central programmes, various social responsibility initiatives were held across the country at district and metropolitan levels on Tuesday, including discussion meetings, rallies, processions, blood donation programmes, free medical camps, tree plantation, cleanliness drives, fish fry release and distribution of food among underprivileged people. The programmes were held at times scheduled by the respective organisational units. According to Jubo Dal’s announced schedule, the second day of the celebrations will be observed on Wednesday (October 28). On that day, all upazila, thana, municipal and subordinate units across the country will organise discussion meetings, rallies, processions, voluntary blood donation programmes, free medical camps, tree plantation, cleanliness drives, fish fry release and distribution of food among underprivileged people at times convenient for their respective units. Earlier in the morning, at 11am, Jubo Dal leaders and activists paid tribute and offered prayers at the graves of the organisation’s founder, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at Zia Udyan in Agargaon, Dhaka. BNP Acting Secretary General and the Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi attended the programme as the chief guest. Leaders and activists of the central Jubo Dal, as well as Dhaka North and Dhaka South metropolitan units, took part in the programme.

BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) remarks about reinstating crossfire have caused unease within the government. “We feel deeply saddened that the head of police force who is part of the government would talk about crossfire. If it was a slip of the tongue, that would be a different matter. But such remarks put the government in an awkward position,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while inaugurating a free medical camp in front of the BNP’s central office at Nayapaltan, Dhaka, marking the 48th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal. Rizvi said there are adequate laws to combat terrorism and crime and law enforcement agencies are responsible for enforcing those. He said the country endured 17 years of what he described as inhumane misrule involving crossfire killings, enforced disappearances, secret killings and bloodshed. After years of struggle against such practices, the country experienced the July uprising and August 5, followed by the BNP coming to power through a free and fair electoral process, he said. Rizvi said people across the country expect a humane Bangladesh under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, adding that such remarks from the head of a law enforcement agency are deeply concerning. Rizvi said Tarique Rahman’s commitment to building a humane Bangladesh was reflected in initiatives such as the Family Card and Farmers’ Card, canal excavation programmes. He said these initiatives are aimed at making Bangladesh a more liveable country, describing this as a central part of Tarique Rahman’s vision and development plan. Referring to concerns about rising juvenile delinquency and crime in several areas of Dhaka, he said he believes police force has many honest and capable officers who can effectively tackle crime if allowed to work. “If the law is properly enforced without any influence, crime can be eliminated from society,” he said. Rizvi said extrajudicial methods could never be an effective way to control crime, whether through enforced disappearances or crossfire killings. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir on Monday said police might resort to crossfire if the government allows it and it becomes necessary to maintain law and order and curb crimes.

More than a hundred BNP leaders, activists and supporters living in Japan welcomed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with rounds of applause as his motorcade arrived at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Tuesday. They gathered along a road near the Kantei, the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office, in Nagatacho, Chiyoda Ward, around 11am local time and applauded as Tarique’s motorcade entered the premises. BNP Japan chapter President Mir Rezaul Karim Reza, General Secretary Emdadul Islam Moni, Vice-President Masum Zakir and central leaders Kazi Sadekul Haider Bablu, Jewel Pathan, Tutul Ibrahim, Omar Faruk Ripon, Farhad Prince, Masud Plabon, Imran Al Imu, Ismail Hossain, Sheikh Faisal, Saiful Islam and Tawhidul Islam Helal, among others, were present. The BNP leaders and supporters chanted slogans welcoming Tarique to Japan, punctuating their cheers with repeated rounds of applause. A banner featuring Tarique’s photograph carried a message welcoming the Bangladesh Prime Minister to Japan.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday demanded action against Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir over his remarks that police would resort to crossfire if the government allowed it. In a statement, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahbub Zubair condemned the remarks, saying they were contrary to the Constitution and the rule of law. The IGP made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of Community Islamic, the Islamic banking service of Community Bank Bangladesh PLC, in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar today. The Jamaat leader said the police were responsible for maintaining law and order and ensuring citizens’ security, adding that they were servants of the people, not their rulers. He said the police chief’s remarks were unacceptable, particularly amid the country’s deteriorating law and order situation, and warned that they could signal a return to a climate of fear. Referring to alleged abuses under the previous ousted government, he said people had been subjected to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the name of law enforcement operations. He called on the government to take action over the IGP’s statement. He also criticised law enforcement agencies for failing to curb violence by BNP activists, extortion and drug-related activities. He urged police officials and members to take effective steps to ensure public safety and make people’s lives more secure.