United News of Bangladesh

Brigadier General Md Anwarul Kabir on Monday officially joined as the new Inspector General of Prisons. Upon his arrival at the Department of Prisons in the morning, the new IG Prisons was received by acting IG Prisons Colonel Mesbahul Alam Salim, Additional IG Prisons Md Jahangir Kabir and other senior officials. The government appointed Brigadier General Anwarul Kabir to the top prison post via a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on October 4.

The government has taken nine decisions to tighten security at the Secretariat, focusing on access control, vehicle management, visitor pass issuance and building-specific security measures. The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting on strengthening security at the Secretariat held on October 4, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, according to the minutes of the meeting available on Monday. The meeting was attended by the relevant secretaries and the Inspector General of Police. As per the decisions, police on duty will regularly monitor compliance with instructions on vehicle entry, movement and parking inside the Secretariat premises and take necessary action in case of any violation. A special parking sticker system will be introduced to ensure orderly and secure vehicle management. No vehicle will be allowed to park or remain inside the Secretariat premises without an authorised parking sticker. Police will also take necessary measures to regularly monitor and supervise the activities of visitors entering the Secretariat. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works will take the necessary steps to install separate access control systems at Building No. 1 and other buildings to verify and regulate entry by authorised officials, employees and other individuals. No official, employee or unauthorised person will be allowed to remain on the Secretariat premises at night without prior approval from the relevant authorities. Anyone requiring an overnight stay for special reasons must obtain permission in advance. A separate registration system will be introduced for foreign visitors. Their identities, purposes of visits, relevant officials or offices, and entry and exit details must be properly recorded and preserved. The meeting also set limits on the number of visitor passes that senior government officials can issue. Ministers, state ministers, deputy ministers, advisers and special assistants will be allowed to issue a maximum of 10 visitor passes each. The Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary and other senior secretaries and secretaries will be allowed to issue up to five passes each, while additional secretaries can issue three and joint secretaries two. No visitor will be allowed to enter the Secretariat before 12 noon. The decisions also stipulate that permanent passes issued to officials and employees will automatically become invalid seven days after their transfer orders take effect. Members of Parliament entering the Secretariat in their personal vehicles will be allowed to bring only their personal officers and drivers. Their identities and authorisation must be properly verified before entry is granted.

A Cabinet meeting on Monday discussed expanding the use of solar power as a renewable energy source and accelerating the implementation of ongoing development projects. The meeting was held at the Secretariat in the afternoon with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. The meeting emphasised expanding the use of renewable energy in the country's energy sector and speeding up the implementation of ongoing development projects. Various government activities and development-related issues were also discussed at the meeting.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday urged Algeria to enhance energy cooperation with Bangladesh to help ensure the country’s long-term energy security. She made the call when Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdelouahab Saidani met her at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, both sides discussed a wide range of issues in the field of trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, climate change, sports, culture, people-to-people contact, etc. The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and Algeria based on mutual respect, fraternal solidarity, and shared aspiration for development.

Tuesday marks the 20th anniversary of the announcement that Prof Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank had jointly won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to create economic and social development from below through poverty alleviation. On 13 October 2006, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award, recognising their efforts to create economic and social development from below through poverty alleviation. The recognition brought global attention to the role of microcredit in empowering people at the grassroots level, particularly women, and creating economic opportunities for those traditionally excluded from the formal financial system, according to a press release issued on Monday. The work of Prof Yunus and Grameen Bank demonstrated how access to financial services and recognition of people's entrepreneurial potential could contribute to poverty alleviation and social development. In awarding the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, the Nobel Committee recognised that poverty is not merely an economic problem. It is deeply connected to human dignity, security and peace. When people are economically deprived and have no opportunity to shape their own lives and futures, frustration and instability can follow. On the other hand, when people are economically empowered, given the opportunity to take control of their own lives and included in mainstream society, the foundations of peace become stronger. On 10 December 2006, the Nobel Peace Prize was presented at a ceremony at Oslo City Hall in the presence of members of the Norwegian Royal Family. Prof Yunus received his medal and diploma and delivered the Nobel Lecture. Taslima Begum, a Grameen Bank borrower and member of its Board of Directors, accepted the award on behalf of Grameen Bank. The Nobel Peace Prize Concert was also held at Oslo Spektrum. The performers included opera singer Monica Yunus, Lionel Richie, Rihanna, opera and jazz singer Renée Fleming, singer Paulina Rubio, Hakim, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens), and Wynonna Judd.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UNICEF on Monday marked the completion of a $5.94 million project aimed at equipping out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Bangladesh with market-driven skills and employment opportunities. The project, titled “Empowering Out-of-School Adolescent Girls and Young Women with Market-Driven Occupational Skills, Transferable Skills, and Job Placements”, reached nearly 17,000 girls and young women aged 15-24 across seven districts between July 2022 and September 2026. State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Boby Hajjaj attended the closing ceremony in Dhaka as the chief guest. Funded by the government of the Republic of Korea through KOICA and implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with relevant government agencies and local partners, the initiative aimed to help marginalised young women overcome barriers to education and economic participation. Through vocational and transferable skills training, workplace apprenticeships, engagement with employers and entrepreneurship support, the project helped participants prepare for wage employment or establish their own businesses. It also linked aspiring entrepreneurs with financial institutions to access relevant financial services, supporting their efforts to achieve greater economic independence. Beyond skills development, the initiative sought to address social barriers that often restrict young women's participation in education and economic activities. Community engagement and social and behaviour change initiatives were undertaken to increase awareness and encourage families and local communities to support young women's education, employment and entrepreneurship. As the project concludes, its market-oriented and employment-focused approach aligns with the government's efforts to expand inclusive learning and economic opportunities nationwide. Government initiatives, led by the Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE), including the Alternative Learning Opportunities (ALO) programme and the expansion of the SKILFO model, reflect the country's commitment to strengthening non-formal education and skills development. This alignment is expected to provide a basis for sustaining the project's achievements beyond KOICA's support. 

The High Court has directed the authorities concerned, including the National Board of Revenue (NBR), to take necessary steps to recover Tk 666 crore in unpaid taxes from Grameen Kalyan, an organisation founded by former interim government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, swiftly. The court also vacated a stay order previously issued on the tax demand. The full text of the High Court verdict delivered on September 10 last, dismissing separate writ petitions filed by Grameen Kalyan, was published on the Supreme Court website on Monday. In its observations, the court described the case as a “classic case of tax evasion by keeping a settled issue pending”. Grameen Kalyan filed two separate writ petitions in 2017 challenging the legality of the NBR's tax demands for the assessment years 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. Following preliminary hearings, the High Court issued a rule and stayed the tax demand decisions. After reassessment, the High Court dismissed the separate writ petitions on August 4, 2024, challenging the validity of the tax commissioner's decision to demand Tk 666 crore for the five assessment years. The verdict was delivered by a bench of Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar and Justice SM Moniruzzaman. The Awami League government fell the following day, on August 5. On August 29, 2024, another High Court bench, comprising Justice Mohammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir, recalled the August 4 verdict and sent the case records to the Chief Justice, who subsequently assigned a new bench to deal with the matter. On September 10 last, the High Court ruled that Grameen Kalyan must pay the Tk 666 crore claimed by the NBR. The verdict was delivered by a bench of Justice Md Mujibur Rahman Mia and Justice Rezaul Karim. In its full verdict, the court said the petitioners had no legal basis to maintain the petitions. Barristers Abdullah Al Mamun and Fida M Kamal represented Dr Yunus in court, while Deputy Attorney General Abdus Samad Azad appeared for the state. Mamun told reporters that they will appeal against the verdict before the Appellate Division after receiving the full text of the judgement. Explaining the background of the dispute, Deputy Attorney General Abdus Samad Azad said Grameen Kalyan and Grameen Telecom had reached an agreement under which Grameen Telecom would provide financial assistance to Grameen Kalyan. In return, Grameen Telecom would pay Grameen Kalyan 42.50 percent of the profit earned from dividends on Grameen Kalyan's shares, he said. The income tax authorities later reopened the file and found that Grameen Kalyan had not deducted tax at source on the profit it received from Grameen Telecom, prompting the reassessment. Following a review by the tax commissioner, Grameen Kalyan filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the decision.

A Dhaka court on Monday placed two retired Army officers on four-day remand each in a case filed over alleged anti-state conspiracy, violent incitement, illegal funding, and social media propaganda. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Didarul Alam passed the order after Inspector Sheikh Bashir Ahmed of the Detective Branch Cyber and Special Crime Division produced them before the court with a seven-day remand prayer. Those remanded are Lieutenant (retd) Kazi Gulshan Ara, 43, and Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Debashish Kumar, 47. The court also rejected bail petitions filed by the accused, said Debashish’s counsel Sanaul Islam Tipu. The case was filed on Monday at Pallabi Police Station under multiple sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Cyber Security Ordinance. According to the remand petition, the suspects operated from a residence in Pallabi, creating WhatsApp groups named "Bangladesh Awami League Supporters Alpha" and "BBM Transparency" to produce and spread anti-government and provocative digital content. They used platforms named "Unity Care" and "Public Parliament" in collusion with former Army Chief General (retd) Aziz Ahmed, a former home minister, and other fugitive leaders to conspire against the state and revive the Awami League, it said. They also operated a Facebook page named “KaalAajkaal.com” to create instability in the country, Bashir said. Furthermore, he said, during a 2018 programme, the suspects pledged loyalty to then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, forming “Bangabandhu Sena Parishad” and later establishing a 101-member committee. Police also reported finding evidence of their communication with local and foreign intelligence agencies. Police cited identifying cohorts and local and foreign conspirators, tracking digital evidence and illegal funding sources, locating other anti-state websites, and unearthing the core mystery to prevent anti-state plans as the grounds for remand. Earlier on Sunday night, DB police arrested the duo during drives in Pallabi and Banani.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh has urged Bangladeshi nationals living in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant, comply with local laws and follow instructions issued by the Saudi authorities amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East. In an emergency notice issued on Monday, it advised Bangladeshis to avoid risky and crowded places and to prioritise their personal safety amid the evolving situation. The embassy also warned that recording, exchanging or publishing information, photographs or videos related to the ongoing situation in the Middle East on social media is a punishable offence under Saudi law. It urged Bangladeshi nationals to respect Saudi laws and refrain from posting such photographs, videos or sensitive information on social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and X. The embassy also advised them not to store such photographs, videos or sensitive information on their mobile phones or share them with others. The notice provided several hotline numbers for Bangladeshis seeking assistance in emergencies. The toll-free numbers are 8001000125 for labour-related matters, 8001000126 for passport-related services and 8001000124 for the embassy’s diplomatic wing. For matters related to deaths, the hotline number is +966570212180. The embassy also shared its verified Facebook page for updates and information: https://www.facebook.com/bdembassyriyadh

The government will review the duration of tourist visits to Saint Martin’s Island, the number of visitors allowed and the departure point for tourist vessels, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said on Monday. He said tourism on the island must be managed in a way that protects its natural environment and biodiversity, taking into account its carrying capacity, waste management, the availability of safe drinking water and the impact of tourism on the marine ecosystem. Further decisions on tourism management will be taken after considering the opinions of relevant ministries and agencies, as well as environmental conservation, tourist safety and transport management, the minister said. He made the remarks while chairing an inter-ministerial meeting on tourist visits to Saint Martin’s Island at the conference room of his ministry. State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam stressed purchasing travel passes and tickets containing QR codes through web portals recognised by the Bangladesh Tourism Board and following environmental conservation guidelines. He also emphasised prohibiting the carrying of polythene to the island, discouraging single-use plastics and encouraging tourists to bring their own water flasks. Existing restrictions aimed at protecting the island’s biodiversity, including marine turtles, birds and coral, will remain in force. Cox’s Bazar-4 MP Shahjahan Chowdhury and Dhaka-14 MP Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem attended the meeting. Acting Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary Mohammad Navid Safiullah, Department of Shipping Director General Commodore Md Shafiul Bari, and representatives of relevant ministries, divisions, agencies, tourism businesses and environmental organisations were also present. Representatives of the local administration and tourism businesses concerned joined the meeting virtually.