United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday expressed deep sorrow at the deaths of 16 Bangladeshi nationals in a factory fire in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh. In a condolence message posted on his Facebook page, the Prime Minister said, “I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families.” He said the government will stand by the affected families and ensure all necessary assistance during this difficult time. Tarique Rahman said he has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the Bangladesh mission in Riyadh to take coordinated measures to bring the bodies of the victims back to Bangladesh as soon as possible. He also said the government is keeping a close and continuous watch on the situation. At least 16 Bangladeshis were killed in a fire at a sofa factory in Riyadh on Sunday. The victims hailed from Naogaon, Natore and Rajshahi, according to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has conveyed his prayers and warm wishes for the speedy recovery of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. “I pray that the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, makes a speedy and full recovery. May Allah bless him with lasting health and strength. The people of Bangladesh join me in conveying our warmest wishes to our nation’s valued friend,” he said in a message on Monday night. According to Malaysian media, Anwar Ibrahim underwent an elective laparoscopic surgical procedure on Monday to treat an abdominal hernia (para-umbilical hernia). The Malaysian Prime Minister's Medical Team head, Datuk Dr Asri Ranga Abdullah Ramaiah, said the procedure went smoothly under the care of a team of medical specialists. He said Anwar Ibrahim is currently undergoing physiotherapy and remains under the close supervision of the medical specialist team.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday urged the country’s people to work from their respective positions to realise the dream of a Bangladesh where people’s basic needs and rights are ensured, as envisioned by the martyrs of the July mass uprising. “Those who were martyred during the July mass uprising wanted to bring a change to the country – a change through which people’s basic needs and rights will be established and they could at least live in peace,” he said.  The Prime Minister was speaking at a ceremony at the Cabinet meeting room of the Secretariat in the afternoon, where members of the families of Bangladesh Scouts members killed during the July mass uprising were honoured and provided with financial assistance. He said no one has the ability to repay the debt owed to the martyrs for their sacrifice, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Monday said the government has not yet decided whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the BRICS Summit's outreach session in New Delhi next month. He also urged the media to understand the difference between the two separate invitations from the Indian side. “First of all, I am not an astrologer. So, I cannot predict on which exact day it will happen. Secondly, the BIMSTEC invitation was not extended to the prime minister personally. It was addressed to the chairperson of BIMSTEC,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr Khalilur was briefing reporters after Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at the Secretariat. The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh had received two invitations from India - one from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a bilateral visit and another for the BIMSTEC chairperson to attend the BRICS Summit. During the courtesy meeting with the Prime Minister, the High Commissioner conveyed greetings from Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the intent to work together with the government and people of Bangladesh in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner. They exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and discussed avenues for further strengthening bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh with a people-centric approach. The High Commissioner also paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. The discussions focused on furthering bilateral relations and covered areas of common interest, including security cooperation between the two countries. The High Commissioner conveyed India's willingness to strengthen people-centric cooperation in all domains, based on mutual interest, mutual benefit and mutual sensitivities. On August 4, India confirmed that an invitation had been extended to Prime Minister Tarique to attend the BRICS Summit as the BIMSTEC Chair, while a separate bilateral invitation has been in place since February this year. India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, focusing on global cooperation, trade and sustainable development. "You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing in New Delhi recently. As far as the BRICS Summit is concerned, he said India has separately extended an invitation to the Bangladesh Prime Minister in his capacity as the current Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. "The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in BRICS for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner," the MEA spokesperson said. BIMSTEC comprises seven countries in the Bay of Bengal region - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. In April last year, Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the regional grouping for the next two years, reaffirming its commitment to advancing regional cooperation and development.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday warned that no one will be allowed to play with the fate of the people of Bangladesh, saying now is the time to build the country and the nation. “There are some political parties in the country that are spreading confusion and trying to obstruct development activities for the people,” he said, while addressing a rehabilitation programme for flood-affected people at the Hathazari Government College ground in Hathazari upazila at night. The Prime Minister said now all democracy-minded people in Bangladesh, who believe in democracy and freedom of speech, must decide what measures should be taken against those who create chaos, those who want to come to the streets and block roads and those who want to mislead people. “The people of Bangladesh must make this decision today,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday met Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasah in Fatikchhari upazila of Chattogram. The meeting took place at 4:12pm, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said. “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met Huzur and enquired after his health,” he said. “He was welcomed by Huzur after arriving at the madrasah. They held a meeting in the guest reception room,” Rumon said. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, MPs Sarwar Alamgir and Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury were present at the meeting. As the Prime Minister arrived at the madrasah, students stood in rows on both sides of the road to welcome him. He got off his vehicle and walked over to the younger students, exchanging greetings with them. Babunagari, a veteran Islamic scholar, is the principal of the Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasah.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday called upon people to stay alert to those seeking to create disorder, undermine peace and stability, and spread confusion, saying Bangladesh cannot move forward without a peaceful environment. “We have to stay conscious and alert. We have to be careful about those who want to destroy peace and stability,” he said while addressing a programme to rehabilitate recent flood victims at West Banshkhali High School and College ground in Baharchhara union of Banshkhali upazila. The Prime Minister said peace and stability are essential for attracting both domestic and foreign investment, establishing industries and creating employment opportunities. “If we want to encourage domestic and foreign investors to set up mills and factories and create jobs, the first condition is that there must be peace and order in the country. There can be no disorder,” he said. Tarique Rahman explained that just as businesses in a local market close their shops when disorder breaks out, investors also become reluctant to invest if they fear that their factories will not be able to operate smoothly, transport goods to ports or bring in raw materials. “If factories cannot operate properly, is it possible to create employment? No,” he said, urging people to remain vigilant to thwart the plot to disrupt peace and spread confusion. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has already lost too much time and can no longer afford to remain behind other countries. “More than 50 years have passed since our independence. Now is the time to work for the people and build the country,” he said. Tarique Rahman said the government’s main objective is to improve people’s lives and change the country’s fortunes through employment, industrialisation, better education, healthcare and increased agricultural production. He said the government will place before Parliament a 10-year plan for the country’s energy and power sectors. The Prime Minister said the plan will aim to ensure reliable electricity and gas supplies for schools, colleges, hospitals, industries, homes and transport. Referring to recent efforts to spread what he described as misleading information about the energy sector, he said anyone with an alternative plan should present it before the people, rather than creating confusion and unrest. “Do not create disorder in the country by spreading misleading information. Do not disturb the peace of the people,” he said. Tarique Rahman said the government has inherited an unplanned energy and power system that had benefited a limited number of people, and that restructuring it in the public interest will require time. He also highlighted the government’s plans to expand employment and social protection. The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s plans to expand employment and social protection, saying the pilot phase of the Family Card programme has been completed and the official distribution will begin on August 16. He also mentioned the planned Farmers’ Card and said salt farmers will also be brought under the government’s support programmes. Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh’s vast sea is a major national resource that must be properly utilised to improve people’s livelihoods and create jobs. He said he visited Matarbari earlier in the day to examine how Bangladesh’s vast maritime resources could be used and how industries and factories could be developed from the coastal areas of Chattogram to Mirsharai to expand employment and business opportunities. The Prime Minister said the government wants to develop industries and factories from the Matarbari area to the wider Chattogram region, creating employment and expanding trade. Referring to discussions with Chinese investors, he said several hundred mills and factories will be established in the Chattogram region, creating job opportunities for local people and helping the country earn foreign currency. Tarique Rahman said increased foreign exchange earnings will help strengthen the economy and support improvements in education and healthcare. Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over keys to newly built houses to flood-affected families in Baharchhara and launched the government’s rehabilitation programme for victims of the recent floods. He arrived in Baharchhara by helicopter after visiting the Matarbari deep-sea port in Maheshkhali of Cox’s Bazar. He also distributed relief assistance, including financial support and food items, among affected people and handed over assistance to 10 children with disabilities. Before joining the public programme, the Prime Minister visited Baharchhara sea beach, which he described as a promising tourism area, and planted a mahogany sapling at the courtyard of a newly built house. He said the government’s responsibility is to stand beside people in their happiness and hardship, ensure education and healthcare, and create employment for young people, women and men. Tarique Rahman said the government wants to transform relief and assistance into sustainable employment by providing training to young people and sending skilled workers abroad when necessary. “We want to turn every hand into a working hand so that every person can contribute to building the country and change the fortunes of themselves and their families,” he said. The Prime Minister urged people to reject provocation and focus on development. “Bangladesh will move forward. The people of Bangladesh will change their own fortunes and, at the same time, change the fortunes of the country,” he said. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin and local BNP leaders, among others, attended the programme. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister visited Matarbari in Maheshkhali of Cox’s Bazar, where he inspected the Matarbari deep-sea port, the coal-fired power project and activities of the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA).

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday stressed the maximum and efficient use of existing infrastructure to strengthen Bangladesh’s power and energy security, alongside ensuring transparency and accountability in project management, regular maintenance and long-term integrated energy planning. He also emphasised the need to diversify energy sources to meet the country’s growing electricity demand, while giving the highest priority to economic viability, environmental impacts and the long-term interests of the people in power generation and the management of large-scale infrastructure. The Prime Minister made the remarks during a visit to the 1,200MW Matarbari Ultra-Supercritical Coal-Fired Power Plant in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar. He also stressed integrated development of power and energy facilities, the deep-sea port and related industrial infrastructure centring on Matarbari, saying their planned and efficient utilisation will play an important role in ensuring energy security, promoting industrialisation and expanding overall economic activities. Tarique Rahman arrived at the power plant’s helipad by helicopter at 10:45am and later went to the project’s administrative building. From 11:00am to 12:15pm, he received a detailed briefing on the overall activities of the project. Officials briefed him on the plant’s current status, power generation and operations, generation capacity, fuel supply and management, operational efficiency, maintenance, safety measures and related infrastructure. They also apprised the Prime Minister of the project’s future plans. During the briefing, he was informed that the power plant is being operated entirely by Bangladeshi engineers and manpower. Tarique Rahman expressed satisfaction at this and praised the skills and capabilities of the local engineers and employees, encouraging them in their work. He also planted a neem sapling on the project premises. The Matarbari power plant consists of two 600MW units, with a total generation capacity of 1,200MW. The plant uses modern ultra-supercritical technology. The project includes the power plant, port facilities for coal transportation, transmission lines, access roads and other related infrastructure. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided loan assistance for implementation of the project. After the briefing, the Prime Minister visited different facilities of the project and proposed project sites. At 12:25pm, he left for the proposed 70MW solar power plant site and arrived there at 12:29pm. Officials briefed him on the proposed solar project, including its plan and potential generation capacity. Tarique Rahman was also shown the sites earmarked for a proposed LNG-based power plant, a petrochemical project and a new refinery. He subsequently inspected infrastructure related to LPG, LNG and coal terminals and proposed project areas. He sought detailed information from officials on the plans and future use of the facilities and gave directives on various issues. The Prime Minister later visited the coal jetty, from where he observed the Matarbari deep-sea port, LNG terminal and different facilities of the power plant. Officials briefed him on the port infrastructure required for transportation and unloading of coal and its integrated operation with the power plant. Tarique Rahman also visited the proposed temporary LPG jetty and sites earmarked for the future construction of Units 3 and 4 of the coal-fired power plant. Officials briefed him on the proposed plans and infrastructure requirements for the projects. The Prime Minister completed his inspection of the project facilities and proposed sites around 12:55pm before leaving for the helipad. The Matarbari project is aimed at increasing stable electricity supply and strengthening the country’s energy security. The port for coal transportation, transmission lines, access roads and other related infrastructure are key components of the large-scale project. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, State Minister Aninda Islam Amit, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Shamsul Islam, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Special Political Secretary Belayet Hossain Mridha, among others, accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit. Tarique Rahman left Matarbari by helicopter at 1:05pm after completing the visit.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday handed over keys to new tin-roofed houses to families affected by the recent floods in Banshkhali and inaugurated the government’s rehabilitation programme for them. He visited the flood-hit Baharchhara area of Banshkhali and handed over the keys to the new homes to affected families around 1:20pm, his Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony told UNB. “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the government’s rehabilitation programme for people affected by the recent floods in Baharchhara village and handed over the keys to new homes,” he said. Tarique Rahman also spoke to the affected people and enquired after their families and their situation. He also planted a mahogany sapling there, Rony said. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, among others, were present. Later, the Prime Minister went to the Banshkhali High School and College ground to attend a rehabilitation programme for flood-affected people. Banshkhali and several other remote and low-lying areas of Chattogram were inundated from July 7 following heavy rain and hill runoff. The flooding caused extensive damage to homes, ponds, water bodies and fish farms, affecting hundreds of people. After completing his programmes in Banshkhali, Tarique Rahman left by helicopter for Fatikchhari. In Fatikchhari, he is scheduled to visit Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasah and meet Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reached Matarbari in Maheshkhali of Cox’s Bazar by helicopter on Sunday morning to inspect the Matarbari deep-sea port and several other development projects. The helicopter carrying the Prime Minister landed at a helipad near Matarbari around 10:52am, his accompanying Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon told UNB. “The Prime Minister has reached Matarbari. He will inspect the activities of the deep-sea port and several other projects here,” he said. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit received Tarique Rahman upon his arrival. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood, among others, are accompanying the Prime Minister. Earlier, he left Tejgaon Airport at 9:15am by helicopter for Matarbari along with his entourage. During his visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to inspect the Matarbari deep-sea port, the coal-fired power project and activities of the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority. This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Matarbari since he took office as Prime Minister. After completing the Matarbari programmes, he is scheduled to visit flood-hit areas of Chattogram and join rehabilitation programmes for people affected by the recent floods. At around 12:20pm, the Prime Minister will attend a rehabilitation programme at the West Banshkhali High School and College ground in Baharchhara union of Banshkhali upazila, where new homes will be handed over to flood-affected families. He will later travel to Fatikchhari, where he is scheduled to meet Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasah. At around 3:15pm, Tarique Rahman will visit Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Uloom Moinul Islam madrasah in Hathazari and pay respects at the grave of late Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi. He will then attend a flood rehabilitation programme at Hathazari Government College ground at 5pm. In the evening, Tarique Rahman, who is also BNP chairman, is scheduled to attend an organisational meeting with BNP leaders and activists from Chattogram at Radisson Blu Hotel, Chattogram Bay View. After completing the day’s programmes, he is scheduled to return to Dhaka by air from Shah Amanat International Airport around 9:30pm.