United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said the government’s mission is to transform Bangladesh into a manufacturing hub and a gateway to the region, with electronics, pharmaceuticals, light engineering and green industries driving the country’s next phase of economic growth. Speaking at the signing ceremony of a US$1 billion financing agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for the modernisation and expansion of Eastern Refinery Limited, he also said this deal is more than a financial transaction, calling it a “statement of confidence” in Bangladesh. “Garments built our first growth story. Now we want electronics, pharmaceuticals, light engineering, and green industry to build the next one. We want factories that create jobs and dignity,” Tarique said. He said the Eastern Refinery project is not merely an investment in the energy sector but an investment in Bangladesh’s energy security, economic resilience and long-term capacity to grow. Tarique said Bangladesh has a new government and a new direction, with a target of building a trillion-dollar economy by 2034. “This is not a slogan. It is a plan. We intend to double the size of our economy this decade through exports, investment, and financial discipline,” Tarique said. He said the government has also launched the Family Card and Farmers Card and is processing the Health Card to provide direct support to citizens.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday outlined a five-point comprehensive government plan to tackle the country’s ongoing energy crisis by boosting domestic gas production, intensifying exploration, strengthening BAPEX, expanding LNG infrastructure and reducing dependence on imported gas. Replying to a question from MP Selina Sultana (Women Seat-35) during the question-answer session in Parliament, Tarique said the energy sector was left “crippled” during the previous fascist rule, resulting in inadequate gas exploration and growing import dependence. He said the government has adopted an integrated action plan to bring the country out of the existing energy crisis and build a self-reliant and sustainable energy system. As part of efforts to increase domestic gas production, Tarique said 30 wells have already been drilled under a programme to drill or carry out workovers on 150 wells, adding 140 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas to the national grid. “Once the seven wells currently under drilling are completed, another 85 mmcfd of gas will be added to the national grid,” he said, adding that projects are being taken up in phases to drill the remaining wells. The Prime Minister said the government has also planned 4,500 line-kilometre of 2D seismic surveys and 4,200 square kilometres of 3D seismic surveys to explore domestic gas reserves. He said the government is  also taking steps to strengthen Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) including the procurement of two new rigs. On offshore and onshore exploration, Tarique said the Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2026 has been approved and a bidding round invited, while the Onshore Model PSC was under the approval process. “Gas discoveries through offshore and onshore exploration will play a significant role in ensuring the country’s energy security,” he said. The Prime Minister said negotiations are underway with interested companies to establish a floating LNG terminal at Kutubjom in the deep sea off Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar. “We hope to be able to supply regasified LNG from the terminal by December 2028. As a result, LNG imports are expected to increase by another 600 mmcfd within the next two years,” he said. Tarique also said feasibility studies have also been initiated for setting up one or two additional floating LNG terminals on an urgent basis near Payra or Mongla ports or along the coastal areas of the southwestern region. Tarique said the proposed terminals would help strengthen the country’s overall energy security. PM rejects report on factory closures Replying to a supplementary question from MP Norul Hasan (Mymensingh-6) about reports that 92 or even 200-300 factories had closed due to electricity and gas shortages, Tarique rejected the figures. “Had you taken a little more information, you would have seen that those who used the reference you mentioned about 95 factories being closed apologised the following day and said their information was completely wrong,” he said. He said the report apparently cited an old news report or data, possibly from 2022, and was later retracted with an apology. The first 30 minutes of Wednesday’s parliamentary session were allocated for the Prime Minister’s question-answer session.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to introduce an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers within four months as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka and modernise the city’s transport system. He gave the directive at a meeting at his Tejgaon office that reviewed the capital’s traffic situation, public transport management, bus terminals, parking facilities and traffic system modernisation. The meeting decided to develop an app to support the ETC system and complete the work within four months, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. The Prime Minister also asked Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) to review its earlier report on congestion around the Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover and submit recommendations within 15 days. The initiative will be implemented in coordination with the city corporations and traffic police. Fulbaria terminal to be shifted to Keraniganj The meeting decided to relocate the Fulbaria Bus Terminal to Keraniganj to reduce pressure from buses and inter-district vehicles in central Dhaka. The Local Government Ministry will acquire the required land for the permanent terminal. As construction of a permanent terminal will take time, the meeting decided to build a temporary bus terminal on 15 acres of land under the Jhilmil project within four months. The authorities were also instructed to expand the rear section of Gabtoli Bus Terminal to increase its capacity and improve vehicle management. Karwan Bazar kitchen market to move to Gabtoli The meeting also decided to relocate the kitchen market at Karwan Bazar to Gabtoli as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion in the capital. Relevant authorities were instructed to take necessary steps to implement the decision. The meeting also discussed improving parking facilities around the Secretariat. It decided to examine the feasibility of arranging parking at Osmani Memorial Auditorium and identify alternative parking spaces if necessary. Separate policy for auto-rickshaws The meeting decided to formulate a separate policy to regulate the movement of auto-rickshaws in Dhaka. The Prime Minister also ordered action against unauthorised double-decker sleeper buses operating on the roads. He stressed stronger coordination among the relevant agencies and urged officials to complete the assigned tasks within the stipulated deadlines. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday pledged that his government would make its utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives or suffered injuries in the struggles for independence, democracy and people’s rights. “Despite various practical realities, we will make our utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives in 1971, those who were killed or suffered in different movements to establish democracy since independence, and those who were killed or injured in the July uprising,” he said. The Prime Minister was speaking at a programme held at the Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon to hand over job appointment letters to members of families affected by enforced disappearances and killings and the July uprising. He said the government would not retreat from its commitment despite the difficulties involved in implementing all expectations within the desired timeframe. “But we will not retreat from this path, InshaAllah,” Tarique said. He said some might view the government’s support for the affected families as an act of assistance, but he saw it differently. “It is because we have the support and cooperation of these people and their families that the government is working with full commitment, enthusiasm and determination to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives,” the Prime Minister said. “You are our source of inspiration, encouragement and strength,” he told the families. The Prime Minister said the government would continue to seek their support and fulfil their hopes and expectations as long as the people entrusted it with the responsibility of running the country. ‘We were, are and will remain with you’ Tarique said the government would try to stand beside individuals and families, irrespective of their political affiliation or background, who had contributed to the restoration of democracy. “Whatever limitations we may have, we will continue trying to stand beside these people and their families,” he said. Recognising that the losses suffered by the families could never be fully compensated, the Prime Minister said, “We were with you, we are with you and, InshaAllah, we will remain with you.” He urged the families to support and encourage the government so that it could work to fulfil the aspirations of the martyrs and all those who fought for democracy. ‘20 crore people freed from fascist rule’ Recalling the July uprising, Tarique said the programme was an emotional one as it brought together families of people who should have been present but were no longer among them. “The 20 crore people of Bangladesh have been freed from a fascist situation through the circumstances that led to their absence,” he said. Tarique prayed for those who remain missing, saying only Allah knows where they are and in what condition. The Prime Minister also became emotional while addressing the family members of the victims. “Naturally, seeing you before me today makes me emotional,” he said. Tarique said the sacrifices made by the families and their loved ones were for the country and its people, and the government would make its utmost efforts to realise the goals for which they had made those sacrifices. 74 receive appointment letters A total of 74 people received appointment letters at the programme. They included family members of victims of enforced disappearance and killing, injured fighters and family members of those killed during the July uprising. The Prime Minister handed over appointment letters to 10 of them and spoke with them individually, enquiring about their well-being. Among those receiving the letters were Ishfaq Ahmed, brother of enforced disappearance victim Iftekhar Ahmed Dinar; Shammi Sultana, wife of Khaled Hossain Sohel; visually impaired July uprising fighter Alal Ahmed; Momtaz Hossain, father of martyred Anvir; Jartaj Parvin, mother of martyred Ahnaf; and July fighter Kazi Saimum Siraj. The recipients expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and demanded justice for those involved in enforced disappearances and killings. The programme was conducted by Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Deputy Press Secretaries Zahidul Islam Rony, Hasan Shiplu, Suzauddaula, Shahadat Shadhin, Assistant Press Secretaries AKM Nazmul Haque, Shahriar Pamir and Moksedul Momin Mithun of Amra BNP Poribar, among others, were present.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday handed over appointment letters to 74 people from families of victims of enforced disappearances, murders and the July mass uprising. At a ceremony held at the Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, the Prime Minister personally handed appointment letters to 10 of the recipients. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the 74 recipients included  family members of victims of enforced disappearance and killing, as well as injured fighters and family members of those killed during the July mass uprising. Among those receiving appointment letters from the Prime Minister were Ishfaq Ahmed, brother of Iftekhar Ahmed Dinar; Moniruzzaman Hira, brother of Nuruzzaman Jony; Anan Hossain Noor, brother of Anwar Hossain Mahbub; Hasnain Reza, brother of Selim Reza Pintu; and Shammi Sultana, wife of Khaled Hossain Sohel. Recipients from the July uprising included visually impaired injured fighter Alal Ahmed, Md Abul Hossain, father of martyr Alvi; Zartaj Parvin, mother of martyr Ahnaf; injured fighter Kazi Saimum Siraj; and Mahbub Alam, brother of Israfil Islam. The recipients expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the appointments and demanded justice for those responsible for enforced disappearances and killings. The programme was conducted by Atikur Rahman Rumon, also the convener of Amra BNP Poribar. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Deputy Press Secretaries Zahidul Islam Rony, Hasan Shiplu, Suzauddaula, Shahadat Shadhin, Assistant Press Secretaries AKM Nazmul Haque, Shahriar Pamir and Moksedul Momin Mithun of Amra BNP Poribar, among others, were present.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday directed the authorities concerned to examine the feasibility of reintroducing universal stipends for girls from Class VI to the degree level, aiming to encourage them to continue their education and help prevent child marriage. He gave the directive at a meeting on the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. The meeting was informed in detail about the trust’s ongoing activities, its goals and role in preventing students from dropping out by providing financial assistance during their education, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. The impact and achievements of the universal stipend programme for girls, introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, were also discussed. The programme was credited with helping increase girls’ school attendance, encouraging them to continue their studies and discouraging child marriage. Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister asked the authorities to assess the possibility of reviving universal stipends for girls from Class VI to the graduation level. He stressed the need for preparing a clear proposal after analysing the possible cost, number of beneficiaries, implementation process and expected social and educational impact of the programme. The meeting also discussed providing stipends to boys on the basis of merit and eligibility to encourage them to pursue education. Besides financial support, the meeting put equal emphasis on students’ nutrition and health as important factors for improving the quality of education. Various aspects of the school-level mid-day meal programme, including its management, nutritional value and ways to ensure safe preparation and supply of food for children, were discussed. The Prime Minister stressed that food provided to students must be nutritious, safe and of good quality, and said there should be no compromise over food standards. The meeting also discussed two alternative approaches to implementing the mid-day meal programme, taking into account cost, management efficiency, local participation and quality control. Tarique Rahman directed the authorities to launch pilot projects in two separate districts, with each district testing one of the proposed approaches, to assess their effectiveness, feasibility and potential outcomes. Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Prime Minister’s Education Affairs Adviser Mahdi Amin, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque, PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed members of the Navy and Air Force Selection Boards to ensure that officers are considered for promotion based on professional competence and merit, keeping political ideology and personal likes or dislikes aside. He said professional skills, leadership qualities, discipline, integrity, loyalty and overall suitability for appointment should be given priority in evaluating officers for promotion. The Prime Minister gave the directive while inaugurating the Navy and Air Force Selection Boards-2026 at the Bangladesh Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. Eligible officers of the Bangladesh Navy, including Captains, Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders, and Bangladesh Air Force officers holding the ranks of Group Captain, Wing Commander and Squadron Leader, will be considered for promotion by the boards, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities to launch a pilot project in several districts as part of the government’s plan to introduce a National e-Health Platform to bring the country’s healthcare system under an integrated digital framework. The directive came at a meeting on integrated information technology systems in the health sector at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, chaired by the Prime Minister. The meeting discussed the proposed structure, management system and potential applications of the National e-Health Platform in healthcare, Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said. Initially, the platform will be tested in several districts to assess its effectiveness, potential challenges, costs and feasibility. The government plans to expand the platform gradually after reviewing the experience and results of the pilot project. The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to ensure effective use of information technology in healthcare so that ordinary people can easily benefit from the system and access medical services more conveniently. He stressed ensuring secure storage of patients’ health information and making necessary data readily accessible to relevant doctors and healthcare institutions when required. Tarique Rahman also emphasised data security and privacy, while directing that the platform be user-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable in the long term. He instructed the authorities to properly evaluate the pilot project’s results before taking further steps. Engineer Zakaria Swapan made a presentation on different aspects of the proposed National e-Health Platform at the meeting. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr MA Muhit, Prime Minister’s Special Assistants Dr SM Ziauddin Hyder and Dr Shakirul Islam Khan, Health Services Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, ICT Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday decided to build a highway along the Hijla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route to connect the island district of Bhola with the country’s main road network. The decision was taken at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. The meeting discussed three proposals for establishing direct road connectivity between Bhola and Dhaka and Barishal. Of them, the Roads and Highways Department’s proposed Barishal-Rahmatpur-Hijla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route was selected. The proposed highway will involve widening existing roads, constructing new road sections and building three small bridges, according to officials concerned. The Prime Minister stressed the need for an integrated road network to overcome geographical barriers and ensure uninterrupted connectivity, while also expanding opportunities for trade and commerce. He directed the authorities concerned to move forward quickly with the initiative to connect Bhola to the country’s main road network. Officials said the project’s feasibility and viability would be assessed at the earliest. Once implemented, the project is expected to establish direct road connectivity between Bhola, Barishal, Dhaka and other parts of the country, reducing both travel time and transportation costs. Surrounded by rivers, Bhola has long depended heavily on waterways for communication. The new road link is expected to reduce that dependence. Officials at the meeting said the Hijla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route could offer a shorter, faster and more cost-effective alternative, particularly for travel between Bhola, Barishal and Dhaka. Road Transport and Bridges and Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Division Rajib Ahsan, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rauf and Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Md Moniruzzaman, among others, attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first visit to India should be a bilateral visit rather than a meeting on the sidelines of multilateral platforms such as BRICS or the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), PM’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said on Thursday. “The first visit should be bilateral. We should invite each other to our homes, understand?” he said, describing Bangladesh and India as two important countries. Talking to private TV channels at his office, Adviser Kobir said any visit should have a clear outcome, with mutual respect and engagement in place. “There are issues related to the interests of the two countries and these are not something to rush into,” he said. “When we see that the timing is right, we are willing to visit.” He said groundwork needs to be done on several issues before the two sides can reach a consensus. The Adviser said that in recent days, Bangladesh has seen a fairly positive conversation from India, along with a strong realisation on the Indian side that the events of August 5 have deeply affected the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. “If India truly means resetting relations, then it must realise today’s Bangladesh,” Kobir said, noting that “in today’s Bangladesh, a terrorist like Sheikh Hasina or her party does not exist.” “So, by recognising this reality, we have to take the relationship forward,” the Adviser said. India’s promise to give the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman an “honourable welcome” during his visit makes New Delhi’s intent unmistakably clear, Indian media The Print reports, noting that the ball is now in Dhaka’s court. Acknowledging that there are issues between the two neighbours, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Tuesday night called on Bangladesh and India to move beyond their differences and work together to build a relationship based on “mutual and unconditional trust,” saying such differences can be resolved through engagement and dialogue. “I can tell you I fully understand there are issues, but these issues can definitely be sorted out once the Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Tarique Rahman) and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet,” he said. The Indian envoy also conveyed what he described as an assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding a future visit by the Bangladesh Prime Minister to India. “After meeting the Prime Minister here, I went straight to Delhi and had a great meeting with our Prime Minister. He (PM Modi) just mentioned one thing: we need to meet,” he said. “You can tell them on my behalf that you have the Prime Minister of India’s assurance that when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh visits India, he will have such an honourable reception as he deserves,” he added, quoting the Indian Prime Minister. The visit, Trivedi said, would be “a memorable visit” whose benefits would ultimately reach people and businesses on both sides. On August 16, Bangladesh urged India to act expeditiously on its request and help create a “propitious environment” for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to make a bilateral visit to India. "We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit," said A.K.M. Shahidul Karim, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials of Bangladesh and India have been in touch with each other for several weeks on the possibility of a bilateral visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India. However, spokesperson Karim said, this process was “vitiated” by the open press interaction in New Delhi on 5th August by Sheikh Hasina who has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity. "We have made our position clear on this matter," he said while reading out a written statement. The spokesperson, however, did not take any question.  To this end, Bangladesh requested the Indian authorities to expeditiously act on its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals, and to hand over to Bangladesh the accused killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi in compliance with their bilateral extradition treaty. "We are awaiting their response," said the spokesperson. Bangladesh reiterated that they will continue to pursue their "Bangladesh First" policy to promote friendly bilateral relations with other countries, including their neighbours, on the basis of sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and mutual benefit. On Hasina’s extradition request, the Indian government has recently said that the matter is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi on Friday evening that they have extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit. “We've also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a visit to India for the outreach session of the BRICS Summit. So, these invitations have been extended, and I shall keep you updated if there is any progress in this regard,” he added.