United News of Bangladesh

The government is developing a new economic model to navigate the current financial crisis, with a target of elevating Bangladesh to a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034, focusing on investment growth, administrative reform, industrial revival and long-term agricultural transformation. “Our philosophy is 'Bangladesh for All', the new economic framework is being built to ensure the benefits of growth reach every segment of society," said Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, adviser to the Prime Minister on finance and planning, while addressing a roundtable titled ‘Budget 2026-27 in a Moment of Crisis’ at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre in the city on Saturday. Govt sets 5  energy security milestones to break import dependence: Titumir Titumir stressed that ensuring an investment-friendly environment was crucial to placing the economy on a sustainable footing, calling for reduced bureaucratic complexity, equal opportunities for domestic and export-oriented industries, business-friendly policies and administrative reforms. He added that the government was working on a restructuring package worth around Tk 60,000 crore to revive long-dormant industrial units, while simultaneously prioritising job creation and expansion of the productive sector. On agriculture, the adviser said the sector must be steered toward long-term development rather than relying solely on subsidies, emphasising the need to improve water resource management, modernise farming systems and strengthen the rural economy. He also underscored the need to improve the effectiveness of spending in health and education, saying service quality, accessibility and grassroots-level delivery of public services must be ensured alongside increased allocations. Apex Footwear Managing Director Nasim Manzur called for tax structure reforms to attract fresh investment and boost private sector growth, proposing a reduction of the corporate tax rate from 27.5 percent to 20 percent. He also urged policy stability, modernisation of tax administration and improvement of airport warehousing facilities. Researcher and rights activist Maha Mirza demanded higher budgetary allocation for agriculture, arguing that greater investment is needed to strengthen food security and the rural economy. She stressed agricultural mechanisation, storage infrastructure and union-level agri-facility development. Speakers at the roundtable said the upcoming budget must be pragmatic and reform-oriented amid high inflation, investment stagnation, employment pressure and global economic uncertainty. They emphasised modernising tax administration, boosting productive investment, ensuring financial sector good governance and maintaining long-term policy stability. Among others, the discussion featured Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman M Masrur Reaz, former Finance Secretary Muslim Chowdhury, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, ICMAB President Kausar Alam and North South University School of Business and Economics Dean Dr AKM Wareseul Karim.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said Dhaka no longer feels like a livable city, warning that worsening pollution, deteriorating public services, declining institutions and unplanned urbanisation are making life increasingly difficult for residents. Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the “Dokkhiner Janala” initiative and a seminar titled “Citizen Thoughts and Necessary Actions” organised by Dhaka South City Corporation at a restaurant in the capital’s Paltan area, Fakhrul said the city is facing a multifaceted crisis that requires urgent structural reforms and long-term planning. Fakhrul says 'democracy under threat,' flags planned digital campaign against government “Dhaka no longer feels livable. There is hardly an environment where people can breathe freely. Various institutions are approaching destruction. If we fail to come out of this situation, living in the city will become even more difficult for residents,” he said. Referring to the presence of the Managing Director of Dhaka WASA at the event, Fakhrul expressed deep concern over the capital’s water quality and the deteriorating condition of surrounding rivers. He questioned why, despite numerous development projects involving thousands of crores of taka, there has been no effective initiative to free the Buriganga River from pollution. “Will merely raising awareness among citizens solve the problem? Those who formulate policies, govern Dhaka and design development plans must evaluate how much ordinary citizens are actually benefiting from these projects,” he said. The minister stressed that city governance requires stronger commitment, improved planning and greater accountability from elected representatives and urban authorities. “Dhaka is our home. But nowadays I sometimes feel I would rather return to my hometown than continue living in this city,” he said. He cited air pollution, overcrowded public hospitals and the deteriorating condition of public institutions as major concerns affecting the quality of life in the capital. “Step outside and the air you breathe is polluted. Visit a public hospital and you can hardly enter because of the conditions there. Every institution seems to be moving towards decline,” he said. Recalling his student days, Fakhrul said he used to enjoy boat rides on the Buriganga after arriving in Dhaka as a college student in 1963. “At that time, we would often travel on the Buriganga by boat. Today it is almost impossible to go near the river because of the pollution and foul smell,” he said. He added that the condition of the Buriganga has become so severe that it may now be contributing to many of Dhaka’s environmental and public health problems. The minister also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the Shitalakkhya River, saying city residents would have nowhere to turn if the rivers surrounding Dhaka continue to degrade. He stressed the need for structural reforms and proper urban planning rather than project-based approaches that end once construction is completed. “Projects should not end once construction is completed. Their long-term impact and sustainability must be ensured,” he said. Referring to recent cabinet discussions on Dhaka’s water situation, Fakhrul said a significant portion of the city’s water remains unsuitable for consumption. He also warned about the rapid depletion of groundwater levels, saying the situation could create serious risks in the event of a major natural disaster such as an earthquake. “The groundwater level has dropped alarmingly. This poses a serious threat to Dhaka in the future,” he said. Fakhrul said restoring the rivers surrounding Dhaka must become a national priority. “So many projects are undertaken, but there is no dedicated project to make the Buriganga pollution-free. I am repeating this because I believe we must seriously discuss what can be done to restore the Buriganga, the Turag and our other rivers,” he said. He lamented the lack of planned urbanisation despite the city’s rapid population growth over the decades. “Population growth and urbanisation are natural, but development has not been properly planned. Drainage systems are either inadequate or ineffective. Thousands of crores of taka are spent on drainage projects, yet water often fails to drain properly,” he said. The minister expressed hope that future city corporation leaders elected through upcoming local government elections would address these challenges with greater seriousness. He said the Local Government Ministry would treat the matter as a priority and welcome expert recommendations on improving Dhaka’s livability. “We want to know what measures the government can take so that citizens of Dhaka can once again breathe freely and enjoy a better quality of life,” he said. Referring to the “Dokkhiner Janala” initiative, Fakhrul said the city must be transformed into a place where residents can genuinely enjoy a healthy, clean and open environment. “We must create a Dhaka where people can truly open their windows and breathe freely,” he added.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that a section of people are engaged in various conspiracies aimed at preventing democracy from taking root in Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club in memory of late politicians Mahbubul Haque and Mahbubul Alam Tara, Fakhrul said efforts are underway to undermine politics and democratic institutions. Zia gave Bangladeshis a distinct national identity: Fakhrul “There is a conspiracy to destroy politics. Such efforts are never a good sign for healthy political practice,” he said. Fakhrul said he was uncertain whether those involved were acting consciously, but many appeared to be pursuing a deliberate agenda. “The language and content they are promoting are sufficient to destroy the normal course of politics,” he said. Referring to the current political environment, he remarked that the late leaders being commemorated were fortunate not to have witnessed what he described as the present culture of political bullying and character assassination. The BNP leader also criticised social media, saying it often misleads people and encourages poor judgment. “I do not use social media and I do not even have an account because I have seen that it can confuse people, take them in the wrong direction and force them into making wrong decisions,” he said. Fakhrul said the country had regained an opportunity to return to a democratic process following a major movement and mass uprising, but alleged that organised efforts were now being made to disrupt that process. “After such a large movement and mass uprising, we had an opportunity to return to a democratic process. But I can see a very deliberate attempt to obstruct that process,” he said. He expressed concern that democracy was facing serious challenges. “Democracy is in danger. There is a conscious and organised effort to break down institutions, make everything meaningless and create chaos,” he said. According to Fakhrul, some quarters had been engaged in conspiracies even before the election and intensified their activities shortly after the events of 2024 with the objective of ensuring that democracy does not survive in the country. He said the government had been formed through a democratic election and therefore had a responsibility to identify such conspiracies quickly and strengthen democratic institutions. “The government's duty now is to identify these conspiracies and reinforce the democratic process,” he said. Paying tribute to the late leaders, Fakhrul said Mahbubul Alam Tara, Mahbubur Rahman and others had made lasting contributions to the nation and society. “They viewed politics as a means of serving the people and strengthening democracy,” he said. Criticising the growing trend of personal attacks in politics, Fakhrul said attempts were being made to discredit political leaders through various forms of content and language. “The tendency to assassinate the character of political leaders has reached an alarming level. This is a warning sign for a healthy political culture,” he said. While acknowledging that political differences are natural, he said personal attacks and propaganda only weaken politics. He also said the misuse of social media was diverting people away from mainstream democratic politics. Highlighting BNP’s political philosophy, Fakhrul said the party is not a revolutionary organisation but a liberal democratic political party committed to protecting people's rights and welfare. “BNP is a fully liberal democratic political party devoted to the rights and welfare of the people,” he said. He warned that forces opposed to democracy and people's rights had emerged in the country and called on citizens to speak out against them. During the programme, Fakhrul also discussed a proposal to name two public establishments after Mahbubul Alam Tara to preserve his memory. He said such decisions would have to be implemented through the relevant local authorities and elected representatives, though BNP would be willing to support the initiative. Fakhrul further stressed the importance of preserving the legacy of distinguished political leaders, suggesting that the Election Commission or other relevant authorities publish biographies and accounts of their contributions for future generations. Speaking at the same programme, BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said the country was facing enemies and multifaceted conspiracies from various directions. “A new addition to these conspiracies is the bot army. But it will not succeed because the people remain with Tarique Rahman,” he said. Dudu said the government must be protected at any cost and warned that the country could face serious difficulties in the future unless people become aware of the ongoing conspiracies.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said former President Ziaur Rahman’s greatest contribution was providing the people of Bangladesh with a distinct national identity through the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism. He said the people of Bangladesh had become fully convinced in 1971 that it was no longer possible to remain part of Pakistan and that they had to wage a war for independence. “And that war was launched by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.” Fakhrul, also local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Ziaur Rahman’s Independent Foreign Policy in the Current Context” and a newspaper exhibition organised at the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) auditorium, marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of the former President. Describing Ziaur Rahman as a courageous patriot who responded to the aspirations of the nation at a critical moment in history, the BNP leader said, “At a time when the entire nation was waiting for a declaration to begin the war, and when such a declaration did not come from the expected leadership, this then little-known major suddenly announced rebellion against Pakistan and declared war from Chattogram.” Calling Ziaur Rahman a unique and inspirational figure, he said the BNP founder’s most significant achievement was giving the people of Bangladesh a distinct sense of identity through Bangladeshi nationalism. “He gave the people of this land a sense of selfhood and identity. He made it clear that we are different and that our existence is unique,” he said. Referring to the 13th parliamentary election, Fakhrul said some intellectuals and sections of the media had predicted that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami would emerge as a major political force. “Many even suggested that I would lose my own election. But people did not make that mistake. They chose BNP because it represents a liberal democratic political tradition,” he said. “BNP is a party of liberal democracy. We believe in liberal democratic values and want to establish them. We do not seek to create divisions in society,” the BNP leader added. He said BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s slogan, “Bangladesh First,” reflects the same spirit and philosophy championed by Ziaur Rahman. Fakhrul said Ziaur Rahman entered politics at a time when Bangladesh was facing economic collapse, institutional breakdown and political divisions. “Rather than creating further divisions, he brought together people of different political views. His main objective was reconciliation and moving the nation forward together,” he said. According to him, one of Ziaur Rahman’s defining political characteristics was his ability to unite people and maintain friendly relations with all countries. Explaining Ziaur Rahman’s enduring popularity, the minister said Bangladeshis have always aspired to build a nation free from external influence and domination. “The people of Bangladesh want to stand on their own feet. They do not want to lean towards any external power. That aspiration was reflected in Ziaur Rahman’s politics,” he said. He said the people of Bangladesh have consistently stood up to protect the country whenever it faced threats, including during the July 2024 movement. “The people once again created an opportunity for Bangladesh to move forward on a new path,” he said. Fakhrul expressed confidence that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will be able to lead the country in line with the ideals and vision of Ziaur Rahman. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon presided over the programme. Economist Dr Mushtaq Khan of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, attended the event as a special guest, while Major General (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), delivered the keynote speech. Among the discussants were Abu Rushd, editor of the Bangladesh Defence Journal, and Dr Shafiqul Rahman, executive director of Brain. PIB Director General Faruk Wasif moderated the programme.

The 151-member fully-fledged central executive committee of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal was announced on Thursday, with Abdul Monayem Munna as president and Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan as general secretary. The information was disclosed in a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Although a partial committee had been announced earlier, the party on Thursday published the full list of the 151-member executive committee. According to the committee, Rezaul Kabir Pol has been made senior vice-president, while Billal Hossain Tarek has been appointed as the No. 1 joint general secretary. Md Kamruzzaman Jewel has been given the responsibility of organising secretary and Al Mehdi Talukder has been appointed publicity secretary. The full committee includes 29 vice-presidents, 28 joint general secretaries and 23 assistant general secretaries. For the central office, Vice-President Nurul Islam Sohel and Joint General Secretary Minhajul Islam Bhuiyan have been assigned office responsibilities. Among other key appointments, Rokonuzzaman Rokon has been made treasurer, Ashraf Jalal Khan Monon literature and publication secretary, Aminur Rahman Amin information and research secretary, and Khairuzzaman Lincoln international affairs secretary with the status of vice-president. In addition, AR Mamun Khan and Mujahidul Islam Murad have been appointed as international affairs secretaries with the status of joint general secretary. The committee also includes five law affairs secretaries and two health affairs secretaries.

Amid growing discussion and speculation surrounding his resignation as Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister, BNP Central Assistant Religious Affairs Secretary and MP from Rangamati-299 Dipen Dewan on Tuesday broke his silence on the issue and reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In a statement posted on his official Facebook profile, addressing the people of the three hill districts, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban, Dewan said he was fully aware of the emotions, concerns and reactions generated among various sections of society following his resignation from the ministerial post. Extending greetings to the people of the region in different languages, he urged all communities in the CHT to remain calm, patient and committed to maintaining law and order as well as communal harmony. “I sincerely call upon all indigenous, Bengali and other communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to remain peaceful, exercise patience and uphold harmony. Please do not be misled by any provocation, confusion or conflict. Let us preserve an atmosphere of mutual respect, compassion and goodwill,” he said. Dewan said the Chittagong Hill Tracts belong to all its inhabitants and that safeguarding the region’s development, stability and peace is a shared responsibility. “I hope that fraternity, harmony and mutual trust among all people, regardless of ethnic identity, will grow stronger,” he added. Recalling his family’s political legacy, Dewan said his father had served as an adviser to former President Ziaur Rahman. “The ideals, patriotism and commitment to public welfare demonstrated by former President Ziaur Rahman have been a source of inspiration in my political life,” he said. Dewan said he joined BNP under the leadership and guidance of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and had remained a dedicated party activist throughout his political career. “I want to state clearly that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is the home of my political ideals. I wish to dedicate the rest of my life to this beloved party, its ideals and the welfare of the people,” he said. “Under any personal or political circumstances, my loyalty and commitment to the party will remain unchanged. I will never leave this party,” he added. Dewan stressed that public welfare should always take precedence over individual interests and again called upon the people of the hill districts to remain united for the sake of peace, harmony and development. “There may be differences of opinion, but there should be no division; there may be competition, but there should be no conflict,” he said. He expressed hope that all communities in the three hill districts would continue to live peacefully, benefit from development and help transform the region into a model of harmony, stability and peace. Concluding his statement, Dewan expressed full confidence in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership and said he wanted to contribute to building a new Bangladesh under his guidance. “I am fully confident in the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and want to move forward under his leadership in building a new Bangladesh,” he said. “I once again declare in a firm voice that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is my final destination.” Dewan submitted his resignation from the post of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister on June 1, citing physical illness as the reason. His resignation has since sparked discussion and speculation in political circles.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday said excessive regulation remains the biggest obstacle to doing business and attracting investment in Bangladesh, stressing that the government is committed to removing unnecessary regulatory complexities. “If there is any major barrier for businesses in Bangladesh, it is that Bangladesh is an overregulated country,” he said while speaking at a programme titled “Pre-Budget Roundtable 2026” organised by Dhaka Forum at a hotel in the capital's Banani area. Budget to address rising poverty, expand economic opportunities: Amir Khosru The minister said the government is fully aware of the need for deregulation and has placed special emphasis on reducing unnecessary regulatory hurdles in the upcoming budget. “We have focused on deregulation in the budget. The current government is business-friendly, and the budget will contain a number of structural directives aimed at removing complexities and excessive controls to create a better business environment,” he said. Emphasising the need to involve every citizen in economic activities, Khosru said the government is committed to ensuring broader economic participation. “Everyone will be part of economic empowerment. We are placing strong emphasis on the full digitalisation of tax collection. We are aware of the various challenges and are working to address them,” he said. The finance minister also said the government plans to simplify licensing and certification procedures to make it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to operate. “We will take centralised decisions to remove complexities related to licences and certifications for businesses and entrepreneurs. We will announce our decisions as quickly as possible.” Referring to public projects undertaken in previous years, he said many unnecessary projects had been approved despite lacking clear justification. “There are projects that were simply not needed. Some of them are already 50 to 60 percent complete. We are evaluating everything,” he said. Khosru said the government will strengthen transparency in project planning in the future, assess the necessity of proposed projects more rigorously, and prioritise approving projects that generate employment opportunities. “We will ensure greater transparency in project formulation and approve projects that contribute to job creation and economic growth,” he added.

Around 1200 leaders and activists of the Awami League joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Gopalganj on Wednesday. The joining ceremony was held at Jangal Bazar area under Nijra Union of Gopalganj Sadar upazila, where the new members formally joined the BNP by presenting flowers to Gopalganj-2 lawmaker Dr KM Babor. MP Babor said around 1,200 Awami League leaders and activists from Gopalganj Sadar upazila joined the party at the event. Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies were present there. Dr Babor said BNP is playing an important role in fulfilling public expectations in the current political reality. He said the party would welcome experienced and popular individuals from other political parties and ensure them due respect within the organisation. The newly joined leaders said they decided to join BNP with the aim of promoting development, establishing democratic values and securing people's rights. They also pledged to work actively to implement the party’s ideals and programmes. The development has generated mixed reactions among different political circles in Gopalganj district.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged people to remain vigilant against any attempts to destabilise the country. “A vested quarter is trying to create unrest at a time when the government has begun implementing its agenda under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. We are moving forward under his leadership. You must remain alert so that we are not misled again while working to rebuild the nation,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a large civic reception organised by residents of the newly formed Ruhia upazila at Ruhia High School ground in Thakurgaon as the chief guest. Expressing concern over growing drug addiction among young people, he called for a social movement against narcotics. “It is painful to see many of our youths becoming addicted to drugs. Drug abuse can destroy a nation. We must free ourselves from this menace. I urge our young people to stay away from drugs and build a social movement against addiction,” he said. “We assumed responsibility amid many difficulties. We are grateful to people for their trust and support. I thank people of all faiths—Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians—whose support has enabled me to serve,” he said. Referring to what he described as a positive development for Bangladesh, Fakhrul said the country has achieved a rare honour under Tarique Rahman’s leadership through its election to a key position at the United Nations General Assembly. He said Bangladesh would continue working to address its challenges though solutions would not come overnight.“You will have to be patient. We are trying to solve all problems step by step,” he said. Highlighting the government's initiatives, Fakhrul said the administration, which has been in office for only three months, has already begun implementing several commitments made by Tarique Rahman. “We have launched the Family Card programme, started work on the Farmer Card initiative and initiated canal excavation projects. We are trying to fulfil every commitment that was made,” he said.

Road Transport, Bridges, Rail and Waterways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Monday said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has always pursued people-oriented politics and never hadto seek apology from the public, unlike some other political parties. “BNP never had to apologise in that way. BNP has always reflected public aspirations and therefore never had to seek forgiveness from the people for its politics or governance. Whenever people got the opportunity to vote, they voted for BNP,” he said. The minister made the remarks at a doa mahfil organised in Kalabagan in the capital in observance of the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Referring to the political history of the country, Sheikh Robiul Alam alleged that the Awami League had established a one-party rule in Bangladesh similar to that of Yahya Khan. “The democratic Bangladesh we see today was shaped through the contributions of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman,” he said. He said Ziaur Rahman had founded the BNP to establish a nationalist political philosophy suitable for the people of the country. “The leader is no longer with us, but his ideals remain, and so do the soldiers of those ideals,” he added. The minister said the country is still facing challenges and warned that forces associated with political misconduct and authoritarianism remained active. “The crisis is not over yet. Political irregularities are still ongoing. Those who once established authoritarian rule and those who may attempt to do so again must be cautious,” he said. He further said that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had begged for votes from the public in 1996, while Jamaat-e-Islami had recently asked voters to forgive its past mistakes and support the party in elections. The minister reiterated that BNP has always reflected public aspirations and therefore never had to seek forgiveness from the people for its politics or governance. He urged party leaders and activists to strengthen public trust, uphold the party’s image and work closely with people to implement the government’s commitments. He also called on BNP activists to serve as a bridge between the government and the public and help realise people’s expectations.