United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee member and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Mirza Abbas underwent brain surgery at Evercare Hospital Dhaka on Friday. A team of specialist neurosurgeons carried out the surgery, said BNP Health Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam. “The brain operation has been completed. After nearly three hours and 45 minutes of surgery, he was shifted to the Neuro ICU around 7pm,” he said. Rafiqul said Abbas will now remain under close observation by doctors. He said the senior BNP leader was taken to the operating theatre at about 3:10pm following a decision by the medical board. Rafiqul said Abbas’s family has sought prayers from the people of the country for his recovery. Abbas fell ill and lost consciousness during iftar on Wednesday and was admitted to the hospital in the capital’s Bashundhara area. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Abbas at the hospital on Friday afternoon. Earlier on Thursday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman and some other political leaders also visited the hospital to inquire about Abbas’ condition.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday sought support and cooperation from people and Members of Parliament (MPs)  including those from the opposition to transform Bangladesh into a self-reliant, prosperous, safe and democratic country. “Our political goal is to make every family self-reliant. Through making every family self-reliant, BNP wants to establish a self-reliant, prosperous, secure and democratic Bangladesh,” he said while delivering his welcome speech at the outset of the maiden session of the 13th Parliament. The Prime Minister said to achieve the goal he seeks the support and cooperation of democracy-loving people of the country. “In this great National Parliament, I also expect the support and cooperation of every elected Member of Parliament from all parties,” he added. Tarique Rahman said he believes that political parties, opinions and programmes may differ.“But there can be no disagreement among us when it comes to establishing an independent, sovereign, secure and self-reliant Bangladesh free from subservience and fascism. There is no conflict on that.” Instead of making the National Parliament the centre of national activities, he alleged that the ousted fascist Awami League government had rendered the parliament ineffective. “We want to transform this great National Parliament into the central forum for reasoned discussion, debate and the resolution of national problems,” the Prime Minister added. Tarique said he was elected for the first time as a Member of Parliament from the BNP and was also elected Leader of the House. “Although I represent my party in the National Parliament, as Prime Minister I represent the country in this Parliament. Regardless of party, opinion, religion or ethnicity, I represent the people of the country. My politics is the politics of protecting the interests of the country and its people,” he added.  The Prime Minister said the politics of the BNP is focused on improving people’s living standards and building a self-reliant Bangladesh. Addressing fellow Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister recalled the sacrifices of countless people who suffered under fascism and those who gave their lives for the country’s freedom and democracy. He also paid tribute to mothers who lost their children, families bereaved of loved ones, and those who endured torture, harassment, or false charges, recognising their contributions to Bangladesh’s struggle for democracy. The Prime Minister honoured the country’s brave citizens—from students, farmers, workers, teachers, poets, writers, journalists, doctors, engineers, and lawyers to rickshaw pullers, businesspeople, public and private employees, and homemakers—whose courage and determination could not be broken by violence, harassment, or oppression. He congratulated these democracy-loving heroes for helping restore democracy as the 13th National Parliament begins its journey. “After years of struggle—from the 1971 Liberation War to the 2024 fight to protect the country and its people—we are starting a new journey today. I thank Allah for enabling us to take this path towards a just, democratic, and humane Bangladesh,” Tarique said. The Prime Minister also paid heartfelt tribute to the late Prime Minister and his mother, Khaleda Zia, who founded and institutionalised parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh. Despite years of oppression and attempts to undermine democratic institutions, he said, she fought tirelessly to restore the people’s rights and uphold justice. “She never compromised with dictatorship or fascists in her life. From today, the journey of long-awaited parliamentary democracy begins again. Alhamdulillah. Khaleda Zia could not witness this moment of success for the country and its people. Today, standing in this National Parliament, we pay deep respect to the late Khaleda Zia, a remarkable, admirable, and exemplary leader, in the interest of the country and its people,” Tarique said. He reminded MPs of a statement by BNP founder Ziaur Rahman that the people’s interest must come before the interests of any individual or political party. “This is the essence of BNP’s politics.” Rahman also referred to the absence of the previous Speaker and Deputy Speaker at the inaugural session, highlighting the long-term impact of authoritarian rule.   In this context, he proposed veteran politician and five-time MP Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain to preside over the House in line with constitutional and parliamentary rules. He concluded by warmly welcoming and greeting all Members of Parliament in the maiden session of the 13th Parliament. Earlier, the 13th Parliament began its five-year journey with its first session, just a month after the February 12 general election, raising public expectations for a vibrant and effective legislature with the presence of a genuine opposition in the House after 12 years. The maiden session of the newly formed parliament began at 11:05am with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome speech from the Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In his welcome speech, the Prime Minister nominated veteran parliamentarian Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain to temporarily preside over the House for the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker by Members of Parliament.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday said the ruling party wants the 13th parliament to be effective and vibrant where problems will be resolved through discussion and debate. “Our goal is to run an effective, vibrant and responsible parliament. We want an environment of constructive discussion, rational argument and healthy debate on national issues in parliament,” he said. The Chief Whip made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting of BNP’s parliamentary party in the ruling party’s parliamentary party room on the ninth floor of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman in the chair. He said the beauty of democracy lies in resolving national problems through discussion despite differences of opinion. “With that goal, we are determined to turn parliament into an effective and meaningful institution.” Moni said the treasury bench also expects constructive cooperation from the opposition. He said the parliament will be run in line with its Rules of Procedure and Code of Conduct, and important laws and policy matters aimed at improving people’s living standards will be placed before the House. “The parliament session beginning tomorrow will be the people’s parliament — the highest democratic institution representing the rights, hopes and aspirations of the people of the country,” the Chief Whip added. At the beginning of the sitting on Thursday, he said a member nominated by the Prime Minister will preside temporarily. After completing the initial formalities, the Speaker will be elected and sworn in, Moni said. The Chief Whip also said the Deputy Speaker will be elected after the Speaker, though the opposition has not yet proposed any candidate.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday assured that his government will gradually implement all its election pledges ‘at any cost’ to change people’s fortunes and promote the development of the country. “We will fulfil the promises we have made to the people one by one. These are the commitments that will change the fate of people and transform the destiny of the country. We will try to implement them at any cost,” he said while addressing the formal launch of the Family Card Pilot Programme at T&T Playground in Banani in his constituency. The Prime Minister described the day of launching the Family Card as an emotional one, as it allowed him to fulfil a promise he had made to the people before the election. Tarique Rahman said his government understands that the people of the country have many expectations from the elected administration. At the same time, he said, taking into account the realities and the current global situation--including circumstances in the Middle East--it might take longer in some cases to implement certain pledges. The Prime Minister urged the people of the country to face the evolving situation following the Middle East crisis with patience and to build the country in a positive and constructive way. “We will not move away in the slightest from the promises we have made. It may take a little more time in some cases to implement the pledges due to the current global situation,” he said. Tarique Rahman expressed his firm belief that his government will gradually be able to deliver the Family Card to women heads of all four crore families in Bangladesh within the next five years. He highlighted the importance of empowering women, saying, “Women make up half of Bangladesh’s population. We firmly believe that if we leave this half behind and fail to empower them—socially, educationally, and economically—the country cannot move forward.” Recalling the efforts of previous BNP governments, Tarique said when former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was in office, she ensured free education for women from school up to intermediate level across Bangladesh. “We want now to economically empower this educated female population and build their financial stability. With this goal in mind, even before forming the government, we planned how to empower women and improve their economic wellbeing. As part of that plan, we have started the phased introduction of the Family Card across Bangladesh,” he said. Tarique, also the Chairman of BNP, said his government wants to play a play responsible role. “We want to play the role of a responsible government— an administration that works for the people and for the country. We want to remain accountable to our people.” He said his party BNP made a promise to the people of Bangladesh before the elections that if elected, they would launch the Family Card programme. “By Allah’s grace, with the support of the people, we began fulfilling this promise within less than a month of forming the government.” Farmers’ Card to be distributed next month  In addition to the Family Card, the Prime Minister said his party made several other promises, including one priority commitment--the Farmers’ Card. “Just as we were able to provide Family Cards to 37,000 women at today’s event, Inshallah, we will distribute Farmers’ Cards to our farmers next month,” he said. Tarique reminded the audience that his party also promised the country’s farmers that, if elected, they would waive agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000, including interest. “By Allah’s grace, loans of up to Tk10,000 were waived with interest last week. These are the promises we made to people — promises that will change their lives and the country’s future,” he said. Earlier, he formally launched the government’s Family Card programme for women-led households, fulfilling his election pledge to support women’s empowerment, economic inclusion and social justice. Just three weeks after the formation of government following a massive election victory, the Prime Minister launched the Family Card at T&T playground in Banani (adjacent to Korail slum) in his constituency. Tarique Rahman first handed over a family card to Pervin Begum at around 11:19am. Later, 16 other women also received the cards from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister formally launched the Family Card programme by pressing a button on a laptop at 11:30am, after which the selected recipients automatically received the money in their accounts. The programme began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and readings from other religious scriptures at around 10:44am. BNP’s theme song, “Prothom Bangladesh Amar, Shesh Bangladesh” (“My First Bangladesh, My Last Bangladesh”), was also played. State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Farzana Sharmin, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Milton, and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yousuf spoke at the programme, with Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain in the chair. Cabinet members, members of parliament, diplomats, senior civil and military officials, and other dignitaries were present at the function. The Prime Minister, along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, arrived at the venue earlier at 10:32am and spoke with several women who had come to receive family cards. The program reflects the government’s pledge to advance national progress and fairness in society by strengthening women’s roles and formally acknowledging them as primary family representatives within social welfare initiatives. In its pilot stage, the programme is being rolled out in 15 wards across 13 city corporations and unions spanning 13 districts across the country, according to the Social Welfare Ministry. Under the pilot programme, each selected household will receive a monthly allowance of Tk 2,500 through the Government-to-Person (G2P) digital payment system directly to the women’s mobile wallets or bank accounts.

A parliamentary party meeting of the ruling party in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad will be held on Wednesday at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 11am on March 11 at the government party’s meeting room inside the parliament building with the Leader of the House in the chair. Chief Whip Nurul Islam has requested all BNP Members of Parliament to attend the meeting. BNP begins two-day workshop for MPs ahead of 13th parliament session BNP secured a sweeping victory in the 13th national parliamentary election, as voters exercised their long-denied franchise in a festive and peaceful atmosphere on February 12.

The second day of a training workshop organised by BNP for its Members of Parliament (MPs) began on Saturday with the participation of lawmakers from three divisions, including Dhaka. BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inaugurated the morning session of the final day of the workshop, which started at 10:00am at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office. MPs from Dhaka district, Mymensingh, Faridpur and the Dhaka division have taken part in the morning session. In the afternoon closing session, MPs from Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram are scheduled to join the workshop. BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, BNP Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan and senior leader Osman Faruk, among others, were present. Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman inaugurated the two-day training workshop on Friday. On the first day, ministers, state ministers and advisers of the government attended the morning session, while some MPs from Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka and Faridpur divisions joined the afternoon session. BNP organised the workshop to prepare its MPs for the upcoming parliamentary session. Parliamentary experts, academics and senior lawmakers are discussing the responsibilities and roles of MPs and cabinet members to ensure the effective functioning of parliament. A senior BNP leader said the workshop will guide MPs on how to raise points of order, take part in debates on bills, present problems from their constituencies in parliament, discuss the President’s speech and ensure regular attendance during parliamentary sessions. The first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad is scheduled to begin at 11:00am on March 12. President Mohammad Shahabuddin convened the session on February 23. Of the 209 BNP MPs elected in the 13th parliamentary election, 146 are first-time lawmakers.  

A two-day training workshop organised by the BNP for its Members of Parliament (MPs) ahead of the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad began on Friday. BNP Chairman, Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the workshop at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan at around 10:30am. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman joined the training workshop with BNP lawmakers. The opening session was attended by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and AZM Zahid Hossain, among other senior leaders. Tarique Rahman delivered the welcome speech at the programme. His daughter Zaima Rahman was also present at the workshop. BNP leaders said the workshop will brief newly elected MPs on parliamentary procedures, rules of conduct, bill drafting and review, analysis of budget documents and the functioning of parliamentary committees. Experienced lawmakers will share their experiences with the new MPs to help them carry out their duties effectively in parliament, they said, adding that the main aim of the workshop is to strengthen the efficiency of the government and the ruling party in parliamentary activities. The first session of the 13th parliament will begin at 11am on March 12 after President Mohammed Shahabuddin convened the session on February 23. BNP organised the workshop to prepare its MPs for the upcoming parliamentary session. Parliamentary experts, academics and senior lawmakers will discuss the responsibilities and roles of MPs and cabinet members to ensure the effective functioning of parliament. The two-day workshop has been arranged in several sessions. On the first day, ministers, state ministers and advisers joined the morning session, while MPs from parts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka and Faridpur divisions attended the afternoon session. On the second day, MPs from Dhaka district, Mymensingh, Faridpur and the remaining areas of Dhaka division will attend the morning session, while MPs from Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram divisions will take part in the afternoon session. A total of 209 BNP lawmakers were elected in the 13th parliamentary election, including 146 who are serving as MPs for the first time. A senior BNP leader said the workshop will also guide MPs on how to raise points of order, take part in debates on bills, present problems from their constituencies in parliament, discuss the President’s speech and ensure regular attendance during parliamentary sessions.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Sunday said the current government will move the country forward in a united manner under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. “BNP has repeatedly been elected by people’s votes because it is a people-based political party. Under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, we will take the country much further ahead in a united way,” he said. Speaking at an iftar mahfil organised by Palash upazila BNP in Narsingdi, he also said unity among party leaders and activists, along with public support, is the main strength of BNP. Moyeen Khan said that in 1991, under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, BNP won all five seats in Narsingdi. “It was a historic chapter in restoring democracy. Likewise, under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, BNP again won all five seats here in the February 12 election,” he said. Dr Zubaida calls for women’s empowerment for self-reliance The BNP leader also said party leaders and activists must work together to restore Narsingdi’s past tradition and glory. Moyeen Khan mentioned that during the time of Ziaur Rahman, Abdul Momen Khan served as a minister and was elected with the highest number of votes. “He is our pride.” He said Narsingdi once played a leading role in political leadership and development, and everyone must work together to regain that position. Before the iftar, a munajat was offered seeking peace and prosperity for the country and the welfare of the Muslim Ummah. BNP district unit President Khairul Kabir Khokon, Narsingdi-4, MP and Health Minister Sardar MD Sakhawat Husain, Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bakul, MP and Manjur Elahi, MP, among others, addressed the programme.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday urged authorities to ensure health services for public even if it requires working with limited resources. He made the remarks in the morning while talking to reporters after inspecting the 250-bed General Hospital in Thakurgaon. Fakhrul, also BNP secretary general,  said the establishment of a medical college in Thakurgaon has been confirmed. He said the hospital’s supervisor would be provided with the necessary resources to maintain cleanliness and deliver proper health services. A lift will also be arranged by the district administration to facilitate the movement of patients and their relatives. Speaking on the overall health services in Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital and the district, he said the 250-bed general hospital will be expanded to 500 beds to better serve the local population. Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana, Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain and  health officials were present.

BNP has nominated Rezaul Karim Badsha as its candidate for the by-election to the Bogura-6 constituency, which fell vacant after party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman quit the seat. BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said on Thursday that the party picked Rezaul Karim Badsha, currently serving as the President of its Bogura District unit, to contest the by-election scheduled for April 9. BNP MP from Bogura-4 constituency Md Mosharraf Hossain also confirmed it in a Facebook post. “Alhamdulillah, the final nomination has been given to our respected Bogura District BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha Bhai as the BNP candidate for the Bogura (Sadar)-6 constituency from the party Chairperson’s Gulshan office,” Mosharraf writes. Tarique Rahman contested the February-12 general election from two constituencies — Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 — and was elected from both. He later vacated the Bogura-6 seat and took oath as a Member of Parliament from Dhaka-17. In the election, BNP secured 209 parliamentary seats and formed the government on February 17. Earlier on Tuesday, the Election Commission announced that the by-election in Bogura-6 and the rescheduled election in Sherpur-3 will be held simultaneously on April 9.