DHAKA: BNP presidential candidate and outgoing Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made an emotional appeal to the party’s lawmakers on Wednesday, urging them to vote for him in Thursday’s presidential election. Fakhrul made the appeal at a meeting of the BNP Parliamentary Party held at the government party meeting room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The meeting began at 2 p.m. and continued for about one and a half hours. According to lawmakers who attended the meeting, Fakhrul became emotional at the beginning of his speech and broke down in tears several times. His emotional remarks created a somber atmosphere in the meeting, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also becoming emotional.

Recalling his long political journey with the BNP, Fakhrul said he had served the party as Senior Joint Secretary General, Acting Secretary General and Secretary General. “If I have made any mistake while carrying out my responsibilities, or if I have unintentionally hurt anyone, I ask for forgiveness,” Fakhrul told his colleagues.

He expressed gratitude to the party for giving him what he described as immense respect and responsibility throughout his political career. He also recalled the contributions of the late BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and the party’s founder, former President Ziaur Rahman. Fakhrul thanked Tarique Rahman for continuing to place his trust in him and assigning him important responsibilities over the years.

He pledged that he would preserve throughout his life the honor and trust that the party had placed in him. He also said he would never compromise on the issues of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.

Referring to the possibility of moving to Bangabhaban if elected president, Fakhrul said he would miss his longtime colleagues and asked them to pray for him. He then directly appealed to the BNP lawmakers to vote for him in Thursday’s presidential election. Earlier, Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam Moni welcomed the participants and briefed the lawmakers about the voting procedure for the presidential election. He also sought their votes for Fakhrul.

Moni informed the meeting that the presidential election would be held on Thursday, August 20, and that Fakhrul himself would also cast his vote. He further explained that if Fakhrul is elected president and assumes office, his parliamentary seat in Thakurgaon-1 would become vacant. After Fakhrul, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed the meeting and also urged BNP lawmakers to vote for Fakhrul in the presidential election.

The meeting was attended by BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Selima Rahman and A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, among others.The pre sidential election is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 20. If elected, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will assume the office of President. As a result, Wednesday’s parliamentary party meeting could be Fakhrul’s final such meeting as a sitting member of parliament, giving the gathering an added emotional significance.

BOGURA CORRESPONDENT: Alamgir Hossain, an executive member of the Helping Hand Foundation and a Bangladeshi expatriate living in the United States, recently visited Bogura to observe the foundation’s humanitarian activities and meet people who have benefited from its various support programs.

Arriving in Bogura from Dhaka, Hossain, accompanied by his family members, toured several of the foundation’s ongoing initiatives and spoke directly with beneficiaries. He also followed up with people who had previously received assistance from the organization, including financial support, sewing machines, and help with house construction.

During the visit, Hossain personally distributed clothing and cash assistance among beneficiaries. He also listened to their experiences and learned about their current living conditions and the impact of the support they had received from the foundation.

Hossain was accompanied by his wife, one son, and two daughters. Together, they visited several of the foundation’s humanitarian initiatives aimed at supporting underprivileged and disadvantaged people in Bogura.

Foundation officials said the Helping Hand Foundation has been carrying out a range of programs not only to provide immediate humanitarian assistance but also to improve the livelihoods and living standards of disadvantaged people.

They described Hossain’s visit and his direct involvement in the assistance programs as a positive and encouraging development, particularly because he continues to remain connected with the foundation’s activities while living abroad.

At the conclusion of the visit, foundation representatives expressed their gratitude to Alamgir Hossain and his family for their support and participation. They said they hope such humanitarian initiatives will continue in the future for the welfare of vulnerable and underprivileged communities.

JHENAIDAH – Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hussain has said that, under the Prime Minister’s directives, all upazila health complexes across the country will be transformed into modern nine-storey health complexes within the next three years.

“A long-term plan has been taken to upgrade all 50-bed upazila health complexes in the country into 151-bed hospitals within the next three years,” he said while responding to queries from reporters after making surprise visits to the Maheshpur and Kotchandpur upazila health complexes in the district today.

He said the country’s healthcare sector had been seriously neglected during the 17-year rule of the “fascist Awami League government”. “Looting took place in all sectors, and extensive looting also occurred in the healthcare sector. There was a lack of accountability, which disrupted health services,” he said.

Corruption had also taken place in the purchase of medicines for hospitals during the fascist government, Sakhawat said, adding the government wants to bring the country’s health sector and medical system under a new discipline.

“We have undertaken long-term plans to address the shortage of doctors and medicines and to make services easier for patients. We will not compromise in implementing the plans to restore public confidence in government healthcare services,” he continued.

He said that after the 151-bed upazila health complexes are launched, the hospitals will have a special 25-bed ward for pregnant women and a separate 20-bed ward for children. “We have also taken plans to introduce services such as kidney dialysis at these hospitals. Once these are implemented, the country’s health sector and the system of medical services will be transformed,” he said.

Earlier in the morning, the Health Minister visited different wards of the Maheshpur and Kotchandpur upazila health complexes. During the visits, he enquired about the overall condition of patients receiving treatment at the hospitals. He also spoke with patients and their attendants about the quality of healthcare services and food at the hospitals. Later, he visited the Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex.

DHAKA- The Election Commission (EC) has declared valid the nomination papers of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the nominee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Dr Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram, candidate from the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, in the presidential polls. At Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital today, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin declared their nomination papers valid after verification.

He informed a BNP delegation, led by its standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, that the nomination papers of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have been accepted as valid. Earlier, the CEC accepted the nomination papers of 11-party alliance Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram as valid. The presidential election will be held on August 20. The scrutiny of nomination papers began at 11:00 am today (Sunday).

The two candidates submitted their nomination papers on the last day of the presidential election on August 13. On Thursday last, BNP submitted the nomination papers of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to the CEC at Nirbachan Bhaban. On the other hand, the 11-party alliance submitted its nomination papers in favour of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed.

EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is 4:00 pm on August 18 (Tuesday). Voting will be held in the session hall of Jatiya Sangsad from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on August 20 (Thursday), he said.

KISHOREGANJ (Pakundia) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government wants to build Bangladesh as a welfare state through people-oriented initiatives to improve people’s living standards. In this connection, he urged all to remain patient and vigilant against attempts to create disorder and impede the country’s development.

“Our goal is to build a welfare state. That is why we are taking various measures for the welfare of the people. We have already started implementing different programmes, including the Family Card,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a public gathering after releasing fish fry into the Brahmaputra River at Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat in Pakundia this afternoon. Referring to the support extended by thousands of people to his government’s development plans, he said the people would benefit if the plans are implemented properly.

“So, I want to tell you to maintain the trust you placed in the party in the February 12 election,” he said. The Prime Minister urged the people to keep their trust in the BNP and assured them that the party would remain committed to their welfare and the country’s development.

“The government was formed with the support of the people. You placed your trust in the BNP through that support. I want to make it clear: InshaAllah, maintain that trust. The BNP was with you, is with the people of Bangladesh and will remain with the people of Bangladesh,” he added. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the BNP would work for the people of Bangladesh and, as long as the party exists, would not undertake any action contrary to the interests of the country and its people.

Criticising various unplanned measures taken by the previous government in the power and energy sector, Tarique Rahman said those measures had contributed to the current crisis. Referring to the next session of parliament, scheduled to begin on August 27, he said the government would present its plan there to address the country’s power-related problems over the next 10 years.

The Prime Minister also urged all to remain alert against those trying to create disorder on the streets. He said, “A small number of people are trying to create disorder on the streets. If disorder is created on the streets, ordinary people suffer the most. Their businesses are affected, their jobs are affected and their livelihoods are disrupted. But those who create disorder benefit from it.”

“Today, let us take an oath and pledge that those who work against the interests of the country, create disorder or obstruct various programmes taken in the public interest will be resisted by the people with all their collective strength,” he added.

Tarique Rahman said the people of the country now want peace, the rule of law, employment, education for their children and healthcare for their families. “If we are to accomplish these tasks, we must remain patient. At the same time, we must remain vigilant about those who are creating disorder,” he said.

After arriving in Pakundia, the Prime Minister first released fish fry into the Brahmaputra River at Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat. He later took the stage at the gathering, where thousands of party leaders and activists greeted him with applauses. Lawmaker Fazlur Rahman and other leaders were present at the programme.

DHAKA: The Election Commission (EC) today announced the schedule for the presidential election. EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the election schedule at the Election Commission Bhaban at Agargaon in the city.

According to the schedule, the last date for submission of nomination papers is August 13. Voting will be held on August 20 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) session hall. Nomination papers must be submitted at the office of the Chief Election Commissioner between 10:00am and 4:00pm on August 13.

The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held at the EC Bhaban from 10:00am on August 16. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is until 4:00pm on August 18. Speaking to journalists, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, “In accordance with Section 5(3) of the Presidential Election Act, 1991, I am announcing this schedule for the presidential election after discussions with the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad.”

He said, voter list for the Presidential election has been prepared. Other remaining administrative procedures will be completed before the election, he said.

New York: Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, has emerged as the city with the highest crime index among major South Asian cities while also ranking as the least safe in the region, according to the 2026 Crime and Safety Index published by global data platform Numbeo.

According to the report, Dhaka recorded a Crime Index of 62.2, the highest among South Asian cities surveyed. Its Safety Index stands at just 37.8, placing it at the bottom of the regional rankings for public safety.

The findings indicate that major cities in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal all scored better than Dhaka on safety. The report also suggests that many residents of Dhaka feel unsafe walking alone at night and frequently express concerns about crime.

Globally, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was ranked the world’s safest city, with a Crime Index of 11.1 and a Safety Index of 88.9, highlighting the significant contrast with Dhaka.

Crime and Safety Index of Major South Asian Cities

In the global rankings, Dhaka placed 59th among major cities with the highest crime levels, putting it among the top 15 percent of cities worldwide for crime and lack of safety.

Among South Asia’s safest cities, Mangaluru in India recorded a Safety Index of 74.4, followed by Islamabad in Pakistan at 68.6. The report also indicates that cities such as Karachi—often associated with security challenges—received higher safety scores than Dhaka.

Numbeo is an international crowd-sourced database that regularly publishes comparative indices on cities and countries, covering topics such as crime, cost of living, housing, healthcare, traffic, and quality of life. Its 2026 Crime and Safety Index underscores growing concerns over law and order and public safety in Bangladesh’s capital.

DHAKA: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said the government has placed law enforcement and security agencies on high alert ahead of August 5 to ensure public safety and maintain law and order across the country

“All necessary measures have been taken to ensure a peaceful and secure environment across the country ahead of August 5,” he said while speaking to journalists at the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat here.

The heightened security measures are part of routine precautionary steps taken in view of the significance of the day and prevailing security considerations, he said.

Ahmed said the Home Ministry has issued specific directives to police and other security agencies to strengthen vigilance and remain fully prepared to respond to any untoward situation.

As part of the instructions, police vehicles have been directed not to remain unattended, while security personnel have been advised to maintain continuous vigilance to ensure uninterrupted monitoring and rapid response capability.

Ahmed said a high-level coordination meeting involving the government, law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders will be held to review the overall security situation and finalize necessary arrangements for August 5.

The minister also referred to the recent recovery of bomb-like objects in Motijheel and Ashulia, describing the incidents as attempts to create panic and disrupt social harmony.

He said a coordinated investigation is underway to identify those responsible and determine whether there are any links between the incidents.

Ahmed added that intelligence and law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring the activities of banned organizations and certain groups operating from abroad.

Further details will be disclosed once the ongoing investigations are completed, he said.

Dhaka: Security has been beefed up at all airports across the country, including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, following an intelligence alert over possible extremist attacks on key installations. Airport sources confirmed on Monday that surveillance has been intensified at sensitive points, particularly at Shahjalal International Airport. A warning letter issued by the Bangladesh Police headquarters prompted authorities to take immediate precautionary measures.

Following the alert, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh issued a high-level warning, instructing all law enforcement units operating at airports to strengthen security arrangements. Officials said additional personnel—both in uniform and plain clothes—have been deployed, while intelligence monitoring has been increased. Security checks at all arrival and departure points have also been tightened, with instructions to report any suspicious activity immediately.

A senior official at the airport said that although no specific threat has been identified, precautionary steps have been taken in advance. “Instructions have been given to strengthen security at all airports. This is part of our routine preparedness as well,” the official said.

He added that airports with limited nighttime operations have also been instructed to enhance security during night hours, and strict monitoring is being ensured at all entry points to prevent any lapse. The alert follows intelligence information suggesting that a banned extremist outfit may be planning coordinated attacks on key state installations.

According to an internal letter issued by police headquarters and signed by DIG (Confidential) Kamrul Ahsan, several individuals linked to the outfit have recently been in regular contact, raising concerns of a potential threat.

The letter also mentioned that two dismissed army personnel were reportedly in communication with a detained extremist suspect, Istiak Ahmed Sami, also known by aliases Abu Bakkar and Abu Mohammad. Potential targets listed in the alert include the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, as well as police and military installations, places of worship, entertainment venues and other key infrastructure.

Law enforcement officials said the group may attempt to carry out attacks using various methods, prompting heightened concern over national security. In response, police headquarters has directed all relevant agencies to strengthen security in vulnerable areas, enhance surveillance and improve intelligence coordination to prevent any potential incidents.

Jamal Uddin & Sujon KoiriSujon Koiri: Concerns over renewed militant activity in Bangladesh have intensified following the emergence of a warning letter from Police Headquarters, prompting widespread public debate over whether extremist groups, long perceived as dormant, are reorganizing and reactivating. The issue has quickly become a national talking point, raising a central question: why are militant groups appearing to resurface after years of relative silence?

According to law enforcement officials, human rights activists, and security analysts, such groups never fully disappear. Instead, they enter phases of strategic dormancy, using periods of low visibility to restructure, rebuild networks, and consolidate strength.

Experts say this so-called “silence” often reflects a calculated effort to exploit favorable political conditions, institutional weaknesses, and social vulnerabilities. Extremist groups, they note, tend to re-emerge when opportunities align.

In the past, militant organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have operated using cross-border networks. Recently, attention has turned to the Pakistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), with intelligence sources indicating that possible links involving individuals within Bangladesh are under investigation.

The issue gained further urgency after a warrant officer of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), previously reported missing from a base in Chittagong, was located in a camp run by the banned TTP.

The development has prompted a comprehensive internal investigation into potential extremist infiltration within the armed forces. According to relevant sources, Pakistani authorities informed Bangladesh that the individual had been working on behalf of the TTP, an armed group engaged in conflict with the Pakistani state and known for its alignment with the Afghan Taliban.

While the presence of TTP-linked individuals in Bangladesh is not unprecedented, the involvement of a member of the armed forces marks a significant escalation. A 2013 US State Department report noted the arrest of three TTP members in Bangladesh, and as recently as last year, at least four Bangladeshi nationals linked to the group were reportedly killed in a Pakistani military operation.

In response, heightened surveillance and security measures have been introduced at key BAF installations, including Zahurul Haque, AK Khandaker, and Matiur Rahman bases. Law enforcement officials attribute the recent uptick in militant concerns to several factors. Among them is the escape of hardened militants following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024. A number of detainees fled from Kashimpur High Security Prison during that period of instability.

Police Headquarters data indicates that as of December 2025, 133 of the 202 escaped prisoners remain at large. A senior officer of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of clear directives regarding fugitives and individuals released on bail.

“The home affairs advisor of the interim government and the IGP have repeatedly said that militancy does not exist in Bangladesh,” the officer said. “After such statements from the top level, there is little we can do at the field level.”

Intelligence officials have also pointed to changes in regional mobility. The easing of visa procedures for travel to Pakistan since the political transition has increased cross-border movement, which some believe may be contributing to the current security concerns. Additionally, unease has been expressed among field-level officers over reports of visits by influential figures linked to the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, coupled with what critics describe as a lack of official response.

Dr Md Tawohidul Haque, an associate professor of Institute of Social Welfare and Research and criminologist at the University of Dhaka, described the developments as a serious warning signal.

“The significance of this issue extends beyond internal discipline within a force,” he told. “It raises broader concerns about national security. If extremist influence penetrates sensitive institutions such as law enforcement, it could pose a major threat.”

Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton echoed similar concerns, arguing that the current situation is not a sudden development but the result of long-standing structural issues.“Milit ants have not suddenly emerged,” he said. “They have existed at various levels within the state, society, and system for a long time.”

According to him, militant groups have continued covert organizational activities even during periods of apparent inactivity. The political changes following the fall of the Awami League government have, he suggested, created new opportunities for previously fragmented networks to regroup and expand. He also pointed to a recent explosion at a madrasa in Keraniganj as a possible indicator of militant activity. Investigations and media reports have suggested links to extremist elements, raising concerns that explosives produced there may have been distributed to other parts of the country.

“Militants are not only increasing their activities but also making various preparations,” Nur Khan said, adding that allegations of involvement by members of certain forces have resurfaced, heightening the need for vigilance. Despite these concerns, he expressed cautious optimism: “Since the issue has been identified, the government is expected to take necessary steps to restore public confidence and prevent further criminal activities.”

Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime and Operations) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant. “Bangladesh Police is always on alert to prevent militant activities,” he told. He added that specialized units, including the CTTC and Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU), are actively monitoring developments. Rafiqul Islam noted that several militant suspects released on bail over the past year and a half have been rearrested, while others remain under surveillance. However, he said there is no confirmed information regarding the involvement of police personnel in extremist activities.