Nazirur Rahman Sohel, Dhaka — The Bangladesh government is preparing to launch a pilot Model Canal programme aimed at creating employment opportunities, diversifying livelihoods and improving environmental sustainability through the planned use of re-excavated government-owned canals and water bodies.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, will cover 20 selected canals across eight divisions, with an estimated 2,400 ultra-poor families expected to benefit. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the programme in Lalmonirhat on November 19, according to information from the ministry.

Under the concept of “Not Just Canal Excavation, but Multifaceted Use of Excavated Canals,” the government intends to transform restored canals into productive community resources rather than using them solely for drainage and water management.

The programme will promote social forestry along canal banks, fish and duck farming, seasonal vegetable cultivation and cottage industries, while preserving the natural flow and water-retention capacity of canals. It also aims to improve navigation, strengthen local livelihoods and generate sustainable employment for vulnerable households.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said the initiative builds on the canal excavation campaign launched by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, which sought to restore the country’s water resources and support agricultural development. According to the minister, many canals have gradually become silted up because of neglect and illegal encroachment, reducing their capacity to support drainage, irrigation and other essential activities.

The government is now pursuing a broader programme to re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of rivers, streams and canals over five years, in line with the BNP’s election manifesto. Four government ministries are jointly implementing the initiative, with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief responsible for 7,000 kilometres.

Dulu said the ministry completed 1,200 kilometres of canal excavation during the last fiscal year against its assigned target. He explained that the Model Canal programme would introduce a more comprehensive approach by combining waterway restoration with productive economic activities and environmental conservation. A central objective of the Model Canal programme is to create income-generating opportunities for disadvantaged families living near restored waterways.

The government plans to encourage fish and duck farming in suitable canal sections, seasonal vegetable cultivation along canal banks and tree planting under social forestry initiatives. Cottage industries and other locally appropriate economic activities are also expected to contribute to employment generation.

These activities are intended to help participating families develop more diversified sources of income while making productive use of public water resources. The programme also supports the government’s wider target of planting 25 crore trees across Bangladesh. Integrating social forestry with canal restoration could help improve vegetation cover, protect canal banks and contribute to environmental conservation.

Officials say the approach is designed to help ultra-poor households move gradually towards economic self-reliance through productive livelihoods rather than depending exclusively on social assistance or allowances. The initiative places particular emphasis on preserving the environmental and water-management functions of canals while introducing new economic uses.

According to the programme’s concept paper, activities will be planned to maintain natural water flow and water-retention capacity, helping canals continue to support drainage, irrigation and other local needs.

Restored waterways can play an important role in managing seasonal water flows and supporting agricultural production. Their effective management may also help communities strengthen resilience against water-related disasters, although outcomes will depend on local conditions and implementation.

Minister Dulu said the programme would be implemented in accordance with the Environmental Conservation Act and the Water Body Management Policy. The ministry would also respect the existing legal, administrative and technical responsibilities of relevant government departments and institutions.

This coordination will be important to ensure that commercial and livelihood activities do not undermine the public, environmental and agricultural functions of the canals.

The Model Canal initiative forms part of the government’s broader commitment to expanding irrigation facilities, conserving water resources and accelerating agricultural production. Under the five-year nationwide plan, the excavation and re-excavation of rivers, streams, canals and other water bodies is intended to restore lost water flows and improve the availability of water for agricultural and community use.

The government is also continuing efforts to restore waterways through public participation, following the tradition of voluntary canal excavation associated with Ziaur Rahman’s earlier campaign. By linking restoration work with farming, aquaculture, forestry and small-scale industries, the Model Canal programme seeks to create a closer connection between environmental management and rural economic development.

Its success will depend on effective coordination among government agencies, protection against renewed encroachment, responsible management of canal banks and water, and the ability of participating families to sustain their livelihood activities over time.

The planned launch of the Model Canal programme represents an effort to broaden the role of canal restoration in Bangladesh’s rural development strategy. With 20 canals selected across eight divisions and approximately 2,400 ultra-poor families expected to benefit, the pilot will test whether restored waterways can support environmental protection alongside employment generation and income diversification.

If implemented effectively, the programme could provide a framework for combining water-resource management, social forestry, agricultural development and community-based economic activities in other parts of the country. The initiative’s long-term impact will depend on how successfully the government preserves the canals’ natural functions while ensuring that local communities can benefit from them sustainably.

DHAKA — The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) and global port operator DP World today signed a 15-year concession agreement to operate and modernise the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), in a major move aimed at increasing the capacity, efficiency and competitiveness of Bangladesh’s principal maritime gateway.

CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman signed the agreement on behalf of the port authority, while DP World Chairman Essa Kazim signed for the international terminal operator at a ceremony at the Invest Bangladesh auditorium.

Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Shipping Md. Rajib Ahsan, UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali Al Hamoudi and Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury were among those present.

Under the agreement, DP World will operate and manage NCT for an initial 15 years, while ownership of the terminal’s land, core infrastructure and assets will remain with the Chattogram Port Authority and, ultimately, the Bangladesh government.

The concession includes an upfront payment of approximately Tk 600 crore, with 25 percent payable upon signing and the remaining 75 percent due before operations begin. DP World will also invest more than Tk 1,000 crore during the first 10 years to modernise NCT through new equipment, digital technology and operational improvements.

Under the agreement, CPA will receive a share of terminal revenue or royalty ranging from approximately 40 percent to 67 percent per TEU, depending on average terminal revenue. The port authority will also receive a fixed annual fee of around Tk 10 crore.

The agreement sets a minimum annual volume guarantee of 1.23 million TEUs, with the possibility of adjusting the figure to 1 million TEUs once a new terminal becomes operational.

Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam said the government aims to rapidly improve the capacity and efficiency of existing strategic assets. He said the introduction of modern equipment, digital systems, international operating standards and global logistics connections would help make NCT more competitive.

The government also plans to engage multiple international operators across port terminals to improve service quality, reliability and supply-chain resilience, he said.

DP World Chairman Essa Kazim said Bangladesh was becoming an increasingly important trading and manufacturing economy and that his company was committed to supporting the country’s development.

Through the partnership, DP World will connect NCT with its global network of ports, logistics infrastructure and supply-chain services, helping establish more efficient links between Bangladesh and international markets, he said.

NCT is one of four dedicated container-handling facilities at Chattogram Port. Since beginning operations in 2007, it has become a key part of Bangladesh’s trade infrastructure and currently handles around 44 percent of the port’s container traffic.

Chattogram Port handles approximately 92 percent of Bangladesh’s foreign trade, making improvements in its efficiency strategically important for the country’s economy. The port, however, continues to face challenges involving container dwell time, vessel turnaround time, equipment performance and overall productivity.

Container dwell time at Chattogram Port and NCT exceeds nine days, compared with less than two days at several peer ports. Vessels also spend more than 2.5 days at the port, while benchmark ports record turnaround times of roughly 15 to 24 hours.

The 2025 Container Port Performance Index ranked Chattogram Port 364th among 400 container ports worldwide. The government estimates that operational inefficiencies and insufficient modernisation cost the economy around Tk 10 crore per day, or more than Tk 3,000 crore annually.

According to World Bank data, reducing container dwell time by one day could increase Bangladesh’s exports by around 7.4 percent.

The concession agreement includes key performance indicators, phased performance targets and financial penalties for failure to meet agreed standards. The targets cover areas including truck turnaround time and crane productivity. If a performance target is missed for three consecutive months, the applicable financial penalty will be triggered.

CPA will continue to oversee terminal operations through monitoring, audits and regular reporting. The agreement requires weekly and monthly reporting on container and vessel handling, revenue and other operational indicators.

The concession does not transfer ownership or sovereign authority over the terminal. Security, customs, immigration and other functions currently performed by Bangladeshi government agencies will remain under national authority.

The agreement also contains provisions covering cybersecurity, data localisation, access control and background screening under government-approved standards.

The DP World agreement is expected to complement the development of the Laldia Container Terminal, the fifth container terminal at Chattogram Port. The Laldia terminal is being developed by Denmark-based APM Terminals and is expected to be ready by 2030.

Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury described DP World’s involvement in NCT as an important step toward bringing Bangladesh’s trade operations closer to international standards.

“We want faster operations, stronger connectivity and higher standards at one of our most important trade gateways,” he said.

DP World operates more than 80 marine and inland terminals in over 40 countries, with its network handling around 10 percent of global container traffic. The company has port operating experience in major markets including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The selection of DP World followed Bangladesh’s government-to-government policy and public-private partnership framework, including prequalification, technical and financial evaluation, due diligence and negotiations.

The process began with in-principle approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on March 23, 2023. The Transaction Structure Report was approved on October 20, 2025, followed by the Request for Proposal on January 8, 2026.

Bids were received on January 25, with negotiations continuing until August 6. The CPA Board approved the arrangement on September 16, followed by final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on October 1.

The agreement is expected to play a significant role in modernising Chattogram Port, improving cargo handling efficiency and strengthening Bangladesh’s connectivity with international trade and logistics networks.

DHAKA — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged global logistics company DP World to expand its investments in Bangladesh, particularly in free trade zones and rail-based inland container depots (ICDs), as the country seeks to strengthen its trade and logistics infrastructure.

The prime minister made the call during a meeting with a delegation from DP World led by Board Chairman Essa Kazim at the Secretariat on Thursday.

According to Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary KM Nazmul Haque, the meeting focused on expanding Bangladesh-UAE trade and investment, developing port and logistics facilities, and exploring opportunities for further cooperation between the two sides.

A major issue discussed was the 15-year concession agreement between Bangladesh and DP World for the operation and modernisation of the Chattogram Container Terminal.

Under the agreement, DP World will operate and maintain the Chattogram Container Terminal along with its overflow container yard. The partnership is expected to contribute to the modernisation of the terminal, improve operational efficiency and strengthen Bangladesh’s overall port and logistics infrastructure.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also sought information about DP World’s plans for new investments in Bangladesh, including the development of free trade zones and rail-connected inland container depots.

In response, the DP World delegation expressed interest in cooperation and investment in these areas.

The prime minister also invited DP World and other international investors to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

The discussions also covered potential initiatives to improve Bangladesh’s port infrastructure, expand regional trade connectivity and develop a more modern, efficient and integrated logistics system.

The proposed investments in free trade zones and rail-based ICDs could further connect Bangladesh’s ports with inland industrial and commercial centres, supporting more efficient movement of export and import cargo across the country.

Ruma Bhoumik, Dhaka – The United States is supporting Bangladesh’s national measles-rubella catch-up vaccination campaign through UNICEF, with the aim of protecting 3.4 million children aged six to 59 months amid the ongoing outbreak. US Chargé d’Affaires Eric Geelan today visited the vaccination campaign at T&T Field in Korail, Banani, here.

The campaign, launched on September 26, is being supported under the United States’ America First Global Health Strategy, according to a statement attributable to US Mission Spokesperson Poornima Rai.

He was joined by State Minister for Health Dr Mohammad Abdul Muhit, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan and DNCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury.

UNICEF Bangladesh Chief of Communications and Advocacy Miguel Mateos Muñoz and UNICEF Bangladesh Immunization Lead Dr Riad Mahmud were also present. The campaign represents a nationwide effort to vaccinate vulnerable children against measles and rubella as Bangladesh continues to respond to the current outbreak.

The US support, channelled through UNICEF, is aimed at strengthening the government’s immunisation response and expanding vaccine coverage among children in the target age group.

DHAKA– Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat today stressed the need to begin deliveries of Airbus aircraft before 2030 as Bangladesh set to sign an agreement to purchase 10 aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Wednesday.

“We are working towards signing an agreement to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft for the development of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. However, it is essential to bring forward the delivery schedule,” the minister said, emphasing that deliveries should begin before 2030.

He made the remarks when a Lufthansa delegation, led by German Ambassador to Bangladesh Rüdiger Lotz, paid a courtesy call on him at his ministry office at noon.

The meeting discussed air connectivity between Bangladesh and Germany, Biman’s development and other matters of mutual interest.

Millat said the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries provided considerable scope for expanding cooperation in civil aviation.

Describing Lufthansa as a globally renowned aviation company, he invited its investment in establishing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities to support Bangladesh’s ambition to become an aviation hub. He said Lufthansa could also work with Biman to develop skilled aviation personnel within Bangladesh.

The minister sought Germany’s cooperation in securing the withdrawal of the European Union’s High Risk Cargo and Mail (HRCM) designation for cargo originating from Bangladesh, which has remained in place since 2017.

He said the government had taken measures to address all observations since assuming office. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Osmani International Airport each achieved ratings exceeding 90 percent in recently completed security audits, he said, citing the results while seeking German support for lifting the designation.

Both sides expressed interest in deepening bilateral relations, increasing air connectivity and expanding cooperation in tourism. Millat expressed optimism that cooperation between Bangladesh and Germany would become broader and more fruitful in the coming years.

DHAKA- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said ensuring every child gets the opportunity to grow and develop properly is crucial to building a strong foundation for Bangladesh and making the country stronger in the today’s competitive world.

“Today’s children are the pillars of their families. If they can grow up properly, the foundation of their families will become stronger. Likewise, if we can provide all children across Bangladesh with opportunities to develop properly, the foundation of our country will become much stronger,” he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking in a discussion at Bangladesh Shishu Academy marking the Children’s Rights Day 2026 and the 50th anniversary of the academy.

Tarique Rahman said, “Making the future of today’s children strong means making the future of the nation strong. And a strong future for the nation means we will be able to build a strong and powerful Bangladesh.”

Addressing the children as his “little friends”, the Premier said children should not be confined only to academic studies, but should also be given opportunities to explore their talents in sports, arts, culture and music. He urged parents to recognise and nurture the individual qualities of their children instead of putting them under pressure to pursue only conventional academic activities.

“I want you to complete what I could not,” he told the children, recalling his own childhood interest in playing the guitar and keyboard. The Prime Minister said many children have talents in drawing, recitation, music, dance and other creative activities, and urged them to develop those talents fully.

He said the government wants children to have exposure to arts and culture alongside sports and music so that they can develop themselves according to their individual interests.

Tarique Rahman said the government has already taken initiatives to identify and develop children’s sporting talents, including a nationwide primary-level football competition in which around 22 lakhs boys and girls participated.

He expressed the hope that if such initiatives are continued, internationally acclaimed footballers and other sports talents would emerge from among the country’s children.

He also recalled the “Natun Kuri” programme introduced by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to promote children’s cultural talents, saying the programme has been revived alongside a sports-based “Natun Kuri” initiative.

“We want to build our children in such a way that a child will have good exposure to art and culture, become skilled in them, and similarly develop proficiency in music and sports,” he said.
The Prime Minister said many families, particularly those in remote and rural areas, cannot afford to provide children with opportunities for extracurricular activities.

“So, from the school level, we are trying to create facilities for arts, culture, sports and music so that every child can choose a subject according to his or her preference,” he said.

He said the government expects to begin the full process from 2027 or 2028, under which children at primary and secondary levels would have opportunities to learn music, play musical instruments and choose sports according to their interests.

The Prime Minister also announced plans to introduce opportunities for children to learn a third language in addition to Bangla and English, with options including Arabic, Mandarin, German and Japanese.

He said knowledge of an additional foreign language would help children in their future education and employment abroad and enable them to compete and survive more effectively in the global environment.

However, he stressed that academic, sporting, artistic or linguistic achievements alone would not be enough. “Children must also become humane,” he said, urging them to show compassion not only towards people but also towards nature, animals and birds.

Calling upon parents and guardians to instil a sense of responsibility towards the environment and other living beings in children, the Prime Minister said, “If we are kind to nature, nature will certainly be kind to us.”

The premier also urged children to care for trees and animals around their homes and schools and sought their cooperation in keeping the environment clean. He asked them to discourage adults from throwing garbage indiscriminately in public places.

“If you see an adult throwing garbage or waste somewhere and harming the environment, you can tell them to put it in the proper place,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said a clean environment would help children grow up in a healthy environment and become physically and mentally healthy people.

He called on all sections of society to work together to build the country saying the task does not necessarily require major efforts but can be achieved through small, collective actions.

“We will build this country ourselves. If we want to build the country, all of us must work together,” he said.

The Prime Minister also recalled visiting the academy as a child with his younger brother and parents- Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia- at the time of its inauguration.

He said he also found some of his and his younger brother’s writings displayed at the academy, taking him back five decades in his memories.

Prime Minister’s wife and Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation Dr Zubaida Rahman also addressed the event, chaired by Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain.

Earlier, 150 children welcomed the Prime Minister when he arrived at Bangladesh Shishu Academy premises. Later, the programme began with the national anthem.

Following the discussion, the Prime Minister enjoyed a cultural event performed by children and visited the children’s drawings and a photo exhibition gallery.

DHAKA- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government is working to make teaching a first-choice profession for meritorious people by reforming teacher recruitment and the education system.

“Teaching can never be a profession of last resort or merely another job. Rather, we are reshaping teacher recruitment and the education system to ensure that the most meritorious people choose teaching as their first choice of profession,” he said. The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium here marking World Teachers’ Day 2026 and honouring selected teachers from primary to higher education levels with the national ‘Eminent Teacher Award’.

Tarique Rahman said, “We believe that the dignity of the state is linked to the honour and dignity of teachers in the state and society. If the dignity of teachers remains intact in society, the image of the state is enhanced.”

This year’s theme of World Teachers’ Day is: “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Enhancing Dignity and Shaping Our Future.”

The Prime Minister expressed his profound respect to teachers of all primary and secondary schools, colleges, madrasas, technical institutions and universities across the country, and congratulated those who received the ‘Eminent Teacher Award’ for their merit and competence.

He said if teachers could become the “need and loved ones” of their students, it would be easier for the students to face global challenges as responsible citizens through education.

Referring to teachers as “ideal role models” for every student after they move beyond the family school, Tarique Rahman said the government is formulating and implementing plans so that teachers can confidently present themselves as role models before their students.

In the era of rapid development of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), he said, there is no alternative to technical and practical education beyond conventional teaching methods.

“So, changing the strategies of learning and teaching and modernising the education curriculum is the demand of the time,” he said.

The government has formulated a new curriculum based on the realities of the time, and students will receive textbooks based on the new curriculum within this year, the Premier said, adding that the methods of learning and teaching are extremely important to ensure that students do not become alienated from books.

“Instead of mere memorisation, we have to raise the questions of ‘why’ and ‘how’ in the minds of students. If curiosity is created, a student can become his or her own teacher,” he continued.

Tarique Rahman said “joyful learning” has become popular across the world, particularly among school students.

For the first time in Bangladesh, he said, the Ministry of Education is providing sixth-grade students with a new book titled “Learning with Happiness”. Similar books will be introduced for other grades in phases.

The prime minister said the education system currently faces both immense opportunities and major challenges. Artificial intelligence has opened up vast opportunities for acquiring knowledge, while technical and practical knowledge has become indispensable instead of certificate-based knowledge, he added.

Referring to the new challenges created for teachers by rapid advances in information technology, Tarique Rahman said teachers’ training colleges need to be further modernised to meet the challenges of the time.

“We do not want to see technology as a substitute for teachers. Rather, technology will be the strength of teachers,” he said, adding that the government is advancing the “One Teacher, One Tab” programme to this end.

The prime minister said teachers would be able to use digital lesson plans, question banks, students’ learning progress data and necessary teaching materials through their tablets. Multimedia classrooms are also being
expanded at educational institutions across the country, while free Wi-Fi facilities are being increased, he added.

The Premier said the government wants to build an education system where no child is deprived of education.”It is also essential to ensure that even if someone drops out at any stage of their educational life for any reason, they do not remain unemployed,” he said.

Describing education as the biggest priority of the incumbent government, Tarique Rahman said the highest-ever allocation for education has been made in the national budget for the first time in the country’s history and the allocation will be increased gradually.

Highlighting the scale of secondary education, he said there are currently around 21,000 institutions at the secondary level, where more than 300,000 teachers are providing education to millions of students.

“Much of secondary education depends on private and MPO-listed institutions,” he said.

“There is still some disparity between urban and rural areas in terms of educational opportunities,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the government has various plans to ensure that students in both urban and rural
areas have access to skilled teachers and modern technology.

Describing the government’s approach to reforming the education system, he said its core foundations are equal opportunities, quality education and non-discriminatory access.

Tarique Rahman said employment-oriented education is necessary, but employment is not the sole purpose of education. “Moral and character development is also one of the key objectives of education. If knowledge is not linked with morality, it can become a cause of harm rather than benefit to society,” he continued.

Urging teachers to make truthfulness, a sense of responsibility, empathy, patriotism, humanity, discipline and respect for others integral parts of education, he said teachers play the most important role after families in
instilling moral values in students.

Highlighting various government measures to ensure teachers’ financial security and make teaching a more dignified and competitive profession, the Prime Minister said the government is working particularly for teachers at the primary, secondary and higher-secondary levels.

He further said the President and the Prime Minister invite people from different professions and sections of society to state functions at national occasions, including Independence Day and Victory Day.

“From this year, based on a policy, the concerned authorities are being instructed to make it mandatory to invite at least one teacher each from primary and secondary schools to such events,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said a teacher, whether serving or retired, remains worthy of the state’s respect throughout his or her life because of the noble profession.

Mentioning instructions to end harassment of teachers in receiving salaries and retirement benefits, he said a teacher should not have to visit offices and suffer hardship merely to receive salary or retirement benefits.

“The money due to a teacher must reach their bank account on time and in accordance with the rules,” he said. The Premier said the country’s teachers are one of the key instruments for building a knowledge-based state and society. World Teachers’ Day is observed globally on October 5 every year to highlight the importance of teachers’ dignity, rights, professional development and ensuring quality education.

Chaired by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon, it was also addressed, among others, by National Professor Dr Mahbub Ullah, Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Education Md Selim Bhuiyan.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today asked the authorities concerned to expedite the construction of the inner circular road to ease traffic congestion in the capital. He gave the instruction while chairing a meeting at his Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat to review progress in the construction of the Inner Circular Road in the capital, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

The prime minister asked the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and the Local Government Division to jointly review the existing project plan and take steps to expedite the construction work.

The deputy press secretary said Tarique Rahman stressed identifying and removing the existing obstacles to implementing the project at the earliest, ensuring effective coordination among the agencies concerned and setting a realistic timeframe for completing the work. He also asked the authorities to ensure visible progress in the project at the earliest.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Habibur Rashid, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, among senior officials concerned, attended the meeting.

DHAKA: A controversy has emerged after the Banglabazar sales outlet of University Press Limited (UPL) was locked and two of its employees were taken to a police outpost following a dispute over the sale of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s The Unfinished Memoirs. UPL says the book is not banned and that it has received no government or court order restricting its sale. A senior police official has also said there is no restriction on the sale of the book.

According to a statement issued by UPL, two men went to the publisher’s Banglabazar outlet at around 5:30pm on September 28, 2026, and asked to buy The Unfinished Memoirs. After the employees produced the book, the men objected to its sale and claimed that the book was banned.

According to UPL, the men were told that the book was not banned. They nevertheless created a disturbance and gathered people around the outlet. At one point, the shutter of the sales outlet was pulled down and locked. Two UPL employees, Aminul Islam and Humayun Kabir, were also taken to the Faridabad Police Outpost. They were later released. Faridabad Police Outpost in-charge Shuvo Baroi said the matter had been settled between the two sides and the sales outlet was subsequently reopened.

No government order or court directive banning the book has been publicly identified. UPL has also said that it is not aware of any government or court decision banning the book. The publisher said any decision to ban a book must follow a specific legal process and that it would comply if a competent authority formally imposed such a restriction.

A senior official of the Lalbagh division, speaking on condition of anonymity, said The Unfinished Memoirs is not banned and there is no restriction on its sale. The official also said that if the employees had been released on the condition that they would no longer sell the book, such a condition would not have been appropriate.

Sutrapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Matiur Rahman said the two UPL employees were not taken to the police station but to the Faridabad Police Outpost, from where they were later released. He also said that The Unfinished Memoirs had not been reprinted after 2024. According to him, the employees were released on the condition that the book would no longer be sold. He also said no complaint had been filed with the police station over the incident.

UPL said it has faced pressure over different books during different governments. The publisher, however, said it had not compromised its professional standards and publishing policies. It also said that expert assessment is taken into consideration when publishing or marketing books.

According to UPL, The Unfinished Memoirs is an important book for understanding Bangladesh’s history and the context of the Liberation War. The publisher said it would comply with the law if a competent government authority or court formally banned the book through due process.

Following the incident, the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) called for an investigation. The organisation said several individuals behaved aggressively at UPL’s Banglabazar showroom on September 28 while demanding that the sale of the book be stopped. They allegedly pulled down the shutter and harassed two sales employees. BLAST also called for an investigation into the role of police over allegations that the employees were taken to and detained at the police outpost. It also called for the safety of UPL employees, publishers and booksellers to be ensured.

BLAST said that anyone who disagrees with, objects to or criticises the content of a book has the right to express those views peacefully, reasonably and through lawful means. No individual or group should obstruct the publication, circulation or sale of a book through threats, pressure or force, it said. Any decision to ban, withdraw or restrict a publication should be based on a clear legal basis and follow due process, according to the organisation.

The incident has raised questions about what legal basis an individual or group would have to demand that the sale of a book be stopped if the book has not been formally banned. Questions have also been raised over why the two UPL employees were taken to the police outpost and whether any condition was imposed on their release preventing them from selling the book. It remains unclear whether those who claimed that the book was banned were acting on the basis of any government notification, court order or other legal document.

Writer Asif Bin Ali has analysed the incident in one of his articles as an example of how the circulation of a book can be obstructed without a formal ban. He argues that even when a book remains legally available, publishers or sellers may stop stocking or selling it because of pressure or fear of possible trouble, potentially creating a situation of self-censorship. This is the writer’s analysis and not the finding of any government investigation.

The Unfinished Memoirs is an autobiographical work by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. UPL was involved in publishing the Bengali edition, which was first published in 2012. Recent reports say the book was last reprinted in 2024. Based on publicly available information, no government order or court directive banning The Unfinished Memoirs has so far been identified.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the new government, having received a strong mandate from the people, is moving ahead with a clear action plan to fulfill its commitments over the next five years. “Our priorities are to protect national interests, maintain policy continuity, ensure economic stability and carry out institutional reforms. We are now moving directly from commitments to implementation,” he said.

The prime minister was addressing the inaugural session of the three-day international conference ‘Bay of Bengal Conversation (BOBC) 2026’, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel here this morning. This year’s BOBC is being held under the theme “Fragments, Frontiers and Futures: Navigating Power, Technology and Trust in a World Rewritten”. Around 200 speakers, more than 300 delegates and over 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries are taking part in the conference, which is being held from October 3 to 5.

Former Serbian President Boris Tadic, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara, among others, are participating in the conference along with former and incumbent state officials, diplomats, policymakers, researchers, business leaders, technologists and experts from different countries. The prime minister said the government has taken initiatives to make Bangladesh an attractive investment destination and transform the country into a strong hub for production and investment.

“We want to create extensive employment opportunities in production, services, exports and all other sectors,” he said. Emphasising the need for policy certainty for investors, the prime minister said continuity in long-term policies would provide them with the necessary assurance. He said the government’s social protection programmes had been designed to give priority to the most disadvantaged people.

Under the Family Card initiative, financial assistance will reach the hands of mothers in every family, beginning with the poorest and most marginalised communities, he said. The Farmers Card will connect farmers with government incentives, agricultural services and markets, while the Health Card will ensure access to healthcare for all, he said, adding that ultimately the Universal Card would bring integrated government services under one umbrella.

Mentioning the government’s pledge to take healthcare to people’s doorsteps, the prime minister said the government is working to recruit 100,000 health workers, around 80 percent of whom will be women. They will provide primary healthcare, health advice and necessary referral services at the grassroots level, he said, adding that the government is also giving special attention to maternal and child health.

On education reform, the prime minister said education should not be limited to obtaining certificates but should prepare students for real life. “We are working to ensure a joyful learning environment,” he said. He said culture, sports, values and ethics would have an important place in the curriculum to help build children’s character. Students would be given the opportunity to learn a third language, while technical and vocational education would be expanded alongside general education.

The government has taken initiatives to provide free uniforms, schoolbags, midday meals and stipends from the first grade, while expanding free education for girls up to the graduate level, he said. Describing the country’s large young population as one of the key drivers of national progress, the prime minister said skills development and suitable employment opportunities were essential to harnessing the demographic advantage.

“The government is focusing on improving language skills, creating employment opportunities, technological transformation and wider use of artificial intelligence. We are supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups. We want our young people to compete on the global stage and transform brain drain into brain circulation,” he said Describing agriculture as a mainstay of the economy, Tarique Rahman said access to technology, irrigation, agricultural finance and markets are being made easier.

He said support would be provided to fisheries, livestock and rural entrepreneurs, while agricultural processing and agro-product export industries needed to be developed as a complement to food security.

“A strong rural economy can build a strong Bangladesh,” the prime minister said. Highlighting the importance of water security, he said the government has planned to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals and waterways over the next five years. The Padma Barrage project is being advanced and a master plan for the Teesta is being prepared for water conservation and management, he said, adding that these initiatives would support agriculture while strengthening climate resilience.

On environmental protection, Tarique Rahman said 250 million trees would be planted over the next five years. He said Bangladesh is also expanding solar power use, promoting waste recycling and taking a leading role in establishing environment-friendly green factories.

“Of the world’s top 100 LEED-certified factories, 53 are now in Bangladesh,” he said. The prime minister said developing clean and environment- friendly cities could reduce waste, strengthen climate resilience and further dynamise the national economy. Stressing institutional reforms, he said strong state institutions were essential for development. “We are strengthening institutional transparency and accountability. Human rights, democratic values and freedom of expression must be protected,” he said.

Emphasising equal application of the rule of law to every citizen, the prime minister said an institutional culture would be developed in which state institutions would genuinely remain dedicated to serving the people of Bangladesh. On the Rohingya crisis, he said Bangladesh was still hosting around 1.2 million Rohingya refugees. “Our main objective is to ensure their swift, voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar,” he said.

Calling for continued political support and international financing from the global community, he said the root causes of the crisis must also be addressed. “The crisis originated in Myanmar and its solution must also be found in Myanmar,” he said. Referring to the Bay of Bengal as one of the major pillars of Bangladesh’s future economic potential, Tarique Rahman said the Bay had been shaping Bangladesh’s destiny for generations.

Given Bangladesh’s geographic and strategic location, he said, the country had opportunities to become more deeply connected with the world through seaports, waterways and the coastal economy. There is immense potential in shipping, fisheries, tourism, energy and regional supply chains, he said. The prime minister said deeper bilateral and multilateral engagement was needed to transform the region’s shared geography into shared prosperity.

“Cooperation can be further expanded in trade, energy, education, technology, climate and maritime sectors. New markets can be opened and more opportunities can be created for young people. We can build stronger cooperative relations based on equality, fairness and justice,” he said. Stating that Bangladesh believes in dialogue, partnership and mutual respect, Tarique Rahman said the country would continue to work positively with all its regional and global partners while safeguarding national interests and sovereignty. “Because peace and harmony are the foundations of shared prosperity and development,” he said.

The prime minister called for transforming the Bay of Bengal region into an area where every state could prosper together, benefit equally and extend meaningful cooperation to its citizens.

“Bangladesh is fully prepared to play its rightful role in this regard,” he said. The five thematic pillars of this year’s BOBC are geopolitics, security and strategic competition, artificial intelligence, cyberspace and information power, trade, connectivity and strategic growth, and climate, resilience and human security.