M.G. Quibria: Some trade deals are negotiated. Others are simply accepted. Bangladesh’s Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States, signed in the last frantic days of an interim government, looks unmistakably like the second kind. And seven months later, Dhaka is still making commitments under a bargain whose legal foundations have crumbled twice.

An old grievance, formalised

The programme that produced it began on April 2, 2025, when President Trump unveiled what his administration called “Liberation Day”: country-by-country tariffs calculated using a formula publicly associated with trade adviser Peter Navarro and built around each nation’s trade surplus with the United States. According to Regime Change, the 2026 book by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, when the President found the competing economic estimates from Navarro, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick unsatisfying, he turned to aide Natalie Harp to produce numbers closer to what he already intuitively believed, undercutting any claim to scientific rigour in how the tariff rates presented on Liberation Day were determined. Indeed, the President’s instinct behind the policy was long-standing. In a full-page advertisement in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Boston Globe on September 2, 1987, Trump argued that America’s allies were free-riding on US trade and defence policy and ought to pay for it. Thirty-nine years later, the same argument animates the reciprocal tariff programme.

Out of that programme came the ART, the bilateral instrument Washington has used to reset tariff terms one country at a time. Partners could be classified into five rough groups: first, nations with a fully signed ART; second, nations with only a framework, still under negotiation; third, nations offered bespoke “strategic trade and investment” arrangements, such as Korea and Japan, instead of a standard treaty; fourth, Gulf states substituting investment pledges for any treaty; and fifth, nations where talks have broken down into open disputes. As of this writing, of the ten countries that have actually signed the ART, Bangladesh’s agreement has the strongest claim to being the most one-sided. Not because any single clause is exotic; most of its mechanisms exist, in some form, in some other countries’ agreements too. It is the aggregate, how the obligations stack up and the peculiar circumstances under which Dhaka signed at all, that sets it apart.

The ground shifts twice

The legal scaffolding beneath the tariff side of the ART programme has meanwhile been dismantled and rebuilt twice. On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) never authorised a president to impose tariffs at all, striking down the Liberation Day regime in its entirety, including the country-specific caps individual ARTs had negotiated. Within days, the administration invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to address a serious balance-of-payments crisis and imposed a flat 10% global surcharge, a stopgap capped by statute at 150 days. That, too, expired on schedule on July 24, 2026, and was replaced, without a day’s gap in collections, by new Section 301 tariffs targeting inadequate enforcement of forced-labour import bans, set at 10% or 12.5% across sixty economies. A second Section 301 investigation, aimed at resetting rates based on “excess manufacturing capacity” across sixteen economies, including China and Vietnam, remains unresolved months past its own informal deadline, with its statutory window stretching into March 2027. Bangladesh, notably, is featured in both investigations.

Through all of this, the underlying non-tariff commitments inside the ARTs, including investment pledges, forced-labour provisions and standards recognition, have proven sturdier than the tariffs themselves, surviving as separate memoranda even as the specific rate attached to each deal was rebuilt from scratch: first under IEEPA, then Section 122, then Section 301. Against this backdrop of a legal foundation that keeps giving way, Bangladesh’s bargain has to be understood.

A deal nobody can quite explain

The first puzzle is why, among South Asian nations, Bangladesh rushed to sign first. Looking back, it’s hard to identify what that haste bought. If the goal was to lock in better terms than a slower negotiation might yield, the text doesn’t bear that out. Its neighbours all declined to sign anything resembling a full ART and appear none the worse for their caution. Pakistan and Sri Lanka remain in active, unhurried negotiations, without conceding Bangladesh’s terms. India operates under its own separate interim framework, despite being in the crosshairs of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which targets purchasers of discounted Russian oil and gas. More tellingly, Vietnam and the Philippines, both of which export far more to the United States and run considerably larger trade surpluses than Bangladesh, have signed no comparable agreement at all. If exposure to American tariff pressure were the deciding factor, those are the economies that should have moved first. Instead, it was Bangladesh, with lower exports and a smaller trade surplus, that signed the most sweeping and asymmetric text of the ten.

Signed by a government on its way out

Compounding the puzzle is the timing. Bangladesh signed its ART on February 9, 2026, under the outgoing interim administration of Dr Muhammad Yunus, three days before a national election that would replace it. No elected parliament debated or approved it before it was signed, and the new one has not scrutinised it since taking office. No one has clearly explained what economic or political calculus persuaded an interim government to lock in an open-ended trade relationship on its way out the door. Critics are right to call this what it is: a lame-duck administration locking its successors into commitments the country never had a chance to vote on. That charge doesn’t apply to the other signatories, whose governments actually had a mandate to sign.

A textual imbalance without precedent

The imbalance is visible even in the drafting. One textual count in the Bangladeshi press noted that the ART uses 179 instances of the mandatory “shall”, most of which are attached to Bangladeshi commitments. Such counts are an imperfect measure of substantive burden, but the broader text leaves little doubt about the direction of the obligations: Bangladesh promises considerably more than Washington does. No comparable analysis has been published for the other ARTs, so this is suggestive rather than a verified ranking.

The harshest penalty on the highest starting tariff

An analysis by the non-partisan think tank Peterson Institute for International Economics concludes that these ART deals were “built to push America’s trade partners away from China”. Bangladesh’s agreement carries a non-market-economy clause, foreclosing new trade deals with countries the US designates as non-market economies, including China, Russia, Vietnam, Belarus and others, on pain of snapback tariffs. For Bangladesh, the non-market clause sits in the same maximum-severity tier as five other agreements, including Cambodia’s and Guatemala’s. What is unusual is what is riding on it: Bangladesh’s original “Liberation Day” tariff was 37%, among the highest of any ART signatory, so a snapback would cost Dhaka more than almost any peer. It is, in effect, the same gun pointed at everyone, but loaded heaviest for Dhaka.

Reaching beyond tariffs

The agreement’s obligations extend well beyond market access, reaching into Bangladesh’s regulatory discretion, digital governance, procurement behaviour and its future room to manoeuvre with third countries. Its specific commitments include not contesting US export-tax rebates at the WTO and not applying VAT measures that discriminate against US goods. None of these mechanisms, taken individually, is exotic; versions appear in some other cases. What makes Bangladesh’s case distinctive is the accumulation: a documented obligation imbalance without precedent, one of the highest snapback tariffs in the group and a signing process with no democratic mandate. Whether that combination makes it objectively “the worst” of the ten ARTs is a matter of interpretation.

An exchange that keeps getting more unequal

Post-signing developments have widened the imbalance, not narrowed it. Dhaka has kept expanding its Boeing commitments in a confusing sequence. Bangladesh raised its planned Boeing purchase from 14 to 25 aircraft in July 2025. Yet, on April 30, 2026, Biman Bangladesh Airlines formally ordered 14 jets, its largest-ever order, valued at about $3.7 billion. Then, on August 30, US envoy Sergio Gor announced that Bangladesh had committed “billions of dollars” to buy still more Boeing aircraft, “significantly increasing” its initial order, without identifying the number, models, price or contractual status of the additional planes. The next day, President Trump disclosed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had written to him concerning a Boeing purchase. Trump thanked Rahman for his “decision of purchase”, adding, “Boeing will not let you down, and I will not forget.” Yet Bangladeshi officials subsequently said that no separate agreement beyond Biman’s 14-aircraft order had been signed. What additional purchase Trump was thanking Rahman for, and whether it represents a firm contract, a political commitment or merely an intention to buy more aircraft, therefore remains publicly unclear.

The contrast with Indonesia is instructive. Garuda Indonesia, negotiating a comparable Boeing commitment under its own ART, had still not signed a binding contract as of late 2026, while Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund warned that deliveries could take up to seven years, given Boeing’s production backlog and unresolved financing questions. The Strategic Trade and Investment deals with Japan and Korea have been so large that the Wall Street Journal argues they will never materialise. The same uncertainty has been flagged with respect to the Gulf countries.

Bangladesh, by comparison, has moved faster and further, committing to more while securing less in return, even as its underlying agreement is, by most measures, the most lopsided of the treaties.

What makes the speed more striking still is what the process appears to have skipped over. Biman is, by its own numbers, in no position for a $3.7 billion wager: it loses money on most of its international routes, carries more than Tk 6,000 crore in unpaid dues to the Civil Aviation Authority and has turned a profit in only a few years of its existence. It is, in other words, a loss-making carrier committing to its largest-ever purchase on a timetable set by the seller and the geopolitics of a trade dispute, not by any internal business logic. A capital commitment of this magnitude would ordinarily trigger commensurate due diligence, including board-level risk assessment, fleet-financing review and route-profitability modelling. There is no evidence that any of this happened.

The pattern repeats in energy. On August 12, 2026, Bangladesh’s cabinet cleared a twelve-year liquefied natural gas deal with Gunvor USA covering 117 cargoes, roughly 7.5 million tonnes, through 2038. The contract was awarded without competitive bidding, through an unusual state-to-state pricing formula negotiated with a private trading firm, and the government has defended it as prudent hedging against Qatar’s own difficulties in meeting its LNG commitments amid regional tensions.

Meanwhile, the reciprocal side of the bargain remains thin to the point of translucence. Bangladesh’s garment sector, which accounts for more than 85% of everything the country exports to the United States, now faces a real cumulative burden considerably higher than the headline figures suggest: the 10% Section 301 forced-labour duty stacks on top of an existing 15.6% MFN tariff on apparel, pushing the effective rate into the mid-20% range. In exchange, the US commitment on garments, under Article 5.3 of the agreement, remains only a promise to “establish a mechanism” for zero-tariff access tied to US-origin cotton and fibre, with no volume guarantees or deadline. Bangladesh is executing binding, multi-billion-dollar purchase commitments in real time against a promise that, more than half a year after signing, remains entirely undrawn and vague.

A legal irony, and a democratic one

There is further legal ambiguity. The agreement contemplated domestic procedures before entry into force, and Washington’s February announcement explicitly said those procedures remained to be completed. The striking point, therefore, is not that the ART “does not exist”. It is that Dhaka has acted with more certainty than the underlying tariff regime warrants. Aircraft orders, LNG contracts and purchase pledges are all proceeding on schedule against a treaty that, strictly speaking, does not yet exist. The irony compounds: the agreement’s own snapback clause authorises Washington to reimpose tariffs under Executive Order 14257 if Bangladesh defaults, but the Supreme Court has already struck that order down, and neither government has said what replaces it. Dhaka, in effect, is honouring the letter of a contract with no legal force, enforced by a threat that no longer exists.

A second irony is more political than legal. Bangladesh, as of this year, has once again emerged as a democracy. One might expect a vigorous parliamentary reckoning with a sweeping, open-ended trade deal signed by an outgoing, unelected administration. Dhaka also inherited a clear opening to ask whether the bargain still made sense once the legal foundation of Washington’s original tariff threat collapsed. Instead, the commitments have continued and may be expanding. The mystery is no longer why Bangladesh signed such a deal. It is why, having gained both the democratic authority and the legal opening to reconsider it, Dhaka appears so reluctant to use either.

Dr M.G. Quibria is an economist and public policy commentator whose work explores trade, development, governance and democratic change in Bangladesh and beyond. He can be reached at mgquibria.morgan@gmail.com.

Dhaka: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million loan to help Bangladesh modernise and strengthen its electricity distribution network in fast-growing industrial and urban areas around Dhaka. The project aims to improve the reliability, efficiency and resilience of electricity supply for businesses and households, according to an ADB statement yesterday.

Under the Power Distribution Network Enhancement Project, the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) will upgrade distribution infrastructure across 13 Palli Bidyut Samities serving rapidly growing industrial and urban areas around the capital. The project will install 1,150 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of new transformer capacity across 52 substations and increase the capacity of 12 existing substations by 115 MVA.

It will also construct or upgrade more than 2,600 kilometres of overhead and underground distribution lines and install insulated conductors to improve network reliability, efficiency and safety. Another 900 fault locator sets will be deployed to speed up fault detection and service restoration. The project will also build river-crossing transmission structures and switching stations to modernise system operations.

“This project will help future-proof the power system in key growth corridors around Dhaka through advanced technologies, stronger infrastructure, and enhanced resilience measures,” said ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Qingfeng Zhang.

The ADB loan is part of a broader financing package for the project. The government will provide about $108 million in cofinancing, while BREB will contribute about $141 million. The Republic of Korea’s e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund will provide a $1 million technical assistance grant.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present Bangladesh’s vision for the future, national interests and aspirations of its people at the global forum of the United Nations General Assembly, with a focus on ensuring inclusive development, said PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin.

“Carrying the patriotism, emotions, sentiments and aspirations of the people, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present before the global community what Bangladesh’s vision for the future should be, how the country’s interests can be safeguarded and how inclusive development can be ensured,” he said.

Mahdi Amin made the remarks at a press conference in the lobby of the Hyatt Grand Central New York hotel at 9:00pm local time today after the premier arrived in New York to attend the UN General Assembly. He said the prime minister has arrived in New York on a historic visit as the head of a representative government elected by the people’s vote after a long time.

Referring to the historical context, he said, “Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia had presented Bangladesh’s position, vision and plans before the global community. As part of that historical continuity, their son, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, will likewise uphold the spirit of patriotism and present Bangladesh’s interests and rights on the global stage.”

Mahdi Amin said the prime minister will deliver his address at the UN General Assembly on Thursday. Describing the prime minister’s visit as a very brief one, the spokesperson said he was moving away from the usual practice of lengthy foreign visits and would stay in New York for only a short period.

“Excluding the two days spent on travel, he will stay in New York for only four working days and will attend a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings,” he said. Regarding the size of the delegation, Mahdi Amin said the prime minister had completely broken away from the traditional practice and arrived with a small delegation for the brief visit.

“Officially, there are only 35 people here. Besides them, there are only essential media, security and personal staff. Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman is also accompanying him,” he said. Informing that the prime minister’s official engagements will begin Tuesday, he said he would attend the opening session at the UN Headquarters at 9:00am, where heads of state and government of different countries will be present.

Earlier in the morning, he will attend a “Welcome Breakfast Reception” hosted at the invitation of the UN Secretary-General. PM’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman and Bangladesh’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations A K M Wahiduzzaman were also present at the press conference.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Biman Bangladesh Airlines has ordered 11 additional Boeing aircraft as Bangladesh’s national flag carrier moves to expand and modernize its fleet. Boeing and Biman announced the agreement Wednesday in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The order comprises five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and six Boeing 737-8 aircraft, according to Boeing.

The latest purchase follows Biman’s order for 14 Boeing aircraft announced in April, bringing the airline’s planned Boeing acquisitions to 25 aircraft this year. The April order included eight 787-10s, two 787-9s and four 737-8s. Reuters reported the April deal at approximately $3.7 billion based on list prices.

Signing ceremony in New York

The agreement was signed between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Boeing during a ceremony in New York. Rumee A. Hossain, chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, represented the two organizations at the signing ceremony. Boeing’s official photograph shows Hossain and McMullen in the front row of the ceremony.

The signing was attended by senior Bangladeshi and U.S. officials, reflecting the broader economic and trade context surrounding the aircraft purchase. Among those present were M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Bangladesh Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Humaiun Kobir, State Minister of Foreign Affairs; Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority; Madhi Amin, Advisor to the Prime Minister; U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick; and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

Also pictured at the ceremony were William Kimmitt, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade; Brendan Nelson, Boeing Global senior vice president; Stephanie Pope, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO; S. Paul Kapur, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs; Kaanthi Bhuvanagiri, Boeing sales director for India and South Asia; and Paul Righi, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India and South Asia.

Fleet modernization and network expansion

Biman Chairman Rumee A. Hossain described the supplemental agreement as part of the airline’s ongoing fleet-renewal and network-expansion program. “Today’s supplemental agreement is an important step in Biman’s ongoing fleet renewal and network expansion,” Hossain said, adding that the order responds to specific requirements in the airline’s fleet plan. Hossain said Biman aims to develop its network and capabilities to meet the connectivity needs of passengers in Bangladesh, the country’s expatriate community, businesses and the tourism sector.

Boeing said the additional aircraft will strengthen Biman’s existing Boeing fleet. The 737-8 will provide additional range and capacity for the airline’s single-aisle network, while the 787-10 will add capacity alongside Biman’s existing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. Boeing also said the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX families provide approximately 20% to 25% greater fuel efficiency compared with the aircraft they replace, supporting Biman’s fleet-modernization strategy.

Boeing welcomes additional Biman order

Brad McMullen, Boeing’s senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, said the additional order reflects Biman’s approach to fleet renewal and capacity growth. “Biman’s follow-on order reflects its strategic approach to fleet renewal and capacity growth, and underscores the strength of our long-standing partnership,” McMullen said. He said the additional 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX aircraft will provide the efficiency and versatility Biman needs as Bangladesh’s international aviation market grows.

Broader Bangladesh-U.S. trade context

The aircraft purchase comes as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen economic and trade ties with the United States. Reuters reported that the latest Boeing purchase expands Biman’s planned orders to 25 aircraft as Dhaka seeks to increase imports from the United States and address a trade imbalance of roughly $6 billion. Reuters also reported that the aircraft order is part of broader efforts to reduce pressure related to U.S. tariffs on Bangladeshi exports.

However, the aircraft agreement itself is a commercial purchase between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Boeing, rather than a government-to-government contract between Bangladesh and the United States. Government officials attended and celebrated the signing, but Boeing and Biman are the parties to the aircraft purchase.

Biman’s Boeing fleet

Biman currently operates Boeing 787, 777 and 737 Next-Generation aircraft across its international network, serving destinations in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and Europe. With the latest order, Biman’s planned Boeing purchases announced in 2026 total 25 aircraft, comprising both wide-body Dreamliners and 737 MAX aircraft. The carrier says the fleet expansion is intended to support modernization, increase capacity and strengthen its international network.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC – The U.S. Department of State has launched an online tip portal allowing members of the public to report suspected fraud and misuse involving U.S. visas. According to the State Department, information provided by members of the public has helped authorities identify suspected visa fraud. The new online system is intended to provide a convenient channel for submitting information for review and possible law-enforcement action.

The department said visa fraud can involve falsified documents or travel plans, sham marriages, shell companies, fabricated employment offers, and schemes involving birth tourism, among other activities. Authorities can take action that may include visa revocation and referral of suspected fraud for further investigation.

The State Department also warns that knowingly providing false or misleading information in an effort to obtain a U.S. visa can result in serious immigration consequences. Under U.S. immigration law, willful misrepresentation of a material fact or fraud can result in permanent visa ineligibility in certain circumstances.

Members of the public who have information about suspected U.S. visa or passport fraud can report it through the State Department’s official fraud-reporting resources. The department advises people to provide as much relevant information as possible so reports can be properly assessed.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to sign an agreement in New York to purchase 11 additional commercial aircraft from U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The agreement is scheduled to be signed Wednesday on the sidelines of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen welcomed the deal. In a social media post, he congratulated Boeing and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, describing the purchase of 11 additional commercial aircraft as another mutually beneficial achievement for U.S.-Bangladesh relations.

Christensen also said he was looking forward to witnessing the signing ceremony in New York. The new agreement for 11 aircraft is in addition to a $3.7 billion deal signed with Boeing on April 30. Under that agreement, Biman Bangladesh Airlines agreed to purchase 14 aircraft, including eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9s and four Boeing 737-8s.

With the additional 11 aircraft, Biman’s planned purchases from Boeing will rise to 25 aircraft. However, the specific models, total purchase price, financing arrangements and delivery schedule for the additional 11 aircraft have not yet been disclosed.

The purchase is part of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ plans to expand and modernize its fleet. At the same time, Biman is considering a separate proposal to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft. The additional aircraft are expected to support the airline’s fleet expansion and meet growing demand in the aviation sector. The new aircraft are also intended to help Biman expand its international network and enhance passenger services.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals who knowingly engage in or facilitate commercial “birth tourism” to the United States. Under the policy, announced September 23, the State Department said it will use Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict visa issuance to people involved in commercial birth-tourism operations. The policy specifically targets owners, operators and managers of birth-tourism networks, visa “fixers” who coach applicants to commit fraud, foreign medical providers who knowingly facilitate such travel, and others who knowingly support or enable the practice.

Rubio said foreign commercial birth-tourism networks have exploited the U.S. immigration system by charging large sums of money to arrange births in the United States for the purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for children. The statement also accused some networks of coaching foreign nationals to provide false information on visa applications and of facilitating fraudulent use of Medicaid.

“The Trump Administration is using every tool at our disposal to defend the integrity of U.S. citizenship, protect American public benefits and U.S. taxpayers from exploitation, and safeguard our national security,” Rubio said in the statement.

The State Department has already prohibited birth tourism as a permissible purpose for a U.S. visitor visa. Its current visitor-visa guidance defines birth tourism as travel to the United States primarily to give birth so that the child obtains U.S. citizenship, and states that such travel is not permissible on a visitor visa.

The department previously introduced specific rules addressing birth tourism in 2020. Under those rules, consular officers were directed to deny B-visa applications when they had reason to believe an applicant’s primary purpose for traveling to the United States was to give birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.

The newly announced policy goes beyond the individual seeking to travel for birth tourism by specifically targeting people and organizations that facilitate or profit from the practice. According to Rubio’s statement, certain family members of individuals covered by the restrictions may also be subject to the new visa restrictions.

The announcement comes as the State Department has continued to expand visa screening and vetting measures. On September 18, the department announced that, effective October 1, online-presence review would be expanded to additional nonimmigrant visa categories, saying the screening process is intended to identify applicants who may be inadmissible or who fail to establish eligibility for the visa requested.

The new birth-tourism policy is being implemented under existing provisions of U.S. immigration law rather than through a change to the statutory citizenship rules themselves. The announcement specifically concerns visa restrictions on people involved in or facilitating commercial birth tourism.

CHATTOGRAM – Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee described Awami League (AL) as a banned political organization, asserting that the party is endeavoring to destabilize society through organizing ‘flash processions’ across multiple locations. Such activities will be dealt with both political and administrative measures, he said.

“Efforts by the banned Awami League to provoke civil unrest via flash processions in Chattogram will be handled through political and administrative channels. It is imperative that we prevent them from engaging in any form of unlawful conducts, anarchic behavior, or terrorist activities,” he stated. He told journalists following a special consultation meeting on the district’s law and order situation at the Chattogram Circuit House this afternoon.

Emphasizing the significance of the meeting on the law and order, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said, “This is precisely why today’s gathering—a session of the District Law and Order Coordination Committee—proved to be so vital. We engaged in comprehensive discussions and formulated decisions in collaboration with administrative officials and elected public representatives to mitigate concerns including theft, mugging, robbery, snatching, illegal firearms, and narcotics trafficking. Our objective is to guarantee that the district maintains effective coordination and stability in the forthcoming period.”

Matters such as illegal firearms, narcotics trafficking, hill cutting, and unauthorized sand extraction are receiving equal attention alongside general law and order concerns, the Water Resources Minister said, “Currently, we find ourselves obligated to implement certain stringent measures”.

“For the people’s welfare and to fulfill their requirements, we are directing our efforts toward particular initiatives—especially the confiscation of illegal firearms, the elimination of narcotics operations, and the prevention of hill cutting and sand extraction activities. We have recognized that these practices frequently contribute to the deterioration of law and order conditions. We have thoroughly examined these issues and are implementing suitable interventions,” he said.

He further stated, “With profound dedication to our responsibilities, and guided by the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we have implemented targeted measures to resolve the situation and strengthen law and order—particularly throughout Chattogram city and the surrounding district. InshaAllah, the residents of this region will shortly witness the positive outcomes of these endeavors.”

Earlier, Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee joined a view exchanging meeting on law and order circumstances as the chief guest. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jahidul Islam Mian presided over the event.

Ershad Ullah, MP, Sarwar Jamal Nizam, MP, Abu Sufian, MP, and Humam Quader Chowdhury, accompanied by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin, Chattogram Range DIG Md. Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, and Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali, among others, spoke at the programme.

LONDON: The Chattogram Festival 2026 will be held in London on Sunday, November 1, 2026, bringing together members of the Chattogram community for a daylong celebration of the region’s rich history, heritage and culture. The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Mayfair Venue on Romford Road in East London.

A press briefing on the upcoming festival was held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at a restaurant hall in East London. Muhammad Ali Reza read out a written statement on behalf of the festival organizing committee.

Among those present and speaking at the press briefing were Barrister Monowar Hossain, Councillor Syed Firoz Gani, Gias Uddin, Anupam Saha, Monir Mahmud, Sujon Barua, Masudur Rahman, Shawkat Osman, Nabil Rahman, Saiful Islam, Muhammad Kaiser and Alim Ullah Rahat, among others.

In their written statement, the organizers said the Chattogram Festival is more than an annual cultural event. It is a collective effort to preserve and celebrate Chattogram’s history, heritage, culture, achievements, business and trade traditions, as well as the identity and cultural consciousness of Chattogram people living abroad.

The organizers said the festival also aims to showcase Chattogram’s rich cultural heritage to younger generations while strengthening communication, cooperation and community ties among Chattogram residents in the United Kingdom.

They called on all Chattogram-based organizations in the UK, community leaders, media professionals and members of the younger generation to extend their cooperation and actively participate in the festival. The organizers expressed hope that through collective efforts, mutual cooperation and unity, Chattogram Festival 2026 will become a safe, inclusive and memorable event.

The daylong celebration will feature a variety of cultural and traditional activities, including Chattogram’s renowned Mezbaan, a traditional communal feast known for its distinctive beef dishes and cultural significance.

The organizers have invited Chattogram residents and Bangladeshi communities across the UK to attend the festival with their families and enjoy a celebration highlighting the heritage, culture and traditions of Chattogram.

Subrata Chowdhury, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The Bangladesh Association of South Jersey (BASJ) will host a traditional Mezbaan on Tuesday, September 29, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Bangladesh Community Center, 2709 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City.

A preparatory meeting for the Mezbaan was held on September 22 at the Bangladesh Community Center. BASJ President Zahirul Islam Babul, Abdus Rafiq and other leaders of the organization discussed preparations for the event in detail. BASJ President Zahirul Islam Babul, General Secretary Zakirul Islam Khoka and Trustee Board President Abdus Rafiq have invited members of the Bangladeshi community to attend the Mezbaan.

The organizers said Bangladeshi expatriates from Atlantic City and surrounding communities are expected to participate in the traditional gathering. The Mezbaan is part of the Bangladeshi-American community’s effort to preserve and celebrate the traditional food and cultural heritage of Bangladesh in the United States.