Dhaka: A political controversy has emerged in Bangladesh following reports that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman instructed State Minister Ishraque Hossain to resign from the cabinet. According to media reports, the reported directive came after controversy surrounding Ishraque Hossain’s participation in an anti-drug operation in Dhaka while carrying a firearm.

The issue reportedly came into focus following a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Sunday. However, an official government confirmation and confirmation that a formal resignation has been submitted are necessary to establish the latest status of the matter. The reports have sparked discussion in Bangladesh’s political circles. Further clarification is expected if the government or the individuals concerned issue an official statement.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Awami League President and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her desire to return to Bangladesh in December, calling for the restoration of democracy, voting rights, and the rule of law in the country.

In an interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI), Hasina said Bangladesh was going through a serious national crisis. According to her, democratic space had narrowed, the judiciary was being used for political retaliation, media freedom had been restricted, and law and order had deteriorated. She also said that minorities were facing insecurity, extremist forces had regained ground, and the economy had suffered. She said factory closures, rising unemployment, declining investment, electricity and gas shortages, and increasing prices were putting pressure on ordinary families.

Hasina said returning to Bangladesh could expose her to the risk of arrest, imprisonment, or even death. Referring to the killing of members of her family in 1975, her return to Bangladesh in 1981, and the grenade attack on August 21, 2004, she said those experiences had not changed her determination.

According to Hasina, the death sentence handed down against her was politically motivated and delivered without giving her an adequate opportunity to defend herself. She said many Awami League leaders had left the country to protect their lives, while those remaining in Bangladesh were also facing pressure.

Hasina said the Awami League maintained an organisational base across Bangladesh. According to her, the party was demanding democracy, the rule of law, the release of political prisoners, the withdrawal of what she described as false cases, protection for minorities, action against extremism, and economic recovery.

She said the Awami League wanted to return to power through free and fair elections. However, she added that the party would have to accept the people’s decision if voters elected another political party.

Hasina said Bangladesh’s foreign policy should be guided by the principle of “friendship to all, malice towards none.” She described India as Bangladesh’s closest neighbour and historic friend, while identifying China as an important partner. She also stressed the importance of maintaining relations with Japan, the United States, Europe, ASEAN, and the Muslim world.

She highlighted cooperation with India during her government’s tenure in security, connectivity, energy, trade, and border management. She referred to the Ganges water-sharing treaty, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, the Land Boundary Agreement, the exchange of enclaves, bus and train links, port access, and energy cooperation.

Speaking about the Teesta River management project, Hasina said it should be transparent, technically sound, and environmentally responsible. According to her, the issue was connected to water resources, agriculture, the environment, people’s livelihoods, and relations between Bangladesh and India. She said a solution should be pursued through dialogue and mutual respect to ensure Bangladesh’s fair share of Teesta waters.

Hasina described Bangladesh’s decision not to participate in the BRICS summit held in India as unfortunate and immature. In her view, the decision had harmed Bangladesh’s national interests and caused the country to miss opportunities for international cooperation. She said foreign policy should not be driven by personal considerations or political reactions, adding that Bangladesh needed to maintain balanced relations with different countries.

Hasina said Bangladesh’s economy had expanded from approximately $70 billion to $450 billion during the Awami League government’s tenure. According to figures she cited, per capita income had increased from $482 to $2,784. She said the poverty rate had fallen from 41 per cent to 18.6 per cent, while extreme poverty had declined from 25.1 per cent to 5.6 per cent.

She also said Bangladesh’s power generation capacity had increased from 3,782 megawatts to more than 28,000 megawatts. Among the development projects she highlighted were the Padma Bridge, metro rail, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the Matarbari project, the Karnaphuli Tunnel, the Bangabandhu Satellite, roads, bridges, ports, economic zones, community clinics, and housing projects for landless families.

Discussing the current economic situation, Hasina said GDP growth had slowed, non-performing loans had increased, investment had declined, and unemployment had risen. She claimed that more than 500 factories had closed and over 20 million people had become newly unemployed.

She also said many industrialists and businesspeople were in prison or in hiding. According to her, the government was borrowing between Tk 7 billion and Tk 9 billion daily from banks, while the costs of various projects had increased by between 50 per cent and 250 per cent.

Addressing the measles situation, Hasina said there had been delays in procuring vaccines and that Muhammad Yunus had been warned about shortages of vaccines for children. She alleged that vaccines had not been procured on time and that the issue had not subsequently been addressed with the urgency required. Hasina claimed that more than 1,000 children had died and held Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman responsible for the situation.

Speaking about the 2024 student movement, Hasina said her government had taken steps to resolve the dispute over quotas. She noted that the quota system had been abolished following the student movement in 2018. According to her, the protests continued in 2024 even after the demands had been addressed and later developed into a movement to bring down the government.

Referring to a statement by Muhammad Yunus, Hasina questioned who had been involved in planning, financing, and organising violence during the movement. She said a judicial commission had been formed to investigate violence on July 18, 2024, but alleged that it was discontinued after Yunus came to power. She further claimed that participants in the movement had received legal protection while numerous cases had been filed against Awami League leaders and activists. Hasina said an independent investigation was needed to identify those who ordered, organised, financed, or benefited from killings, arson, and other acts of violence.

Hasina said her government had taken initiatives to encourage the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to participate in the 2024 election. She claimed that Khaleda Zia had been invited for talks and that proposals had been made to include representatives of different political parties in the government during the election period. According to Hasina, the BNP rejected these proposals and boycotted the election.

She referred to incidents involving attacks and arson targeting vehicles, trains, schools, and polling centres at different times. She also mentioned the Hefazat-e-Islam movement in 2013, pre-election violence in 2014, the Holey Artisan attack in 2016, and the BNP’s participation in the 2018 election. Hasina said political parties should participate in elections and accept the people’s verdict in a democracy.

Hasina called on the international community to support democracy, human rights, the rule of law, political participation, and media freedom in Bangladesh. She said it would not be possible to build an inclusive Bangladesh by banning a major political party, keeping its leaders in prison, restricting media freedom, and excluding millions of people from the political process. In the PTI interview, Hasina reiterated her desire to return to Bangladesh and emphasised the restoration of democracy, voting rights, and the rule of law.

DHAKA — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has assured researchers of government support for a project to produce fuel oil from human waste, sewage, kitchen waste and agricultural residues. The prime minister gave the assurance on Saturday after viewing a demonstration of the technology at his office in Tejgaon, according to his Deputy Press Secretary Md Suzauddhowla (Sujan Mahmud).

Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) Professor Dr Md Khalekuzzaman briefed the prime minister on the research, its progress and the prospects for commercial production. The researchers have been developing the technology for nearly a decade using Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL), a process that converts wet organic waste into biocrude under high temperature and pressure.

Laboratory tests have reportedly achieved biocrude yields of 50 to 55 percent, with further progress in producing diesel-rich biocrude. The next step is to establish a pilot plant capable of processing one to three tonnes of waste daily to evaluate production efficiency, costs and commercial viability. The proposed facility is estimated to cost Tk 100 crore to Tk 120 crore.

According to the researchers, successful commercial-scale implementation could eventually replace 10 to 15 percent of Bangladesh’s imported crude oil and save an estimated Tk 6,500 crore to Tk 13,000 crore in foreign exchange annually.

However, the researchers acknowledged that these projections depend on successful scale-up and assessments of the technology’s economic viability. They said the project could help reduce fuel import dependence, improve waste management, curb environmental pollution and create opportunities for a domestic fuel industry.

Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, State Minister Aninda Islam Amit, University Grants Commission member Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, KUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Masud and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation Chairman Dr Md Rafiqul Islam were also present at the demonstration.

DHAKA — The Bangladesh government has said it has not taken any formal decision to launch a new nationwide joint operation similar to the controversial “Operation Clean Heart” of 2002, while coordinated law-enforcement drives against crime, extortion and drug-related activities are set to continue and intensify.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday that ongoing operations involving police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Special Response Battalion (SRB) and Ansar are part of the regular law-enforcement process.

“There is no formal decision to conduct a joint operation,” the minister said, adding that coordinated activities to combat terrorism, extortion and drugs would be strengthened further. The minister made the remarks after unveiling the foundation plaque for the new headquarters of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

His comments came amid growing discussion over whether the government might undertake a large-scale security campaign following reports of extortion, land grabbing and other criminal activities in different parts of the country.

Salahuddin also ruled out plans for a special operation modeled on the 2002 “Operation Clean Heart.” He said the government was not considering establishing a separate joint force for such a campaign and described the ongoing coordination among law-enforcement agencies as part of their regular activities.

Alleged Criminal Networks

Recent media reports have also highlighted an alleged list of people involved in extortion and land or property grabbing in Dhaka. A report published by The Daily Inqilab said a list reportedly prepared by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police identified 1,536 people allegedly involved in land grabbing, footpath occupation and extortion. The report said 1,252 were identified as active extortionists and 278 as alleged patrons or facilitators. It further claimed that 230 of the 278 alleged patrons were current or former leaders or activists of the BNP or its affiliated organisations.

Those figures have not been independently established here as an official DMP publication, and political affiliations mentioned in such reports should be treated as allegations rather than established findings.

Law-Enforcement Operations to Continue

The government says police and other security agencies will continue working together against extortion, drugs, terrorism and other crimes. Salahuddin said law-enforcement personnel found negligent in their duties or involved in criminal activities could face departmental and legal action, including criminal cases where allegations are proved. The current approach therefore involves strengthening coordination among existing agencies rather than announcing a new operation under the name “Operation Clean Heart.”

The original Operation Clean Heart was launched in October 2002 and involved the military in a nationwide anti-crime campaign. Human Rights Watch later documented allegations of deaths in custody and other human-rights abuses associated with the operation. The government’s latest position, however, is that no new campaign modeled on that operation has been approved.

DHAKA — The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has extended the deadline for submitting applications for fresh gazette enlistment as Bir Muktijoddha (Valiant Freedom Fighter) to October 7, 2026. According to a gazette notification issued Thursday, eligible individuals can submit their applications for enlistment within the extended deadline. The ministry said no new applications will be accepted after October 7.

A memorandum issued by the ministry’s Gazette Branch requested its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Branch to take necessary steps to publish the public notice on the ministry’s website. The memorandum was signed by Under Secretary Haridas Thakur.

The ministry said applications for enlistment as Bir Muktijoddha had previously been received at various times, followed by verification processes. Under the prescribed procedure, applications are considered for gazette enlistment after verification of an applicant’s role during the Liberation War, along with relevant documents and other supporting information.

The ministry said there are provisions for verifying applications through the National Freedom Fighters Council and the relevant administrative authorities. The extension provides applicants additional time to submit their applications before the process closes for new submissions.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said his government wants to build a “Healthy Bangladesh” where healthcare begins at home and in the community, placing primary healthcare at the centre of the country’s health reform agenda with particular emphasis on women and children.

“My government is transforming our health system, guided by a simple principle: ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ We want to build a Healthy Bangladesh, where healthcare begins in the home and community,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while opening a high-level side event titled “From Commitment to Action: Integrating Midwifery into Primary Health Care to End Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths” at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Bangladesh co-hosted the event with Sweden in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event focused on integrating professional midwifery into primary healthcare to improve maternal and newborn care and reduce preventable deaths.

Tarique Rahman outlined plans to strengthen community-based primary healthcare and expand the role of professional midwives as members of multidisciplinary primary healthcare teams.

He said his government intends to recruit 100,000 additional health workers, 80 percent of whom will be women, to connect families with the health system, identify health risks at an early stage and facilitate timely care.

“One professional has a particularly important role in this continuum: the midwife,” he said.

“A professional midwife can become a woman’s trusted health professional from preconception through the postnatal period,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the government has decided to recruit 25,000 professional midwives across Bangladesh and that the process has already begun. He said the midwives would provide essential reproductive healthcare, support antenatal care, promote safe and respectful childbirth, identify complications early and facilitate referrals. They would also support mothers and newborns through breastfeeding, immunisation and healthy childhood development, he said.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh had built an important foundation for professional midwifery, including through professional midwifery education, stronger regulation and deployment of midwives at district, sub-district and union-level facilities.

“We now have more than 11,000 licensed midwives, with the objective of reaching 25,000 by 2030,” he said. He also acknowledged the contribution of Sweden and UNFPA to the development of professional midwifery in Bangladesh.

With UNFPA’s cooperation, Bangladesh has expanded midwifery-led care across 22 districts, where skilled midwives have supported more than 154,000 births and managed critical maternal cases, he said.

“These are not merely statistics. They represent mothers returning home safely, and newborns beginning life with hope,” the Prime Minister said. He also outlined the government’s plan to develop an integrated digital health ecosystem under which every citizen would have a Health Card linked to a digital health record and electronic referral system.

“For a woman in rural Bangladesh, her care can be registered close to home, her visits tracked, and her risk factors recorded. If referred to a higher-level hospital, the necessary information should travel with her,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government’s vision for women’s health extends beyond pregnancy and childbirth and covers women’s health throughout the life course. This includes adolescent health, reproductive health and family planning, as well as prevention and early detection of cervical and breast cancers, he said. “Midwifery must therefore be part of a broader platform for women’s health within Primary Health Care,” Tarique Rahman said. He stressed that the next phase of the initiative should be driven by national ownership and sustainable domestic investment.

“As we open today’s discussion, I leave you with one ambition: Every woman should have access to a skilled professional midwife as part of her Primary Health Care team, close to where she lives,” he said.

“For Bangladesh, this means deploying midwives nationwide, strengthening community health services and referral pathways, and connecting citizens through a modern digital health system,” he added.

“Together, these steps will help us build a healthy, thriving Bangladesh. And this is how we move from commitment to action,” the Prime Minister said.

The event brought together ministers, UN agencies, development partners and health experts to discuss ways of translating commitments on midwifery and primary healthcare into sustainable investments and stronger health systems. UNFPA described the integration of midwifery into primary healthcare as a key strategy for expanding equitable, high-quality and dignified maternal and newborn care.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on the international community to extend stronger support for the dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar and help find a sustainable solution to the prolonged crisis.

The prime minister made the appeal on Tuesday when Julie Bishop, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar, paid a courtesy call on him in New York, where he is attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

During the meeting, Tarique Rahman stressed the importance of continued international cooperation to facilitate the safe and dignified return of Rohingyas and resolve the crisis, according to PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

The two sides also discussed the role of the international community in addressing the Rohingya crisis, including efforts to create conditions conducive to their eventual return to Myanmar.

The meeting comes ahead of a high-level Rohingya crisis side event scheduled for Wednesday at UN Headquarters, co-hosted by Bangladesh and The Gambia. The event will focus on finding a durable solution to the protracted displacement, along with justice and accountability.

Bangladesh has consistently called for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingyas to Myanmar, where the crisis originated. The country is currently hosting about 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, placing significant humanitarian, economic and environmental pressure on Bangladesh. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 24.

DHAKA: President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said democracy must be institutionalized and the local government system strengthened to consolidate democracy in the country. He made the remarks when administrators from 33 district councils paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this afternoon. Describing local government as one of the key pillars of democracy, the president urged the district council administrators to work actively to eliminate corruption left behind by the previous era.

During the meeting, the district council administrators placed several demands before the president, including raising their status. The president assured them of government cooperation in resolving their problems, saying, “This government is the government of the people and will take quick steps in this regard.”

Fakhrul Islam said the government is working seriously to strengthen the local government system as part of efforts to decentralize power. The president also recalled the active participation of district council administrators in restoring democracy and their role in the long-running movement against fascism. He urged the administrators to bring greater dynamism to development activities, ensure effective citizen services at the local level, and maintain administrative transparency.

DHAKA: President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today pledged to discharge his constitutional responsibilities in a completely non-partisan manner for the welfare of the state. “I resigned from the party, parliament and the Cabinet before assuming the responsibility of the President. I am now completely a non-partisan person, and after assuming the responsibility of the President of my state, I will work in a completely non-partisan manner for the welfare of the state and the nation,” he said.

He made the remarks at the first Durbar of the President with the officers and employees of Bangabhaban at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 11:30 am. The President said that after assuming the responsibility as President, he would have no anger or affection towards anyone, and the interests of the country, state and people would be his prime objective.

At the event, he urged the officers and employees of Bangabhaban to discharge their respective responsibilities with dedication, sincerity and honesty. He stressed ensuring public trust, honesty, dedication, sincerity and responsibility under any circumstances. “We must have love, respect and loyalty towards the country and its people.”

The President also emphasized on maintaining confidentiality of the important activities related to national securities that took place in the Bangabhaban. He called for economy and responsibility in state expending and urged prevention of waste.

The President said government resources and other facilities are managed with the money of the country’s people. “Therefore, their proper, responsible, transparent and accountable use must be ensured,” he said. He urged the officers and employees to maintain discipline in their personal lives as well as regularly strive to build moral strength and good character while maintaining balance between family life and workspaces.

“We are a family here and we all work from the same place. We will have opportunities, and at that time we will talk to each other and try to resolve the problems,” he said. The President said he had spent a long period of his political life and during that time had participated in struggles alongside the people.

He paid deep respect to those who sacrificed their lives in the country’s Great War of Liberation in 1971 and the contribution on Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman during the Liberation War and nation building afterwards.

Later, he recalled BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia for her courageous leadership, sacrifices and contribution throughout her long political career. Highlighting the history and tradition of Bangabhaban, he expressed the hope that everyone would continue to work together in the future.

DHAKA: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said the government is committed to protecting human rights and ensuring that no citizen is detained or imprisoned unjustly because of political affiliation or vendetta.

“The government will definitely ensure that no one is unjustly imprisoned or detained due to political vendetta,” she told journalists at the foreign ministry on Wednesday.

Shama said the government’s commitment to due process and fundamental rights extends to supporters of all political parties, including opposition parties and the Awami League, whose activities are currently banned.

“No party, be it the opposition party, Awami League, or any party, the current government will definitely ensure that no one is unjustly imprisoned or detained due to political vendetta,” she said.

The State Minister alleged that Bangladesh had experienced widespread human rights violations over the past 17 years, saying BNP leaders and activists were among the major victims.

“The kind of human rights that have been violated in Bangladesh in the last 17 years has never been violated in the history of Bangladesh,” she said.

“The biggest victim is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, its leaders and activists,” she added.

Shama said the government would not allow a return to what she described as the country’s previous “fascist era” and would work to protect the fundamental rights of every citizen.

“We will never want the past fascist era to return now or in the future. We want all human rights to be ensured to every citizen,” she said.

She said the government has a responsibility to protect citizens’ rights and ensure that the justice system is not used for political revenge.

“Our government’s stand is that we are trying to protect human rights. We are responsible to the people,” she said.

Bangladesh policy guides foreign relations

Turning to foreign policy, Shama said Bangladesh’s approach is focused on protecting national interests while maintaining balanced and respectful relations with all countries.

“Our foreign policy is first and foremost a ‘Bangladesh policy’… with equal rights with everyone and maintaining our own interests with respect,” she said.

She said the elected government’s political mandate had strengthened Bangladesh’s position in negotiations with international partners.

“When Bangladesh is talking, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is talking, then all the other stakeholders including China are listening to our words with more attention, more seriously,” she said.

“Now that Bangladesh is an elected government, we have a stronger position in our negotiation space,” she added.

Rohingya crisis requires political solution

On the Rohingya crisis, Shama said Bangladesh would use its strengthened diplomatic position to encourage greater international engagement and push for a lasting political solution.

“The matter is absolutely a political problem, it is a very sensitive matter and we need to solve this problem politically,” she said.

She said Bangladesh remains engaged in both official and unofficial communication with various stakeholders in Myanmar as part of efforts to resolve the crisis.

“We are trying to involve the international community more,” she said, referring to a high-level UN session on the Rohingya crisis scheduled for September, which Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to attend.

Bangladesh will also explore whether greater involvement from the Muslim world could help increase pressure on Myanmar and create momentum towards a solution, she said.

According to Shama, the crisis has become increasingly complex since the massive influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh began in 2017, particularly because of Myanmar’s changing political and security landscape.

She pointed to the emergence of the Arakan Army and other actors in Rakhine State, as well as growing security concerns along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, including human smuggling and drug trafficking.

Shama said it was difficult to determine the exact number of Rohingyas currently living in Bangladesh because of continued arrivals and births in the camps.

“We don’t know the exact number right now, but it will definitely be over 1.3 million,” she said, adding that an estimated 30,000 children are born in the camps each year.

She said Chinese President Xi Jinping had expressed Beijing’s willingness to cooperate with Bangladesh in finding a solution to the Rohingya crisis during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China.

Shama also questioned the effectiveness of existing arrangements for resolving the crisis without stronger involvement from the United Nations and other major international stakeholders.

She said Bangladesh could gain additional diplomatic leverage from Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman’s upcoming role as President of the UN General Assembly.

“From that place, we have a power to speak for Bangladesh in the international community. We think that at least in the next year, we will be able to use this capacity a little better,” she said.

Shama reiterated that Bangladesh would continue to pursue a “Bangladesh policy” in its international relations, protecting national interests while maintaining ties with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect.