United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been kept on maximum alert to prevent any illegal infiltration or push-ins through the borders, ruling out the possibility of any tension in Bangladesh stemming from assembly elections or internal developments in any Indian state. “Bangladesh maintains relations with friendly countries on the basis of sovereign equality. BGB remains on high alert to prevent any kind of illegal intrusion or push-in through the border,” he said. Action to be taken if evidence of extortion is provided: Salahuddin The minister came up with the statement while speaking at a press briefing after a high-level meeting at the Secretariat on law and order, security at sacrificial cattle markets and overall preparations ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. He said strict security measures will be taken across the country ahead of Eid to maintain public safety and smooth movement of people and sacrificial animals. A special monitoring cell has been formed at the Police Headquarters to ensure public security before and after Eid, Salahuddin said. “The cell will remain active round the clock for seven days before and seven days after Eid,” he said. Police, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansar, BGB, Bangladesh Coast Guard and intelligence agencies have been instructed to work in coordination, he said, adding that hotline services of police, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority will remain active for emergency support during the Eid period. A total of 4,259 cattle markets have been leased out across the country this year, including 15 under the Dhaka North City Corporation and 11 under the Dhaka South City Corporation. Authorities have been instructed to ensure adequate lighting and install CCTV cameras at the markets, while bank booths and counterfeit currency detection machines will also be set up there, the minister said. Besides, Ansar members will be deployed at the cattle markets based on demand from leaseholders to strengthen security, he said. Issuing a warning against extortion on roads and waterways involving cattle-carrying vehicles, Salahuddin said law enforcement agencies will use body-worn cameras and maintain intelligence surveillance in plain clothes to prevent such activities. The BGB has been instructed to remain on highest alert to prevent rawhide smuggling after Eid, he said. To preserve the quality of sacrificial raw hides, a nationwide campaign will be launched, encouraging people to apply salt within two hours of slaughter of animals, the minister said, adding that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has approved Tk 20 crore for the free distribution of salt for this purpose. He said instructions have also been given to ensure the payment of wages and bonuses for garment workers before the Eid holidays. Meanwhile, measures have been taken to prevent accidents on roads and waterways by stopping unfit vehicles from operating and repairing potholes on highways quickly, Salahuddin said. “Special arrangements will also be made to prevent harassment of passengers and cattle transporters on ferries and launches during the Eid rush.” Expressing hope for a peaceful celebration of Eid, he said the government’s coordinated measures will help ensure a safe and festive environment across the country.

The Gender Champions Network (GCN), an initiative of SAJIDA Foundation supported by the Gates Foundation, was launched in Dhaka with a call for stronger private-sector commitment to gender equity and inclusive workplaces in Bangladesh. The launch event, titled ‘Transforming Workplaces: Driving Equity and Empowering Action,’ was held at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday, bringing together business leaders, development practitioners, academics, researchers and corporate professionals, said a press release issued on Tuesday. Gender Champions Network launched to promote workplace equity in Bangladesh At the event, organisers unveiled findings from a study titled ‘Gender at Work: A Study of Selected Private Sector Firms in Bangladesh,’ highlighting persistent gender disparities across sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, finance, pharmaceuticals, real estate and leather. The study found significant gender disparities in the workplace. Women account for 22 percent of entry-level positions but only 6 percent of mid-management roles, indicating a sharp drop in female representation during career progression. It also revealed that women earn 85 taka for every 100 taka earned by men, while the pay gap at leadership level exceeds 40 percent. Women were also found to have less access to technical and leadership training opportunities and shoulder a heavier overall workload when unpaid care responsibilities are considered. The research focused on six key areas: gender representation, pay equity, fair recruitment and promotion, career advancement and mentorship, workplace culture and protections, and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sajeda Amin, Senior Research Advisor at SAJIDA Foundation, featured Anupama Anand of the Gates Foundation, Professor Dr. Melita Mehjabeen of University of Dhaka and Chairman of National Bank PLC, Ruhul Quddus Khan, CEO and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh, Nihad Kabir of Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates and Zahida Fizza Kabir, CEO of SAJIDA Foundation and Chairperson of the Gender Champions Network. Speaking at the discussion, Ruhul Quddus Khan said gender equality must be treated as a business priority across organisations rather than remaining limited to human resources departments. Zahida Fizza Kabir said gender justice is a human right and stressed the need for organisations at all levels to commit to inclusivity and institutional reform. Anupama Anand noted that although women constitute half of Bangladesh’s working-age population, female labour force participation remains at 35 percent, attributing the gap to structural barriers rather than lack of aspiration. According to organisers, the Gender Champions Network aims to bring together companies committed to inclusive practices and support measurable improvements through partnerships, expert guidance, workshops and policy advocacy. Ten organisations have already joined the network as founding champions, organisers said.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday sentenced three persons to death and six others including a former Union Parishad chairman, to life imprisonment for killing a village doctor in 2019. Judge of the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunl-1 Rahibul Islam handed down the punishment. The condemned convicts are—Babul Sardar, Tekon Sardar and Gaziar Sardar of Goalanda upazila in Rajbari district. Over 40 lakh pending cases: Govt moves to fast-track lower court cases Those who get life imprisonment are-former chairman of Debgram Union Parishad Ator Ali, Raihan Sardar, Habibur Rahman alias Hobi Sardar, Helal Khan, Zillur Rahman and Zia Mandal. Except Zillur and Zia Mandal, seven convicts were tried in absentia and the court issued arrest warrant for them. According to the prosecution, Babul Sardar, a Jubo League leader and son of former chairman Ator Ali had an altercation with former chairman of Debgram Union Parishad Hafizul Islam Babul Sardar during Awami League council in Goalanda upazila on October 14, 2019. In a row, the supporters of Bubul sardar led by Ator Ali took position at Ali Bazar intersection point and beat the supporters of Hafizul Chairman while passing through the road. Rezaul Karim alias Abu doctor also beat up mercilessly by the supporters of Babul Sardar while passing through the road, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to a local hospital from where he was referred to Faridpur Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. A case was filed in this connection. Police submitted chargesheet against 22 people on October 5, 2022. After examining records and witnesses, the court acquitted 12 others as allegations brought against them could not be proved.

The government’s procurement-related committee on Tuesday recommended approving two separate development and infrastructure-related proposals involving more than Tk 161 crore. The proposals were placed by the Internal Resources Division and the Ministry of Industries at the Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement meeting held at the Secretariat with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair. Govt to procure 2 crore litres of refined palm olein  Under the first proposal, the committee recommended approving the procurement proposal for the construction of residential buildings for Customs House, Chattogram under the project titled “Customs Modernisation and Infrastructure Development.” The work under Package No: WD-01 will be implemented at a cost of Tk 102.41 crore. The committee recommended awarding the contract to M Jamal & Company Limited of Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Officials said the project is aimed at improving residential and institutional facilities under Customs House, Chattogram as part of broader customs modernisation efforts. In another decision, the committee recommended approving a proposal for construction of a fertiliser buffer warehouse in Rangpur under the project titled “Construction of 34 Buffer Warehouses in Different Parts of the Country for Fertiliser Preservation and Distribution Facilities (1st Revised).” The construction work under Package-5, Lot-5 involving a 20,000-tonne capacity warehouse in Rangpur will be implemented at a cost of Tk 59.20 crore. The contract was recommended in favour of SS Rahman International Ltd, located at TCB Bhaban, Kawran Bazar, Dhaka. According to meeting sources, the warehouse project is intended to strengthen fertiliser storage and distribution facilities across the country to ensure smooth agricultural supply management.

The Gender Champions Network (GCN), an initiative of SAJIDA Foundation supported by the Gates Foundation, was launched in Dhaka with a call for stronger private-sector commitment to gender equity and inclusive workplaces in Bangladesh. The launch event, titled ‘Transforming Workplaces: Driving Equity and Empowering Action,’ was held at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday, bringing together business leaders, development practitioners, academics, researchers and corporate professionals, said a press release issued on Tuesday. At the event, organisers unveiled findings from a study titled ‘Gender at Work: A Study of Selected Private Sector Firms in Bangladesh,’ highlighting persistent gender disparities across sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, finance, pharmaceuticals, real estate and leather. The study found significant gender disparities in the workplace. Women account for 22 percent of entry-level positions but only 6 percent of mid-management roles, indicating a sharp drop in female representation during career progression. It also revealed that women earn 85 taka for every 100 taka earned by men, while the pay gap at leadership level exceeds 40 percent. Women were also found to have less access to technical and leadership training opportunities and shoulder a heavier overall workload when unpaid care responsibilities are considered. The research focused on six key areas: gender representation, pay equity, fair recruitment and promotion, career advancement and mentorship, workplace culture and protections, and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sajeda Amin, Senior Research Advisor at SAJIDA Foundation, featured Anupama Anand of the Gates Foundation, Professor Dr. Melita Mehjabeen of University of Dhaka and Chairman of National Bank PLC, Ruhul Quddus Khan, CEO and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh, Nihad Kabir of Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates and Zahida Fizza Kabir, CEO of SAJIDA Foundation and Chairperson of the Gender Champions Network. Speaking at the discussion, Ruhul Quddus Khan said gender equality must be treated as a business priority across organisations rather than remaining limited to human resources departments. Zahida Fizza Kabir said gender justice is a human right and stressed the need for organisations at all levels to commit to inclusivity and institutional reform. Anupama Anand noted that although women constitute half of Bangladesh’s working-age population, female labour force participation remains at 35 percent, attributing the gap to structural barriers rather than lack of aspiration. According to organisers, the Gender Champions Network aims to bring together companies committed to inclusive practices and support measurable improvements through partnerships, expert guidance, workshops and policy advocacy. Ten organisations have already joined the network as founding champions, organisers said.  

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) have pledged to work in a coordinated manner to prevent money laundering in the country's housing sector. The commitment came during a view-exchange meeting held on Tuesday at the Bangladesh Bank's headquarters, where both sides outlined a joint compliance framework for the real estate industry. The meeting focused on the obligations and responsibilities of reporting entities in the real estate sector under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 and the Money Laundering Prevention Rules, 2019, along with detailed discussions on compliance mechanisms. REHAB leaders meet Housing Minister, seek policy support for affordable housing REHAB President Ali Afzal reaffirmed his organisation's commitment to upholding government laws and policies aimed at transforming the housing sector into a modern, transparent and internationally competitive industry. "REHAB will play an effective role in making member organisations more aware and accountable by coordinating with BFIU to prevent money laundering." He also called for reducing real estate registration costs to close loopholes that allow undisclosed income to flow into the sector. REHAB Senior Vice President Abdur Razzaque stressed that ensuring compliance is critical to establishing good governance and maintaining investor confidence in the real estate sector. "REHAB will work consistently to make member firms more capable in legal reporting and risk management." Other members of the REHAB Board of Directors present at the meeting welcomed the government's anti-money laundering drive and emphasised the need to strengthen training, awareness campaigns and coordinated action in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and other relevant agencies. BFIU officials, for their part, provided detailed guidance to real estate developers on applicable compliance requirements, reporting procedures, Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols and risk management practices.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to set a target to bring at least one member from each of the country’s nearly 20 crore families under the Universal Pension Scheme by 2030, stressing the need for a stronger and more inclusive pension system to address Bangladesh’s future demographic challenges. The directive came at a high-level meeting on the progress, challenges and future action plan of the Universal Pension Scheme held at the Finance Ministry conference room. Inclusive economy key to taking ‘Bangladesh story’ global: Khosru The meeting was chaired by the Finance Minister and attended by Executive Chairman of the National Pension Authority Dr Md Surujjaman, Finance Secretary Dr Khairuzzaman Mozumder and senior officials of the authority and the Finance Division. During the meeting, the Executive Chairman of the National Pension Authority presented a detailed overview of the current status of the Universal Pension Scheme. According to the presentation, a total of 377,545 citizens have been registered under the four pension schemes – Probash, Progoti, Surokkha and Samata – as of April 30, 2026. The total amount deposits in the pension fund have reached around Tk 255.70 crore, while the cumulative investment, including profit, has stood at Tk 279.74 crore. Officials told the meeting that nearly 85 percent of Bangladesh’s labour force is employed in the informal sector, highlighting the importance of expanding pension coverage beyond formal employment. The meeting was also informed that the country’s old-age dependency ratio is projected to rise significantly from 9.4 percent in 2023 to 24 percent by 2050 and 48 percent by 2075, making long-term social protection and retirement security increasingly critical. Against this backdrop, participants stressed the need to make the Universal Pension Scheme more sustainable, effective and inclusive. The Finance Minister placed special emphasis on expanding the pension programme nationwide and making it more attractive to citizens. He expressed a positive attitude towards introducing a Shariah-based pension scheme, considering lifetime pension benefits for nominees and bringing outsourcing workers under the Progoti scheme. The meeting was informed that the Asian Development Bank has pledged to provide concessional financing of US$100 million for a project aimed at strengthening the universal pension system, while feasibility assessment activities are currently underway. Officials also said pension contributions are now being collected through 45 banks and financial institutions, as well as through digital financial platforms, including bKash, Nagad and Teletalk Bangladesh Limited. Registration activities are also being conducted through Union Digital Centres across the country to widen access to the scheme. Khosru said establishing a pension fund for private sector employees is one of the key commitments outlined in the government’s election manifesto to ensure financial security for citizens during old age. He also stressed the importance of increasing public confidence in the pension system through stronger awareness campaigns, enhanced cyber security measures and the recruitment of skilled and professional manpower. Following detailed discussions, the meeting decided to take necessary measures to make the Universal Pension Scheme more effective and inclusive. The Finance Minister thanked officials of the National Pension Authority for actively carrying forward the programme and urged all stakeholders to continue coordinated efforts to bring the scheme closer to every citizen in the country.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the government will take action if specific information or evidence of extortion is provided, in response to allegations made by the Leader of the Opposition that extortion is driving up commodity prices. “If the Leader of the Opposition has any records showing that extortion has increased, he can provide them to me, or you (journalists) can provide them. Then we will be able to address the matter,” he told reporters after a meeting at the Secretariat on law and order, security at sacrificial cattle markets and overall preparations ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Old shirt to return as govt finalises new police uniform: Salahuddin “Once we receive a list of places where extortion has increased, we will take action,” the minister added. Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman recently claimed that commodity prices had increased due to extortion. He made the claim after visiting Shah Ali wholesale market in Mirpur-1 in the capital, where traders allegedly complained about silent extortion and excessive shop rents. According to the traders, shops officially rented out for Tk 5,000 at the government market are being sublet for as much as Tk 1,50,000, creating extra pressure on businesses. Many traders also said they were afraid of identifying those allegedly involved in extortion. In response, Shafiqur Rahman said such practices must be resisted collectively and assured traders of support if they choose to stand against extortion. Referring to the allegations, Salahuddin said immediate action will be taken if authorities receive concrete information on the matter. Noting that a nationwide special drive has been underway since April 30 against extortionists, terrorists, armed criminals, drug traders and gamblers, he said, “Special emphasis has been given to arresting drug dealers and illegal arms holders.” Police Headquarters, Dhaka Metropolitan Police and district police superintendents have been instructed to regularly submit progress reports on the drives, the minister said.

A clinical trial led by Bangladeshi researcher Forhad Chowdhury at the University of Oxford has found that procalcitonin-based testing could help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in Bangladesh, offering a potential tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR has become a growing global concern due to the widespread misuse and overuse of antibiotics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to advanced microbiology labs remains limited. Global leaders converge at Oxford to champion sustainable economic futures Drawing on his experience as a clinician in Bangladesh, Chowdhury observed that antibiotics are often over-prescribed and widely available over the counter, contributing to rising resistance. Microbiological tests are crucial to help clinicians determine the most appropriate course and length of antibiotic treatment, according to the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research (IOI). They allow clinicians to rapidly detect the presence of bacteria in blood and urine samples from patients. However, high-quality microbiology labs are not always accessible in low-and-middle income countries like Bangladesh. Instead, clinicians rely on standardised national guidelines. These recommend predefined durations for using specific antibiotics, which don't vary patient-to-patient and can lead to patients taking the drug for longer than strictly necessary. Two clinicians are working to take a blood sample from a patient at the Chittagong Medical College in Bangladesh, as part of a trial run by Oxford DPhil student Forhad Chowdhury. “By prolonging the use of antibiotics in patients without biological indication or validation, patients and clinicians were overusing antibiotics, which increases the spread of AMR. The necessary microbiological tests to guide these treatments can often be unavailable to clinicians in resource-limited settings, so in my research I wanted to show that there are viable alternatives,” said Chowdhury. For his DPhil, he studied other, non-microbiological forms of testing, which can inform the de-escalation of antibiotic treatments without involving the lab. He chose to use a compound called procalcitonin, which becomes more prevalent in the body when there is a bacterial infection, and decreases after treatment with antibiotics.  “High levels of the biomarker procalcitonin in blood samples indicate an infection, and when antibiotic treatments cause levels to drop below a pre-determined safe target amount, a patient no longer needs antibiotics. Procalcitonin-based diagnostics can provide a more affordable, accessible way of testing for infections than sending samples to labs, ultimately reducing the burden of prolonged antibiotic use in hospitals in Bangladesh,” said Chowdhury. Starting in 2023, Forhad and a team of researchers ran the PROCALBAN clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of procalcitonin as a biomarker to guide antibiotic use. They recruited over 500 patients with either confirmed or suspected sepsis in the Chittagong Medical College in Bangladesh. Patients were split into two groups: one group where antibiotic treatment duration was guided by daily procalcitonin tests through, and another where treatment was guided solely by national guidelines.   Forhad and the team found that, on average, treatment duration could be shortened by around 3 days - enough of a reduction to significantly reduce antibiotic overuse in the region. The team also sent 120 bacterial isolates to the UK for whole genome sequencing, which will fuel further research into sepsis in low-and-middle income countries, and provide site-specific genetic data on the burden of AMR in Bangladesh.  After seeing the huge potential improvements their tests can create, Forhad’s goal now is to encourage even more widespread acceptance among clinicians in Bangladesh. To achieve this, Forhad was granted the IOI Knowledge Exchange Fund to travel back to Bangladesh, where he shared his findings with researchers, clincians, educators and trainees through an in-person dissemination meeting. This meeting gave Forhad a chance to communicate the impacts and benefits of procalcitonin tests on everyday hospital decision making, and gave staff the opportunity to ask practical questions about cost-effectiveness, availability and how the tests would fit into hospital workflow. After completing his DPhil, Forhad intends to continue researching ways to reduce the AMR burden in Bangladesh, creating a research team to investigate other novel techniques like the procalcitonin tests, and inspiring other researchers to do the same.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday walked on foot from Dhaka University’s Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban to the Prof Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium in the Faculty of Social Sciences, in an unprecedented moment in campus history. The Prime Minister began walking shortly before 12:00pm after attending the inaugural session of a national workshop titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap to Sustainable Excellence,” organised by the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh at the Senate Bhaban. Despite an official motorcade being prepared outside the Senate Bhaban, Tarique Rahman chose to walk to the Social Sciences Faculty building near the Arts building (Kala Bhaban) to join an interactive session with students. As students saw the Prime Minister walking through the campus, many clapped their hands while others chanted slogans. Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, who accompanied him during the walk, described the moment as historic. “This is not only a first in Bangladesh’s history, but also in the history of Dhaka University – a head of government walking through the campus so freely to attend an event. It is a rare incident,” he said. He noted that previous visits by heads of government to the campus were often marked by protests, counter-slogans, or clashes. “However, there was no such scene today.” Saleh Shibly said students in the hundreds gathered along the path, many applauding, chanting slogans, and waving at the Prime Minister as he made his way through the campus. At the Prof Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium, the Prime Minister took part in an open question-and-answer session with around 150 students, where he responded candidly to a range of academic and campus-related issues. The event drew such an overwhelming response that many students, unable to find seats inside the auditorium, watched the Prime Minister’s live interaction on their mobile phones from different spots across the campus. PM seeks students’ cooperation to maintain stability for nation-building Prof Morshed Hasan Khan, convener of the event organising committee, described the Prime Minister’s walk as “remarkable history.” “There has never been an example of any head of government walking through the university campus like this without a heavy security cordon. There were students of diverse views and ideological backgrounds. But their reaction was truly memorable.”