United News of Bangladesh

In preparation for the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangshad on Thursday, the Kalema Tayyeba, the foundational declaration of faith in Islam, has been inscribed in Arabic calligraphy on the high wall directly above the Speaker’s chair in the session hall of the National Parliament. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon confirmed the matter on Wednesday night. He said the parliament building underwent renovation following the 2024 student-led mass uprising. On the instruction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Rumon said the relevant authorities installed the calligraphy in the session hall. “Accordingly, the Arabic calligraphy of the Kalema Tayyeba — ‘La ilaha illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah’ — has been placed on the wall of the session hall,” he said.

Despite repeated calls to conserve electricity, shopping malls and markets in Dhaka continue to display dazzling decorative lights, raising concerns about unnecessary power consumption. Many commercial establishments appear to be ignoring the government’s energy-saving directives, keeping bright and elaborate lighting arrangements switched on even during peak hours.

Students, human rights activists, and young environmentalists gathered at the iconic Raju Sculpture of Dhaka University to protest industrial pollution in the Phuljore and Karatoa Rivers. The protesters demanded urgent action, including investigations into industrial waste pollution, strict enforcement of environmental laws, and measures against the responsible individuals and companies. They also called for an end to the harassment of environmental activists. Speakers highlighted that industrial waste is severely polluting the rivers, threatening agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of local communities. Many families are already facing crises due to land grabbing and environmental degradation. The approximately 55-kilometer-long Phuljore River supports the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people in Sirajganj and Bogra districts. Protesters alleged that chemical waste from several industries, including SR Chemicals, owned by the family of Golam Mohammad Siraj, Member of Parliament for Bogra-5, and Majumdar Products, is causing severe river contamination. Activists emphasised that unless effective measures are taken to protect the rivers, the movement will continue to grow. They also pledged to strengthen youth participation for the sake of rivers, the environment, and future generations. Faysal Biswas, a young environmental activist from Sirajganj, said, “Rivers are our lifeblood. If pollution continues, we risk environmental disaster and losing our livelihoods. I have been conducting a sit-in here for six days. We will continue our movement until the river is safe.” Sohanur Rahman, Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of environmental organization YouthNet Global, added, “Rivers are living entities. Industrial pollution is destroying them and damaging the entire ecosystem. Bangladesh’s rivers are the foundation of our livelihoods and environment. A polluted river affects not just the local area but the whole ecosystem.” In a landmark 2019 ruling, Bangladesh’s High Court declared all rivers “living entities” and appointed the National River Protection Commission as their guardian. Activists say that without proper implementation of this ruling, effective river protection remains impossible. According to local residents and environmental organizations, chemical waste on February 21–22 poisoned the Phuljore River, killing fish, snakes, frogs, crabs, and snails. Protests followed in Dhangara, Sirajganj, on February 24 and at the Chandaikona bus stand on February 25, including human chains and submissions of memorandums to local authorities. Later, protesters peacefully demonstrated in front of SR Chemicals and Majumdar Products in Sherpur Upazila, Bogra. Some participants were allegedly targeted with extortion cases. On March 1, police arrested Touhidur Rahman alias Babu (45) and college lecturer Ali Reza Biswas, who were later granted bail in Bogra court. Rivers in Narayanganj turn hazardous due to unfettered industrial pollution The movement continued with a demonstration at the National Press Club on March 5. On March 6, leaders, women, and children of the indigenous Mahato community of Bogra joined environmental activists in Dhaka for another protest at the Raju Sculpture. Meanwhile, Faysal Biswas continues a six-day sit-in at Dhaka University’s TSC.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the government intends to cultivate a culture of responsible politics, starting with the Jatiya Sangsad. “We are trying to improve our existing political culture gradually. It is not possible to implement it overnight, but we want to start practising good political culture from the National Parliament,” he said. Govt proposes opposition nominee for Deputy Speaker: Salahuddin The minister made the remarks at a dialogue titled "Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025: Expectations for the New Parliament", organised by Citizen Platform-Reform Watch at the Bangladesh China-Friendship Conference Center. “We want to promote good democratic practices and eliminate the bad culture of the past by nurturing a positive political culture,” he added. The dialogue was chaired by Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of Citizen Platform and fellow of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), and attended by MPs Barrister A. M. Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Advocate Md Fazlur Rahman, Barrister Rumeen Farhana, Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, Professor Rehman Sobhan, Barrister Sara Hossain, women's leader Khushi Kabir, and others.

Speakers at a views-exchange meeting on Wednesday stressed the need for stronger coordination among transport owners, workers and law enforcement agencies to ensure safe, orderly and hassle-free travel for homebound people during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The meeting was held at Mohakhali Bus Terminal in the capital on Wednesday with transport owners and workers to discuss measures for ensuring smooth, safe and toll-free journeys for passengers during the Eid rush. Traders fined for selling diesel at higher prices in Manikganj Member of Parliament Advocate Samsur Rahman Shimul Biswas attended the programme as the chief guest. Special guests included Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Sarwar and President of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association MA Baten. The keynote speech was delivered by Secretary General of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association and General Secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association Md Saiful Alam. The meeting was chaired by Executive President of the Mohakhali Bus Terminal Owners Association Abul Kalam Azad and was attended by transport owners, workers’ representatives and officials from relevant organisations. Speaking at the event, Advocate Samsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MO,  said a large number of people travel from the capital to different districts during Eid. He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure passenger safety and prevent overcharging of fares and extortion. DMP Commissioner Md Sarwar said police have taken necessary security measures to ensure smooth Eid travel. He said surveillance will be intensified at bus terminals and on important roads, and immediate action will be taken if any allegations of extortion or passenger harassment are received. Speakers at the meeting emphasised strengthening coordination among transport owners, workers and law enforcement agencies to make Eid travel safe, organised and free from harassment.

A woman who sustained severe burn injuries in a fire caused by an explosion, apparently triggered by a gas line leak at a house in Dhamrai, died on Wednesday evening. The deceased was identified as Sumana Akhter, 45. She died around 6:30 pm while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, resident physician at the institute. 5 of a family injured in explosion from gas leakage in Dhaka's Jurain He said four members of the same family were admitted to the hospital in the early hours of Wednesday after suffering burn injuries in the incident. Among them, Sumana had suffered 95 percent burns and succumbed to her injuries in the evening. The other victims—her husband Badsha Mia, Arafat, and Abu Bakar Siddique—suffered 3 percent, 2 percent and 2 percent burns respectively and are currently under observation, the physician added.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Wednesday organised a special iftar and prayer gathering on Wednesday in honour of the heroic freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War and the families of victims who suffered extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances during the previous authoritarian regime. The programme was held at the Nagar Bhaban premises and attended by around 600 freedom fighters and family members of victims of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Presiding over the event, DSCC Administrator and freedom fighter Abdus Salam said the nation achieved independence through the sacrifices of freedom fighters and therefore their dignity and rights must remain the top priority. DSCC takes steps to ease Eid travel, remove illegal counters near Sayedabad terminal “We have obtained this country because of the heroic freedom fighters. Ensuring their honour and rights must come first. At the same time, we must also stand beside those who suffered persecution during the past authoritarian regime,” he said while addressing the gathering as the chief guest. He also announced that DSCC would organise a special programme to honour freedom fighters on the upcoming Independence Day. Habibur Rahman Habib, Member of Parliament from Dhaka-7 constituency, attended the programme as special guest.

The Rotary Club of Baridhara has continued its efforts to support child healthcare services through a series of humanitarian initiatives at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital, benefiting thousands of underprivileged patients. As part of its ongoing Medicine Bank programme, the club recently handed over medicines to the hospital to assist poor children undergoing treatment, particularly those suffering from cancer. The initiative has been running for several years with contributions from members of the Rotary Club of Baridhara. Rotary Club of Uttara awards Dr Debapriya , 7 others The medicines were formally handed over by Rtn. Meherun Nessa Islam, president (2025-26) of the Rotary Club of Baridhara, along with Rtn. PP Mosud Mannan, MPHF B, secretary (2025-26), and Rtn. Ali Ashfaq, FCA, MPHF, director of vocational service. Rtn. Saiful Huq, FCA, PHF, and Rtn. Taposh Shaha were also present, alongside other club members and officials of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital. The Medicine Bank project was launched in the 2018-19 Rotary year when the club donated a refrigerator to the hospital’s Cancer Department and supplied medicines worth Tk 1.6 lakh for poor patients. Since then, the initiative has expanded into one of the club’s major humanitarian programmes. President urges Rotary to work for public welfare In the current Rotary year, the club has donated medicines worth Tk 11.8 lakh to support the treatment of underprivileged cancer patients. Apart from the Medicine Bank initiative, the club has undertaken several healthcare projects at the hospital. In the 2023-24 Rotary year, the club implemented a global grant project under Rotary’s focus area of maternal and child health, providing modern medical equipment to the hospital’s Nephrology Department and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The project, valued at about $72,000, also included renovation of the hospital’s general renal ward into a Special Care Renal Ward. The equipment now enables the hospital to conduct around 100 renal biopsy procedures annually, while about 20 patients receive central line insertion services each year. The project also introduced a Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) machine for critically ill pediatric patients. Earlier, in the 2020-21 Rotary year, the club provided psychometric assessment tools worth Tk 3 lakh to the hospital’s Neuroscience Department for neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental evaluation of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. As of February 2026, the tools have benefited 5,946 patients. The Rotary Club of Baridhara said it will continue its humanitarian initiatives to support healthcare services for children and assist hospitals serving low-income communities.

Leaders of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) on Wednesday met Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher to discuss various challenges and prospects in the country’s housing sector, including issues related to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP). The meeting was held at the ministry where a REHAB delegation, led by its President Md Wahiduzzaman, called on the minister as part of a courtesy visit. During the meeting, REHAB leaders highlighted several ongoing issues in the housing sector, particularly the impact of the DAP implementation on real estate projects. They said some restrictions under the DAP have significantly reduced the number of housing units that can be developed in new projects, which could negatively affect the sector. Minister Zakaria listened attentively to the concerns and prospects of the housing sector and asked the REHAB leaders to submit a detailed written proposal outlining their recommendations. REHAB President Wahiduzzaman said the association would soon prepare and submit a comprehensive written proposal to the ministry to help address the existing challenges and support the sector’s development. REHAB leaders expressed hope that effective solutions to the sector’s problems could be achieved through close coordination between the government and stakeholders, making the country’s housing sector more dynamic. The delegation included REHAB Senior Vice-President Liakat Ali Bhuiyan, First Vice-President MA Awal and Vice-President Engr Abdul Latif. Housing and Public Works Secretary Md Nazrul Islam and senior officials from the ministry and REHAB were also present.

The number of women employees in Bangladesh’s banking and non-banking financial sectors has seen a decline, with 770 women leaving the workforce in just six months, according to the latest central bank data. Bangladesh Bank (BB) report on gender equality in the financial sector reveals that the banking sector lost 721 women employees, while Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIs) saw a decrease of 49 women workers between June and December last year. According to the report, the total number of women in the banking sector stood at 35,061 at the end of December, down from 35,782 at the end of June. Similarly, in the NBFI sector, the number of women employees dropped to 1,019 from 1,068 during the same period. Data from 61 banks and 35 financial institutions show that the total workforce in the sector currently stands at 218,487. Of this, 182,407 are men and 36,080 are women, meaning women constitute approximately 16.5 percent of the total workforce in the financial industry. Industry insiders suggest that the political transition in 2024 and subsequent initiatives to merge or close struggling banks and financial institutions have led to job cuts and voluntary resignations, significantly affecting the number of women employees. The report indicates that the majority of women in this sector are employed by private commercial banks, totaling 22,983. Other figures include: State-owned banks, totaling 9,147 women and specialized banks are 1,947 women, and in foreign banks 984 women. However, the report highlights a persistent gender gap in leadership. Women’s participation in top-tier executive positions remains significantly low, accounting for only 10.35 percent of high-level posts in the banking sector.