SNAGSAD BHABAN – President Mohammed Shahabuddin today administered the oath to the newly elected speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, of Bhola-3 Constituency. Newly elected Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed was a six-term lawmaker, previously served as the Liberation War Affairs Minister from which he resigned before taking this position.

At the beginning of a new parliamentary session, the oath-taking ceremony was typically held at the office room of the President at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at about noon. Subsequently, the President also administered the oath to Barrister Kaiser Kamal, a lawmaker from Netrokona-1 constituency (Kalamkanda-Durgapur) as the Deputy Speaker of the 13th parliament.

Earlier, he had been serving as the state minister for the Ministry of Land and was elected from in the 13th national parliamentary election as a candidate of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with his some senior cabinet colleagues and secretaries concerned were present on the occasion. Later, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker also signed their respective oath the office and secrecy as well.

DHAKA – Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said most of the ordinances issued by the interim government are likely to be accepted, though several will require discussion and possible amendments in parliament, including the Human Rights Commission Ordinance. He made the remarks while speaking at a dialogue titled “Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025: Expectations for the New Parliament”, organized by Citizen Platform Bangladesh for Implementation of SDGs.

In his speech, the minister warned against imposing decisions coercively, saying such actions never bring good results for the nation. He emphasized the importance of consensus among political parties and stakeholders from different sectors of the society. Referring to discussions held within the National Commission, he said several issues had been examined considering the social realities of Bangladesh.

Some proposals were deemed immediately implementable, while others were suggested to be tested through a trial-and-error process before broader application, he said. The minister noted that the National Human Rights Commission issue had been discussed extensively in the commission. He acknowledged that the country had witnessed serious human rights violations in the past, particularly under the previous regime, and reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting human rights and fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.

“These commitments are reflected in our manifesto and in our 31-point agenda,” he said. The Home Minister said that although many ordinances could be accepted largely in their current form, some would require amendments before being passed as laws. Those amendments would be introduced through bills in parliament, he said.

He also highlighted procedural challenges in approving ordinances within the constitutional timeframe. According to parliamentary rules, ordinances must be approved within 30 working days of the start of a parliamentary session, he said. With the first session of the new parliament scheduled to begin on March 12 and several public holidays and breaks in between—including Genocide Day on March 25 and Independence Day on March 26—the time available for legislative work will be limited.

The minister said the Ministry of Home Affairs alone has seven ordinances among the total issued, some of which may be approved without major changes while others, including those related to human rights and security matters, will require more extensive discussion.

He explained that proposed laws must go through the parliamentary process, including first, second, and third readings, and may also be referred to a special committee for detailed examination.

“Within these 30 days it will be difficult to pass every ordinance, but we will try to retain most of them,” he said, adding that those ones that cannot be passed in time may lapse but can later be reintroduced as bills in future parliamentary sessions. The minister concluded by stressing that the government remains committed to strengthening the legal framework for human rights protection and ensuring that relevant laws are enacted through proper parliamentary debate and consensus.

DHAKA – National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided to resume its suspended Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route from July 1 following completion of this year’s Hajj operations, responding to passenger demand and government directives.

The decision was taken in line with the instructions of the Minister and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, according to a Biman press release issued today. Biman Bangladesh said the Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route, which had remained suspended for some time, would be reopened to facilitate travel for passengers, particularly members of the Bangladeshi diaspora in the United Kingdom.

The airline added that the flight schedule and other operational details of the service will be announced in due course. The move is expected to strengthen air connectivity between Bangladesh and the UK, one of the key destinations for Bangladeshi expatriates.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said empowering women is crucial as it is quite impossible to advance the country leaving half of the population behind. “Half of the population of Bangladesh is women. We firmly believe that if we leave this half of the population behind, if we do not empower this half of the population, if we do not empower them, if we cannot empower them educationally and economically, then it is certainly not possible to move the country forward in any way,” he told a function here.

The premier made the remarks while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Family Card programme, organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, at T&T playground in Banani, adjacent to Korail slum, this morning. Recalling the contribution of the former prime minister, late Begum Khaleda Zia, to women empowerment, Tarique Rahman said when Begum Khaleda Zia was in charge of running the country, she made education for women, from school level to intermediate level, free throughout Bangladesh.

“Today, we want to empower that educated female society economically and to make them economically solvent,” he said. To this end, he said, the incumbent government has taken plans to empower women and as a part of it, today the Family Card progamme was introduced across Bangladesh.

“…I firmly believe that my government will be able to gradually bring this family card to all the four crore families in Bangladesh, headed by women, within the next five years, InshaAllah,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government has to follow rules and regulations in taking any initiative, and as part of those rules and regulations, it has to take pilot projects first. This work (Family Card progamme) has started in 14 places or 14 upazilas across Bangladesh involving about 37,000 women,” he said. In three areas of capital – Karail area, Bhashantek area and Sattala slum, about 15,000 women have been brought under the Family Card programme today, he added.

The Prime Minister said before the general elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) promised to the country’s people to start work to distribute family cards among women if the party is elected to power. Less than a month after forming the government, he said, his government began works to fulfill the promise they made to the people.

Besides, he mentioned that his party had made some other promises, including introduction of ‘Farmer Card’. “We have also started the work on the Farmer Card. InshaAllah, just as we were able to hand over family cards to 37,000 women, in today’s event, in the same way, within the next month we will be able to hand over Farmer Cards to many other farmer brothers, InshaAllah,” the premier added.

He said BNP also promised the farmers that if it is able to form the government, they will waive off the agricultural loans of up to Taka 10,000, including interest. Last week, Tarique Rahman said, the government announced waiving off agricultural loans up to Taka 10,000, including interest. He said the government would change the fates of people by fulfilling these pledges gradually.

The Prime Minister said today is very emotional day for him as the Family Card programme was launched on this day. “The guests present here today, some people with whom I have been sitting for the past many years, we have made plans on how we will implement that Family Card,” he said.”By the grace of Allah Almighty, today is the day when we have been able to keep our promise. That is why today is an emotional day for me. I think it is a historic and emotional day for my government and my party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” the premier said.

Noting that Bangladesh is their first and last resort, he said the expectations of the country’s people are high from the incumbent elected government. “Even if, at the same time, if we consider the reality and the contemporary affairs, the situation in the Middle East-if we consider everything…we will definitely not change our position from our promises at all.

“Maybe due to the contemporary global situation, in some cases, it may take us more time to implement the promises,” he said.

Tarique Rahman urged the countrymen to face the entire situation with patience. “Let us build our country beautifully with patience.”

Mentioning his slogan – “We will work, we will build the country, Bangladesh first!” he said his government is accountable to the people of Bangladesh. “This government has been elected by the people of this country. Generally, this government is obliged to be accountable to the people of this country,” he added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the government’s landmark “Family Card” programme to ensure women empowerment in the country as he distributed cards among them. The premier handed over the family cards to 17 women at the inauguration ceremony.

Later, Tarique Rahman reached out the money of family cards to accounts of 37,567 women in 14 places of different districts by pressing button on laptop. Dr Zubaida Rahman, spouse of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman; Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf and Dhaka North City Corporation administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan were present, among others, on the occasion.

The Family Card programme is part of the government’s commitment to achieving national development and social justice by empowering women and recognising them as the heads of families in social protection programmes.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government will bring four crore families, headed by women, under the Family Card programme within the next five years.

“…I firmly believe that my government will be able to gradually bring this family card to all the four crore families in Bangladesh, headed by women, within the next five years, InshaAllah,” said.

The premier made the remarks while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Family Card programme, organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, at T&T playground in Banani, adjacent to Korail slum, this morning. He said the government has to follow rules and regulations in taking any initiative, and as part of those rules and regulations, it has to take pilot projects first.

This work (Family Card progamme) has started in 14 places or 14 upazilas across Bangladesh involving about 37,000 women, he said. In three areas of capital – Karail area, Bhashantek area and Sattala slum, about 15,000 women have been brought under the Family Card programme today, he added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the government’s landmark “Family Card” programme to ensure women empowerment in the country as he distributed cards among them.

The premier handed over the family cards to 17 women at the inauguration ceremony. Later, Tarique Rahman reached out the money of family cards to accounts of 37,567 women in 14 places of different districts by pressing button on laptop.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, spouse of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman; Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf and Dhaka North City Corporation administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan were present, among others, on the occasion.

The Family Card Programme is part of the government’s commitment to achieving national development and social justice by empowering women and recognising them as the heads of families in social protection programmes.

At the ceremony, Rina Begum, a beneficiary of the programme who lived in the city’s Sattala slum, was overwhelmed with joy and said, “Thank you, the Prime Minister. I never dreamed that I would get this card. This money will help my family a lot.”

This pilot programme was launched today in 14 places in different districts of the country, including Dhaka. In the first phase, 37,567 women received family cards. Every beneficiary is getting Taka 2,500 per month. Under the pilot programme, beneficiaries of the city’s Karail slum, Sattala slum, Bhasantek slum, Mirpur Circle or Shah Ali’s Ward-8, Alimia’s Tech slum (Ward-14) and Baganbari slum received family cards today.

In addition, this programme was launched in Pangsha of Rajbari, Patiya of Chattogram, Bancharampur of Brahmanbaria, Lama of Bandarban, Khalishpur of Khulna, Charfasion of Bhola, Dirai of Sunamganj, Bhairab of Kishoreganj, Bogura Sadar, Lalpur of Natore, Thakurgaon Sadar and Nawabganj of Dinajpur.

DHAKA- Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today said metro rail has already gained people’s trust as a successful and commuter-friendly project. The tireless work and sincere efforts of the concerned officials and employees have played an important role behind this success, he said.

The minister made the remarks while exchanging views with officials and employees after visiting the Diabari metro rail depot after traveling by metro rail from the capital’s Bangladesh Secretariat Station today. Speaking as the chief guest at the meeting, the minister said development projects should be implemented by preventing wastage of public money and without compromising with the quality of the project.

The new government is determined to ensure accountability and transparency to the people, he said. He said a plan has been taken under the leadership of the Prime Minister to bring about radical changes in the country’s communication system. Considering the metro rail as the ‘backbone’ of the communication system, the possibility of launching monorail in populated areas in the future is also being considered, he said.

Alam said the government is giving importance to developing an integrated modern public transport system in the capital by giving importance to these three sectors – monorail, metro rail and buses. With the cooperation of all concerned, he said, it will be possible to ensure visible development in the communication sector in the near future.

Through this, safe travel can be ensured for the people in less time, in a comfortable and pleasant environment, the minister said. State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division Habibur Rashid also spoke. The meeting was presided over by Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammed Ziaul Haque.

Shahjalal International Airport has turned into a scene of confusion and frustration as multiple flights to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other Gulf destinations were abruptly suspended amid regional tensions. Passengers reported a total lack of information from airlines, with hotlines unreachable and departure boards blank, leaving many stranded in sweltering terminals and walkways.

Md Rubel, a Faridpur resident scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia on Biman Bangladesh Airlines, described the uncertainty: “They are not telling us when the flight will leave. Even the monitor shows empty times. They don’t say whether it’s cancelled. What are we supposed to do?”

Flights to Dammam, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain were affected, leaving Umrah pilgrims and expatriates trapped. Government assurances of overnight arrangements were not visible as of 11pm, and police and Ansar personnel struggled to manage crowds arriving from outside Dhaka.

THAKURGAON – Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the new government is working to make state institutions, long rendered ineffective, functional and properly institutionalized once again. He also confirmed that local government elections will be held on schedule.

Mirza Fakhrul, also the BNP Secretary General, made the remarks while responding to journalists after laying the foundation stone of a multi-storey building at Hajipara Hafizia Madrasa here. In reply to a question, he said, “For a long time, we have heard that the previous fascist government had weakened and rendered ineffective various state institutions. The major challenge before the new government is to restructure these institutions, ensure accountability, and restore the framework of good governance.”

He further said, “I am most indebted to the people of Thakurgaon. They supported me by giving their valuable votes. I want to work responsibly to repay their trust and affection.”

District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, leaders and activists of the party at various levels, dignitaries and local residents were present.

DHAKA – At the instruction of the Prime Minister, the government has decided to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including accrued interest, benefiting 12 lakh farmers across the country. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held today at the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani said the waiver will apply to loans taken in the grain, crop, fisheries and livestock sectors, in line with the government’s election manifesto.

He said the main objective of the initiative is to ensure social security for poor and marginal farmers and strengthen the backbone of the country’s agricultural sector.According  to the Cabinet Secretary, around 12 lakh farmers will directly benefit from the decision. Both the principal amount—up to Tk 10,000—and the full accrued interest on such loans will be waived.

He said the move will relieve small and marginal farmers of debt burdens, encouraging them to invest more actively in agricultural production. “The money that farmers would have spent on loan installments can now be used to purchase quality seeds or adopt modern irrigation technologies,” he said, adding that the absence of debt pressure would allow farmers to begin the next cultivation season with renewed enthusiasm.

The waiver is also expected to improve farmers’ credit records and creditworthiness, enabling them to access fresh agricultural loans from banks at lower interest rates and reduce reliance on high-interest loans from local moneylenders.

Officials believe the reduced debt burden will encourage greater engagement in crop production, fisheries and livestock, ultimately boosting national agricultural output and lowering dependence on imports.

The Cabinet Secretary noted that the immediate impact of the loan waiver could include reduced rural-to-urban migration and easing rural inflationary pressures. According to Bangladesh Bank, as of February 25, farmers owed approximately Tk 1,550 crore, including interest, to public commercial banks, specialised banks and private commercial banks.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized considering whether the Amar Ekushey Book Fair can be organized as an international fair in future, saying it would contribute to introducing citizens to world literature and encouraging interest in learning and understanding multiple languages and cultures. “The Amar Ekushey Book Fair is one of the key creative initiatives of Bangla Academy inspired by the aspirations of the language martyrs.

“However, in view of the time, I would like to request all of you to consider whether there is a scope to organize the Amar Ekushey Book Fair as the Amar Ekushe International Book Fair in the coming years,” he said.

Noting that recalling the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement in establishing the dignity of the mother tongue, the nation observes the Amar Ekushe with pride each year, the premier said but the day is no longer only Bangladesh’s, rather the Amar Ekushey is now observed worldwide as International Mother Language Day.

“So, as a political activist, I believe that if the Amar Ekushey International Book Fair is organized, it would play a positive role to make our citizens familiar with world literature and encourage them to learn and understand multiple languages and cultures,” Tarique Rahman said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on the Bangla Academy premises here this afternoon. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam spoke at the function as special guests with Bangla Academy President Professor Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq in the chair. On the occasion, the premier also distributed the Bangla Academy Literary Award-2025 to eight distinguished personalities for their significant contributions to the fields of Bangla literature.

Tarique Rahman said, in today’s global village, it is essential to become acquainted with multiple languages in addition to the mother tongue. “To survive with prosperity and dignity in a competitive world, there is no alternative to establishing a knowledge- and merit-based state and society. Thus, we need to enrich ourselves with knowledge, science, technology, and talent,” he said. The premier added: “Simultaneously, I think, we should start working to secure recognition of Bangla as an official language of the United Nations”.

Noting that a democratic government has started its journey being elected by the direct votes of the people in a fascism-free Bangladesh, he said this accountable government wants to enlighten the country through knowledge. The Amar Ekushey Book Fair, initiated in 1978 under the arrangement of Bangla Academy, is not merely a venue for selling books; it has now become a symbol of national intellect and creativity, the premier said, putting emphasis on making the fair as the center for education and cultural development.

Noting that although the fair traditionally begins at the start of February, the month of language, this year there was some deviation from the usual schedule due to the prevailing political realities of the country, he said, adding, however, it formally started today after some delay. The month-long discussions, cultural events, and competitions in art, music and recitation for children and adolescents organized around the fair provide opportunities for the new generation to develop their latent talents, the Prime Minister said.

Expressing hope that the book fair would become a meeting place of hearts and minds for all, Tarique Rahman suggested that book fairs should not remain confined to Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan premises during a single month, but it could be organized throughout the year across all divisions, districts and upazilas of the country. Stating that publishers could play an entrepreneurial role in this regard, he said, if there is scope for cooperation, the government will extend support.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the premier said, is ready to provide necessary assistance to this end. While book fairs are organized in many countries around the world, Tarique Rahman noted that Bangladesh’s book fair is different. It is rooted in the struggle to establish the rights of the mother language and to recognize Bangla as a state language, he said.

The Prime Minister observed that although the size and scale of the fair increase every year, there is room to reflect on whether research-based books are being published in proportion and whether people’s reading habits are increasing accordingly. Quoting the German philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero, he said, “A room without books is like a body without a soul”, adding that scientists and researchers also say that books are not only companions for education or leisure but that reading is a kind of exercise for the brain.

However, Tarique Rahman pointed out that in the present time, information technology appears to be a major obstacle to reading habits, particularly internet addiction, which is gradually distancing the younger generation from books. Referring to researchers, he said that although books can be read on the internet, the depth of knowledge derived from reading printed text on paper may not be the same as that obtained from prolonged immersion in computer screens, which may also have side effects on the body and mind.

Researchers from universities in the United Kingdom and Canada have indicated that internet addiction poses a significant risk of diminishing students’ interest in studies, the premier said.

While the internet may be an unavoidable component of modern life, Tarique Rahman said, “We must be aware of its negative aspects and raise awareness about them. In particular, ways must be found to increase young people’s interest in books”.

Citing a global survey conducted across 102 countries on reading habits, he said that according to CEO World Magazine, citizens of the United States rank highest in reading. The country at the bottom of the list is Afghanistan, the premier said, adding unfortunately, Bangladesh ranks 97th among the 102 countries surveyed.According to the survey, on average, a person in Bangladesh reads about three books per year and spends approximately 62 hours annually on reading, Tarique Rahman said.

Therefore, he said, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair should not be regarded merely as a festival. Rather, it should serve as a platform to inspire greater love for books and encourage regular reading habits.Highlighting the role of Bangla Academy as a symbol of the nation’s intellect, the Prime Minister said the academy has taken various initiatives such as research fellowships, young writers’ training programmes and international seminars to flourish the talents of youth.

“Such efforts to connect future generations with the roots of Bangla language and indigenous culture will be expanded further, InshaAllah,” he said, adding, the Bangla Academy is also translating Bangladesh’s rich literature into English and other foreign languages. He expressed hope that this work will be geared up, strengthening ties between Bangladesh and world literature, saying, “Therefore, we say, Bangladesh first”.

The Prime Minister sought cooperation from all to build a safe, humane and democratic Bangladesh for all—regardless of party, opinion, religion or race—free from darkness and backwardness. Tarique Rahman concluded his speech declaring the opening of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Later, along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman and other guests, the Prime Minister formally inaugurated the fair by cutting a ribbon.

He also visited different stalls on the Bangla Academy premises. At the inaugural ceremony, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md. Mofidur Rahman, Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association President Md Rezaul Karim Badsha and Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam delivered the welcome address.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, cabinet members, members of parliament, foreign diplomats, senior civil and military officials and dignitaries were present at the function.