SANGSAD BHABAN – Reiterating that four crore families across the country will be brought under the Family Card programme gradually, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today told the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that the BNP government considers family, not the individual, as the fundamental unit of development.

“The philosophy of the current government is ‘family, not the individual, as the fundamental unit of development’,” he said. The Leader of the House said this while replying to a tabled question from treasury bench member from Noakhali-1 Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, said that the current government has taken the Family Card programme based on the vision of ensuring social security for citizens through a family-centric development approach.

In the initial phase, he said Family Cards were distributed to 37,814 families across 10 districts and three city corporations on March 10, 2026. The premier stated that the government has a plan to gradually bring about four crore marginalized and low-income families under this program in the future.

Referring to the Noakhali-1 (Chatkhil and Sonaimuri) constituency, Tarique Rahman expressed the hope that female members of poor families in the area would soon be brought under the Family Card programme to promote empowerment and self-reliance.

Former speaker of the National Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, has been arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). She was taken into custody from her residence on Road 8/A in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, at around 4:30am on Tuesday.

Additional Commissioner of DB, Shafiqul Islam, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the DMP’s media division, M N Nasir Uddin, told journalists on Tuesday morning that Chaudhury is currently being interrogated.

“As far as we know, cases have been filed against her over incidents during the July movement at Banani and Uttara police stations in the capital. There is also a case against her in Rangpur,” he said.

The DC added that she is now being questioned and further steps will be announced later. According to sources, a case was filed against Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in connection with the fatal shooting of gold worker Muslim Uddin in Rangpur during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The murder case, lodged on August 27, 2024, names Chaudhury and 16 others, including former commerce minister Tipu Munshi. Munshi is currently in jail following his arrest in the same case.

Chaudhury was elected a member of parliament from Rangpur-6. After the 2008 Bangladesh election, the Awami League assumed power and Abdul Hamid was elected speaker. Following his elevation to the presidency, Chaudhury was elected speaker on April 30, 2013. She went on to serve four consecutive terms, most recently as speaker of the 12th National Parliament on January 30, 2024.

Desk Report: A new development has emerged in the widely discussed Bangladesh Bank reserve heist case. As part of a significant step forward in the proceedings, a court in New York has directed former governor Ahsan H. Mansur to provide a deposition. According to the court’s order, he is scheduled to testify on April 10.

This information was revealed in an internal document from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). The document states that on March 11, legal representatives involved in the case confirmed the court’s directive via email. They also informed the relevant parties about preparations for the deposition.

According to the document, Mansur has already submitted an affidavit at the court’s request. The next phase requires him to give an in-person deposition. To facilitate this, the legal firms appointed by Bangladesh Bank have arranged preparatory meetings for him on April 6 and April 10.

It has been reported that Mansur departed Dhaka for the United States on April 4. He is expected to travel via Washington, D.C., before arriving in New York. His return to the country is scheduled for April 12.

Sources indicate that a related official has been requested to accompany him on the trip. The BFIU document also notes that all expenses for the visit—including airfare, accommodation, and protocol—will be covered by Bangladesh Bank. He is expected to receive facilities equivalent to those of the current governor, with arrangements coordinated by the governor’s office.

DHAKA – The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved five development projects with an estimated total cost of Tk 483.43 crore. Of the total project cost, Tk 390.84 crore will be financed from the government exchequer while Tk 92.59 crore will be sourced through project loans or grants. The approval came at the 9th ECNEC meeting of the 2025-26 fiscal year and the first meeting of the current government, held at the Cabinet Division conference room in the city.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting. The five projects approved today are as follows: The General Social Infrastructure Development Project-2 (GSIDP-2), managed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), has had its budget increased to Tk 1,450 crore and is scheduled for completion in June 2027.

In contrast, the Char Development and Settlement Project-4 (CDSP-4) saw a reduction in its total cost, which now stands at Tk 30.7186 crore.The IT Training and Incubation Center project received a cost increase of Tk 228.4454 crore which now stands at Tk 533.5492 crore and will now continue through June 2026.

Funding for the Modernization of Diagnostic Imaging Facilities across eight divisional medical college hospitals has risen to Tk 1,213.7050 crore, with the project timeline extended to June 2028. Finally, the Establishment of Gopalganj Dental College and Hospital (2nd Revision) was granted a cost increase of Tk 26.49 crore, bringing its total budget to Tk 139.3093 crore with a target completion date of June 2026.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called for united efforts to build a happy, prosperous “Better Bangladesh”. “Let’s all work from our respective positions and unite to build a better Bangladesh. Regardless of religion and caste, everyone must come forward to build the country,” he said. The premier made the remarks at a greetings exchange event with leaders of the Protestant Church at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here on the occasion of Easter Sunday.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said a 13-member delegation, led by President of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Bangladesh Bishop Philip P Adhikari, met the Prime Minister and exchanged views with him on the occasion of Easter Sunday.

During the meeting, he said, the Prime Minister wished success and prosperity for the Christian community. The leaders of the Christian community invited the Prime Minister in advance to Christmas. Later, they presented him with a commemorative crest.

Greeting the Christian community on Easter Sunday, Tarique Rahman said, “We see people of all religions equally and love them in the same way. Religion belongs to individuals, but the country belongs to all. It is the responsibility of people of all religions to take the country forward”.

The Prime Minister said, “There was a perception that people of other religions do not vote for BNP. In the last election, this has been proven wrong. People of all religions voted for BNP and ensured victory.”

Noting the condition of the country under the previous government, Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP Chairman, said the country was in a fragile state when the BNP assumed office through the people’s verdict.

“The economic sector, the communication sector and several other sectors were in a fragile condition. It felt like we had taken responsibility for a war-ravaged country,” he said. The premier further said that due to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, the Bangladesh has faced another crisis, particularly in the energy sector and highlighted the government’s efforts to tackle the fuel shortage situation triggered by the Middle East conflict.

Earlier, Bangladesh Bible Society General Secretary Rev Ashim Baroi, and retired Wing Commander Christopher M Adhikari of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Bangladesh spoke at the event on behalf of the Christian community.

The Christian community leaders praised various welfare initiatives taken by the BNP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, including family card, waiver of loans up to Taka 10,000 for farmers, and honorarium allowances for imams, muezzins, khadems, priests, sebaits, heads of Buddhist monasteries and Christian pastors.

The leaders also raised demands for representation of Christians in the reserved seats for women in Parliament and declaration of Easter Sunday as a public holiday. They expressed commitment to cooperate and work as partners with the government led by Tarique Rahman. Paying tribute to late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the Christian leaders said prayers were held for her in 7,000 churches and that prayers are now being offered daily for the current government. The Prime Minister assured that the demands of the Christian community would be considered.

DHAKA  – Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury today said the Pahela Baishakh procession will be brought out under the name ‘Baishakhi Shobhajatra’ instead of ‘Mangal’ or ‘Ananda’ Shobhajatra.

“The government has decided to adopt the name ‘Baishakhi Shobhajatra’ to end ongoing debates and move forward with renewed enthusiasm,” he told journalists after a meeting at the conference room of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs at the Secretariat, marking the upcoming Bangla New Year 1433.

The minister said there had long been discussions and criticisms surrounding the celebration of Pahela Baishakh, which he described as undesirable and potentially harmful to society. “To put an end to all controversies, the government has taken the decision,” he added.

He said preparations for the procession at Dhaka University’s Fine Arts faculty are progressing in full swing, adding that the procession will, as usual, begin from the faculty premises.

Highlighting the historical significance of Pahela Baishakh, the minister said the festival is deeply rooted in the agrarian traditions of Bengal, evolving around agriculture, seasonal cycles, and the beginning of a new year.

“It is a universal festival of all communities, including Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Garo and other ethnic groups,” he said, adding that the present government is committed to unity in diversity.

DU Vice-Chancellor (VC), directors general of Kazi Nazrul Institute, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh National Museum and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, along with the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and senior officials of the concerned ministries.

The minister said Pahela Baishakh symbolizes joy and prosperity, and the festival’s essence lies in welcoming the New Year by leaving behind past grievances and aspiring for a better future. He noted that the recent controversy over the naming of the procession would now come to an end.

He also informed that daylong cultural programmes will be held at various venues in the capital, including Ramna Batamul, to mark the occasion, with necessary preparations already completed by the concerned organisations. Regarding UNESCO, the minister said the authorities concerned will be formally informed about the naming decision.

The Cultural Minister said that the highest level of security measures will be in place for Pahela Baishakh celebrations, with law enforcement agencies deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. Meanwhile, a press release issued by Dhaka University on Tuesday last said the procession will begin at 9:00am from the Faculty of Fine Arts, proceeding through Raju Sculpture, Doel Chattar and Bangla Academy, before returning to the starting point.

The BNP government is set to transform the interim government’s “anti-terrorism ordinance,” which banned the activities of the Awami League, into law. The proposed legislation includes punitive measures. During the interim government, the BNP had opposed the idea of banning any political party through executive orders, stating that the public should decide. However, after coming to power, the government is taking steps to convert the ordinance into law. Until the executive order is officially revoked, the Awami League remains under restrictions. Once the law, including punitive provisions, is enacted, the party will face even greater limitations in carrying out political activities.

The 133rd ordinance issued by the interim government was introduced in the 13th Parliament on March 13. On that day, a 14-member special committee was formed to review the ordinances. Under Article 93 of the Constitution, an ordinance lapses if not passed by Parliament within 30 days, which in this case would have been April 12.

Last Thursday, the special committee recommended that 98 ordinances be converted into law without any changes. Fifteen ordinances were proposed for amendments before being presented as bills. Sixteen ordinances are not to be introduced at this time, and four were repealed based on recommendations from Hefazat.

Among the 15 ordinances recommended for amendment and presentation as bills is the “Anti-Terrorism Ordinance” issued on May 11, 2025. This ordinance, by amending Sections 18 and 20 of the 2009 Anti-Terrorism Act, banned the activities of the Awami League and all its affiliated organizations. The same law had banned the activities of the student wing, Chhatra League, in October 2024.

On May 9 last year, NCP leaders staged a protest at the residence of then Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, demanding the ban on the Awami League. Later, other parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Gana Odhikar Parishad, Islami Andolon, AB Party, and Bangladesh Khalafat Majlis, joined the movement.

On the night of May 11, an emergency meeting of the advisory council at Yunus’ residence amended two sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act. It allowed the government to ban the activities of individuals or organizations involved in terrorism through executive orders. On the same day, a government notification stated that the Awami League’s activities would remain banned until trials in the International Crimes Tribunal concluded.

The interim government did not directly ban the Awami League. However, under the restrictions of Section 20 of the ordinance, the party cannot hold rallies, meetings, or assemblies; its offices must remain closed; bank accounts can be frozen; posters and banners cannot be displayed; press releases cannot be issued; and the party is barred from publishing in media or social platforms and holding press conferences.

The law proposes that banned organizations conducting activities could face four to 14 years of imprisonment. The ordinance itself did not specify penalties for violations, meaning the Awami League had been under restriction without legal consequences for noncompliance.

The parliamentary special committee, consulting with relevant ministries, recommended the passage of the anti-terrorism ordinance as law. The Ministry of Home Affairs noted that “the ordinance does not contain any penal provisions for banned organizations, but punitive measures can be added.”

Although it is unclear what specific penalties will be included, government sources indicate that existing provisions under Section 16 of the law would apply to restricted organizations. Awami League leaders have refrained from making formal statements on the matter. However, Presidium member and former minister Abdur Rahman told reporters that the public will ultimately decide. He added that facing restrictions is not new for the Awami League, as the party has navigated such challenges in the past.

When asked whether the Awami League would challenge the validity of the ordinance in court, Abdur Rahman said the party would take legal or protest action wherever necessary.

Desk Report : In the wake of a massive public uprising that toppled the Awami League government, Nobel laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus responded to the call of movement leaders and assumed a leadership role in the interim government, citing “national rescue” as his mission. At the time, the nation’s hopes were pinned on him, with many believing that his leadership could elevate Bangladesh’s global standing, enhance citizens’ dignity, and unlock long-suppressed potential.

However, from August 8, 2024, when he assumed office, until February 12, 2026, when power was transferred via election, how much of the public’s expectations were actually fulfilled by the Nobel laureate? Kaler Kantho launched an investigation to answer this question.

The inquiry revealed that during his roughly 18-month tenure, Dr. Yunus leveraged his position to secure extensive personal and institutional advantages. One notable example was the rapid approval of Grameen University, a project of the Grameen Trust founded by Dr. Yunus. While 22 other private universities had pending applications for years, Grameen University received approval within just three months—an unusually fast process, facilitated by Dr. Yunus’ role as chief adviser to the interim government.

Further findings indicate that he granted tax exemptions to Grameen Bank for five years, potentially costing the government over BDT 1,000 crore in revenue. In addition, the Grameen Welfare Trust reportedly received BDT 1,043 crore in tax exemptions, and another BDT 666 crore was waived under other financial arrangements. Beyond financial benefits, he used his authority to settle seven ongoing lawsuits against himself, including high-profile corruption cases, and expedited licenses for recruitment agencies and e-wallet services linked to Grameen Trust.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Manzil Morshed told Kaler Kantho, “Anyone taking office to run the state must ensure there is no conflict between public duty and personal interest. Officials are expected to relinquish profitable positions before assuming government roles. Dr. Yunus, while serving as chief adviser, engaged in activities that raised serious questions about conflicts of interest, potentially violating his oath and deceiving the public.”

The approval of Grameen University raised further concerns. According to the Private University Act of 2010, a minimum reserved fund of BDT 5 crore is required to establish a university in Dhaka. However, the approval for Grameen University cited only BDT 1.5 crore, prompting questions of legality and fairness. Officials from the Ministry of Education and UGC could not provide clear explanations, with some claiming they were not in office at the time, and others saying they could not recall details. The university, meanwhile, insisted that all financial requirements were met and that the initiative was nonprofit.

Additionally, the interim government period saw significant deterioration in law and order, the economy, investment, and public safety. Incidents of mob violence, political clashes, murders, arson, looting, and attacks on journalists reportedly surged. Nonperforming loans, foreign debt, interest rates, and investment stagnation increased, while high inflation affected ordinary citizens’ daily lives. Major development projects stalled, foreign agreements sparked controversy, and no meaningful progress was made on the Rohingya issue. Overall, this period negatively impacted stability, economic momentum, and citizen security.

Legal experts argue that using state authority to benefit personal or affiliated institutions constitutes a conflict of interest and a breach of the oath of office. Dr. Yunus’ actions—rapid license approvals, settlement of pending lawsuits, tax exemptions, and other privileges—have drawn criticism for transparency, accountability, and fairness.

Senior lawyer Manzil Morshed emphasized, “Decisions taken for personal gain while holding a constitutional office constitute a conflict of interest and violation of the oath. Such actions should be annulled, and legal steps taken where necessary.” Similarly, lawyer Dr. Shahdeen Malik noted that under Article 147 of the Constitution, holding profitable engagements while in office is prohibited, raising further questions about the legality of benefits obtained by Dr. Yunus and his affiliated institutions.

In summary, experts conclude that the interim government period witnessed significant concerns regarding ethics, accountability, and constitutional limits in the actions of the chief adviser and related institutions. (Kalerkantha)

Desk Report: Drones have been spotted flying near Bangladesh’s airspace close to Saint Martin’s Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, raising concerns among residents in the border area. On Thursday around 7:00 PM, two drones, colored red and green, were seen hovering in the eastern sky near the island’s jetty for almost an hour. The sighting caused alarm among the local population. Residents suspect that the drones may have been launched from Myanmar for surveillance of the border area.

Foyezul Islam, chairman of the Saint Martin Union Parishad, said, “Two drones were seen flying in the eastern sky near the jetty at night. It is believed that they came from the direction of Myanmar and may be part of the Arakan Army’s border monitoring. In this situation, it is crucial to strengthen our border security.”

Local fisherman Mohammad Azim added, “People gathered after seeing two drones flying in the sky at night. The matter was then reported to the authorities. Many are speculating that the drones came from Myanmar and could belong to the Arakan Army.”

Residents expressed concern over such drone activity, especially given the recent rise in instability along the border. They have called for an immediate investigation and necessary measures, including enhanced border surveillance, to ensure the security of Bangladesh’s airspace.

DHAKA – Bangladesh received a special honour from the U.S. state of Georgia in recognition of its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions worldwide. According to an ISPR press release, a resolution was presented to Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Tuesday, acknowledging the professionalism and dedication of Bangladeshi peacekeepers.

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp handed over the resolution during a State Senate session. It was adopted with bipartisan support, praising Bangladesh’s significant global role in peacekeeping. The initiative was led by State Senator Sheikh Rahman.

Earlier, the Army Chief met Governor Kemp to discuss issues of mutual interest, including military cooperation. The Army Chief has been on an official visit to the United States since March 28.