DINAJPUR – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government will take initiatives to establish agro-processing industries in the Dinajpur region to utilize its agricultural potential, strengthen the local economy and create employment opportunities.

“If agricultural products can be preserved and processed properly, the local economy will become stronger and employment opportunities will also increase,” he said. The premier made the remarks while addressing a civic gathering and iftar mahfil at Dinajpur Circuit House ground this evening as the chief guest. Tarique Rahman said Dinajpur holds special emotional value for him, recalling memories linked to his maternal grandparents’ home in the district.

“People usually ask where someone’s maternal home is. But whenever I think of Dinajpur, the first thing that comes to my mind is my grandmother’s house,” he said. The premier mentioned that he has many childhood memories connected with his grandparents’ home in Balubari and Ghasipara areas of the town. Tarique Rahman, also BNP chairman, said this personal connection has inspired him to work for the development of the region.

Referring to speeches delivered by the Deputy Commissioner, Chamber of Commerce president and local political leaders, he said they had highlighted various problems and potentials of the district, and the government would take those issues into serious consideration.

Reiterating that the government has begun implementing the commitments made to the people before the election, the premier said, “Alhamdulillah, within about one month of forming the government, we have already started implementing many of the promises we made to the people”.

As part of the implementation of the BNP government’s election pledges, Tarique Rahman said, the canal excavation programme was formally launched across the country today from Sahapara in Kaharole upazila in the district.

“For many years, our rivers, canals and waterways have been filled up. As a result, there is a water crisis during the dry season, and when water suddenly comes during the monsoon season, it damages nearby crops and homes,” the premier said.

Therefore, he said, the government has taken a plan to excavate around 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years and expressed hope that this initiative would facilitate irrigation for agriculture and reduce dependence on groundwater.

Expressing concern over the excessive use of groundwater, the Prime Minister said, “Previously water could be found at a depth of around 100 to 150 feet, but now in many cases it requires going down 600 to 700 feet”.

“If water can be retained through excavation of canals and rivers, groundwater will gradually recharge and the arsenic problem will also begin to decline,” he added.

Highlighting the government’s initiative to empower women economically, Tarique Rahman said the government has undertaken a programme to provide ‘Family Card’ to four crore families led by women across Bangladesh.

“Half of Bangladesh’s population is women. We cannot move this country forward by leaving women behind,” he said.

Noting that the pilot project for the ‘Family Card’ programme has already begun and is being implemented experimentally in 15 areas across the country, including Dinajpur-6 constituency, the premier said that after the completion of the pilot scheme, the programme will gradually be expanded nationwide.

Tarique Rahman said that his government also introduced an honorarium for religious leaders as per his party’s election pledge.

“We said before the election that we would arrange an honorarium for those who serve as imams, muezzins and khatibs in mosques, as well as religious leaders of other faiths,” he said, “Alhamdulillah, a few days ago we started that programme as well”.

Reaffirming his government’s commitment to national development, the Prime Minister said the administration would work with full dedication to build the country people aspire to. People from various professions and social groups of Dinajpur district attended the civic gathering and iftar event.

LGRD and Cooperative Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, local lawmaker Syed Jahangir Alam, District Bar Association President Abdul Halim, Dinajpur Chamber and Commerce President Abu Bakar Siddiq, district Jamiat-e-Islami President Matiur Rahman Kashemi and Deputy Commissioner Md Rafiqul Islam spoke at the event.

Dinajpur district BNP President Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal presided over the function while General Secretary Bakhtiar Ahmed Kachi conducted it. Earlier, Prime Minister opened the excavation of 53 canals across the country by initiating the excavation of the 12-kilometer Sahapara Canal in the Balrampur area of Kaharole upazila in the district. He formally launched the initiative by cutting soil with a spade at 12:27 pm. Later, he planted a sapling of a tree on the bank of the Sahapara Canal.

KAHAROLE, Dinajpur – Highlighting various government initiatives involving the country’s commoners, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said his party’s political vision is to change the people’s fortune.

“If someone earns Taka 5,000 today, we want their income to elevate to Taka 10,000 within the next few years. If someone earns Taka 2,000, we want to take such policies that will help double their income,” he said.

The premier added: “This is our political goal. This is the politics of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, this is the politics of Khaleda Zia, and this is the politics of the BNP government elected by you.”

Tarique Rahman, also BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing a public rally on the bank of Sahapara Canal in the Balrampur area here this afternoon after inaugurating the nationwide programme to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals and water bodies. The premier opened the excavation of 53 canals across the country by initiating the excavation of the 12-kilometer Sahapara Canal here.

Tarique Rahman formally launched the initiative by cutting soil with a spade at 12:27pm. Later, the Prime minister planted a sapling of a tree on the bank of the Sahapara Canal. Referring to his election pledges to build a beautiful country like developed nations and highlighting the role of the country’s people during the Liberation War, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s tenure and anti-fascist movement, Tarique Rahman stressed that development programmes cannot succeed without public support.

Reflecting on the present government’s development plans and steps to improve the living standard of the country’s people, he said, “I cannot do this work alone. We need you with us . . . without your support, it is impossible to carry out this work.”

Describing the people as the true owners of the country, the premier said, “The people are the source of all power, and the people are the real owners of this country”.

He urged the countrymen to remain vigilant against attempts to create division or unrest in the country. “Some people try to create confusion with sweet words. We must remain alert against those who want to create instability in the country,” the Prime Minister said. About the newly launched canal excavation programme, Tarique Rahman said that the programme marked the beginning of a broader effort to build a stronger Bangladesh where citizens could establish their rights.

“Through this canal excavation programme, we want to build a Bangladesh where people can establish their rights and stand strong both economically and politically,” the premier said.

Noting that he will closely monitor the implementation of the canal excavation programme, Tarique Rahman said, “When I hear that the excavation of the 12-kilometre Sahapara Canal has been completed, InshaAllah I will come again to see it”.

The premier said that once the Sahapara canal excavation is completed, it will bring major benefits to agriculture in the area.

“This canal is about 12 kilometres long. When the work will be fully completed, around 31,000 farmers will receive irrigation water from it,” he said, adding, irrigation facilities from the canal will cover about 1,200 hectares of land, while nearly 350,000 people will benefit from the water in various ways.

Noting that the improved irrigation system is expected to increase crop production significantly, Tarique Rahman said, “The farmers of this area will be able to produce about 60,000 metric tons more crops than the current production, InshaAllah”.

Recalling the pledges made before the national election, the Prime Minister said the BNP government has already begun implementing several pledges aimed at supporting farmers and rural communities.

He noted that Bangladesh is home to nearly 20 crore people, most of whom live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Therefore, it is important to put agriculture on a strong foundation, because if agriculture survives and farmers remain well, the people of Bangladesh will remain well, the premier said, adding, thus, the government has been implementing different farmer-friendly programmes.

Tarique Rahman reminded the audience that his government had promised before the election to waive agricultural loans of up to Taka 10,000 including interest, and that the decision was taken during the first cabinet meeting after forming the government.

Pointing out the importance of canal excavation, the Prime Minister said many canals across the country have been filled up over time, causing water shortages during the dry season and floods during the monsoon.

“Across Bangladesh many canals that existed before have been filled up. In some places even rivers have been filled,” he said, adding, by digging canals, it will be possible to store excess rainwater during the monsoon and use it for agricultural purposes.

The premier said the government planned to excavate around 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years to improve water management and support agriculture. Alongside canal excavation, he said, the government will also undertake a tree plantation programme.

“We will plant around 7,000 trees along the banks of this Sahapara canal. People will be able to move along the canal road and benefit from it,” the Prime Minister said. Tarique Rahman warned that excessive extraction of underground water through deep tube wells has caused groundwater levels to fall significantly.

“Ten years ago water could be found at a depth of about 50 feet, but now in many places people have to go as deep as 300 feet,” he said. Therefore, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of conserving surface water through canal and river excavation so that underground water reserves can be preserved for future generations.

Highlighting several other programmes introduced by the present government, he said the government has already launched the ‘Family Card’ programme, which aims to reach four crore families led by women across Bangladesh. Although some areas have not yet received the cards, the premier assured that the programme would gradually expand.

“We have already started the pilot project and distributed Family Cards among 37,000 women. Gradually the programme will reach all areas, including Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh,” he said.

About the ‘Farmer Card’, Tarique Rahman said that a plan has been taken to launch the ‘Farmar Card’. Through this, small, marginal and medium farmers will be able to get various government benefits, he said, adding that the pilot project is going to be launched soon.

The Prime Minister announced that the government is also planning to promote agriculture-based industries in the northern region. He said discussions have already been held with major companies involved in agricultural processing and manufacturing. After the Eid-ul-Fitr, he said would sit with those industrial institutions so that more agro-based mills and industries can be established in this region, including Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh, to create employment opportunities for local youth.

LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Disaster Management, Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad and Jatiya Sangsad Whip Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia spoke at the rally.

Local lawmakers Syed Jahangir Alam, Md Sadique Reaz and Md Monjurul Islam also spoke, among others.Dina jpur district BNP President Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal presided over the rally while General Secretary Bakhtiar Ahmed Kachi conducted it.

DHAKA – First session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad will continue till April 30, 2026 while every day session will begin at 3:00 pm, except on government holidays. The decision was taken at the first meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad held today at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, a JS press release said.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, who is also the chairman of the committee, presided over the meeting. Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, MP, attended the meeting.

Other members attended the meeting included Leader of the Opposition Md. Shafiqur Rahman, Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, opposition member ATM Azharul Islam, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, and treasury bench member Muhammad Nawshad Zamir.

At the special invitation of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal also attended the meeting, the release said. The meeting discussed the issue of time allocation and duration of the first session of the 13th Parliament. It was decided that a total of 50 hours will be allocated for discussion on the President’s speech.

The Speaker was also empowered to make any necessary changes in the schedule of the House and working days of the session if required. A total of 468 questions have been received for this session, including 8 questions for the Prime Minister and 460 questions for other ministers.

In addition, 27 notices under Rule 71 of the Rules of Procedure and 97 notices under Rule 131 have been submitted. Secretary of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat Kaniz Moula and senior officials were present.

DHAKA – Newly appointed administrators of five city corporations paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today. The administrators met the Prime Minister at his office at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here.

The administrators are: Advocate Bilkis Akhtar Jahan Shirin of Barishal City Corporation, Mahfuzur Rahman Riton of Rajshahi City Corporation, Md Rukonuzzaman Rokon of Mymensingh City Corporation, Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury of Rangpur City Corporation and Md Yusuf Molla of Cumilla City Corporation.

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam was present at the meeting. Earlier today, the government issued a gazette notification appointing them as administrators to the five city corporations.

DHAKA  – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today visited his political adviser and BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city.

“The premier reached the hospital at 2:20 pm. He spent some time beside Mirza Abbas’s bed and inquired about his overall health condition,” Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told BSS this afternoon.

During the visit, he said, the Prime Minister instructed the concerned authorities to take swift measures for Mirza Abbas’s treatment in Singapore. Afroza Abbas, wife of Mirza Abbas and President of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, and concerned physicians were present during the visit.

Earlier in the day, the BNP said that an air ambulance from Evercare Hospital would carry Mirza Abbas to Singapore at 6:00 pm today for advanced treatment. He is expected to be admitted to the Department of Neuroscience at the National University Hospital in Singapore.

Mirza Abbas fell ill suddenly on Wednesday evening while drinking water during iftar and lost consciousness. As his condition did not improve, he was admitted to Evercare Hospital late that night. Afroza Abbas sought prayers from the people of the country for her husband’s speedy recovery.

DHAKA – Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hassan Mahmood has arrived in Tokyo to participate in the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum being held on March 14-15.

The forum is jointly hosted by the chair and vice chair of the US National Energy Dominance Council, US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa Ryosei.

Energy ministers and senior representatives from several Indo-Pacific countries including Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam are also attending the two-day forum.

During the meeting, participating ministers will discuss ways to strengthen energy security across the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on ensuring the supply of abundant, reliable, affordable, secure and dispatchable energy.

On the sidelines of the forum, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood is expected to hold bilateral meetings with ministers and other delegations from participating countries, including the United States, Japan and Brunei. He is also scheduled to meet representatives of private sector companies to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation with Bangladesh in the energy sector and related sectors.

SANGSAD BHABAN – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that a people-accountable and truly representative parliament elected by the people has begun its journey again in the country through the tears of countless victims of fascism and the sacrifice of thousands of lives. “At this historic moment of Bangladesh’s Jatiya Sangsad, I would like to express gratitude to the Almighty Allah, by whose infinite mercy, we have been able to begin our journey towards building a just, democratic and humane Bangladesh,” he said.

Tarique Rahman, also the Leader of the House, made the remarks in his welcome speech while he was proposing the name of BNP’s senior leader and lawmaker from Cumilla-2 constituency Dr Khondoker Mosharraf Hossain to preside over the House temporarily for the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker by the Members of Parliament. In his speech, he paid tribute to all those who had been martyred in the struggle for democracy and rights, from the War of Independence in 1971 to the struggle to protect the country and its people in 2024.

At the beginning of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, the premier also recalled with gratitude those who lost their children, near and dear ones and relatives, those injured people who had to loss their comfortable lives in the movement for democracy and human rights as well as those who lost everything due to torture, political harassment or false cases during the fascism.

In this connection, he mentioned the people from all walks of life—including students, farmers, workers, teachers, poets, writers, journalists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, craftsmen, fishermen, weavers, drivers, businesspeople, government and private employees, homemakers and leaders, activists and supporters of democratic political parties across the country —who endured repression, abduction, killings, torture and harassment.

The Prime Minister said even brutal detention centres described as “Ayna Ghar,” enforced disappearances and various forms of repression could not suppress their democratic aspirations. He said it was the courageous role of the people—especially the students and masses—that restored democracy in the country. At the start of the 13th Parliament’s journey, Tarique Rahman congratulated the democracy-loving and freedom-loving people of the country, particularly the students and the people who played a leading role to this end.

Addressing the lawmakers, the Prime Minister said former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had established parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh and institutionalized the system to ensure people’s rights. Tarique Rahman, also BNP chairman, said but that democratic system was later turned into a mockery and the Jatiya Sangsad had been reduced to a subject of ridicule by establishing an authoritarian regime and exploitation in the country.

Noting that Begum Khaleda Zia fought until the last day of her life to restore parliamentary democracy and people’s rights, Tarique Rahman said but she (Khaleda Zia) never compromised with autocracy or fascism.

“That long-cherished parliamentary democracy began its journey once again in the country today, Alhamdulillah,” the Leader of the House said.

“The founder of parliamentary politics, Khaleda Zia, could not witness this auspicious moment in the success of the country and the people. Therefore, standing in this House, we remember with deep respect the late Khaleda Zia, an uncompromising leadership to protect the country and its people as well as a memorable, distinguished and exemplary political figure,” he said.

Citing a quote from Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman“If the people themselves become a political party, then I belong to that party”, he said this statement reflects that the interest of the people must come before the interests of individuals or parties, which is the core philosophy of BNP’s politics.

Stating that he has been elected as a member of parliament (MP) from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the first time and has also chosen as the parliamentary party leader, he said, “Although I represent (my) party in the Jatiya Sangsad, as the Prime Minister, I represent the entire country in this House”.

The premier stressed that his politics is about protecting the interests of the country and its people. “BNP’s politics is about improving people’s living standards and building a self-reliant Bangladesh. The goal of our politics is to make every family self-reliant,” he added.

SANGSAD BHABAN – Senior parliamentarian Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, who chaired the first sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad today, called upon the members of parliament to work together to strengthen the country’s democratic system, ensure transparency and uphold accountability in the country. Addressing the inaugural session, Mosharraf welcomed and congratulated the newly elected members of parliament, saying the new parliament marks a significant moment in the country’s democratic journey following the national election on February 12, 2026. He said the lawmakers have come to the parliament with the people’s mandate and bear a great responsibility to serve the nation.

“The active and responsible participation of all members will help make the renewed journey of democracy much more dynamic and prosperous,” he said. In this connection, he put emphasis on collective efforts to meet public expectations and establish good governance. Mosharraf, also a former Minister, expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for giving him the opportunity to preside over the historic first sitting of the 13th parliament.

At the beginning of his speech, he paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War, the language movement activists, and those who sacrificed their lives in the long struggle for democracy. He also remembered those who were killed or injured in the July mass uprising, saying their sacrifices remind the nation that safeguarding freedom requires continuous commitment. Describing the recent national election as a ‘milestone’ for restoring democracy, Mosharraf said citizens were able to exercise their voting rights freely after many years.

He congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for forming the government for the fourth time and extended his greetings to Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman.

He also congratulated Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for assuming the role of the opposition in parliament for the first time. During his remarks, Mosharraf paid rich tribute to BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, describing him as the proclaimer of independence and a key figure in establishing multi-party democracy in Bangladesh.

He also remembered former three-time prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, praising her role in restoring the parliamentary system in the country and continuing the struggle for democracy despite political challenges and imprisonment.

Mosharraf said the new parliament should work towards building a humane, inclusive and accountable state by ensuring justice for alleged human rights violations, strengthening judicial independence and preserving an impartial history of the Liberation War. Expressing optimism, he said the 13th parliament would play a constructive role in rebuilding state institutions and advancing the country through cooperation and mutual respect.

“The journey of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad begins today. Learning from the past, we will move Bangladesh forward on the path of development and progress,” he said.

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.