deskreport

The dengue situation in Bangladesh is significantly under control this year compared to last year due to various preventive measures taken by the government, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said.

Preventive activities were intensified across the country before the onset of the monsoon in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Local Government Division, city corporations and local administrations to prevent the spread of Aedes mosquitoes.

According to DGHS data, 22,243 people have been infected with dengue and 65 have died from the disease up to August 13 this year. During the corresponding period last year, 25,324 people were infected and 104 died.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said awareness campaigns through Baul songs, weekly cleanliness drives, community meetings, yard meetings and other public awareness programmes are being conducted across the country to prevent dengue.

“Dengue Corners” have also been introduced at upazila health complexes. Training for doctors and nurses, preparation of field hospitals, collection of reagents and testing kits, and stockpiling of necessary medicines and oral saline have also been ensured.

The ministry has ordered free dengue testing at all government hospitals across the country until December.

Seven city corporations, including Dhaka North and Dhaka South, have also taken advance measures to combat the mosquito-borne disease and are implementing separate programmes in their respective areas.

For the first time, Dhaka South City Corporation conducted a “Pre-Monsoon Aedes Mosquito Larva Survey” under its own management. Dhaka North City Corporation, meanwhile, launched an awareness campaign using tunes and music to encourage people to take preventive measures against dengue.

Regarding government preparations to prevent dengue and chikungunya, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said all-out preparations had been taken before the monsoon.

“As a result, the dengue situation this year is significantly under control compared to last year. However, there is no room for self-satisfaction,” he said.

The minister said the ministry, DGHS divisional directors, civil surgeons, deputy commissioners, upazila nirbahi officers and upazila health and family planning officers are working in coordination to control dengue.

Cleanliness drives, drain cleaning and mosquito-control activities have also been strengthened across the country and are being conducted regularly in city corporations and municipalities.

Sakhawat Husain stressed that public awareness is essential to prevent dengue, as health workers cannot always enter homes and inspect potential Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.

He urged people to keep their homes and surroundings clean, prevent water from accumulating anywhere and work collectively to prevent the spread of dengue.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called upon entrepreneurs to make optimum use of the country’s vast water resources to increase fisheries production, create employment for unemployed youths and explore new overseas markets to boost export earnings.

“Many rivers, canals, beels, ponds and haors across the country remain underutilised. The government is taking steps to restore these water bodies and release fish fry in them. Unemployed youths in the respective areas will be given opportunities to utilise these water bodies, enabling them to create employment and become self-reliant,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of National Fisheries Fortnight-2026 as the chief guest at the mini-stadium of Achimita George Institute in Katiadi.

As part of the programme, he presented National Fisheries Awards, including gold medals, to 14 individuals and organisations in 13 categories in recognition of their contributions to the fisheries sector.

The theme of this year’s National Fisheries Fortnight is “A self-reliant nation through silver fish, Bangladesh first”.

Calling for greater protection of haors and other water bodies, Tarique Rahman said environmental conservation is essential for sustaining fisheries production.

“If we want to save fish, we also have to pay attention to protecting the environment. We have to protect our environment,” he said.

He said protecting nature would ensure a healthy living environment for people and future generations while creating favourable conditions for the sustainable development of fisheries and livestock.

The Prime Minister warned that indiscriminate disposal of waste, including tissue paper and plastic bottles, is gradually damaging canals, rivers, beels, haors and other water bodies.

“If we want to protect our families, fish, water and the environment, everyone must become aware and play a role in preventing environmental pollution,” he said.

Highlighting the economic contribution of the fisheries sector, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh earned more than Tk 6,000 crore in foreign exchange by exporting fish and fisheries products to around 52 countries in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Citing a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), he said Bangladesh ranked fifth globally in total aquatic animal production and second in fish production from inland open-water bodies.

Describing various initiatives in the fisheries sector, the Prime Minister said production had already increased in 7,500 shrimp enclosures through the formation of 300 clusters in the Khulna region.

He said a master plan is being implemented and infrastructure development is underway for the “Shrimp City” project on 7,000 acres of land in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar.

Tarique Rahman said hilsa accounts for around 10 percent of the country’s total fish production and contributes more than one percent to national GDP. He noted that hilsa production had increased significantly following the introduction of the Hilsa Fisheries Management Action Plan during the previous BNP government.

Highlighting measures to protect fishermen and fish farmers, the Prime Minister said around 2 crore people currently depend directly or indirectly on the fisheries sector.

“Providing Farmer Cards to fish farmers, as well as the registration of fishermen and issuance of identity cards, are currently underway,” he said.

“Besides, for the first time, fishermen in the Sundarbans and haor regions have been brought under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme during fishing bans in the 2026-27 fiscal year,” he added.

Referring to the government’s Tk 500 crore Startup Fund, Tarique Rahman said the initiative was created to promote technology-driven employment, research and innovation and build a knowledge-based economy.

“Under this fund, grants ranging from Tk 5 lakh to Tk 5 crore will be provided to promising startups, industrial entrepreneurs and those seeking to establish new ventures. I particularly urge new entrepreneurs to come forward and take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the fisheries and livestock sectors could play a transformative role in improving the economic condition of Bangladesh and urged entrepreneurs and businesses to explore new overseas markets for local products.

“For the first time in the country’s history, hatching eggs were exported to Nigeria last June. I sincerely urge entrepreneurs and businesspeople to explore new markets abroad for new products. The government will provide the highest possible support in this regard,” he said.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid chaired the programme, while State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, Kishoreganj-2 lawmaker Jalal Uddin, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Delwar Hossain and Department of Fisheries Director General Md Khaled Kanak, among others, spoke at the event.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called upon the people to remain alert against misinformation and attempts to create confusion, stressing that Bangladesh must move forward with stability, economic self-reliance and people-centred development.

“There are many misinformation spreaders and rumour-mongers in the country. We have to remain alert about them. We have to see what they did in the past and, considering their past, keep them under close watch and monitor what they are doing for the future,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a function at the old Kishoreganj Stadium to distribute Family Cards and allowances among religious leaders and provide financial assistance to distressed and physically challenged people.

He distributed Family Cards among women, allowances among imams, muezzins, priests, monks and other religious personalities, as well as financial assistance cheques among distressed and physically challenged people. He also handed over a job appointment letter to a person with disabilities.

Regarding misinformation, Tarique Rahman said the country must remain stable and people should not be misled by those spreading confusion.

“If misinformation spreaders try to mislead people, we have to give them an appropriate response as we did in the past,” he said.

Referring to the roles of different groups during various political crises, the Prime Minister said their past activities should be considered when assessing their present activities.

He said BNP leaders and activists and those of its allied parties had faced enforced disappearance, killings, torture and repression during the 17-year democratic movement.

Commenting on recent discussions about reforms, Tarique Rahman said some people who remained absent from the streets during the movement were now making “big statements” in the name of reforms and spreading confusion.

“BNP first placed a roadmap for state reforms before the people in 2022. Even before that, the first proposal for reforms was prepared under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia,” he said.

Turning to the government’s welfare priorities, the Prime Minister said effective implementation of the Family Card and Farmer Card programmes, allowances for imams and muezzins, and initiatives to develop future generations as responsible citizens must be accelerated.

He also reiterated the government’s commitment to modernising agriculture and creating employment opportunities for young people by establishing new mills, factories and industrial enterprises.

“Unless we put people at the centre and properly prepare them, we cannot take the country forward. No matter how big our slogans are, if we cannot make people self-reliant and ensure economic self-reliance for every citizen, we will never be able to build the country,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said the government’s main goal is to build Bangladesh as a self-reliant and welfare-oriented state rather than simply following the model of another country.

“We want to build such a Bangladesh where every section of society will receive from the state the dignity and support they deserve according to their needs and capabilities,” he added.

Highlighting the role of women in national development, the Prime Minister said women constitute half of the country’s population and no nation can move forward by leaving them behind.

He described the Family Card as a “groundbreaking” initiative to make women self-reliant and empowered while providing families with a stronger economic foundation.

The government is also providing opportunities for women to study free of cost up to the graduate level, along with support for those achieving good academic results, he said.

Referring to initiatives for farmers, Tarique Rahman said ensuring their economic self-reliance remains a priority.

“That is why the Farmer Card has been introduced. Agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, have already been waived, directly benefiting 13 lakh farmers,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government also plans to excavate 250 kilometres of canals across the country to improve irrigation facilities and address water shortages.

Outlining a new approach to education and youth development, he said students would be developed as complete human beings with skills in sports, cultural activities and languages alongside formal academic qualifications.

He also announced that the “Notun Kuri” competition, introduced during the tenure of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, would be revived to provide opportunities to nurture talent and creativity.

“Opportunities are being created in every field to ensure the proper development of talent and potential,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said the government is providing social allowances to imams, muezzins, khatibs and religious leaders of other faiths to help them remain self-reliant as guides of society.

“Besides, state assistance continues for disadvantaged people, persons with disabilities and meritorious students,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the current government had resolved the retirement benefit complications of 123,000 teachers who had been deprived of their dues during the previous regime and completed the payment process.

He said BNP practised politics aimed at changing the fortunes of the people.

“BNP’s politics is about creating employment, supporting education, helping farmers increase their production and establishing mills and factories. This is BNP’s politics,” he said.

The Prime Minister said every pledge made before the election is being implemented gradually and people are witnessing the country’s development journey.

“Our goal is to work for the country and for the people and to change their fortunes. Only by changing the fortunes of the people can we change the fortunes of the country,” he said.

The programme was chaired by Social Welfare Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain and addressed by State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, lawmakers Fazlur Rahman, Mazharul Islam and Jalal Uddin.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hussain has said all upazila health complexes across the country will be upgraded into modern nine-storey health complexes within the next three years under the Prime Minister’s directives.

“A long-term plan has been taken to upgrade all 50-bed upazila health complexes in the country into 151-bed hospitals within the next three years,” he said while responding to reporters after making surprise visits to the Maheshpur and Kotchandpur upazila health complexes in the district.

He said the healthcare sector had been seriously neglected during the previous 17-year rule of the Awami League government, alleging widespread corruption and a lack of accountability that disrupted health services.

Sakhawat also alleged irregularities in the purchase of medicines for hospitals during the previous government and said the present government wants to bring the country’s health and medical services under a new discipline.

“We have undertaken long-term plans to address the shortage of doctors and medicines and to make services easier for patients. We will not compromise in implementing the plans to restore public confidence in government healthcare services,” he said.

The minister said the upgraded 151-bed upazila hospitals would include a dedicated 25-bed ward for pregnant women and a separate 20-bed ward for children.

Plans have also been taken to introduce services such as kidney dialysis at the upgraded hospitals, he said, adding that the initiatives would significantly improve healthcare services across the country.

Earlier, Sakhawat visited different wards of the Maheshpur and Kotchandpur upazila health complexes and inquired about the condition of patients receiving treatment.

He also spoke with patients and their attendants about the quality of healthcare services and food provided at the hospitals.

Later, the Health Minister visited the Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex.

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has said the first phase of work on the Mongla Economic Zone will begin in October, creating around 25,000 jobs.

Speaking at a reception organised by the Mongla Municipal BNP at Mongla Bus Stand, the minister said employment opportunities would increase to around 60,000 once the second phase of the project begins.

He stressed the need for uninterrupted power and energy supplies to support industrialisation in Mongla.

In this regard, he said the possibility of supplying gas through a 23-kilometre pipeline from an area near Akram Point was under discussion.

The minister also said construction of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge over the Mongla River was progressing.

He said coordinated development of the bridge, Mongla Economic Zone, Mongla Port and energy infrastructure could bring significant economic transformation to Mongla and the wider southwestern region.

Bagerhat District BNP Member Secretary Muzaffar Rahman Alam, former Mongla Municipality Mayor Zulfikar Ali and local BNP leaders and activists attended the event.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called upon politicians to abandon reckless and confusing politics and come forward with concrete plans for the welfare and development of the people, saying the days of politics based on lies and chaos are over.

“The politics of lies was practised by the autocratic government, and so was the politics of disorder. But you, the politicians, have made commitments to the people for their improvement. So, abandon the politics of recklessness and confusion and present the plans you have made for the welfare of the people,” he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a cheque distribution programme for distressed, helpless and sick people organised at T&T Ground in Mohakhali on the occasion of the 82nd birthday of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. A special prayer was also offered seeking eternal peace for her departed soul.

Tarique Rahman said people no longer support politics involving vandalism and destruction on the streets.

He said the government would accept and implement any better proposal from another political party to address the country’s electricity and gas crises.

“If any other political party gives a plan better than the government’s to solve the electricity and gas crisis, the government will accept all their plans and implement them,” he said.

“But if they spread propaganda only to mislead the people, they will have to apologise to the people,” he added.

The Prime Minister said a politician’s responsibility was to guide people towards the right path rather than mislead them.

Referring to development activities in Dhaka-17, Tarique Rahman urged critics to come forward and work for the people instead of only criticising government initiatives.

He said the people had witnessed the sacrifices of BNP leaders and activists during the previous 17 years, including torture, enforced disappearances, killings and attacks.

Calling for constructive politics, he said political parties should present their plans in parliament and before the people.

“If you have any plan for the welfare of the people, present it in parliament and before the people. We will work according to that plan,” he said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh needed to transform the 40 crore hands of its 20 crore people into working hands to change the country’s economic fortunes.

He said the government was only six months old and had already started implementing several election pledges.

Tarique Rahman said the government had introduced the Family Card programme and Farmer Card initiative and waived agricultural loans, including interest, for 13 lakh farmers.

He said around 900 kilometres of canals had been excavated during the past six months as part of efforts to improve water availability and irrigation.

The Prime Minister also announced plans to provide a new school uniform and school bags to around 1.2 crore students studying in government primary schools. The programme is expected to begin within the next month.

He said the government had decided to upgrade all 503 upazila hospitals from 50 beds to 151 beds within the next five years to expand healthcare services at the grassroots level.

Turning to the energy crisis, Tarique Rahman said the previous government had left the power sector burdened with around Tk 3 lakh crore in liabilities and failed to undertake adequate gas exploration.

He said the government had instructed BPC and BAPEX to accelerate gas exploration and extraction.

Explaining the current gas crisis, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has only two vessels for receiving and storing imported gas, and one recently suffered an accident. He said the technical fault had been repaired and expressed hope that the situation would improve within days.

He said the government was working with China and Malaysia to arrange an additional gas vessel and would present a 10-year plan for resolving the country’s energy problems in the next parliament.

Tarique Rahman again challenged other political parties to present better solutions to the electricity and gas crises.

“If you can present a better plan than the government’s to solve the country’s electricity and gas problems, or if you can solve these problems within the next six months, we will implement each of those plans,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that public service should be measured by what one gives to the country rather than what one receives.

He called upon political leaders and citizens to follow the path of nation-building associated with Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia.

“Let this be our oath on Begum Khaleda Zia’s 82nd birthday. Let this be our commitment,” he said.

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman and Dhaka-17 constituency representative and Prime Minister’s Assistant Private Secretary Abdur Rahman Sany, among others, attended the programme.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka this morning by road for Kishoreganj to attend several programmes, including the formal inauguration of National Fisheries Week 2026.

The Prime Minister left his Gulshan residence at 9:15am, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Kishoreganj since assuming office after the BNP secured a majority in the 13th parliamentary election.

According to the schedule, the Prime Minister will release fish fry into the Brahmaputra River, distribute fish fry and exchange greetings with local people at Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat in Pakundia at 11:30am.

He will then visit the Katiadi Carp Hatchery Complex around 12:30pm.

Later, Tarique Rahman will inaugurate National Fisheries Week at the mini stadium of George Institution in Achmita and distribute the National Fisheries Awards around 1:00pm.

At 2:30pm, he will inaugurate a tree-planting programme at the historic Sholakia Eidgah ground.

The Prime Minister will have lunch at the Circuit House at 3:15pm before attending a programme at the Old Kishoreganj Stadium at 4:00pm, where he will distribute Family Cards and provide honoraria to imams, muezzins, priests, monks, pastors and other religious figures.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave Kishoreganj for Dhaka in the evening after completing his programmes.

The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is planning to launch a pilot initiative to sell selected essential commodities in the open market outside its existing Smart Family Card distribution system, aiming to ease market prices and provide relief to consumers.
Under the plan, commodities procured from international markets at comparatively lower prices will be sold to consumers at prices below prevailing market rates without any government subsidy, TCB Chairman Brigadier General Mohammad Foyshol Azad told BSS.
“This is completely a new initiative and it’s a thought of the present government,” he said.
The initiative will initially focus on edible oil, with the first shipment of around 20,000 metric tons expected to arrive in the first week of September.
“If we can procure lentils at a lower price, we will also sell lentils. If we can procure sugar at a lower price, we will sell sugar as well,” the TCB chairman said.
Unlike the Smart Family Card programme, the open-market initiative will allow all consumers to purchase the selected commodities.
“Everybody will be able to buy the items through open sale,” he said, adding that the pilot will initially run for around three to four months to assess the market response.
The first shipment will be treated as a pilot lot, and continuation of the initiative will depend on TCB’s ability to sell the procured commodities effectively.
The government will not provide any subsidy for the programme. Instead, TCB will seek to benefit consumers by procuring commodities at competitive prices and selling them with a lower margin.
According to the chairman, depending on the commodity and procurement cost, prices could be around Tk10 to Tk12 lower per unit than prevailing market rates.
He said the initiative would not be seasonal and could be expanded if the initial pilot proves successful.
Edible oil was selected for the first phase because of its high current price and strong market demand. Other essential commodities, including sugar and lentils, could later be included if they can be procured at competitive prices.
The chairman said TCB would not intervene in every commodity market continuously. Instead, specific products would be brought into the market when necessary to address supply or price pressures.
The proposed open-market sales will operate alongside, rather than replace, TCB’s existing subsidised sales programme through the Smart Family Card system.
“The subsidised operation is different. But, this will be at the market rate, but below the prevailing market price,” he said.
Brigadier General Foyshol said the initiative would operate under TCB’s existing mandate and would not require a separate programme title.
He also said no additional budgetary allocation would immediately be required for the pilot as provisions for TCB operations have already been included in the current budget.
“If the pilot is successful, it will go for extension,” he said.
The TCB chairman expressed hope that increased availability of essential commodities at competitive prices through open-market sales would help reduce overall market prices.
“If we can put the products into the market, prices will naturally start coming down,” he said.

Bangladesh and Kosovo have agreed to explore a government-to-government (G2G) mechanism for the transparent and orderly recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in Kosovo amid growing demand for labour mobility.
The understanding was reached at the second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the two countries held in Prishtina on Thursday, according to a joint communiqué received here today.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Ministry Secretary (Bilateral-East & West) Dr M Nazrul Islam, while Kosovo’s delegation was headed by Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Ilir Muçaj.
Recognising the growing demand for labour mobility, the two sides stressed the importance of establishing a structured framework for the recruitment and employment of Bangladeshi workers in Kosovo.
They agreed to explore G2G cooperation mechanisms to ensure that labour migration takes place in a transparent, orderly and mutually beneficial manner.
During the consultations, the two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the progress made since the establishment of diplomatic ties.
They identified significant potential for cooperation in trade, investment, education, agriculture, information and communication technology, tourism, labour mobility and people-to-people exchanges.
Both sides also stressed the early conclusion of agreements under negotiation, particularly those relating to economic cooperation and avoidance of double taxation.
Kosovo appreciated Bangladesh’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping operations and expressed gratitude to Bangladeshi peacekeepers who served in Kosovo.
Bangladesh welcomed Kosovo’s growing participation in international and regional organisations and expressed support for its continued integration into international organisations and multilateral mechanisms.
Kosovo also commended Bangladesh’s humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis and backed Dhaka’s efforts to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The two countries reaffirmed their opposition to terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime and agreed to strengthen coordination in regional and international forums.
They also agreed to hold the third Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka in 2027 at a mutually convenient date.