deskreport

The 82nd birthday of former BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will be observed tomorrow with various programmes organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).According to a BNP press release, doa and milad mahfils will be held at party offices and mosques across the country to mark the occasion.In Dhaka, the main programme will begin at 11:00am at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan, where senior party leaders are expected to attend.Begum Khaleda Zia, widely regarded as a prominent leader of Bangladesh’s democratic movement, served as BNP chairperson from 1983 until her death on December 30, 2025. She was the country’s first elected female prime minister and served as prime minister three times.She was born to Iskandar Majumder and Taiyaba Majumder in Dinajpur on August 15, 1945. Her family originally hailed from Feni. She studied at Dinajpur Government Girls High School and later at Surendranath College.In 1960, she married Ziaur Rahman, who later became a Liberation War hero, declared independence on behalf of the nation and served as president of Bangladesh. As First Lady, Begum Khaleda Zia accompanied him on visits and met several world leaders.Following the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman in 1981, she joined the BNP as a general member on January 2, 1982. She became the party’s vice-chairperson in March 1983 and subsequently took over as chairperson.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed called for a “fresh start” in Bangladesh-India relations, saying differences between the two countries can be resolved through mutual cooperation and dialogue based on equality.

“Bangladesh and India are interdependent in many ways, including geographically, socially, politically and economically. Leaving the past behind, a fresh start is essential to strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries,” he said.

The home minister made the remarks when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat today.

“There are some differences and issues between the two countries, but these can be resolved through mutual cooperation and dialogue. We must move forward with our friendly relations through discussions based on equality. India must come forward with sincerity in this regard,” he said.

During the meeting, the two sides held fruitful and positive discussions on bilateral relations and various issues of mutual interest.

The Indian high commissioner expressed his commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties, saying, “We do not only share geographical boundaries; we also share the dream of prosperity.”

He said differences over various issues are normal in a democratic culture and that the existence of such issues is part of the democratic process.

“There is no such complicated issue between the two countries that cannot be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic means,” Trivedi said, expressing hope that Bangladesh-India relations would become stronger and brighter in the coming days.

Senior officials of the Home Ministry and representatives of the Indian High Commission attended the meeting.

Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon today urged all concerned not to spread misinformation about the appointment of teachers in private educational institutions by managing committees, saying the government has not taken any decision on the matter.

The minister made the appeal in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday night following widespread speculation over the issue.

He said the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), the government agency under the Ministry of Education responsible for registering and certifying teachers for private educational institutions under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) system, was established in 2005 by the BNP government led by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

The Education Ministry is continuously reviewing the activities of the NTRCA and examining how its teacher recruitment process can be made more transparent, efficient and effective, he said.

Referring to reports about teacher appointments through school managing committees, Dr Milon said the government has not taken any decision to introduce such a system.

He urged everyone not to spread misinformation on the issue.

The minister said the NTRCA currently conducts interviews centrally and recommends candidates for appointment based on merit and qualifications to ensure an impartial recruitment process.

He added that the government is working to make the teacher recruitment system more transparent and modern.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Chattogram drew widespread public attention, with his simple approach and emphasis on avoiding unnecessary expenditure becoming notable features of the tour.

During his visit to Banshkhali, local BNP members and their affiliates had constructed several ceremonial arches, or ‘torans’. Police removed them the night before the Prime Minister’s arrival, saying Tarique Rahman had instructed that unnecessary torans and banners should not be displayed to avoid wasteful expenditure.

Kamrul Islam Hossaini, former mayor of the municipality and host of the Prime Minister’s Banshkhali programme, said the Prime Minister was demonstrating through his actions what he meant by building a new Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister’s rehabilitation programme was held at the West Banshkhali High School ground near the Baharchhara coast, where he handed over keys to newly built houses to 100 families whose homes were destroyed by floods.

During the programme, Tarique Rahman personally inspected the condition of the houses and interacted with the beneficiaries. He also visited the newly built home of a widowed woman who lives about a kilometre from the event venue.

The woman, whose husband died two years ago, has four daughters and two sons. The Prime Minister entered her new home, spoke with her and her children, inquired about their wellbeing and planted a tree on the property.

The woman said she knew the government had built the house but never imagined that the Prime Minister would personally visit her home and speak with her.

The visit also attracted thousands of people in Banshkhali. Local BNP leaders said people began gathering at the event venue from early morning, with many arriving from different unions despite the heat. Around 80 buses were used to bring BNP leaders and activists to the programme.

After Banshkhali, the Prime Minister travelled to Fatikchhari, where he paid a courtesy visit to Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Uloom Babunagar Madrasa.

Large crowds gathered along the Fatikchhari-Khagrachari regional highway and surrounding areas to see the Prime Minister. Many people climbed onto rooftops and trees to get a closer view of his motorcade.

At the madrasa, Tarique Rahman interacted with students, exchanged greetings and waved to them.

He later travelled to Hathazari, where he provided funds for housing for flood victims and assistance for people with disabilities. He also spoke with disabled people individually and encouraged them.

In the evening, the Prime Minister held an organisational meeting with leaders and activists of Chattogram BNP and its affiliated organisations at Hotel Radisson Blu in the city.

At the meeting, Tarique Rahman stressed the importance of unity and coordination among party leaders and activists. He urged BNP’s main organisation and its affiliated bodies to work together as members of the same family.

He also called on party leaders and activists to remain united ahead of the upcoming local government elections and work collectively for the party’s interests.

The Prime Minister warned leaders and activists against becoming confused by rumours and unverified information circulating through traditional and social media. He advised them to verify information before believing or sharing it.

The meeting, which began at around 8:15pm and lasted about two hours, was the BNP chairman’s first organisational meeting with Chattogram leaders since the government was formed.

Participants said the central message of the meeting was unity. Tarique Rahman stressed that strengthening the party organisation was as important as running the government and called for greater cooperation among leaders and activists.

He also urged party members to view the government as their own and take responsibility for its activities, while maintaining discipline and avoiding actions that could damage the party’s reputation.

A preparatory meeting on the upcoming presidential election will be held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban today, with Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair, according to a press release from the Parliament Secretariat.

The Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule for the presidential election on August 6.

According to the schedule, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is August 13. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on August 16, while candidates can withdraw their candidature until 4:00pm on August 18.

Voting in the presidential election will be held from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on August 20 in the Jatiya Sangsad session chamber.

Visa President for Asia-Pacific Stephen Karpin today expressed the global financial technology company’s interest in expanding its investment and business operations in Bangladesh.

He made the remarks during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat this morning.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin said Karpin told the Prime Minister that Bangladesh has significant potential for Visa to expand its activities in digital financial services, technology and innovation.

He said Visa wants to invest and provide technological support to encourage bank account holders who do not yet use cards to adopt card-based transactions and expand digital payments across the country.

Karpin also expressed interest in using artificial intelligence (AI) to make Bangladesh’s banking and digital payment systems more secure, convenient and efficient.

The meeting discussed expanding the use of Visa cards in government and public services, including metro rail, toll plazas and expressways, to make everyday transactions easier.

Visa also expressed interest in contributing to the development of Bangladesh’s digital and creative economies.

The two sides discussed developing an effective digital payment system to enable Bangladeshi freelancers to bring their overseas earnings into the country securely and conveniently.

Karpin was also invited to establish a technology development centre or global service centre in Bangladesh, which could create employment opportunities.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman welcomed private-sector partnerships to expand digital financial services and technology in Bangladesh and stressed the importance of international companies such as Visa in strengthening the country’s digital economy, investment and technological capabilities.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and senior Visa officials were present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today assured foreign investors of the government’s all-out support, saying Bangladesh is ready to facilitate investment and provide a favourable business environment.

“Bangladesh currently offers a favourable environment for investment. The government is ready to provide all necessary support to interested foreign investors,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks when a delegation of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) paid a courtesy call on him at the Cabinet Division meeting room at Bangladesh Secretariat this afternoon.

PM’s Assistant Press Secretary Gazi Shahriar Pami said an eight-member AmCham delegation, led by its president and Mastercard Vice President Syed Mohammad Kamal, met the Prime Minister.

During the meeting, the AmCham representatives informed the Prime Minister that the organisation’s new committee, which assumed office about two months ago, is working to attract greater US investment to Bangladesh and further deepen commercial ties between the two countries.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun were present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged all democratic forces to remain united against those seeking to create disorder, spread confusion and obstruct the country’s development, saying nobody would be allowed to play with the fate of the people.

“Now is the time to build the country, now is the time to shape the destiny of the nation. Therefore, we have to turn the 40 crore hands of our 20 crore people into the hands of workers and take our country forward,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a rehabilitation programme for flood-affected people at the Hathazari Government College ground this evening.

Highlighting the prevailing situation, Tarique Rahman said some political parties were spreading confusion and attempting to obstruct the government’s development activities.

“Today, we have to make a decision. All democratic people of Bangladesh who believe in democracy and freedom of expression have to decide what steps we should take against those who want to create disorder, block roads by coming onto the streets and mislead people,” he said.

Calling on people to remain united against such attempts, he urged democratic forces to stand together against those seeking to undermine the country’s development and progress.

“Changing the fate of the people is our vision and mission. We will work, we will build the country, Bangladesh First — Korbo Kaj, Gorbo Desh, Sobar Agee Bangladesh,” he said.

The Prime Minister said BNP firmly believes that the people are the source of all political power and that the party has a responsibility to implement its 31-point development agenda following the support it received from the people.

Describing the 31-point agenda as a programme of the people, Tarique Rahman said BNP would continue working to overcome obstacles, fulfil people’s aspirations and transform Bangladesh into a developed country.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed also addressed the programme.