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Dhaka–Chattogram, Dhaka–Mawa Highways Brought Under AI-Powered CCTV Surveillance

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Dhaka: The Dhaka–Chattogram Highway and Dhaka–Mawa Highway have been brought under comprehensive CCTV surveillance with the installation of advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cameras, as part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy against highway crime and narcotics.

Additional Inspector General (IGP) of Highway Police Faruk Ahmed said the entire Dhaka–Chattogram Highway is now under CCTV coverage, while 16 strategic locations have been equipped with AI-powered surveillance cameras.

“We have brought the entire Dhaka–Chattogram Highway under CCTV coverage, while 16 important points of the highway have also been brought under the coverage of AI cameras,” he told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

He said the Dhaka–Mawa Highway has also been placed under the same surveillance network to strengthen security along the route.

With the new system in place, the Highway Police is now centrally monitoring both highways through an integrated surveillance network.

According to Ahmed, the AI cameras on the Dhaka–Mawa Highway were installed under a project of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.

He said the Highway Police is preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the ministry that will formally authorize the force to operate the AI-powered surveillance system, although it has already been managing the network on an unofficial basis.

Focus on Crime Prevention

The Highway Police chief said the enhanced surveillance system is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency and strengthen efforts to prevent robberies, drug trafficking and other highway crimes.

He added that although AI cameras have already been installed along the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway, their formal inauguration is expected soon.

The surveillance programme will gradually be expanded to other highways across the country to facilitate prompt action against criminal activities while also helping reduce traffic congestion.

Ahmed said the Highway Police’s two primary responsibilities are preventing highway crimes—including robbery and narcotics trafficking—and ensuring smooth traffic movement.

He noted that the force is increasingly adopting advanced information technology to improve service delivery, operational efficiency, transparency and accountability through data-driven policing.

Authorities are also placing greater emphasis on community-oriented policing by strengthening public trust and encouraging greater citizen participation.

Officials believe that combining modern technology, evidence-based policing and stronger community engagement will contribute to safer highways and more efficient public services.

Drive Against Extortion

Faruk Ahmed, a 17th BCS (Police) officer who assumed office as Additional IGP of Highway Police on July 7, pledged to eliminate extortion and public harassment on the country’s highways.

“I am confident of making the highways extortion- and hassle-free within the next two months,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that allegations of Highway Police personnel collecting illegal payments from vehicles would no longer persist after the next two months.

Expanding Highway Police Capacity

The Additional IGP said the Highway Police currently operates 73 police stations nationwide and plans to establish more stations while strengthening the professional capacity of its personnel to improve public service delivery.

Established on June 11, 2005, the Highway Police is a specialised unit of Bangladesh Police responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing highway crime, investigating road accidents, enforcing traffic laws, conducting highway patrols, ensuring road safety and managing traffic flow across the national highway network.

Operating under the leadership of an Additional Inspector General, the force currently comprises four divisions, eight regional offices, 10 circles, seven camps and 73 highway police stations, with an approved manpower of 2,814 personnel.

Its eight regional headquarters are located in Gazipur, Cumilla, Bogura, Madaripur, Sylhet, Khulna, Rangpur and Mymensingh.

Despite manpower and resource constraints, the Highway Police is responsible for policing approximately 11,806 kilometres of highways across Bangladesh.

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Editorial

ILO Chief Praises Bangladesh’s Labour Reforms, Reaffirms Support for Worker Welfare

by deskreport
written by deskreport

International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo commended Bangladesh’s recent progress in the labour sector and the government’s initiatives to reduce child labour, reaffirming the UN agency’s continued support for labour reforms.

He made the remarks during a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir at a hotel in the capital this evening.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed Bangladesh’s recent progress in the labour sector and discussed a range of issues, including the elimination of child labour, labour law and institutional reforms, protection of the rights and welfare of migrant workers, and the promotion of safe, orderly and regular migration.

The Foreign Affairs Adviser sought the ILO’s continued support in safeguarding the rights, safety and welfare of Bangladeshi migrant workers.

He also requested sustained technical assistance from the organisation to strengthen institutional capacity in the labour sector, enhance skills development and support the implementation of international labour standards.

The ILO Director-General praised the government’s efforts to reduce child labour and assured Bangladesh of the organisation’s continued cooperation in advancing labour sector reforms and promoting decent work.

At the outset of the meeting, Houngbo congratulated Bangladesh on its election to the presidency of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He expressed confidence that cooperation between Bangladesh and the ILO would be further strengthened during Bangladesh’s tenure as President of the UN General Assembly.

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Editorial

Naming the theft, then getting to work: a minister’s case for recovery

by deskreport
written by deskreport

Every transition of power carries a ledger, and Bangladesh’s latest one arrived heavily in deficit. Speaking Saturday at a Bangladesh Maritime Academy Alumni Association event in Purbachal, Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was direct about the inheritance: enormous sums, he said, were siphoned out of the country during what he termed the fascist regime, leaving the current government to assume power over an economy already fractured at its foundations.
Judged against that inheritance, the opening months read differently than the usual political scorecard suggests. Restoring an economy gutted by systemic theft is not a matter of quarterly targets; it’s closer to reconstruction after a controlled demolition, and Fakhrul’s own framing was that despite standing on such fragile ground, the government has made a promising start.
There is precedent worth invoking here, and it isn’t rhetorical flourish, it’s the one Fakhrul himself reached for. Bangladesh Nationalist Party has faced ruin before and answered it twice, first under martyred President Ziaur Rahman, later under former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, each instance offering proof that collapse doesn’t have to be the final word. The current leadership under Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul argued, is holding that same continuity, having already adopted a range of plans aimed at economic recovery.
What distinguishes this moment is a quieter shift in how governance is being conceived. Rather than treating the state as recovery’s sole engine, Fakhrul appealed directly to marine professionals to help the government capture the largely untapped potential of the blue economy, arguing that if professionals across sectors matched that spirit of cooperation, Bangladesh could travel considerably further under the current leadership.
The same day, at a separate seminar hosted by the Bangladesh-China Friendship Association at Sonargaon Hotel, Fakhrul extended this logic outward. He credited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent China visit with consolidating what he called a historic friendship, one built on strategic partnership and multidimensional cooperation, and pledged that Bangladesh would stand alongside China as it elevates its business sector globally. Infrastructure, trade, investment, technology, education, health, agriculture, and cultural exchange, he said, are all set to expand between the two countries in the years ahead.
None of this erases the scale of what was taken. But an administration willing to name the theft plainly, while simultaneously producing the early architecture of recovery, on multiple fronts and in the same day’s work, is operating with more candor than the current mood of skepticism tends to credit.

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National

PM Calls for Eco-Friendly Brick Production to Combat Air Pollution

by deskreport
written by deskreport

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman underscored the need to replace conventional brick production with environmentally friendly alternative technologies to curb air pollution, while directing authorities to strengthen measures against both air and noise pollution.

The directives came during a meeting on environmental pollution chaired by the Prime Minister at his office in Tejgaon, Assistant Press Secretary Gazi Shahriar Pamy said.

According to Pamy, the meeting held extensive discussions on a range of initiatives aimed at reducing air and sound pollution, with particular emphasis on tackling emissions from brick kilns.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of promoting eco-friendly brick manufacturing technologies and decided that swift and effective measures would be taken to curb air pollution caused by traditional brick kilns.

The meeting also reviewed ways to reduce excessive use of vehicle horns in Dhaka, a major source of noise pollution.

In this regard, the Prime Minister instructed law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce existing regulations against unnecessary horn use.

Participants also discussed the possible use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, similar to AI-powered traffic management cameras, to monitor and control excessive horn use across the capital.

To improve urban air quality, the Prime Minister directed the authorities to accelerate the removal of unfit, expired and environmentally polluting buses, trucks and other vehicles from Dhaka’s roads.

He further instructed the relevant agencies to install automatic traffic light systems at at least 50 additional intersections across the capital as quickly as possible to improve traffic management and reduce congestion-related emissions.

The meeting was attended by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Affairs Dr Md Saimum Parvez, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md Anisur Rahman, and senior officials from various ministries and agencies.

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National

Government to Launch ‘Probashi Card’ Pilot Programme Next Month

by deskreport
written by deskreport

The government is set to launch the ‘Probashi Card’ (Expatriate Card) on a pilot basis in the second week of next month, with the state-owned Janata Bank issuing the Probashi Debit Card in the first phase.

The decision was taken at a meeting on the Probashi Card programme chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Tejgaon, Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin told reporters.

“The Probashi Card will be introduced on a pilot basis in the second week of next month. In the first phase, the state-owned Janata Bank will issue the Probashi Debit Card,” he said.

According to the meeting, the government plans to distribute 50,000 Probashi Cards by December this year and 200,000 cards by June next year.

Shadhin said all activities related to the programme will be managed through Probashi Kallyan Bank in the second phase.

The Probashi Card has been designed to provide a wide range of special facilities for Bangladeshi expatriates, aiming to enhance their social status and financial empowerment while offering international payment and banking services through a dual-currency card.

He noted that the initiative is one of the government’s election pledges.

“As part of those commitments, the government has already begun implementing the Family Card, Farmer Card and Sports Card programmes, while the Probashi Card initiative is now being rolled out on a pilot basis,” he said.

Key Benefits for Cardholders

According to the Deputy Press Secretary, Probashi Card holders will receive a wide range of benefits, including:

  • Complimentary airport lounge access in Bangladesh and abroad.
  • Dedicated immigration booths for faster processing.
  • Complimentary meet-and-greet services at international airports.
  • Discounts on airline tickets and hotel bookings.
  • Vehicle booking facilities at home and abroad at competitive rates.
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off services for Signature Card holders.
  • Dedicated service booths at government hospitals.
  • Discounts at private hospitals.
  • Free transportation of the bodies of deceased cardholders.
  • Rehabilitation support for returning expatriates.
  • Insurance coverage.
  • Priority services for land registration, mutation, utility connections, licensing and foreign investment.
  • Remittance reward points.
  • Credit scoring and loan facilities.
  • Direct money transfer through the card.
  • Simplified banking and financial transactions.
  • Priority services for National Identity Cards, passports, consular assistance and other government services.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed the authorities to ensure that Bangladeshi expatriates living around the world are gradually brought under the Probashi Card programme.

He also instructed the relevant agencies to modernize and update the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) in line with present-day labour market requirements.

The meeting was attended by Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister Md Nurul Hoque, Prime Minister’s advisers Mahdi Amin and Rehan Asif Asad, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Director General Jamil Ahmed, and other senior officials.

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Editorial

In Doval’s Delhi, Bangladesh tests whether regional security cooperation can escape India’s shadow

by deskreport
written by deskreport

The 5th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting in New Delhi on 16 July was more than another regional security gathering. For Bangladesh, now chairing BIMSTEC since April 2025, its real significance lies in whether Dhaka can convert the meeting’s modest outcomes into lasting strategic leverage.

Chaired by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, the meeting brought together security chiefs from all seven BIMSTEC states. Bangladesh was represented by Defence Adviser Dr AKM Shamsul Islam and High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah. BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey briefed members on security sector progress, while Doval also held bilateral discussions with the Bangladeshi, Thai, Sri Lankan and Myanmar delegations on intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation.

The meeting produced maritime HADR guidelines and guiding principles for maritime law enforcement agencies during at sea interactions. Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, conflict and technology driven, multi domain threats and with BIMSTEC approaching its 30th anniversary in 2027, these are modest but meaningful beginnings.

For Bangladesh, however, the real question is what happens next.

BIMSTEC is usually viewed through trade and connectivity. Yet its security mechanisms including the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime framework, the Expert Group on Maritime Security and the National Security Chiefs’ process offer Dhaka an unusual opportunity to shape regional priorities without becoming dependent on any single partner.

Bangladesh’s geography makes this especially important. Sitting between South and Southeast Asia, with a 4,096 kilometre border with India and a volatile frontier with Myanmar, the country is both a transit and destination point for narcotics, arms and human trafficking, while remaining among the world’s most disaster.prone coastal states. Its chairmanship provides procedural leverage that its relative economic and military weight would not otherwise guarantee, while the 2027 anniversary creates pressure for concrete deliverables.

Dhaka should use that window intelligently.

On border security, BIMSTEC can complement the BGB–BSF channel, which remains vulnerable to political fluctuations and incidents such as cross border shootings and alleged push-ins. Bangladesh should push for common verification procedures, surveillance and biometric cooperation, and documented reciprocal commitments against the use of one member’s territory against another. A multilateral platform would allow Dhaka to raise bilateral asymmetries without every issue becoming a bilateral grievance.

The maritime agenda offers an even greater opportunity. The newly adopted HADR and maritime law enforcement principles should be converted into operational white shipping information sharing and eventually a regional maritime fusion centre. With offshore gas, shipping and the blue economy central to Bangladesh’s future, anti-piracy and anti-IUU fishing cooperation are economic necessities. Dhaka must also ensure BIMSTEC’s maritime agenda does not become merely an extension of Indian Ocean naval priorities.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Bangladesh–India–Myanmar tri-border zone demand similar regional coordination. Golden Triangle linked narcotics routes, small arms flows and the movement of armed actors remain concerns regardless of the pace of the CHT Peace Accord. Multilateral intelligence and law enforcement cooperation would allow Bangladesh to address these threats without appearing to outsource internal security to a single neighbour.

Myanmar is more delicate. BIMSTEC cannot resolve its internal conflict, but it remains one of the few forums where Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Thailand meet. Dhaka should keep technical channels open on refugee flows, anti trafficking including through the existing BIMSTEC Sub Group on Human Trafficking and humanitarian logistics, without weakening its position on safe, dignified and sustainable Rohingya repatriation.

Cybersecurity must also move from discussion to structure. Bangladesh should push for a dedicated cyber sub group under CTTC, regional incident response protocols and pre-emptive threat intelligence sharing as financial systems, ports and critical infrastructure become increasingly networked.

Yet strategic activism must be balanced by strategic autonomy.

BIMSTEC’s security agenda risks appearing India centric given New Delhi’s influence, hosting role and agenda, setting weight. Bangladesh must insist on reciprocity in intelligence and technology cooperation, ensure that security collaboration is not interpreted as alignment against China or Myanmar’s military authorities, and keep Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan invested. A perceived India Bangladesh security vehicle would undermine BIMSTEC’s legitimacy.

Above all, Dhaka must demand deliverables rather than declarations: working groups, information,sharing protocols and joint exercises.

The New Delhi meeting produced modest outcomes, but it also created a template. Bangladesh now has the chairmanship, a regional security platform and a deadline before the 2027 anniversary. Its success will depend on whether it turns maritime guidelines into mechanisms, cyber concerns into institutions and border cooperation into reciprocal protocols.

The summit lasted a day. The strategic opportunity it offers Bangladesh could last far longer, but only if Dhaka chooses to use its chairmanship as leverage rather than ceremony.

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Editorial

A decade of hosting the world’s displaced: Bangladesh’s burden, Myanmar’s silence, and a region that looks away

by deskreport
written by deskreport

As Bangladesh nears a decade since the 2017 displacement and marks the 75th anniversary of the global refugee framework, it is an opportune moment to evaluate the evolution of our humanitarian landscape. For nearly 50 years, since the initial 1978 influx, Bangladesh has stood as a beacon of humanitarian duty, shouldering the immense burden of hosting 1.2 million refugees. This response, while born from an urgent need for shelter, has transitioned into a complex, deep-rooted demographic and economic reality that shapes the life of Cox’s Bazar today.
While the fundamental goal remains the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar, the current climate requires us to look beyond the static “temporary” model. The reality on the ground has shifted; the camps have expanded into complex, semi-urban spaces. This transformation demands a recalibration of our national strategy—one that balances our unwavering commitment to human rights with the practical necessities of national security, social stability, and economic management.
A refreshed approach does not abandon the call for repatriation; rather, it acknowledges that until Myanmar establishes the necessary conditions of citizenship and safety, we must manage the situation with greater foresight. By integrating these settlements into a more structured planning framework, we can better address the rising internal security challenges, such as criminal networks and the risks posed by local instability. This is not about granting permanent citizenship, but about ensuring that while these populations remain, they are governed in a way that minimizes the burden on local infrastructure and safeguards the environment and social fabric of our communities.
On the diplomatic front, the state’s balanced stance remains our greatest strength. Engaging with the complex, fragmented power dynamics across our border is a delicate task that demands nuance over rhetoric. By diversifying our diplomatic efforts—utilizing China’s influence, deepening ties with ASEAN, and coordinating with global partners—we can effectively transform this from a localized crisis into a shared regional responsibility.
The way forward is to transition from a cycle of crisis management to a cycle of strategic governance. By prioritizing pragmatic diplomacy and evolving our local management framework, Bangladesh can uphold its reputation as a responsible global actor while shielding its borders and citizens from the pressures of a protracted crisis. Humanitarian aid is and will remain a pillar of this process, but a durable future can only be secured through a political and strategic vision that recognizes the reality of the present while steadfastly working toward the stability of tomorrow.

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National Parlament Election 2026

Indian NSA Ajit Doval meets Bangladesh PM’s Defence Adviser Shamsul Islam

by deskreport
written by deskreport

Indian National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval met Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam on Wednesday ahead of the 5th Meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Advisers.

The meeting took place in New Delhi before the regional security conference, which India is hosting from Thursday.

The discussions come as senior security officials from BIMSTEC member states gather to exchange views on regional security cooperation and issues of mutual interest.

BIMSTEC—the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation—is a regional organization comprising seven countries from South and Southeast Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ meeting provides a platform for member states to strengthen cooperation on regional security, counterterrorism, transnational crime and other shared security challenges.

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National

Bangladesh Army Continues Relief Operations in Flood-Hit Chattogram

by deskreport
written by deskreport

Dhaka: The Bangladesh Army has continued its humanitarian assistance operations in several flood-affected areas of Chattogram, providing rescue, relief and emergency support to people affected by the recent floods.

According to a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate, army personnel are conducting the operations in coordination with the local administration to assist flood victims.

The ISPR said members of the 10 Infantry Division are actively supporting relief efforts in different flood-hit areas, including Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram.

Army personnel are helping evacuate stranded residents to safer locations, distributing relief materials and providing essential emergency assistance to affected communities.

The ISPR said the Bangladesh Army’s humanitarian operations will continue until the flood situation returns to normal.

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National

PM Pays Tribute to July Martyrs, Reaffirms Commitment to Democracy

by deskreport
written by deskreport

Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today paid tribute to those who were killed and injured during the July 2024 movement, saying their sacrifices paved the way for a renewed opportunity to restore democracy and the rights of the people.

In a message marking July Martyrs’ Day, the Prime Minister said July 16 is being observed across the country with profound respect, mourning and gratitude for the martyrs, alongside a renewed commitment to institutionalising democracy in every sphere of national life.

Recalling the events of July 16, 2024, he said at least six people were killed during the anti-fascist movement, including Abu Sayeed, a student of the Department of English at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, and Mohammad Wasim Akram, a college student in Chattogram.

The Prime Minister said the image of Abu Sayeed standing before police with his arms outstretched before being shot became a defining symbol of resistance.

“In Rangpur, Shaheed Abu Sayeed stood before the police with his arms outstretched, baring his chest in defiance. The image of police firing at Abu Sayeed stirred intense outrage among people who aspired to democracy,” he said.

He added that what began as a movement demanding quota reform soon evolved into a nationwide struggle against authoritarian rule.

“What had begun as a movement demanding quota reform soon transformed into a movement to overthrow the fascist government,” he said.

According to the Prime Minister, the united movement of students and the public ultimately forced the country’s autocratic ruler to flee.

He offered prayers for the eternal peace of the souls of Abu Sayeed, Mohammad Wasim Akram and all those who lost their lives on July 16.

Describing the day as a historic turning point, Tarique Rahman said unarmed students and ordinary citizens had shown extraordinary courage in the face of state repression, lethal force and intimidation.

“The unforgettable image of Martyr Abu Sayeed standing with his arms outstretched at Begum Rokeya University, fearlessly confronting injustice, was not merely a moment in time; it became a symbol of a nation deprived of democratic rights overcoming fear,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the July Mass Uprising was more than a protest movement.

“It was the united resistance of the entire nation against one and a half decades of fascism, institutionalized corruption, plunder, enforced disappearances, killings, repression and the denial of voting rights imposed upon the people,” he said.

He said the sacrifices made during the movement created a renewed opportunity for Bangladesh to restore the dignity, rights and democratic aspirations of its people.

“Two years after that historic mass uprising, our government remains firmly committed to honoring the sacred sacrifices of the martyrs,” he said.

Expressing confidence that their sacrifices would never be forgotten, Tarique Rahman said the spirit of the July Mass Uprising would continue to inspire the nation.

“The blood of the martyrs can never be shed in vain. The immortal spirit of the July Mass Uprising is not only a source of pride in our history but also an inspiration for building our future,” he said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has now embarked on the path of democracy by following the legacy of those who sacrificed their lives to establish the rights of the people.

“We can best repay the debt owed to the martyrs of the democratic movement by building a safe, humane, self-reliant and democratic Bangladesh for all citizens,” he said.

He also wished a speedy recovery to all those who were injured during the July Mass Uprising.

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