deskreport

An ancient sandstone pillar fragment, believed to date back to the 8th-9th century, has been recovered from a pond in Joypurhat and handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

The 320-kg archaeological artifact has an estimated value of Tk 1.6 crore, according to a preliminary assessment by the Department of Archaeology, BGB’s Joypurhat 20 Battalion said in a press release.

BGB received information from a local public representative about the planned handover of the artifact. A special patrol team of the battalion later went to the spot with approval from higher authorities and took the artifact into custody.

Locals said an organised smuggling gang had hidden the artifact in a pond beside a local playground for smuggling purposes.

The matter was reported to Niamatpur Police Station and officials of the Paharpur Buddhist Vihara Archaeological Museum in Badalgachhi, Naogaon.

A representative of the Department of Archaeology was present during the handover and conducted a preliminary examination.

Later, officials of Paharpur Buddhist Vihara under the Department of Archaeology conducted a detailed examination and confirmed that the stone was part of a sandstone pillar dating back to the 8th-9th century. They also issued a certificate confirming its archaeological significance.

The recovered artifact is being processed for preservation at the Paharpur Buddhist Vihara Archaeological Museum in Badalgachhi, BGB said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has left New York for Dhaka after completing a five-day visit marked by high-level engagements, including his maiden address to the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

An Emirates flight carrying the Prime Minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage left John F Kennedy International Airport at 11:30pm New York time for Dhaka via Dubai, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told BSS.

The flight is scheduled to reach Dubai at 8:00pm on September 26 and leave for Dhaka at 2:00am on September 27. The Prime Minister is expected to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:40am on September 27.

During his visit, Tarique Rahman presented Bangladesh’s positions on global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, humanitarian issues, economic cooperation and the Rohingya crisis.

In his UNGA address on September 24, he reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for UN efforts to promote global peace and called for conflicts to be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation.

He also outlined the government’s 3-R strategy of Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction, while pledging to build a prosperous, self-reliant and welfare-oriented democratic Bangladesh by ensuring political and economic empowerment and equal opportunities for all.

On the Rohingya crisis, the Prime Minister said safe and dignified repatriation to Myanmar remained the only sustainable solution and called for stronger international support to create conditions for their voluntary return.

He separately discussed the Rohingya crisis with UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih.

Tarique Rahman held bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Maldives Vice-President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The meetings covered bilateral relations, trade and investment, economic cooperation, skilled manpower, education, technology and regional and international issues.

At a meeting with World Bank President Ajay Banga, the Prime Minister discussed Bangladesh’s development priorities, economic progress and opportunities to strengthen cooperation with the World Bank.

On September 22, Tarique Rahman and his wife attended a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for world leaders and their spouses before joining the opening session of the UNGA General Debate. They later attended a reception hosted by the US president.

The following day, the Prime Minister met representatives of the Gates Foundation, Visa Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, International Rescue Committee and Rotary International to discuss humanitarian challenges, climate change, sustainable development, international cooperation and economic partnership.

He also met Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman and discussed public health, child healthcare, vaccination, affordable vaccines, preventive healthcare and health-system modernisation.

At a high-level meeting on climate action and the just transition, Tarique Rahman called for stronger global action to reduce emissions and ensure predictable climate finance for climate-vulnerable countries.

On September 24, he also addressed a high-level meeting on the threat posed by sea-level rise, calling for deeper emission cuts, accessible adaptation finance, climate-smart technologies and stronger international cooperation.

At a Bangladesh-Sweden-UNFPA event on midwifery, the Prime Minister outlined his vision of a “Healthy Bangladesh”, placing primary healthcare at the centre of health reforms.

He said the government plans to recruit 100,000 additional health workers, including 80,000 women, and 25,000 professional midwives, while developing an integrated digital health system.

The Prime Minister also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s role in hosting Rohingyas and contributing troops to UN peacekeeping operations, as well as its contributions to climate resilience and multilateral affairs.

The visit also featured economic diplomacy, including the signing of an agreement between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Boeing to purchase 11 aircraft as Bangladesh seeks to expand its aviation sector and open new international routes.

On the final day of the visit, Tarique Rahman attended a breakfast meeting with Wall Street representatives hosted by JPMorgan at its Manhattan headquarters and held a bilateral meeting with Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

He is scheduled to reach Dhaka on September 27 after completing the New York visit.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has warned police personnel of strict action for negligence of duty, creating disorder or assisting what he described as “fascist forces.”

“Anyone involved in sedition will face action. The government will have to take a tough stance to maintain peace and order in the state and among the people,” he said.

The minister made the remarks at the Police Week 2026 medal-giving ceremony at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh.

He said people want a people-friendly police force and urged police personnel to perform their duties with honesty, dedication and sincerity.

“The strength of the police force has been increased and the process will continue, considering its vital role in maintaining internal security,” he said.

Salahuddin alleged that some police personnel were secretly assisting “fascist forces” by sharing information or through other means, while some were neglecting their field-level responsibilities.

“Action is being taken gradually. At the same time, police personnel are being given opportunities to correct themselves,” he said.

The minister urged police personnel to work more sincerely to bring alleged collaborators of the “fascist forces” to justice. He warned that officers who fail to respond to public expectations would face consequences.

The government conferred four categories of police awards—BPM, BPM-Service, PPM and PPM-Service—on 92 personnel in recognition of their bravery, outstanding service and contributions to solving significant criminal cases.

Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir received the BPM for 2025.

Additional IGP and PBI chief Md Mustafa Kamal, Additional IGP and River Police chief Md Rezaul Karim, Additional Police Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and CTTC chief Mohammad Shamsul Haque, and MZM Intekhab Chowdhury, director of the Legal and Media Wing of the erstwhile RAB, now SRB, received BPM-Service awards for 2025.

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Faizul Kabir and Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mu. Mahbubur Rahman received PPM-Service awards.

IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir chaired the programme, while Senior Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury attended as the special guest.

Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Khondoker Rafiqul Islam delivered the welcome address.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held meetings with the heads of state and government of seven countries during his four working days in New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and business ties and discussing regional and international issues, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said.

The seven leaders were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

According to the state minister, the discussions placed emphasis on expanding bilateral cooperation, trade and business ties and exchanging views on issues of mutual and international interest.

Tarique Rahman also held separate meetings with Maldives Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud and Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

The meetings covered bilateral relations, trade and investment, manpower, economic cooperation and regional and international issues.

The Prime Minister also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, International Peace Institute President and CEO Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman.

Bangladesh’s economy, investment opportunities and the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar featured prominently in these discussions.

During his New York visit, the Prime Minister attended four high-level events on the Rohingya crisis, the threat posed by rising sea levels to coastal countries, climate action and just transition, and the integration of midwifery into primary healthcare.

He also attended a breakfast meeting with representatives of Wall Street firms hosted by JPMorgan Chase, where he discussed Bangladesh’s economy, investment prospects and opportunities in trade and finance.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir attended the meeting.

Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman also attended a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for heads of state and government participating in the UN General Assembly, as well as a breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The Prime Minister arrived in New York on September 21 to attend the 81st UNGA, accompanied by his wife and leading a 35-member delegation.

On September 24, Tarique Rahman delivered his maiden address as prime minister at the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has invited Wall Street firms to invest in Bangladesh, describing the country as “open for business” and a potential platform for investors seeking access to the wider regional market.

“We welcome Wall Street firms to invest in Bangladesh. And we want Bangladesh to become a strong platform, from which you can serve a much larger regional market,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a breakfast meeting with business leaders and investors hosted by JPMorgan Chase at its headquarters in Manhattan.

Tarique Rahman said his government was committed to creating confidence, predictability and favourable conditions for investors, stressing that investment requires a stable and supportive business environment.

“Before entering politics, I started my career in business. I learned a simple lesson: investment needs confidence, predictability and the right conditions to grow,” he said.

He said Bangladesh, with a population of more than 180 million, has a young and hardworking population, a growing domestic market and a strategic geographic location.

While Bangladesh is globally known as a major manufacturing and garments hub, the Prime Minister said there were also significant investment opportunities in energy, infrastructure, logistics, technology, digital services, climate finance, manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare.

“Our ambition is to build a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034 and position Bangladesh as a globally connected manufacturing, investment and services hub,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said the government was working to make Bangladesh easier and more predictable for investors through deregulation, stronger investor protection, simplified regulations, improved tax and VAT administration, easier profit repatriation and better infrastructure.

He also highlighted efforts to strengthen economic ties with major global economies, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, the European Union and China.

Referring to JPMorgan’s role in Bangladesh’s inaugural sovereign bond, the Prime Minister said the initiative was an important milestone that provided international investors with a new reference point for Bangladesh and connected the country’s capital market more closely with the global financial system.

He said investors had legitimate concerns about regulatory predictability, investment protection, capital movement and profit repatriation.

“Our responsibility is to provide confidence through policy and, most importantly, through implementation,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh was seeking long-term partnerships rather than short-term transactions.

“Our government’s objective is straightforward. More investment. More trade. More jobs. More technology. And a stronger economic partnership between Bangladesh and the United States,” he said.

The Prime Minister invited investors to build long-term partnerships with Bangladesh and assured them of the government’s willingness to work with them and address investment-related obstacles.

“I invite you to invest with confidence and build for the long term. We are ready to work with you, listen to you and remove obstacles where we can,” he said.

The breakfast meeting was part of the Prime Minister’s engagements in New York during his visit to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has proposed five urgent measures to resolve the Rohingya crisis, calling for a clear and credible roadmap for their early, safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.

“The time has come to move from empathy to a search for root causes and their solutions, from promises to action and from managing displacement to ending it,” he said.

He made the remarks while addressing a high-level side event titled “The Rohingya Crisis: A Renewed Call for a Durable Solution from Protracted Displacement, with Justice and Accountability” at the UN headquarters.

The Prime Minister’s five proposals include establishing a credible roadmap for Rohingya repatriation, ending violence against civilians and ensuring their fundamental rights and security, providing adequate and predictable humanitarian assistance, strengthening justice and accountability, and increasing regional and international cooperation to combat transboundary crimes.

Highlighting the plight of more than 1.2 million Rohingyas living in Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman called on the international community to take responsibility for creating conditions for their safe and dignified return.

“Bangladesh does not want the Rohingya to remain displaced forever. We want them to return to their homes in Myanmar safely, voluntarily, with dignity and with their rights protected,” he said.

He said Bangladesh had fulfilled its humanitarian responsibility and was ready to facilitate the return of the Rohingyas if the necessary conditions were created in Myanmar.

The Prime Minister said international and regional stakeholders should support stabilization efforts in Myanmar and use their influence to create conditions conducive to the return of the Rohingyas.

He also called for an end to violence against civilians, including Rohingyas, and stressed that their fundamental rights and security in Myanmar must be guaranteed to rebuild confidence in the repatriation process.

On humanitarian assistance, Tarique Rahman urged the international community to ensure adequate and predictable support for both the Rohingyas and host communities, saying the development aspirations of host communities should not suffer because of their humanitarian role.

He said justice and accountability were essential for sustainable repatriation, praising The Gambia for pursuing accountability before the International Court of Justice. He also stressed the importance of continued international support for the ICC and other justice and investigative mechanisms.

The Prime Minister further called for stronger regional and international cooperation to combat the narco-economy, human trafficking, digital scams, illegal arms and other transboundary crimes that are contributing to instability in the region.

Describing the crisis as one that originated in Myanmar, he said, “The crisis originated in Myanmar. Its solution lies in Myanmar.”

He said the situation in Rakhine State remained deeply concerning, with Rohingyas facing forced recruitment, arbitrary detention, restrictions on movement, forced labour and other forms of insecurity. He added that serious violations had been reported by both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.

Bangladesh has been hosting Rohingyas for more than nine years, providing food, healthcare and education through around 6,000 learning centres, as well as skills development and capacity-building programmes for Rohingya youth.

Tarique Rahman said humanitarian generosity could not become an excuse for political inaction and Bangladesh could not be expected to shoulder the responsibility indefinitely.

He warned that prolonged displacement was creating new security challenges, including human trafficking, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

“A crisis left unresolved in one country can become a security challenge for an entire region,” he said.

The Prime Minister also expressed concern over declining humanitarian assistance and called for sustained international support to address the crisis.

The event was co-convened by Bangladesh and The Gambia and attended by representatives of several countries and international organisations.

President of the 81st UN General Assembly Dr Khalilur Rahman, Gambia’s Vice President Muhammad B.S. Jallow, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih also addressed the event.

The session was moderated by Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Irene Zubaida Khan. Representatives of the EU, UK, US, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, OIC, WFP, UNFPA, OHCHR and IOM also took part in the discussion.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for collective global action to build a safer and more sustainable future for the next generation, urging the international community to take five urgent measures to address climate change.

“Let us act together to build a safer and more sustainable future for generations to come,” he said while addressing a high-level meeting on “Climate Action and the Just Transition” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The meeting was convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In his address, the Prime Minister outlined five priorities: reducing greenhouse gas emissions to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius target within reach, ensuring predictable and accessible adaptation finance for climate-vulnerable countries, expanding access to climate-smart technologies, increasing renewable energy through finance and technology transfer, and fully implementing and regularly replenishing the Loss and Damage Fund.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s vulnerability, Tarique Rahman said the country contributes less than 0.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but remains highly vulnerable to climate change.

He said 12 to 18 percent of Bangladesh’s coastal areas could be submerged by sea-level rise by the end of the century, potentially affecting the livelihoods of tens of millions of people.

The Prime Minister said climate change had already caused loss and damage equivalent to around one percent of Bangladesh’s GDP, while food security was also facing serious risks.

He said Bangladesh had allocated nearly US$3.19 billion in the current budget for climate adaptation and was taking various measures to strengthen resilience.

“We plan to plant 250 million trees over five years,” he said, adding that around 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals were also being excavated alongside plans for the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage.

According to the Prime Minister, these initiatives aim to retain water, reduce flood risks, restore wetlands and recharge groundwater.

On Bangladesh’s clean energy transition, Tarique Rahman said the country aims to generate 20 percent of its electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030.

He said Bangladesh was promoting green industries, including jute products, eco-friendly transport, waste-to-energy and circular economy initiatives, while also developing a national carbon market.

The Prime Minister stressed that Bangladesh could not achieve its climate goals alone and called for stronger international partnerships based on the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities.”

He also stressed the need for greater access to climate-smart technologies and predictable financing to support a just and equitable transition in climate-vulnerable countries.

The meeting was attended by heads of state and government, representatives of international organisations, multilateral development banks, businesses and civil society.

The government has signed an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of 11 new aircraft as Bangladesh moves to expand its aviation sector and open new international routes, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said.

“A significant signing ceremony was held with Boeing. Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement to purchase 11 more Boeing aircraft,” he said at a press conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York.

Mahdi Amin said senior US government officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur, attended the signing ceremony.

He said the decision to purchase the new aircraft was taken in view of the expansion of Bangladesh’s aviation sector and plans to open new international routes.

Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh has a long-standing commercial relationship with Boeing, while discussions with Airbus could also take place in the future depending on the country’s requirements.

“Bangladesh will purchase aircraft based on its needs. Bangladesh’s aviation sector is expanding and there are plans to open new routes. Therefore, new aircraft are required,” he said.

The Boeing delegation later held a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Briefing journalists on the Prime Minister’s UN visit, Mahdi Amin said Tarique Rahman held meetings on health, agriculture, the Rohingya crisis, climate change, regional stability and bilateral relations during the second day of his four-day visit.

He said discussions with the Gates Foundation focused on expanding cooperation in health and agriculture, using technology to support farmers, increasing agricultural productivity and developing vaccine production capacity in Bangladesh.

On the Rohingya crisis, Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh and The Gambia jointly organised a major side event at the UN, attended by representatives of different countries and international organisations.

He said stronger international support was needed to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. Discussions also highlighted the need to improve the law-and-order situation in Myanmar and ensure accountability for the persecution of Rohingyas.

Mahdi Amin said more than 1.2 million Rohingyas are currently living in Bangladesh and declining international assistance has placed additional pressure on the country.

He said the Prime Minister’s meeting with the Croatian prime minister discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in trade, investment and migration. Tarique Rahman also held a meeting with the President of Iran.

On tensions in the Middle East, Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh supports peaceful solutions to conflicts and, if necessary, could help create opportunities for dialogue from a friendly and neutral position.

He said Bangladesh has important partners in the Middle East and that discussions highlighted the need for peaceful solutions in view of the impact of conflicts on energy security, trade and Bangladeshi expatriates.

On climate change, Mahdi Amin said the Prime Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s position on the need for climate finance for vulnerable countries.

He said Bangladesh’s plans to reduce carbon emissions through river and canal dredging, tree plantation, greater use of renewable energy including solar power and promotion of electric vehicles were also highlighted.

Regarding the role of China and India in Rohingya repatriation, Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh was engaging with concerned countries and partners through both bilateral and multilateral channels.

He described China as an important development partner and said high-level discussions with Beijing were continuing on the Rohingya crisis.

“Diplomacy requires keeping all doors and all options open. The path of dialogue can never be closed,” he said.

Mahdi Amin said the Prime Minister had two more days of engagements remaining during his four-day UN visit and would deliver his UN General Assembly speech in Bangla on September 24.

State Ministers for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman and members of the Prime Minister’s press wing were present at the press conference.