United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday pledged to maintain unity among the political parties that had joined the simultaneous anti-fascist movement, saying his government will always put the interests of the people ahead of political considerations. "We have been together all these years. There is no reason that we will part ways now. We have stood together for so long, and, we will continue to stand together in the days ahead,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while speaking at a courtesy meeting and dinner with leaders of parties that had taken part in the simultaneous anti-fascist movement alongside the BNP. Read More: PM hosts leaders of anti-fascist movement allies at courtesy meeting, dinner Acknowledging concerns expressed by several alliance leaders, Tarique Rahman said he fully understood their sentiments. "I do not disagree with what our senior colleagues have said. I understand their concerns and frustrations. They are my seniors, and as a younger brother I respect their views. I sincerely express my regret if there have been any shortcomings."

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday directed the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to ensure easier access to better healthcare services for the marginalised people. During a meeting with senior officials at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the Secretariat in the afternoon, he also instructed for ensuring that doctors are more sincere and dedicated in providing treatment for patients. PM takes responsibility for treatment of child with rare congenital disease At the outset of the meeting, Tarique Rahman sought a detailed briefing from the health minister, state minister, secretary and other senior officials on the achievements made in the health sector during the five months since the current government assumed office. The officials of the ministry informed him that the previous governments brought the health sector to the brink of collapse, making access to proper healthcare services difficult for the marginalised people. The health ministry has been working relentlessly to overcome the situation, they said. Referring to frequent reports and complaints in the media and on social media that patients at the upazila level often fail to receive satisfactory treatment despite the presence of doctors, the Prime Minister directed the authorities to take punitive and other necessary actions against the negligence by physicians in performing their duties. He said the healthcare services must be made more accessible for rural people under any circumstances. "Satisfactory treatment and adequate medicines must be ensured for them. Everyone should be able to receive medical care at government hospitals easily without any suffering,” he said. Tarique Rahman said the public hospitals should become the primary and most reliable destination of healthcare services for them so that they need not to go anywhere to receive the medical treatment. About kidney diseases, he announced plans to establish 50-bed dialysis centres at the district level to reduce the suffering faced by kidney patients. The existing 10-bed district-level dialysis centres will be expanded to 50 beds, the Prime Minister said. He said the dialysis centres will be established in upazilas across the country in phases over the next three years. Tarique Rahman instructed the ministry to ensure the development of skilled manpower and provide the necessary logistic support for the successful implementation of the dialysis centre programme. During the meeting, the current government’s initiative to upgrade Upazila Health Complexes from 51 beds to 101-bed facilities and the manpower requirements and infrastructure needed for the expansion of the health complexes were also discussed. Engineers from the Public Works Department presented architectural designs and other technical aspects of the proposed programmes. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr MA Muhit and top officials from the ministry, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and different other public hospitals in the capital were present.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday evening hosted a courtesy meeting and dinner for leaders of the political parties that had joined the simultaneous anti-fascist movement alongside the BNP, marking his first formal engagement with the alliance partners since assuming office. The programme began at 7:40pm on the premises of the State Guest House Jamuna with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Islami Oikya Jote leader Shawkat Amin. The Prime Minister arrived at the venue at 7:27pm, according to his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. After the arrival, Tarique Rahman went from table to table, exchanging greetings and pleasantries with the leaders of the allied parties before joining them for dinner.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken responsibility for the treatment of two-year-old Anifa Akter, who is suffering from a rare congenital disease, after media reports highlighted her family's inability to afford the costly treatment. After the matter came to the Prime Minister's attention, he instructed his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon to ensure necessary medical assistance for the child and to look into the overall condition of the family. PM orders transparent implementation of Family Card programme nationwide Following the directive, a delegation, led by Moksedul Momin Mithun, member secretary of “Amra BNP Poribar”, and guided by Dr Shah Mohammad Amanullah Aman, physician at the Prime Minister's Office and a noted orthopaedic surgeon, visited the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital on Monday to discuss Anifa's treatment with specialist physicians and coordinate the required medical support. A five-member medical board, led by Dr Zahidul Islam, head of the Paediatric Cardiology Department at the hospital, reviewed the child's physical condition, medical records and diagnostic reports.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday instructed the authorities concerned  to ensure the Family Card programme is implemented through a transparent process, with a reliable database to accurately identify genuine beneficiaries. He issued the directives during a meeting on the gradual expansion and implementation strategy of the nationwide Family Card programme at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Press Wing. The meeting reviewed the progress of the Family Card programme, one of the key pledges in the BNP's election manifesto, and discussed a roadmap for its gradual expansion across the country. The Prime Minister emphasised the need for a practical implementation plan, effective coordination among all relevant ministries and agencies and the best possible use of modern technology to ensure the programme is rolled out smoothly nationwide. He also stressed the importance of establishing a credible and acceptable database so that the benefits of the Family Card programme reach the actual recipients effectively, accurately and transparently. Tarique Rahman asked the authorities to maintain the highest standards of transparency and accountability at every stage of data collection, verification and beneficiary selection. Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Chief SDG Coordinator at the Prime Minister's Office Prof Dr SM Abdul Awal, BNP National Executive Committee’s Special Secretary Belayet Hossain Mridha and senior officials from the relevant ministries and agencies attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday reaffirmed his government's commitment to protecting workers' rights, improving workplace safety and implementing international labour standards during a meeting with International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo. The courtesy meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Press Wing. During the meeting, Houngbo said Bangladesh's commitment to labour sector reforms and implementation of international labour standards has been receiving positive recognition internationally. The Prime Minister thanked the ILO for its continued support and said his government places the highest priority on protecting workers' rights, ensuring safe working condition and implementing international labour standards, the press release said. The ILO Director-General expressed his organisation's readiness to further expand cooperation with Bangladesh to support labour sector development. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including strengthening social protection for workers, enhancing skills development, creating more employment opportunities and building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the evolving global labour market. They also exchanged views on the progress of Bangladesh's readymade garment sector, workplace safety, development of the informal labour market and the country's achievements in implementing international labour standards. Both sides stressed the importance of expanding cooperation between the government and the ILO to advance ongoing labour sector reforms.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has invited top leaders of the parties that joined the simultaneous anti-fascist movement to a dinner at State Guest House Jamuna on Monday evening. The event will begin at 7:30pm, Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said on Sunday. "Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has invited the leaders of the parties that were part of the simultaneous movement against the fascist regime to a dinner. He will exchange greetings with the political leaders," Rumon said. He said more than 150 leaders from the allied parties have been invited and invitation cards have already been delivered to them. Members of the BNP Standing Committee will also attend the programme, Rumon added. Sources said Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has not been invited as it was not part of the simultaneous anti-government movement. The meeting will be the first formal engagement between Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and the leaders of the allied parties since the BNP formed the government following its parliamentary majority in the February 12 general election. The invitees include leaders from parties and alliances that participated in the joint anti-government movement alongside the BNP, including the Democracy Platform, the 12-Party Alliance, Ganatantra Mancha, 12-party alliance, Jatiyatabadi Samomona Jote, Gonoforum and Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonotantrik Bam Oikya, and several Islamist parties.

The government has laid a strong foundation for building a democratic, discrimination-free and prosperous Bangladesh during its first 150 days in office by restoring public confidence, rebuilding institutions, stabilising the economy and delivering on key election pledges, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Saturday. Addressing a press conference at the PMO to mark the government's first five months in office, he said the administration, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, achieved "multi-dimensional and unprecedented successes" despite inheriting what he described as a devastated economy, weakened institutions and a dysfunctional governance system. "The government's achievements over the past five months have opened a new chapter in Bangladesh's political history and paved the way for building a humane, discrimination-free, secure, merit-based, prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh," Mahdi said. He said after assuming office through a direct mandate from the people, the government gave top priority to rebuilding democratic institutions, restoring economic stability and strengthening good governance.

The government will launch a pilot Probashi Card programme within the next month, with an initial rollout of a dual-currency debit card aimed at providing Bangladeshi expatriates with a wide range of financial, travel and public service benefits. The decision was taken at a meeting on the Probashi Card chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday, said his Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin. "The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, approved a number of decisions regarding the Probashi Card. The card will offer a range of special facilities for expatriate Bangladeshis," he said. Shadhin said the initiative is intended to enhance the social status and empowerment of expatriates, provide financial incentives and facilitate international payments and banking services through a dual-currency card. The Probashi Card is one of the government's election pledges. The government has already begun implementing the Family Card, Farmers' Card and Sports Card programmes The deputy press secretary said cardholders will enjoy a range of benefits, including complimentary airport lounge access at home and abroad, priority immigration services through dedicated booths, complimentary meet-and-greet services at international airports, discounts on airline tickets and hotel bookings, and affordable car booking services with airport pick-up and drop-off facilities for signature cardholders. The card will also provide priority service booths at government hospitals and discounts at private hospitals, free transportation of the bodies of deceased expatriates, rehabilitation support for returnee migrants and insurance coverage. Other benefits include priority services for land registration, mutation, utility connections, licensing and foreign investment, remittance reward points, credit scoring and loan facilities, direct money transfers through the card, and priority access to National Identity Card (NID), passport and consular services, along with other banking and government services. The pilot launch of the Probashi Card is scheduled for the middle of next month. In the first phase, the state-owned Janata Bank will issue the Probashi Debit Card. The meeting was informed that the government aims to distribute 50,000 cards by December this year and 200,000 cards by June next year. In the second phase, all Probashi Card-related services will be transferred to Probashi Kallyan Bank. Shadhin also said the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to modernise the National Skills Development Authority to better meet current and future labour market demands. He also instructed officials to ensure that Bangladeshis living around the world are brought under the coverage of the Probashi Card programme. The meeting was attended by Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister Nurul Haque, Prime Minister's Advisers Rehan Asif Asad and Mahdi Amin, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Mokhtar Ahmed, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training Director General Jamil Ahmed and other senior officials.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to intensify efforts to curb air and noise pollution, stressing the need for tougher enforcement against polluting vehicles, brick kilns and excessive use of vehicle horns. He gave the directives while chairing a meeting on environmental pollution at the Prime Minister's Office. The meeting discussed a range of measures to reduce air and noise pollution across the country, with particular focus on improving environmental condition in the capital, said a press release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to take effective steps to curb air pollution caused by brick kilns and emphasised the use of environmentally friendly technologies in brick production. The meeting also reviewed ways to control the excessive use of vehicle horns in Dhaka. Tarique Rahman directed law enforcement agencies to strengthen enforcement to reduce unnecessary honking and discussed the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and control horn use, similar to the AI-based traffic camera system already being introduced for traffic management. He also laid emphasis on the swift removal of unfit, expired and highly polluting buses, trucks and other vehicles from the streets of the capital. The Prime Minister an instructed the authorities to install automatic traffic light systems at least 50 more locations in Dhaka as quickly as possible to improve traffic management and reduce congestion. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr 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 Commissioner (Traffic) Md Anisur Rahman and senior officials from different ministries and agencies attended the meeting.