United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday identified the July National Charter as the biggest achievement of the interim government, on the basis of which the people of the country decided to implement it with a huge majority in a referendum. “If the July Charter is implemented, the paths to the return of fascism will be closed forever. I hope it will be implemented within the stipulated time frame,” Prof Yunus said in a televised address to the nation. Even if the interim government forgets many things, big and small, good and bad, the nation will never forget the July Charter, Prof Yunus said. “Today, I congratulate all the political parties, social organisations, and human rights organisations who worked tirelessly to draft this charter and get it passed in the referendum,” he said. Before his speech, National Citizen Party (NCP) signed the July National Charter, giving it compete shape on the aspects of approval of all stakeholders. Earlier, NCP remained absent from signing the instrument saying signing would be meaningless without clarity on implementation. In the presence of the Chief Adviser, NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossain signed the charter at State Guest House Jamuna on Monday evening. National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz, Commission Member Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider were present on the occasion. Prof Yunus sees vast economic prospects in wider regional cooperation For the first time, Prof Yunus said, the opportunity has been created for expatriates to vote in this election. “When a voter proudly shares his experience of voting in this election and the referendum on social media, as a citizen, I cannot contain my joy. I hope that many more expatriates will be able to participate in this process safely in the future,” he said. “When we took office, the economy was in turmoil. The banking system had collapsed, and money laundering was rampant. We have brought structural reforms in revenue management, tax policy, currency management and financial sector,” Prof Yunus said. He said the ‘bottomless economy’ was left for them by the previous fascist government. “Now, while leaving, I am relieved that we have been able to deal with the situation. And I can leave the foundation of a new economy. Now the creditors will not come to chase us anymore,” Prof Yunus said. He said the reserves are now 34 billion dollars. “This reserve is gradually increasing with the remittances of our patriotic expatriate brothers and sisters.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday renewed his emphasis on the economic opportunities in the region, underscoring the vast growth potential of a broader regional cooperation encompassing Nepal, Bhutan and northeastern India. In a televised address to the nation ahead of Tuesday’s handover of power, Prof Yunus outlined Bangladesh’s maritime access as a strategic asset. “Our open sea is not merely a geographical boundary; it is a gateway to the global economy,” he said, highlighting connectivity as central to the country’s next phase of development. Prof Yunus said through economic zones, trade agreements and access to duty-free markets, a strong foundation will be established for this region to become a global manufacturing hub. “We have come a long way in signing agreements with the best international port management companies to take the efficiency of our ports to the international level. If we cannot increase its efficiency, we will lag behind in economic achievements,” he said. The Chief Adviser said they have been able to firmly restore these three fundamental foundations of Bangladesh's sovereignty, national interests, and the country's dignity in foreign policy. “Bangladesh is no longer a country with submissive foreign policy or dependent on the instructions and advice of other countries, today's Bangladesh is confident, active and responsible in protecting its independent interests,” he said. Prof Yunus said they are committed to building relations with all countries of the world based on mutual respect and interests. At the same time, he said, Bangladesh has established itself today as a state capable of taking necessary strategic decisions for the future while maintaining balance. Prof Yunus said the Rohingya crisis has created a serious and long-term strain on the national security, regional stability and economy. CA Prof Yunus thanks NCP for signing July Charter Unfortunately, he said, for a long time, no effective and coordinated international initiative was visible to resolve this crisis. “Since assuming office, we have been able to bring this issue, which was moribund in the international arena, back to the center of global attention.” Realising the importance of this crisis, he said, the United Nations has stood by Bangladesh. The UN Secretary-General himself has visited Bangladesh and pledged to help find a sustainable solution to the problem, he said, adding that at his request, a special conference on the Rohingya issue was held at the UN.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s future, describing the atmosphere surrounding the twin elections as festive and historic, saying it feels like Eid as the nation embarks on building a new Bangladesh. “It is like Eid....fantastic. A big future is coming up (lies ahead of us). We are creating a new Bangladesh,” Prof Yunus said, terming the national election and referendum a historic opportunity to reshape the country’s destiny. Casting his ballot, he said the moment marked one of the greatest joys of his life and symbolised a decisive break from the past. “Today, a new Bangladesh is born,” he said. At every step, Prof Yunus said, they have the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh. "Let us celebrate the birthday of Bangladesh today. Let the whole nation celebrate this festival throughout the day.” The Chief Adviser cast his vote at the Gulshan Model School and College polling centre in the capital. “It is a day of immense happiness in my life. It is also a day of great joy and liberation for the people of Bangladesh,” he added. Referring to the ongoing electoral process, Prof Yunus said it signifies the end of the past and the beginning of a renewed national framework grounded in hope and reform. He said people across the country are observing the day in a celebratory mood, embracing it as a national festival. After casting his vote, the Chief Adviser visited Badda High School polling centre and another centre in Mirpur to inspect the election environment. During the visits, he spoke with voters and election officials. ‘Today, a new Bangladesh is born,’ Prof Adviser Yunus Prof Yunus also monitored the nationwide voting situation from the control room at Police Headquarters. Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam were present. Later, he observed the overall voting situation from the temporary observation room set up at the State Guest House Jamuna.

A delegation of the Commonwealth Observer Group paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday. The meeting was held at the state guest house Jamuna. The 23-member delegation was led by the chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group and former president of Ghana, H E Nana Akufo-Addo. Chief Coordinator on Sustainable Development Goals at the Chief Adviser’s Office Lamiya Morshed was present at the meeting. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will address the nation this (Tuesday) evening. He will address the nation at 7 pm marking  the national election and the referendum, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will broadcast his speech.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said the inspiration of the Liberation War must be passed on from generation to generation so that the country’s younger population understands where Bangladesh came from and how its independence was achieved. “We are not permanent. But the inspiration of the Liberation War is essential for the new generation. They must know where this country came from and how the war was fought. The War of Independence must remain a source of inspiration for generations,” he said. The chief adviser made the remarks while holding a meeting with leaders of the National Freedom Fighters Council, Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust and Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad at the state guest house Jamuna in the evening. Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-e-Azam was present at the meeting. Prof Yunus said identifying genuine freedom fighters and detecting fake ones was a key priority immediately after the interim government assumed office. “The people of Bangladesh hold freedom fighters in the highest respect. In the past, many tried to exploit this respect for personal gain. We must ensure this never happens again,” he said. He noted that political interests had weakened the credibility of the freedom fighter institutions, turning them into tools rather than institutions. “Our effort was to restore them as proper institutions,” he added. Expressing gratitude for meeting the freedom fighters, the chief adviser said preserving history and introducing it to the younger generation is a sacred task. “Very soon, we will no longer be able to find new freedom fighters. But we must preserve their memories. We need to plan now so that the spirit of the Liberation War remains immortal in our nation,” he said. Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam said previous governments used the rhetoric of the Liberation War to create discrimination and deprived genuine freedom fighters. “Many freedom fighters were deeply hurt. Since assuming responsibility, we are trying collectively to clean up the sector and restore the lost dignity of freedom fighters,” he said. The freedom fighters thanked Prof Yunus for successfully leading the interim government, implementing reforms and arranging a referendum. They said if the July Charter is implemented, there will be no scope for fascism to return and the government will remain accountable to the people. They also said the July Charter would play a leading role in protecting Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and taking the country forward. The freedom fighters noted that a defeat of the reforms in the referendum would be unfortunate for the country and said they would personally campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote.

Highlighting the significant demand for Bangladeshi workers abroad, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said all forms of fraud, related to skills training certificates, must be stopped to unlock the country’s untapped employment potential overseas. “All these frauds must be stopped. The reputation of the country’s workforce is being undermined due to fraud and forgery related to skills training certificates,” he said, stressing that if employers lose trust, all skill development initiatives would fail. The Chief Adviser made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of the Governing Body of the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) at his office. Prof Yunus instructed the concerned authorities to take effective measures to prevent the forgery of skill development training certificates and the use of fake credentials in order to safeguard Bangladesh’s reputation in the international labour market. Stressing the importance of building the country’s brand image, he said, “Employers should say that workers who come from Bangladesh will definitely do well.” Established in 2018, this was the second meeting of the NSDA Governing Body. The first meeting was held in 2022. Prof Yunus said the NSDA has provided a strong framework for developing skilled human resources in line with the needs of both national and international labour markets. With the growing demand for Bangladeshi workers abroad, he added, the role of the authority will become even more important. Expressing optimism, the Chief Adviser said the NSDA’s initiative to introduce a unified standard certification system across all training institutions would play a crucial role in preventing such fraud. “Our young generation is highly creative and full of potential. Our responsibility is to open doors of opportunity for them,” he said. Prof Yunus happy over polls preparations, says next ‘week very crucial’ Prof Yunus also emphasised the need for necessary initiatives and coordination to enable private entrepreneurs to operate in a more transparent and effective manner. The meeting reviewed the implementation progress of decisions taken at the previous Governing Body meeting and decided to establish an integrated skills ecosystem. Under this ecosystem, uniform curricula and standards will be ensured for training programmes conducted by different ministries. Once fully implemented, the system is expected to enhance the quality and credibility of certificates in the international market, reduce the wastage of public funds, and facilitate centralised and effective planning and implementation for assessing industrial labour demand and workforce development. The Governing Body approved the long-term goals of the NSDA to address global challenges following Bangladesh’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Key components of these long-term plans include conducting skills gap analyses in emerging sectors, bringing all development projects under NSDA curricula and competency standards, aligning the Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework (BNQF) with international benchmarks, and bringing the large informal-sector workforce under national skills certification through recognition of prior learning. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the provision of Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDC) to students trained at the Institutes of Marine Technology (IMTs) under the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. Dhaka, Beijing cooperation must continue with new govt: Prof Yunus Shipping and Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah, NSDA Executive Chairman Dr Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, secretaries of different ministries, and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday said that no government can guarantee there will be no attempts at violence, particularly when influential actors are actively calling for disruption. "But the conditions today are not the same as before. Security forces are under close scrutiny, political parties and civil society are cooperating, and international observers are on the ground," he said in response to TIB's report on election related killings. Together, Alam said, these conditions give real reason to believe that this election can finally end the cycle of fear and violence that defined previous elections. Transparency International Bangladesh says that 15 political leaders and activists were killed in the 36 days following the announcement of the election schedule. "That number has quickly taken on a life of its own. But it deserves scrutiny, not blind repetition," Alam said. Police records show that only five killings during this period can be directly linked to political profile or activity, he said. One of them was the cold-blooded murder of Osman Hadi, shot dead by gunmen on a motorcycle, Alam said. "Every killing is condemnable. Osman Hadi’s murder was particularly brutal, aimed not only at silencing a young political leader but at provoking fear and instability at a sensitive political moment. That objective failed," the Press Secretary said. Prof Yunus happy over polls preparations, says next ‘week very crucial’ The country did not spiral into retaliatory violence, and the election process has not been derailed, he said. "What is missing from TIB’s presentation is context. Political violence around elections is not new in Bangladesh. In the sham elections of 2024, six people were killed," Alam said. He went on to say, "In the night-time elections of 2018, 22 people lost their lives. In the officially rigged 2014 polls, political violence claimed at least 115 lives." Measured against this history, the suggestion that the current pre-election period reflects an alarming breakdown in security is difficult to sustain, Alam said. He said the difference between TIB’s figures and the official data is not a cover-up. "It is a disagreement over how deaths are classified. TIB appears to count every killing of a person affiliated with a political party as election-related, regardless of whether there is evidence that the killing was politically motivated." Alam said the government, by contrast, counts only deaths with direct and provable links to electoral activity. "Treating these approaches as equivalent distorts public understanding and inflates perceptions of insecurity." "Let’s be clear: public security is not in perfect shape. Years of politicised policing and abuse under the Hasina government destroyed public trust, which is why people from all walks of life demanded an interim, non-partisan government," Alam said. Since taking office, he said, the interim government has removed or suspended officials credibly accused of abuses, reviewed the role of specialised units, initiated criminal proceedings in cases of enforced disappearance and torture, and issued clear rules governing the policing of assemblies and the electoral period.

The interim government on Thursday said that law enforcement agencies did not fire any shots during the protest march organised by Inqilab Moncho near the state guest house Jamuna, demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. In a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, the government said that despite a ban on all forms of protests, rallies and gatherings in and around Jamuna and adjacent areas, law enforcers initially did not use any force against the protesters who began their march on Friday afternoon. The statement said the situation escalated when protesters broke through police barricades and attempted to advance towards Jamuna. At one stage, some protesters climbed onto a water cannon, prompting law enforcement agencies to intervene to bring the situation under control. To disperse the crowd, sound grenades and water cannons were used. The government firmly stated that no bullets were fired at any point during the incident. It said that the restrictions around Jamuna have been imposed to maintain public order and ensure the security of the Chief Adviser. In this context, police acted in a lawful and procedural manner to disperse the protesters. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police also confirmed that no lethal weapons were used during the operation. Nearly 40 injured as security forces crackdown on Inqilab Moncho march towards Jamuna According to information received from doctors on duty at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a total of 23 people, including Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, received medical treatment following the incident. However, doctors confirmed that none of the injured had sustained gunshot wounds. The government reiterated its firm commitment to ensuring justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. It said the legal aspects of conducting an investigation under the United Nations are being reviewed thoroughly and an official letter will be sent to the relevant UN body on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Rejecting allegations of excessive use of force against protesters, the government urged all concerned to exercise patience, restraint and responsibility during this sensitive political period ahead of the upcoming election. It also called upon citizens to cooperate in ensuring a peaceful, fair, inclusive and credible election, describing the forthcoming polls as a historic milestone in the country’s democratic journey.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said Bangladesh must use technology ethically to avoid misuse and succeed in a fast-changing digital world. “This country can never be a land of fraud. We want to hold our heads high through our own qualities. We have that capability,” he said, pointing finger at the challenges Bangladesh faces on the global stage due to the widespread use of fake documents. Citing an example of an individual who used all forged certificates to enter a foreign country as a doctor, Prof Yunus said the nation must move away from such practices to fully benefit from advanced technology. “Let us make up our minds that we will come out of fraud, take steps to ensure realistic policies, and build a pro-people system of governance,” the Chief Adviser said, expressing displeasure over the misuse of technology in producing fake documents. Prof Yunus inaugurates country’s largest Digital Device and Innovation Expo Prof Yunus pointed out that Bangladeshis are highly talented and creative, stressing that this talent and creativity must not be used for harmful or unethical purposes. He was speaking at the Inaugural session of the Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026, the country’s largest technology showcase, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC), stressing that tomorrow's world will be truly a different world. "It is absolutely a very important event. There is no doubt. This is a key sector," he said, seeking much importance that is required for this sector. The expo features innovation, digital devices, mobile technology, e-sports and B2B zones, alongside product discounts and special offers. The ICT Division, the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) and the Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS) are jointly hosting the country’s largest technology exhibition, which will continue until January 31. The inaugural session began with the playing of the national anthem, followed by a theme song of the expo. An audio-visual presentation was also screened. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury and BCS President Mohammad Zahirul Islam and BHTPA Managing Director Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan also spoke at the opening session. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb shared Bangladesh's ambitious target to increase its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) exports from approximately $1 billion to $5 billion by 2030. He assured the investors of protecting their investments.