United News of Bangladesh

The government will begin providing honorariums to khatibs, imams and muezzins in some areas before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, as part of implementing an election pledge. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Saturday. Talking to reporters at the PMO gate, the Prime Minister’s adviser Mahdi Amin said the government promised monthly honorariums and festival allowances for khatibs, imams, muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths. “Our election commitments were discussed today. The Prime Minister particularly spoke about the pledge to provide monthly honorariums and festival allowances for respected khatibs, imams and muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths,” he told reporters. “Following the Prime Minister’s directive, a decision has been taken that, InshaAllah, after completing preparations we will gradually start the programme before Eid. In some areas, respected khatibs, imams and muezzins will be given an honorarium, InshaAllah," Mahdi added. He, however, said the amount of the honorarium has not yet been fixed and will be finalised at an inter-ministerial meeting. Mahdi also said the government discussed wider election promises, including creating employment opportunities on merit without discrimination across public and private sectors, entrepreneurship and overseas employment. He said reforms in education, especially technical and vocational training, and policy changes for business and industry were also discussed to help create skilled manpower and faster job opportunities. Earlier, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly said Saturday marked the Prime Minister’s third working day in office and that he issued several directives to implement election pledges. PM Tarique begins work at Tejgaon PMO for first time State Minister for Local Government and Cooperatives Shahe Alam and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon were also present at the briefing. PMO sources said a meeting on strengthening religious and social harmony was first held at the PMO in Tejgaon in the afternoon with the Prime Minister in the chair. Ministers, state ministers and relevant senior officials attended the meeting held at the Cabinet Conference Room of the PMO. Later, another meeting on establishing a cheerful and career-oriented education system, creating employment opportunities, and expanding sports infrastructure and training facilities was also held at the PMO. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting. Ministers, state ministers and senior officials concerned were present at the meeting. The Prime Minister began work at the PMO on Saturday for the first time after assuming office. Though it was a public holiday, he went to the office at 10:10am, where Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon received him.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement early Saturday by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar marking ‘Amar Ekushey’—the International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Dibosh. The Prime Minister arrived at the Shaheed Minar at 12:04am and placed a wreath around 12:07am. He stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the language heroes. A munajat was offered praying for the salvation of the departed souls of the language martyrs and those who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War and various democratic movements. Later, the Prime Minister, along with cabinet members and his advisers, also placed a wreath at the altar of the Shaheed Minar, paying homage to the language martyrs on behalf of the BNP and the government. On behalf of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Tarique, along with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, also paid tributes to the language heroes by placing a wreath. Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, members of parliament, the chiefs of the three services, senior BNP leaders, opposition leaders, freedom fighters, foreign diplomats and high civil and military officials also paid tributes afterwards. Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public. Hundreds of people from all walks of life paid tribute with flowers at the memorial. Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan and other university officials welcomed the Prime Minister upon his arrival at the Central Shaheed Minar. Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid homage to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar, marking the day. Earlier in a message, the Prime Minister said democratic values, people’s rights and equality were the core spirit of Ekushey, adding that the government is committed to consolidating the country’s democratic progress. He also called for collective efforts to uphold and protect the dignity of languages worldwide. President Shahabuddin pays tribute to Language Movement martyrs at Shaheed Minar “The establishment of democratic values, people’s rights and equality was the core spirit of Ekushey. Upholding this spirit, democracy has now been restored in the country after a long struggle. The present government is committed to consolidating this democratic progress,” the Prime Minister said. On the occasion of Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day, he extended sincere greetings and congratulations to people of all languages and ethnic groups across the world, including speakers of Bangla. The Prime Minister paid deep tribute to all martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement whose sacrifices established the dignity of Bangla as a mother language. The nation is observing 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyrs' Day and the International Mother Language Day on Saturday, marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of mother tongue Bangla. The day is also being observed around the world as UNESCO recognised Ekushey February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999. Walking barefoot to Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers singing 'Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February', people from all walks of life will pay their respects to the heroes of the Language Movement who sacrificed their lives to achieve recognition of Bangla as the state language of erstwhile Pakistan. On February 21, 1952, students and common people in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then Pakistani government's denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan. Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firing on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching Section 144 to press their demand for recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan. The day is a public holiday.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday said democratic values, people’s rights and equality were the core spirit of Ekushey, adding that the government is committed to consolidating the country’s democratic progress. In a message marking Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day-2026, to be observed tomorrow, he also called for collective efforts to uphold and protect the dignity of languages worldwide. “The establishment of democratic values, people’s rights and equality was the core spirit of Ekushey. Upholding this spirit, democracy has now been restored in the country after a long struggle. The present government is committed to consolidating this democratic progress,” the Prime Minister said. On the occasion of the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day, he extend sincere greetings and congratulations to people of all languages and ethnic groups across the world, including speakers of Bangla. The Prime Minister paid deep tribute to all martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement whose sacrifices established the dignity of Bangla as a mother language. Mentioning that February 21 an unforgettable chapter in the national life, the Prime Minister said Abul Barkat, Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed and Abdul Jabbar, among others, embraced martyrdom on this day in 1952 while fighting to protect the dignity of Bangla. Amar Ekushey: Nation to pay tribute to language martyrs at zero hour He said their sacrifices marked the first step towards the liberation of the then East Bengal from long oppression and domination, and strengthened the foundation of Bangalees’ rights, democracy and cultural identity. “The path of Ekushey eventually led to the Liberation War and the independence of Bangladesh.” Tarique said Bangla is the main carrier of national identity and that UNESCO recognised February 21 as International Mother Language Day in honour of the nation’s sacrifice and love for the mother tongue. “The spirit of Ekushey has now turned into a global movement to protect linguistic dignity.” He said the government wants to build a self-reliant, safe and humane democratic state by upholding the aspirations of language martyrs, the martyrs of 1971 and all those who sacrificed their lives in democratic movements over the years. The Prime Minister called for preserving the country’s language diversity and ensuring proper use and practice of Bangla at all levels while safeguarding culture and heritage. He prayed for the salvation of all language martyrs and wished success of all programmes taken marking the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended office at the Secretariat for the second consecutive day on Thursday, travelling from his Gulshan Avenue residence while complying with regular traffic signals. The journey took around 41 minutes, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said. He said the Prime Minister left his residence at 8:34am in his personal vehicle. The vehicle stopped at four traffic signals on the way from Gulshan to the Secretariat when the lights turned red, and he reached the Secretariat at 9:15am. Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani and Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar received the Prime Minister on his arrival at his office. Rumon said pedestrians standing along the roadside applauded and welcomed the Prime Minister when his vehicle halted at traffic signals. The Prime Minister responded by waving at them. ‘Family Card’ to be launched on pilot basis before Eid: Minister Mintoo “In some cases, people came close to the vehicle to greet him, and some even took selfies on their mobile phones,” he said. After taking his seat, the Prime Minister enquired which ministers, secretaries and officials were present at their workplaces, Rumon added. The Prime Minister’s office is located in Building No. 1 of the Secretariat.

The chiefs of the three services paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Thursday. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met the Prime Minister at his office. The Prime Minister arrived at his Secretariat office in the morning for his second day of official work. First Day in Office: BNP pays tribute to martyrs, outlines policy plans After reaching the office, he held a meeting with the three service chiefs. Prime Minister’s Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam was also present at the meeting. Earlier in the morning, Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani and Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar received the Prime Minister at the Secretariat.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to use his personal vehicle instead of the government-provided one, in what appears to be a symbolic move aimed at promoting austerity and setting a new tone for public office. BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon shared the decisions while talking to reporters on Wednesday. According to the decisions, he said, the Prime Minister will use his own vehicle, driver and personally purchased fuel. “He (Tarique) is not using the government vehicle allocated for the Prime Minister. In today’s schedule, he travelled to Savar, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and later to the Secretariat in his own Toyota vehicle,” Rumon said. “Considering traffic congestion, the Prime Minister has ordered that the size of his motorcade be reduced. Previously, the motorcade had 13–14 vehicles; now it has been reduced to four,” he added. PM Tarique Rahman to address nation this evening Rumon said the Prime Minister is using a car without a flag. However, the national flag will be used during state programmes or visits by foreign guests. He also said the Prime Minister has decided to hold cabinet meetings at the Secretariat from now on to reduce traffic disruption caused by ministers travelling to the Prime Minister’s Office. The Prime Minister has also instructed the authorities to stop the practice of deploying uniformed police along both sides of roads during his movement in the capital, Rumon said. In the morning, Tarique Rahman travelled from his Gulshan residence to the National Memorial in Savar and paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War. From Savar, he went to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and placed wreaths at the graves of former president Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Members of the full cabinet accompanied him at both places. He later went to the Secretariat and joined the first cabinet meeting.

Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said not taking oath as a member of the State Reform Council is tantamount to dishonouring ‘July 2024’. “We believe that not taking oath as a member of the State Reform Council amounts to insulting July. It is because of July that this election was held and Mr. Tarique Rahman became the Prime Minister, and I became the Opposition Leader. Without July, could we have reached this position” he said.

A day after taking oath, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will address the nation this (Wednesday) evening. He is scheduled to address the nation around 6:30pm, said Information Minister Zahiruddin Swapan. Tarique took oath as the 11th Prime Minister of the country on Tuesday as his party secured a landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12, winning 209 parliamentary seats out of 297. PM, new cabinet members also pay tributes to Zia, Khaleda President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and his new ministers at the South Plaza of Parliament on Tuesday. Apart from Tarique, the new government includes 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, with a strong presence of new faces.

The first cabinet meeting of the newly formed government is set to be held on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting will be held at the Cabinet Room of the Cabinet Division at Secretariat at 3 pm. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will preside over the meeting, according to Cabinet Division sources. On Tuesday afternoon, the Prime Minister, 25 Ministers and 24 State Ministers  of the new government were sworn in. Later in the evening, the Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification allocating portfolios among them. The Prime Minister  began his day by placing a wreath at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar in the morning ,paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War. After the homage ceremony, he is expected to arrive at the Secretariat around 1:00pm where he will formally begin work at his designated office for the first time. He will be introduced to Cabinet Division officials and attend a brief exchange meeting. The Prime Minister will chair a special meeting of the new cabinet members at 3 pm. Although no specific agenda has been fixed, the meeting is primarily expected to be introductory in nature. The Prime Minister will hold a views-exchange meeting with secretaries of different ministries.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War on Wednesday, a day after taking oath and forming the government following a massive victory in the 13th national election. Tarique, as the Prime Minister, first paid tribute to the martyrs by placing a wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at Savar, on the outskirts of capital Dhaka, around 11am. Flanked by his new cabinet colleagues, he also placed another wreath at the altar of the memorial. After laying the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for the independence of Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman appointed PM, interim government dissolved A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute, while a bugle played the last post on the occasion. Later, the Prime Minister signed the visitors’ book kept on the memorial premises. The newly elected Prime Minister also planted a ‘Parijat’ sapling on the memorial premises after placing the wreaths.