United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday staged a protest rally in the capital immediately after the presentation of the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal, describing it as “anti-people but loot-friendly,” and expressing their dissatisfaction with the additional tax burdens it imposes on citizens. Speaking at a rally before the procession, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and former MP Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad alleged that the government had presented the budget to sustain party loyalists at the expense of ordinary people. “The government has imposed a burden of taxes on the people while presenting a budget aimed at maintaining party workers,” he said. Referring to the proposed Tk 9.38 lakh crore budget, the largest in Bangladesh’s history, Azad claimed it failed to reflect the aspirations of the July Uprising and instead followed the conventional pattern of previous budgets. He described the budget as heavily dependent on loans and taxation, arguing that it would place an additional burden on citizens while increasing the country's debt liabilities. Azad alleged that the size of the budget had been expanded to facilitate corruption and misuse of development funds by ruling party activists. “Those who formulated the budget belong to the affluent class, which is why it is a pro-rich budget. They do not understand the suffering of poor people and therefore failed to present a people-oriented budget,” he said. He also criticised the allocation structure, claiming that nearly 70 percent of the budget would be spent on operational expenditures, leaving limited benefits for the general public. Azad said Jamaat had proposed a budget that was Tk 100,000 crore smaller than the government’s proposal, arguing that such a budget would reduce opportunities for corruption and ensure resources were used directly for public welfare. He urged the government to revise its proposed budget by incorporating Jamaat’s recommendations. The Jamaat leader further said the government had set a revenue collection target of Tk 6.95 lakh crore, including Tk 6.04 lakh crore from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), which he said would result in higher indirect taxes, customs duties and advance taxes that would ultimately affect ordinary consumers. Although the tax-free income threshold has been proposed to increase from Tk 350,000 to Tk 375,000, Azad argued that rising indirect taxes would increase living costs for middle- and lower-income groups. He also expressed concern over the proposed budget deficit of Tk 2.43 lakh crore, saying the government's plan to borrow Tk 1.12 lakh crore from the banking sector could reduce private-sector access to credit and hamper investment and job creation. Addressing the rally, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Moazzem Hossain Helal alleged that the proposed budget would primarily benefit ruling party-linked businesspeople, extortionists and political activists rather than the general public. “If the government cannot present a truly people-oriented budget, it should follow Jamaat’s proposed framework,” he said. The rally was chaired by Advocate Dr Helal Uddin, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat’s Dhaka South unit, and conducted by Muhammad Delawar Hossain, assistant secretary of the city unit. Among others, Jamaat leaders Dr Abdul Mannan and Muhammad Shamsur Rahman also addressed the gathering. In his presidential speech, Dr Helal Uddin claimed that instead of meeting public expectations for a new Bangladesh following the July uprising, the government had presented a conventional budget based on the old system. He criticised the proposal to require Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates for opening bank accounts, claiming it would place an additional burden on ordinary citizens. Following the rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, participants brought out a protest procession that marched through Paltan intersection and Vijaynagar. The demonstrators demanded that the government revise the proposed budget and announce what they described as a truly people-friendly budget.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday staged a protest rally and demonstration in the capital against repeated increases in fuel and electricity prices, as well as the rising cost of essential commodities. The programme, organised by the party's Dhaka city units, was held at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at around 5 pm. Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar urged the government to curb corruption instead of increasing electricity tariffs. He claimed that public dissatisfaction with the government had become evident within three months of its assumption of office and alleged that people were expressing frustration through slogans directed at ministers. Parwar alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its election pledges and accused it of ignoring public opinion on various issues, including constitutional reforms and electricity pricing. He said stakeholders at a recent public hearing had recommended against raising electricity prices, but the government was proceeding with plans to increase tariffs by nearly 17 percent. The Jamaat leader called on the government to withdraw the proposed electricity price hike immediately. Speaking as a special guest, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan alleged that the government had increased fuel prices twice within a month and raised gas prices earlier, contributing to inflationary pressure on consumers. He also expressed concern over the country's law and order situation and criticised the appointment of the chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, alleging that the appointee had previously resigned from a senior position at the central bank amid allegations of irregularities. Rafiqul Islam Khan further accused the government of politicising state institutions and rehabilitating individuals linked to the former Awami League administration. He urged the government to respect public opinion and avoid policies that, according to him, go against public interests. The rally was conducted by Shafiqul Islam Masud. Among others, central executive council member Mubarak Hossain, Dhaka South Nayeb-e-Ameer Helal Uddin and Dhaka North Assistant Secretary Yasin Arafat addressed the gathering. Following the rally, a procession marched from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram through Paltan intersection and Bijoynagar before ending at Kakrail. Party leaders claimed that thousands of activists participated in the demonstration.

Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday warned against any attempt to take over or control Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, saying the people will not accept any such move. He alleged that the government is trying to hand over Islami Bank to individuals appointed during the previous “fascist” regime, adding that opposition leaders and activists were prepared to take to the streets to “rescue” the bank. The Jamaat ameer made the remarks while speaking at an Eid reunion held at a convention centre in the capital’s Mirpur area. He claimed that Tk 34,000 crore was looted from Islami Bank during the Awami League government, alleging further attempts to destabilise the banking sector. Shafiqur Rahman said any damage to Islami Bank will severely impact the country’s economy. He also urged the government to ensure stability in the banking sector and criticised the Bangladesh Bank governor over the current situation. Expressing concern over the country’s overall situation, the Jamaat chief said the nation could not continue in its present state, questioning the future of those involved in what he described as political repression.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced rallies for Thursday in all metropolitan cities, including Dhaka, in protest against the hike in electricity tariffs. In a statement on Wednesday, the party strongly condemned the decision hiking the electricity prices and demanded its immediate withdrawal, along with measures to control rising commodity prices. It said the protest rally in Dhaka will be held at the North Gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 5:00pm. Govt moving towards fascism: Jamaat ameer In the statement, Party Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar alleged that the government is “engaged in an extreme and cruel game of cutting the pockets of the common people.” He said the increase in electricity prices ahead of the national budget is unjust and will further burden low- and middle-income groups already struggling with rising costs of essential goods. The Jamaat leader said, according to a Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) order, the average wholesale electricity price has been increased from Tk 7 to Tk 8.39 per unit, while the average retail price has risen from Tk 9.11 to Tk 10.63. He also noted that transmission charges have increased by around 24 percent. Porwar warned that the price hike will raise production costs in industry and agriculture, disrupt business activities, and push up the prices of daily essentials such as rice, pulses and edible oil. He further alleged that the burden of repeated tariff increases was being passed on to consumers to cover what he called corruption, waste and excess payments in the power sector, including capacity charges of quick rental power plants. The Jamaat leader demanded eradicating corruption and waste in the power sector, and urged the authorities to withdraw the tariff hike in the public interest. He called on people from all walks of life to participate in their protest programme.

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday claimed that the country is not in a “good condition” and accused the government of moving towards fascism. Speaking as the chief guest at a civic gathering held at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium in Sylhet, he said “1947 is our foundation, 1971 is our pride, and 2024 is our direction for change.” Shafiqur Rahman claimed that though Bangladesh has entered a post-July uprising democratic phase, the country and its people are not in a good condition. He alleged that incidents such as child rape and murder, killings, theft, mugging, extortion, and terrorist activities have increased alarmingly. The Jamaat chief further accused the government of focusing on appointing partisan individuals at various levels of the state machinery, saying it “betrayed the nation regarding the July Charter and referendum.” According to him, the government is moving towards “fascist rule” after insulting 70 percent voters who supported the “Yes” vote in the referendum. Shafiqur Rahman warned that public anger is increasing and said those in power will have to face consequences. He also cautioned that attempts to govern in an “authoritarian manner” will lead to consequences, adding that “July will return again and again.” The opposition leader raised concerns over the banking sector, alleging that money is not available in several banks. He claimed that customers of five merged banks are struggling to withdraw their funds. The Jamat chief further alleged that efforts are underway to “take over” Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC through “night-time online meetings.” He criticised the recent increase in fuel prices, calling it an example of decisions being made “in darkness”, questioning whether this was a “night-time government.” Shafiqur Rahman said the consequences of appointing a former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as chairman of Islami Bank will be good. He stated that even small shareholders are rightful owners of banks and threatened that depositors themselves might be forced to take to the streets in protest. “As a client, I may also have to take to the streets.” The Jamaat ameer said while they had accepted election results even with pain in the national interest, they will not tolerate injustice any longer. He said Jamaat will continue its struggle both inside and outside Parliament to establish people’s rights.

Leader of the Opposition and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday called on lawyers not to represent the accused in the Ramisa Akter rape and murder case, saying justice must not be delayed in such a brutal crime. “Delaying the trial of self-confessed rapists and murderers amounts to siding with criminals and supporting injustice,” he said while speaking to reporters after visiting Ramisa’s father Hannan Molla at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in the capital. Dr Shafiqur, who returned from Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj, met Hannan Molla and enquired after his condition.

Speakers at a view-exchange meeting on Sunday urged the government to channel the newly announced Tk 60,000 crore stimulus package into capital-starved ready industries that are unable to start production, rather than sinking funds into chronically sick sectors. The observation was made at a pre-budget discussion with economic journalists organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) auditorium in the capital's Purana Paltan. Professor Dr. Waresul Karim, Dean of the School of Business and Economics at North South University, presented the keynote paper, detailing Jamaat's fiscal vision to restructure Bangladesh's socio-economic landscape. Referring to Bangladesh Bank’s recently announced Tk 60,000 crore recovery blueprint for 2026, Dr. Karim argued that utilizing the funds under the proposed structure would not yield fruitful job creation. Instead, he noted, it would be far more viable to finance operational and ready-to-produce industries that are currently stalled due to immediate capital shortfalls. The keynote speaker strongly urged the government to reduce its heavy reliance on indirect taxes like Value Added Tax (VAT), which currently accounts for 78.2 percent of total revenue collection in the budget. "Because of this structure, the poor and the ultra-poor are forced to pay the same rate of indirect tax as the wealthy, which is aggressively widening income inequality in society," Dr. Karim added. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar attended the function as the chief guest, while the party's Assistant Secretary General and former MP, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, presided over the meeting. In his speech, Mia Golam Parwar said, "As an opposition party, we want to constructively help the government strengthen the economy and reinforce the nation's financial drivers." He informed that Jamaat has already organized seven to eight pre-budget seminars, and the compiled recommendations from these sessions will be formally placed before parliament through the party's parliamentary group. "While it is difficult for an opposition party to alter decisions made by a ruling party that governs through a parliamentary majority, the nation has a right to know what kind of budget we envision in line with public aspirations. That is why we want to play an active role in the budget discourse," Parwar added. In his presidential address, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad noted that the upcoming national budget will be placed by the first elected government following the July mass uprising. "Consequently, the people of the country expect to see the reflections and aspirations of the July uprising mirrored in this fiscal blueprint," he said, urging the government to move away from debt dependency and avoid burdening citizens with extra taxes to deliver a self-reliant, discrimination-free budget. Nurul Islam Bulbul, Ameer of Jamaat's Dhaka City South unit, criticized the conventional budget-making process. "The way bureaucrats formulate the budget reflects only their own narrow perspectives, leaving no room for participation from the public or political parties. We must break away from this traditional mindset," he said. He further cautioned that unless institutional corruption is aggressively contained, a larger budget will only foster higher levels of graft and wastage, ultimately choking real development. Retired Senior Secretary Dr. AKM Kabirul Islam and Jamaat women MP Professor Nurunnisa Siddiqa and Sabikun Nahar also spoke in the event. Among others, Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Additional Research Director Towfiqul Islam Khan, Executive Editor of Daily Naya Digonta Masumur Rahman Khali, Outlook Bangla Editor-in-Chief Lutfun Kabir Saadi, Bangladesh Post Acting Editor Sadrul Hasan, former ERF President Refayet Ullah Mirdha and Former Vice president of ERF Shalahuddin Bablu spoke in the discussion.

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman will leave Dhaka for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to perform the holy Hajj. The information was confirmed by Jamaat’s Senior Assistant Secretary of the Central Publicity Department Mujibul Alam. He said the Jamaat chief is scheduled to return to the country on June 1 after completing the Hajj pilgrimage.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Monday visited BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, who is undergoing treatment at Prince Court Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The information was confirmed by Jamaat’s Senior Assistant Secretary of the Central Publicity Department Mujibul Alam. During the visit, Golam Parwar inquired about the latest condition of Mirza Abbas and prayed to Almighty Allah for his speedy and full recovery. Barrister Nazibur Rahman Momen was also present at the time. Mirza Abbas was elected as an MP in the February 12 election but right on the eve of the inaugural session of the 13th parliament on March 11, fell ill during iftar and was admitted to Evercare Hospital. He has since received treatment in Singapore and Malaysia, and his condition is said to be improving.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and leader of the opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday questioned what he described as widespread “political grabbing” across all sectors, directing sharp criticism at the BNP over allegations of corruption, politicisation and governance failures. “Why is political grabbing happening everywhere with brute force?” he asked while addressing a divisional rally of the 11-party opposition alliance at the historic Madrasa ground in Rajshahi. The rally was held demanding implementation of the referendum verdict, easing public suffering and fair share of the Padma River waters. Referring to alleged partisan appointments at Bangladesh Bank, Shafiqur Rahman said, “You could not even keep the central bank of the country properly. You have appointed an incompetent, partisan person there.” He also accused the BNP leadership of failing to curb corruption, saying, “Your leader once said he would crush corruption. But you came to power and said if something is taken through negotiation, it is not extortion. I strongly condemn it.” “Your identity used to be the nationalist party. Now people call you the extortion party,” he said, adding that corruption and extortion were spreading across the country. The Jamaat chief said citizens must stand as “true guardians” against injustice. “This country has 200 million people. We all must stand as protectors. No one will hand over rights to us out of mercy; we must fight for them,” he said. He also criticised alleged politicisation in public universities, saying competent administrators were being replaced by “loyal but unqualified” individuals, which he described as a “mockery of the nation.” Shafiqur Rahman also raised concerns over water-sharing issues, blaming upstream interventions for the drying of rivers including the Padma and Teesta. “The Padma becomes a desert in the dry season and a source of suffering in the monsoon,” he said, while urging effective implementation of the proposed Padma Barrage and Teesta master plan. He further commented on regional relations, saying Bangladesh respects neighbouring countries but opposes discrimination against Muslims. “We do not want division or unrest based on religion, but we see harassment of people based on identity,” he said, calling on the international community to act on humanitarian concerns. Describing Bangladesh as a country of religious harmony, he said all citizens must enjoy equal rights regardless of faith. He also alleged economic mismanagement, saying banks and financial institutions had been “looted” and unemployment was rising. “If a nation keeps looking only 55 years into the past, it cannot move forward,” he said, urging focus on development and river management. Shafiqur Rahman also reiterated demands for implementation of the Teesta master plan and restoration of river navigability, warning of continued political movement both in parliament and on the streets if demands were ignored. The rally was presided over by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Rajshahi regional chief Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan. Leaders and activists of the 11-party alliance attended the programme.