Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)

Special Advisory Council meeting prays for Khaleda Zia's swift recovery

Leaders of political parties visit Khaleda Zia at hospital

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Economic justice must for sustainable development: Dr Shafiqur

DHAKA, Nov 29, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said sustainable development is impossible without ensuring fairness in the country’s economic system. “No nation can move forward without a principled, transparent and just economic structure,” he said adding that people from all economic backgrounds contribute consistently to the national economy. “Even a beggar pays VAT when purchasing something from a shop and an industrialist also pays taxes. From a newborn child to the elderly, everyone shares this burden,” he said. Dr Shafiqur Rahman was addressing a session of the “Fourth Bangladesh Economic Conference 2025: Future Economic Roadmap and Political Commitment” held at a hotel in the capital today. Daily Bonik Barta organized the event. Jamaat chief expressed concern that Bangladesh has failed to turn its growing population into productive human resources. Nearly one-fourth of children from marginalised communities drop out of school due to poverty, he said. “Among these children may be future economists, future governors of Bangladesh Bank, or capable national leaders. But, they disappear early from the system because the society and the state fail to support them,” Dr. Rahman added. Highlighting the barriers faced by entrepreneurs, he said corruption, bureaucratic tangle and procedural delays severely hinder businesses. An entrepreneur often faces multiple complications even when trying to purchase land, he said. “What should be completed in one month sometimes takes an entire year. Projects meant to succeed in five years get stretched to ten. As a result, bank loans turn into non-performing loans,” he added. The Jamaat leader said extortion, corruption and uncertainty discourage local investors, while foreign investors cite red tapes, instability and lack of security as key reasons for avoiding Bangladesh. “They question the safety of their investments. They ask: how can they invest in an environment where their funds are not secure?” he said. Dr. Shafiqur also expressed concern about the continuous outflow of talented individuals to foreign countries. Many skilled professionals and students choose not to return because they feel Bangladesh does not offer them respect or opportunities. “They (students) tell us: the country does not want us. If we ensure dignity and a proper working environment, they are ready to contribute. We need not only financial remittance but also intellectual remittance,” he said. He further noted that many industrialists are compelled to send their children abroad on security ground. “As a father, one wants to ensure the safety of his children. If the society fails to provide that their departure from the country becomes a natural choice,” he said. To build a stable and just society, Dr. Rahman said three sectors must be prioritised: education reform, eradication of corruption, and ensuring justice for all. “We need skill-based and professional education, not merely certificate-based learning. Corruption must be uprooted from its root. Justice must be ensured at every level. Without these, society cannot progress,” he said. He added that neither an economic collapse nor a decline in moral values should be acceptable for the country. Political sincerity is the key to reform, he said, adding that rational and constructive changes are essential for guiding the next generation toward a better future. Dr Shafiqur said politicians must always remain accountable to the public. “Standing before the people feels like being in a court of judgment. You will decide how well we have performed,” he added. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, NCP Convener Md Nahid Islam, Chief coordinator of Ganosanghati Andolon Junaid Saki and National Consensus Commission member and Secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN) Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar also addressed the event, moderated by Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud.

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Energy security key to sustainable industrial development: speakers

DHAKA, Nov 29, 2025 (BSS) – Speakers at an event today said that energy security is the key to sustainable industrial development while identifying awareness about energy efficiency, energy audits, energy conservation, financing and incentives, grid modernization, implementation and communication as key priorities. They came with such observations at a policy dissemination titled “Bangladesh Industrial Energy Efficiency Policy: A Draft for Sustainable Progress” held at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) in the capital. The DCCI and South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) jointly organized the policy dissemination. While speaking as the chief guest, Jalal Ahmed, chairman, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), said that although the experts have often sounded the alarm that Bangladesh will no longer have domestic gas reserves after 2030, it is very unfortunate that there has been no significant progress in either offshore and onshore gas exploration. As a result, the country is unable to utilize its own gas resources rather depends heavily on imported gas, he added. Jalal added that as the energy sector is deeply interconnected with the entire economy, the government continues to provide subsidies in this sector. He pointed out that the current efficiency level in the energy sector is around 30 percent and by improving this, the overall shortages particularly in electricity sector - could significantly be reduced. “If the RMG sector prioritizes renewable energy use, the situation could improve more rapidly,” he added. Dr Selim Raihan, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Executive Director, SANEM, presented the keynote paper. He stated that although Bangladesh has a master plan for the energy sector, the industrial sector is struggling in absence of supportive policies. He added that energy efficiency is not clearly or uniformly defined for industrial applications as a result, industries are not uniformly incentivized to adopt energy-efficiency practices. He mentioned that in the focus group discussions jointly organized by DCCI & SANEM stakeholders from RMG, cement, steel, commercial sectors and government agencies have been interviewed to understand the sector-specific condition and requirements for energy efficiency improvement. Awareness about energy efficiency, energy audits, energy conservation, financing and incentives, grid modernization, implementation and communication were identified as key priorities. Participants recommended energy audits, expansion of logistics services and increased supply of gas and electricity to the survival of the energy sector. Dr Raihan emphasized the importance of a structural strategy, supply-side strategy and policy and regulatory strategy for the sector. Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Member (Admin & Finance), Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) said that as energy security is equally important as national security and food security, it requires full cooperation from all relevant stakeholders. He noted that reliance on imported energy increases business costs and emphasized the need to prioritize domestic energy resources. He mentioned that energy imports amounted to around US$20 billion in the last fiscal year, indicating ample opportunity for greater private-sector involvement. Dr. M. Rezwan Khan, Chairman, Power Grid Bangladesh PLC & Professor Emeritus, Dept. of EEE, United International University (UIU), said that without revising the existing tariff structure, the ongoing problems of this sector cannot be resolved. He added that electricity tariffs must be differentiated between peak and off-peak hours. There is a common misconception that flaws in the electricity supply system are responsible for load shedding; however, he clarified that a major cause of electricity shortages is the government’s insufficient funds for fuel purchases. In his welcome remarks, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said that ensuring uninterrupted energy supply to Bangladesh’s industrial sector has become one of the major challenges, which is hampering production, investment, and overall economic growth. He said that ensuring uninterrupted energy supply is not only a policy priority but also a prerequisite for sustainable industrialization. The DCCI President emphasized on reducing dependence on fossil fuels, expanding the usage of renewable energy, establishing a detailed sustainable energy framework and preventing wastage to save the country’s industrial sector and economy. Manwar Hossain, Chairman, Anwar Group of Industries & Former Director, DCCI, Mohammed Amirul Haque, President BCMA & Founder & Managing Director, Premier Cement Mills PLC, Mostafa Al Mahmud, President, Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), Eng. Md. Serajul Mawla, President, Bangladesh LPG Autogas Station & Conversion Workshop Owner's Association, Vidiya Amrit Khan, Vice President, BGMEA & Deputy Managing Director, Desh Garments Ltd. S.M Monirul Islam, Deputy CEO & CFO, IDCOL also spoke. In the open floor discussion, former DCCI Senior Vice President Malik Talha Ismail Bari, former Director M. Bashirullah Bhuiyan, and member M.S. Siddiqui also spoke. DCCI Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, members of the board of directors and representatives from public and private sectors were also present.

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2 job seekers jailed for using electronic devices in Rangpur

RANGPUR, Nov 29, 2025 (BSS) - Two candidates were caught red-handed while cheating in the written examination for the post of 'Assistant Food Inspector' of the Food Department in Rangpur by using electronic devices in their ears. "They were arrested from two different examination centers in Haragachh Metropolitan police station area of Rangpur Rangpur Metropolitan Police this afternoon," said Haragachh Metropolitan police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Azad Rahman. Immediately after the incident, Executive Magistrate Ashim Kumar Das arrived at the center and conducted a mobile court. He ordered the two examinees to be sentenced to 20 days in prison each for disobeying government orders and forgery under Section 188 of the Penal Code 1860. Later, the police sent them to Rangpur Central Jail. The OC said that the Food Department recruitment examination was being conducted simultaneously in 77 centers in the city. Among them, Idris Ali Akand, a candidate at the Mainakuti Senior Alim Madrasa center, and Sajjadul Islam, a candidate at the Gulalbudai High School center, participated in the examination by hiding small electronic devices in their ears. "When the inspectors on duty became suspicious during the examination, they conducted a search and recovered the digital devices from them," he said.

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Hong Kong begins mourning period after fire kills at least 128

HONG KONG, Nov 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - An outpouring of grief swept Hong Kong on Saturday as thousands paid their respects and laid flowers for the 128 people killed in one of the city's deadliest fires, marking the start of an official, three-day mourning period. People from across the city flocked to a small park near the charred shell of Wang Fuk Court, the residential complex that burned for more than 40 hours, to place white and yellow flowers and leave handwritten messages of remembrance. The queue kept growing and by nightfall the area was filled with solemn mourners, many dressed in dark colours. A 69-year-old woman surnamed Wong, who lived in the estate for more than four decades, sat dazed nearby as she counted off a list of deceased neighbours and friends. "It was a grandmother with a 18-month-old baby... I was very close with them," Wong told AFP, adding that many of the elderly homeowners had a tight bond. "Yesterday it was confirmed they died." Even for those who were physically unscathed, some -- like resident Wong Kuen-mui, a 67-year-old insurance worker -- struggled with a profound sense of loss. "Forty years' worth of memories have all been lost... All the old photos (of my children) are gone, it's hard to recall what they looked like as kids, and that's the most painful," she said. Elsewhere in the Tai Po neighbourhood, a hall in a community centre was turned into a "condolence point" for the public, one of 18 across the Chinese finance hub. A man surnamed Ki, 52, was among the dozens who queued to sign the condolence book in silence, which was only broken by sounds of sobbing. "I can't do anything. I can only hope they rest in peace," he told AFP. Raymond Tang, who was also in the queue, said his wish was that the deceased can "cross the sea of suffering and depart to the other side". City leader John Lee and top ministers stood in silence for three minutes at 8:00 am outside the government headquarters, where the flags of China and Hong Kong were flown at half-mast. During the mourning period, celebratory events organised by the government will be axed or postponed, and officials will reduce their non-essential public appearances. Meanwhile, China launched a campaign against "major fire risks and hazards" in high-rise buildings, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday. - Desperate search - Police on Saturday said the death toll remained 128 and told a news conference that 44 of the dead were "awaiting body identification". Legions of police officers from the Disaster Victim Identification Unit, dressed in white full-body protective gear, finished searching two of the eight tower blocks and found no new bodies. Rescuers were still trying to sort out the situation of around 150 people who were reported missing and could not be contacted. Police said the missing person reports varied in terms of information quality. Those anxious about their missing loved ones continued desperate searches at hospitals and victim identification stations. More than 40 people remained hospitalised on Saturday, with 11 in critical condition, and 21 listed as "serious". On Friday, the city's anti-corruption watchdog arrested eight people in connection with the blaze, on top of three earlier arrests by police. Flames had spread quickly through the housing estate in the city's northern Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, engulfing seven of the eight high- rises in the densely packed complex. Authorities said the cause was yet to be determined, but preliminary investigations suggested the fire started on protective netting on the lower floors of one of the towers and that "highly flammable" foam boards, as well as bamboo scaffolding, had contributed to its spread. Fire services chief Andy Yeung said they discovered that alarm systems in all eight apartment blocks "were malfunctioning", and vowed action against the contractors. Residents had told AFP they did not hear any fire alarms and went door-to- door to alert neighbours to the danger. The blaze was Hong Kong's deadliest since 1948, when an explosion followed by a fire killed at least 135 people. On Saturday, at least, police regional commander Lam Man-han had one item of good news in an update on the building searches. "During the search, we did not find any human remains," Lam said. "We rescued three cats from Wang Yan House and one turtle from Wang Tao House."