RANGPUR, Dec 2, 2025 (BSS) – The eight-party alliance has agreed to hold the referendum with the Jatiya Sangsad election on the same day.  Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Moulana Abdul Halim said this on Tuesday afternoon while talking to reporters after visiting the venue of tomorrow's rally called by the eight-party alliance at Rangpur Collectorate Eidgah ground. He said a referendum is essential to validate the order issued by the interim government to implement the July Charter. Earlier, eight parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, proposed for holding the referendum on a separate day. “But respecting the decision of the Chief Advisor, we have agreed to hold the referendum on the same day for the sake of the country's stability. We are fully optimistic that the people will vote 'yes' in the referendum," Moulana Halim said. He said that because of the Jatiya Party's flattering role, Sheikh Hasina's 15-year authoritarian rule was established. The Jatiya Party's big surprise is that they had kept Sheikh Hasina in power for 15 years while appeasing the Awami League.  “They (Jatiya Party) are one of the reasons behind the disruption of the people's mandate in the undemocratic elections of 2014, 2018 and 2024,” he said.   He said that people of the country, including Rangpur, once sympathized with the Jatiya Party, but the party showed a thumbs-up to the people's trust through their blind devotion for the fascist Hasina.  “For this reason banning the activities of Jatiya Party like Awami League has now become a mass demand of common people,” he said.   Moulana Halim said that the leaders of all eight parties are working with great sincerity and attention in the implementation of the divisional mass rally in Rangpur tomorrow.    “We hope that this rally will set a new precedent in front of the nation with the gathering of lakhs of people. We want to give a new message to the government to implement our five point demands from this rally,” he said.   He said that the leader of the eight-party alliance and Ameer of the Islamic Movement Mufti Syed Rezaul Karim will be present as the chief guest at the divisional rally tomorrow.   Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central Nayebe Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman will preside over the rally.  Jamaat-e-Islami central working committee member ATM Azharul Islam, Islami Andolan Presidium Member Ashraf Ali Akand, Nezami Islami Party Naiyebe Ameer Mufti Mokhleshur Rahman Kasemi, Organizational Secretary Hafez Maulana Abu Taher Khan, Khilafat Majlis Senior Nayebe Ameer Maulana Yusuf Ashraf, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan Nayeebe Ameer Maulana Mujibur Rahman Hamidi, organizer Mufti Mahmudul Hasan, Naeye Ameer of Khilafat Majlis Maulana Ahmad Ali Kasemi, organizing secretary Sheikh Salahuddin, JAGPA Vice-president and spokesperson Engineer Rashed Pradhan, Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Anwarul Islam and local leaders of eight parties will be present.    During the visit, local leaders of the district and metropolitan units of all eight parties were present.   

RANGPUR, Dec 2, 2025 (BSS) – At an advocacy meeting today, experts called on government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to engage concerted efforts to ensure safe motherhood and reduce maternal and infant mortality.  They laid special emphasis on expanding family planning programmes to every able-bodied couple by creating awareness to control the population growth rate, which has become an essential element in building a healthy nation.   The Rangpur Divisional Family Planning Department (FPD) office organised the event at its conference room before observing the ‘Family Welfare Service and Publicity Week-2025’ from December 6 to December 11 next.  Additional Divisional Commissioner of Rangpur division Md Abdul Motaleb Sarkar attended the meeting as the chief guest with Rangpur Divisional Family Planning Department Director Dewan Morshed Kamal in the chair. Deputy Director of the District Family Planning Department Md Saiful Islam delivered the welcome speech at the meeting.  The chief guest said that healthy mothers are essential in building a healthier nation. A healthy mother brings up a happy child.   “If we can ensure the good health of women and safe motherhood, it is possible to reduce maternal mortality and child mortality to a large extent,” he said.  He said that the main objective of observance of the week is to bring about a positive change in people's attitudes towards family planning, maternal and child healthcare, nutrition and safe motherhood.  “During this time, special advice and services will be provided in all union family welfare centers and maternal and child hospitals on providing family planning, maternal and child health and adolescent health services,” he said.  He called on the government and NGO representatives to play a responsible role in the smooth conduct of the week.  Dewan Morshed Kamal said that the Family Planning Department has been operating health and family welfare centers, ensuring the supply and use of contraceptive methods, maternal and child healthcare and other important services related to reproductive health.    “This Family Welfare Service and Publicity Week- 2025 will play a helpful role in bringing dynamism to the ongoing work and increasing public awareness,” he hoped.  Rangpur Civil Surgeon Dr Shaheen Sultana, Rangpur City College Principal Professor Md Borhan Uddin, Rangpur Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr Md Wazed Ali, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Joynal Abedin, among others, delivered speeches as special guests.    Government officials, various upazila and district level doctors and NGO representatives were present at the event.