NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari stated the party’s commitment to transforming Bangladesh into a global investment hub. The NCP plans to improve the business climate by cutting red tape, ensuring investor security, and streamlining services. Patwari pledged to increase annual FDI from $1.3 billion to $15 billion and improve Bangladesh’s global business rankings.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, currently in Singapore for his wife Rahat Ara Begum’s medical treatment, revealed a personal ordeal on social media.

He wrote, “In December 2022, when my wife was diagnosed with a serious illness, we decided on surgery as soon as possible. Just a day before the operation, at 3 a.m., the Awami League government’s police picked me up from my home. My daughter rushed back to Dhaka, and during the surgery, I was in jail. Only my daughter and Dr. Zahid were at the hospital. Our Acting Chairperson and my siblings kept in touch over the phone.”

He added, “My wife handled everything with patience and a smile. Alhamdulillah, the doctors have now said everything appears to be going well.”

Nurul Abchar (76), a freedom fighter who provided false testimony in the war crimes trial of the late BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, has been detained by local authorities. Upon receiving information about his whereabouts, local residents, led by BNP leaders Enamul Haque and Hanif Jihadi, surrounded his house. The police arrived and arrested him. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ramu Police Station confirmed that Abchar is in police custody, and investigations are underway to check if any cases are pending against him in Rangunia.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that if elected, the party would create 10 million jobs within its first 18 months in office. BNP has set a target to raise GDP to $1 trillion by 2034. The party also aims to reform the tax system, improve investment regulations, and enhance local workforce skills. Key proposals include making BIDA more effective, modernizing visa and work permit rules, ensuring 24/7 investor services, automating profit repatriation, and introducing new infrastructure and security laws to attract long-term investment.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has proposed renaming the country constitutionally as the ‘People’s Welfare State of Bangladesh’ (বাংলাদেশ জনকল্যাণ রাষ্ট্র) as part of its broader reform agenda submitted to the National Consensus Commission today.

The party supports proportional representation (PR) in elections to balance power and prevent authoritarianism. Among its key proposals: amending the fundamental principles of the constitution, creating a power balance between the President and the Prime Minister, limiting the Prime Minister to two terms, separating party leadership from governmental roles, and repealing Article 70.

Out of a total of 182 proposals, the party agreed with 145, disagreed with 26, introduced 41 new proposals, and presented 4 core reforms.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has launched a protest rally this evening, starting around 4:45 PM, to condemn the Israeli atrocities and genocide and to express solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people. The rally route includes Shantinagar, Malibagh Mor, Mouchak, and Moghbazar, ending at Banglamotor.

Participants were seen waving Palestinian flags, wearing headbands, and carrying placards with slogans like “Stop the Gaza Massacre” and “Stand with Palestine, Oppose Barbarism.” BNP leaders stated that the rally aims to protest the continued attacks on children and civilians in Palestine and to awaken global conscience against Israeli brutality.

In Patuakhali, Jubo Dal leader Humayun Kabir Sohag has been accused of corruption in a lucrative construction contract, allegedly in collaboration with a Jubo League leader. The project, involving primary school construction, required 799 foundation piles, but fewer than 600 were used, sparking serious safety and corruption concerns. Upon being contacted, Sohag not only admitted to landing the deal after 17 years but also verbally abused the journalist and issued threats. The contractor of record was later revealed to be Jubo League leader Monibur Rahman, who reportedly swapped the deal with Sohag through a mutual agreement on August 5.

The prosecution at the war crimes tribunal has requested Interpol to issue red notices against 10 individuals, including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Others named include former ministers Obaidul Quader, A.K.M. Mozammel Haque, Hasan Mahmud, and several high-profile Awami League leaders and ex-officials such as Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Nasrul Hamid Bipu, Mohammad Ali Arafat, and Tarek Anam Siddiqui.

In a corruption case involving illegal RAJUK plot allocations, a court has issued arrest warrants against 18 individuals, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul. Other accused include top officials from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, former RAJUK members, and high-ranking bureaucrats.

Amir of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, stressed the importance of logical electoral reforms ahead of the upcoming national elections. He stated that justice and equality can only be ensured through Islamic principles. Welcoming the announcement of upcoming local government elections, he urged political parties to unite for an Islamic electoral front. He also condemned recent looting under the guise of pro-Palestine protests and warned against indecency during Pahela Baishakh celebrations.

A joint task force arrested nine individuals, including BNP leader Farid Khan and Jubo Dal activist Kazi Pavel, during a raid on a brick kiln in Magura’s Parla area. The raid yielded one Chinese pistol, two one-shooter guns, one airgun, and various local weapons and ammunition. Others arrested include Nuhudarul Huda, Abdul Jalil Jewel, Shahin Sheikh, Ainul Hossain, Elias Khan, and Syed Khairul Alam Shawon.

A 28-year-old Bangladeshi man named Muradur Rahman Munna was brutally beaten to death by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel near the Sejamura border in Brahmanbaria. According to Munna’s family, he was visiting his farmland near the border when BSF members detained him without reason, severely beat him, and left him injured near the border. Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) found him and rushed him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Jamaat-e-Islami condemned the incident and demanded legal action.

BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman has pledged additional financial assistance to Manikganj youth Julhas Molla for installing a new engine and repairing his homemade aircraft.

Julhas, an electrician by profession, gained national and international attention after building a functional ultralight RC model aircraft—despite having never flown in one. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed will formally hand over the support.

In a dramatic incident, district Chhatra Dal leader Rubel Uddin was forcibly taken from custody at Lalpur Police Station. As a result, OC Nazmul Haque, a sub-inspector, and two constables have been withdrawn and attached to the police lines.

Rubel had been arrested in Pabna’s Ishwardi area. Police have also produced three other individuals in court related to the incident. Superintendent of Police Mohammad Amzad Hossain stated that strict action has been taken against those who obstructed justice and departmental proceedings are underway against negligent officers.

BNP leaders are scheduled to meet with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on April 16 to discuss the electoral roadmap and related matters.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We will clearly demand a roadmap for elections before December. This will help eliminate existing uncertainties.” He added that the Election Commission assured them of completing preparations by June, and the Chief Adviser previously committed to holding elections by December.