Author: Mustak Zahid
A key breakthrough came with mutual praise for the launch of direct shipping between Karachi and Chittagong, marking a significant stride in boosting regional trade By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: The foreign secretaries of Pakistan and Bangladesh held their first high-level bilateral talks in 15 years, signaling a thaw in relations and a shared ambition to revitalize ties through greater political, economic, cultural, and strategic collaboration. The rare engagement, hosted in Dhaka, marks a notable shift in South Asia’s evolving geopolitical landscape. The meeting, led by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and her Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jashim Uddin, underscored both nations’…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants for 29 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, in connection with two corruption cases linked to the controversial Purbachal housing plot allocation scheme. The warrants were issued on Tuesday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib after he formally accepted chargesheets submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The charges, which include allegations of abuse of power and illegal enrichment, target 12 individuals in one case and 17 in another, bringing the total number of accused to 29. All are reportedly…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: The heart of Dhaka came alive on Monday as thousands took to the streets for the Ananda Shobhajatra, a vibrant cultural procession marking the Bengali New Year with a defiantly political edge. Organised by the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, this year’s celebration was not merely a feast of colour and creativity but a powerful declaration against authoritarianism, intolerance, and political repression. With the stirring slogan “Nababarsh-er Oikotan, Fascibader Oboshan” — “The Harmony of New Year, End to Fascism” — the procession wove through the capital’s key landmarks in a display of unity, resistance,…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: A million of people flooded Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, as the capital witnessed one of its largest demonstrations in recent months—a powerful expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine. The “March for Gaza,” organized by various groups to raise awareness and amplify the call for justice, began to take shape long before its scheduled start at 3:00 pm, with processions starting to flow in from early morning. The participants, waving both the national flag of Bangladesh and the Palestinian flag, gathered in unity to show support for Gaza amid the ongoing humanitarian…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: Thousands of students poured into the streets outside Dhaka University this week, raising their voices in impassioned support for Palestinians under siege. What began as a student-led rally quickly swelled into a powerful show of solidarity, as demonstrators called for justice, liberation, and an end to what they described as Israel’s ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people. The gathering, marked by chants and placards condemning Israeli aggression, reflected a growing wave of global dissent against the escalating violence in Gaza and the occupied territories. Women, young men, and members of various student groups stood shoulder to…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: The first in-person meeting between Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took place on Friday on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations following the dramatic fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August last year. According to Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, the historic meeting involved senior Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, High Representative to the Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs Lamiya Morshed, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim.…
By Mustak Noor Muhammad BEIJING: Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, engaging in a high-level discussion aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China. The meeting underscored both nations’ commitment to expanding economic cooperation, trade partnerships, and investment in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and regional connectivity. During their exchange, Chief Adviser Yunus and President Xi reviewed ongoing projects and explored new avenues for collaboration, reflecting China’s growing role in Bangladesh’s development landscape. The conversation also touched on broader regional…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus, is set to deliver a keynote address at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan, China. His speech at the opening plenary, scheduled for 11:30 am (local time), will mark Bangladesh’s engagement at this high-level regional forum, as confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad. The session will also feature prominent speakers, including Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, China’s Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, BFA Chairman Ban Ki-moon, and Secretary General Zhang Jun. The discussions will focus on economic cooperation, sustainable development, and regional…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: India is reportedly considering the possibility of a meeting between Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Prof Muhammad Yunus, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, according to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. However, Jaishankar stopped short of confirming Modi’s participation, stating only that the Indian premier “may make the trip,” as reported by Business Standard and Deccan Herald. Jaishankar provided lawmakers with an overview of India’s regional diplomatic engagements, particularly focusing on Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The discussion prominently featured Bangladesh, with some MPs voicing concerns…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: Ahead of the Bangladesh Investment Summit, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has invited Bangladesh’s friends, partners, and global leaders to explore the extraordinary investment opportunities that Bangladesh has to offer. “There has never been a better moment to explore the extraordinary investment opportunities in Bangladesh,” he said, as the government prepares to host the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 next month. Dr. Yunus highlighted the significant transformations Bangladesh has undergone, noting the forward-thinking investment climate that has been fostered. “We are committed to ensuring a level playing field for all our investors,” he emphasized in a message…