Author: Mustak Zahid
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: Qatar has reaffirmed its full support for the reform agenda of Bangladesh’s interim government, as stated by Ambassador Seraya Ali Al-Qahtani during a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on Tuesday. Delivering a message from the Qatari leadership, Al-Qahtani emphasized his country’s willingness to assist Bangladesh in its reform efforts. In response, Prof Yunus welcomed the support, highlighting the importance of strengthening trade and investment ties between the two nations. He extended an invitation to Qatari businesses to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s economic zones, particularly ahead of an upcoming investment summit scheduled…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: Bangladesh and Australia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in technical education by fostering collaboration between Bangladesh’s Technical Training Centres (TTCs) and Australia’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions. The initiative aims to enhance skills development, promote mutual recognition of degrees, and improve technical training standards. During a meeting between Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle and Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, the two sides discussed broader areas of trade, investment, and migration. Bangladesh emphasized the urgency of expediting the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, stressing the humanitarian and security challenges posed by the prolonged…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: A court in Bangladesh has upheld the death sentences of 20 former university students convicted of the brutal 2019 murder of Abrar Fahad, a young scholar who had criticised the former government of Sheikh Hasina on social media. The verdict reaffirms an earlier ruling in which the accused, all members of the Awami League’s student wing, were found guilty of torturing Fahad to death over his political views. Abrar Fahad, a 21-year-old student at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), was savagely beaten for nearly six hours with cricket bats and blunt objects by a…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has assured Bangladesh of the United Nations’ full support in fostering peace, national dialogue, and sustainable development as the country navigates key reforms. Speaking at a joint media briefing with Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on Saturday, Guterres acknowledged the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people under Chief Adviser Yunus’s leadership, describing it as a “pivotal moment” for democracy, justice, and prosperity. He commended Bangladesh’s generosity in hosting Rohingya refugees but warned of an impending humanitarian crisis due to severe funding cuts, which could slash food rations by 60% in 2025. “This would be…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: Bangladesh’s national election could be held by December this year if political parties agree to minor reforms; otherwise, it will take place by June next year, Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus said on Friday. Yunus made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at his office in Dhaka. Emphasizing his commitment to a free, fair, and inclusive election, he stated, “We will hold the national election by December this year if our political parties want it after limited reforms; otherwise, it will be deferred to June next year upon completion of the…
By Mustak Zahid NEW DELHI: India has underscored the importance of addressing all issues in Bangladesh through democratic channels, emphasizing the necessity of “inclusive and participatory” elections to ensure the country’s stability and progress. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, expressed his concerns over the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Bangladesh, particularly highlighting the recent release of violent extremists who had been convicted of serious crimes. Jaiswal’s remarks reflect India’s ongoing support for a stable and prosperous Bangladesh, which has long been an important neighbor in the region. India, he noted, believes that all issues between the…
By Mustak Zahid GENEVA: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has accused members of Bangladesh’s Awami League, government officials, and security agencies of orchestrating systematic human rights violations during the mass protests that shook the country between July and August last year. Speaking in Geneva on Wednesday while presenting a UN fact-finding report, Türk laid out damning allegations of state-backed repression, arguing that Bangladesh now stands at a crossroads, faced with a choice between reckoning with its past or plunging further into instability. “We believe that former government officials, members of the security and intelligence, and associates of…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: The first consignment of Pakistan’s Basmati rice to Bangladesh under a Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement is nearing its much-anticipated arrival, marking a significant milestone in trade relations between the two South Asian nations. The deal, finalized last month, ensures the export of 50,000 metric tons (MT) of premium Basmati rice through Pakistan’s Trading Corporation (TCP), a move aimed at reinforcing Bangladesh’s domestic rice supply amid fluctuating market conditions. Sources confirmed that the shipment, after reaching Bangladesh’s key port city of Chattogram, will see 60 percent of its cargo offloaded before the vessel continues its journey to Mongla…
Emphasizing strategic ties, remark hints that despite broad diplomatic outreach, China holds a uniquely trusted position among allies By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: China’s growing engagement with Bangladesh took center stage in Beijing as a high-ranking Chinese official reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Dhaka amid shifting political dynamics in South Asia. Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), underscored the significance of Bangladesh’s geopolitical position and emphasized the need for strong, reliable partnerships. Speaking to a delegation of Bangladeshi political leaders, students, scholars, and journalists at the IDCPC office, she…
By Mustak Zahid DHAKA: US President Donald Trump has once again ignited controversy by criticizing a $29 million US grant to Bangladesh, questioning its legitimacy and alleging financial mismanagement. Speaking at the Governors Working Session at the White House, Trump expressed outrage over the allocation, particularly highlighting that the funds were awarded to a firm he described as obscure, with only two employees. “They got $29 million. They got a check. Can you imagine? You have a little firm, you get $10,000 here, $10,000 there, and then we get $29 million from the United States government. There are two people…