Naheed Ezaher Khan, MP and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Mr. Masud Bin Momen received Queen Mother Dorji Wanmgmo Wangchuckand and her Royal Delegation of Bhutan during their transit at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka this evening (22 December, 2023). The Queen Mother conveyed her best regards, appreciation and deep respect to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on behalf of her Royal Family. She also deeply appreciated the Government of Bangladesh for making all the arrangements during the transit at Dhaka.

In a recent Twitter statement, Parliament Member Rajendra Bajgain raised alarming concerns about the economic burden posed by Nepal’s Pokhara International Airport. Despite initial hopes of alleviating traffic at Tribhuvan International Airport and boosting regional tourism, recent revelations shed light on the airport’s financial struggles since its inauguration. The airport, which was handed over to the government following an agreement with China’s state-owned contractor CAMCE, has faced challenges in attracting international airlines. Currently, only a handful of domestic flights operate from the airport, with no significant interest from airlines to initiate international flights. Bajgain voiced concerns about the financial implications of Nepal’s loan from China for the airport’s construction in a Twitter statement. With an outstanding debt of 22 billion Rupees, the airport faces challenges in attracting international airlines since its inauguration, raising doubts about its revenue-generating potential. Bajgain highlights the first maturity deadline of the loan in 2022 and a subsequent one in October 2023, with a penalty and substantial annual interest rate compounding Nepal’s economic worries. The 5% annual interest rate alone accumulates to a significant Rs 110,299,200, adding to the financial strain. China is set to enhance its presence in Pokhara and surrounding areas by utilizing the Pokhara International Airport. On January 1, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ inaugurated the regional international airport, which was constructed with assistance from China, in the popular tourist destination of Pokhara in western Nepal. Initially, the airport served only domestic flights but, six months later, on June 21, it welcomed its first international flight from Chengdu Airport in China, operated by Sichuan Airlines. The construction of Pokhara International Airport was funded through a loan of Rs 22 billion from China’s Exim Bank. However, Nepal is facing challenges in repaying this debt, as the country must generate profits from operating the airport to cover the loan. China has further fueled controversy surrounding the project by stating that it falls under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, once again reiterated that Pokhara International Airport is a significant flagship project of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). His remarks were made during the first international commercial plane landing event at the airport on 21st June. Ambassador Song also previously had emphasized the airport’s connection to the BRI during its inauguration. On December 31, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal proudly declared the Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) as a prominent flagship project of the BRI. However, in reality, the concessional loan agreement between the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and China EXIM Bank had not mentioned the BRI. The work of Pokhara International Airport had already started even before the BRI scheme enters Nepal. In 2012, an agreement was reached between Nepal and China to build the airport in Nepal. In May 2014, two years before the loan was agreed, China CAMC Engineering was given the construction contract, at a time when China’s BRI was in a nascent phase. Chinese President Xi first announced the idea of BRI in 2013 as ‘One Belt, One Road’. After Nepal and China signed the framework agreement on BRI in 2017, Nepal had initially selected 35 projects to be undertaken under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s flagship connectivity project. Later, upon Beijing’s request, the total number of projects was whittled down to nine with Pokhara airport off the list. The limited number of charter flights in Pokhara airport highlights the struggle to attract international airlines and fulfill the airport’s intended purpose. With the loan’s grace period set at seven years and a repayment term of 20 years, Nepal faces a daunting financial challenge. Bajgain’s concerns underscore the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the financial burden and ensure the economic sustainability of Pokhara International Airport. Source: https:english.pardafas.com

Advocate Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan, former State Minister for Land and Member of Parliament from Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) Constituency. Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan died at a hospital in Dhaka in the early hours of today at the age of 84. More to follow....

Parliament member (MP) of Laxmipur-3 (Sadar) constituency and former minister Shahjahan Kamal has passed away.  He breathed his last on Saturday at 3 am in a private hospital.  MP Nur Uddin Chowdhury Noyon confirmed the news to the journalists. His first Namaz-e-Janaja will be held at Dakshin Plaza of Jatiya Sangshad, another Namaj-e-Janaja will be held at Lakshmipur Samad school field. In 2014 and 2018 he was elected as a Parliament Member. In his lifetime, he served as a minister of Biman and Tourism. 

Natore -4 constitutuency lawmaker and President of Natore Zila Awami league Md Professor Abdul Kuddus passed away. He breathed the last on Wednesday morning, August 30 at a private hospital of the Capital Dhaka. He was 77. Earlier on Saturday, he was admitted to the Hospital for breathing problems, due to reduce the oxyzen level he was taken to ICU (intencive care unit).  Kuddus, was a freedom fighter, president of Natore district unit of Awami League, was elected MP of Natore-4 constituency for five times.

Rebecca Momin, an Awami League lawmaker of Netrokona-4 constituency, passed away during treatment at Dhaka's Square Hospital around 4 am on Tuesday. She was 76. Her personal assistant Mohammad Tofayel Ahmed confirmed her death. According to Tofayel Ahmed, Rebecca had been suffering from a combination of kidney and respiratory complications for a long time. She was first elected to parliament from the Mohanganj-Khaliajuri constituency in 2008 and went on to serve as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs. She was born on May 15, 1947, in Netrokona's Mohanganj Upazila.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused opponents of forcing him out of Parliament with an inquiry into whether he misled lawmakers about parties at 10 Downing Street during the pandemic. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was standing down as a member of Parliament on Friday after confidentially receiving the Partygate report. Johnson accused opponents of trying to drive him out of Parliament. The former British premier said the "letter from the Privileges Committee make it clear — much to my amazement — that they are determind to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of Parliament." He added it "is very sad to be leaving Parliament — at least for now — but above all I am bewildered and appalled that I can be forced out." Johnson says not a 'shred of evidence' he misled lawmakers Johnson added in his statement Friday that the inquiry has "not produced a shred of evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled the Commons." Johnson said the committee investigating the scandal was out to get him, saying that their "purpose from the beginning has been to find me guilty, regardless of the facts". The committee will produce the report in the next few weeks.  What was 'Partygate'? In May 2022, an internal investigation following media reports of multiple gatherings at government buildings during the pandemic revealed the gatherings should never have taken place. The report by senior civil servant Sue Gray laid out how many of those gatherings were held, including describing parties that went on into the early hours, with music from a karaoke machine.  Gray published photographs of Johnson toasting staff with wine.  All the gatherings took place between 2020 and 2021 — when the UK was under lockdown rules that were put in place by Johnson's government. After the media reports first emerged in December 2021, Johnson repeatedly assured lawmakers that he and his staff had always followed the rules. That turned out to be wrong, Johnson later acknowledged in testimony before Parliament in March this year. But he said it was "what I honestly believed at the time."  His resignation now triggers a special election to replace him as a lawmaker for a suburban London seat. Johnson won the general election in 2019 in a landslide after delivering a Brexit deal, but was forced to resign from office in 2022. A string of scandals, including the illegal lockdown parties, engulfed his time as premier.

From 20-26 May, former Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel will lead a European delegation that will investigate the genocide committed by Pakistan in Bangladesh in 1971. The mission is an initiative of the European Bangladesh Forum (EBF) and will also consist of genocide scientist Anthonie Holslag (VU), political analyst Chris Blackburn, British EBF chairman Ansar Ahmed Ullah and Dutch EBF chairman Bikash Chowdhury Barua. The mission aims to gather first-hand information about the genocide in Bangladesh committed by the Pakistani army during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The delegation will meet victims, witnesses, genocide researchers, academics, policymakers and government representatives in Bangladesh. In addition, the team visits a number of killing fields and war museums in and around the capital Dhaka and the second major city Chittagong. The mission to Bangladesh takes place at a time when there is worldwide attention for the genocide in Bangladesh. Recently, two members of the U.S. Congress submitted a resolution to the U.S. House of Representatives calling on the President of the United States, Joe Biden, to recognize the crimes against humanity committed by the Pakistani military at the time. In the United Kingdom, too, recognition of the 1971 genocide has been discussed in parliament. According to delegation leader Van Bommel, "Dutch recognition of this genocide is relevant because in 1972 the Netherlands was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Bangladesh." The fact-finding mission will communicate its findings to the Dutch government and the House of Representatives. The European Bangladesh Forum will also organise a conference on the findings.

Valiant freedom fighter, lawmaker and Chattogram south district Awami League (AL) president Moslem Uddin Ahmed passed away at a hospital in the capital early today at the age of 75. "Chattogram-8 constituency lawmaker Ahmed breathed his last at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka around 12:30 am," his nephew Lokman Chowdhury told.  The elderly AL politician had been suffering from cancer and other diseases for the last two years, he said. Ahmed is survived by wife, four daughters, a host of relatives, friends, well-wishers and political fellows. His death cast a pall of gloom in political, cultural and social arenas elsewhere in the city and district. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) from AL on January 13, 2020 in the vacant seat after the death of Jasad leader Moinuddin Khan Badal. Ahmed was elected Vice President of Chattogram Government Commerce College in 1969 and participated in the Great Liberation War responding to the call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He also held the post of general secretary of the Chattogram unit of Chhatra League in 1972. He, as well, served as general secretary of Chattogram South District Awami League since 2005 to 2013 and had been serving as its president from 2013 until death. His first namaz-e-janaza was held in front of the AL central office on the Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka at 11 am today, said his nephew and journalist Ejaz Mahmud. His 2nd namaz-e-janaza will be held at Gomdondi Pilot High School maidan of Boalkhali upazila in Chattogram after Asar prayer today.  He will be buried next to his mother's grave at the graveyard adjacent to Hazrat Garib Ullah Shah Mazar after 3rd Janaza at city's Jamiatul Falah Maiden at 11 am tomorrow with full state honour.   Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow at his death.

Indirectly supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday distanced himself from the controversial BBC documentary series, saying he "doesn't agree with the characterization" of his Indian counterpart. Sunka snubbed Pakistan-origin British MP Imran Hussain in the British Parliament for bringing up the issue of a controversial BBC documentary series against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The UK government's position on this has been clear and long-standing and hasn't changed, of course, we don't tolerate persecution where it appears anywhere but I am not sure I agree at all with the characterization that the honourable gentleman has put forward to," Sunak said while responding to Hussain's question on the BBC report. UK's National broadcaster BBC aired a two-part series attacking PM Narendra Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms. Prominent Indian-origin UK citizens condemned the series. Prominent UK Citizen Lord Rami Ranger said the "BBC caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians." Condemning the biased reporting of BBC, Rami tweeted, "@BBCNews You have caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians It insults a democratically elected@PMOIndia Indian Police & the Indianjudiciary. We condemn the riots and loss of life & also condemn your biased reporting." Ministry of External Affairs also reacted to the BBC report and said that this is a completely biased copy. While addressing a weekly briefing in New Delhi, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We think this is a propaganda piece. This has no objectivity. This is biased. Do note that this hasn't been screened in India. We don't want to answer more on this so that this doesn't get much dignity." He even raised questions on "the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it." "The documentary is a reflection of the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative again. It makes us wonder about the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it; frankly, we do wish to dignify these efforts," he added. Referring to apparent remarks made by former UK Secretary Jack Straw in the documentary series, Bagchi said "He (Jack Straw) seems to be referring to some internal UK report. How do I have access to that? It's a 20-year-old report. Why would we jump on it now? Just because Jack says it how do they lend it that much legitimacy." "I heard words like inquiry and investigations. There is a reason why we use the colonial mindset. We don't use words loosely. What inquiry they were diplomats there...investigation, are they ruling the country? Bagchi asked.  Source: ANI