India is an extremely responsible power but when the need for a hot pursuit against terrorist havens was felt, the country went all out to destroy terrorism in the national interest, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on Tuesday. “India is an extremely responsible power. But when the need for a hard pursuit against terrorist havens, was felt, we have gone all out to destroy terrorism in our national interest,” Doval said during an event at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Delhi. “India has actively been working to combat terrorism through various means, including strengthening its security apparatus, enacting new laws and cooperating with other countries to prevent terrorist activities. However, in this war against terror, even in the face of great provocation, India has steadfastly upheld the rule of law rights of its citizens and protection of human values and human rights,” he added. Doval said India continues to play its role as a refuge for heterodox ideas with infinite capacity to absorb dissent. No religion is under any threat. “As a proud civilizational state, India believes in promoting tolerance, dialogue and cooperation to deal with the challenges of our time. It was no coincidence that despite having around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in the global terrorism has been incredibly low.” Doval said he agreed with Saudi Arabia’s former Minister for Justice, Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim al-Issa that terrorism cannot be linked with any religion. The former Saudi Arabia minister, who is Secretary General, Muslim World League, also addressed the gathering. The NSA said India has been leading the fight against individuals and organizations – who are promoting extremism, narcotics and terrorism “The challenge of extremism and global terrorism compels us not to lower our guard. To preserve the security and stability within our borders and also rise to the security challenges beyond, India has been leading the fight – the fight against individuals and organizations – who are promoting extremism, narcotics and terrorism,” he said. “I vividly recall the terrorist attack on the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979 and how that incident became a turning point in the way Saudi Arabia looked at itself and rest of the world. The attack was carried out by a group of militants who seized the mosque and held the hostages for several days. The attack brought the issue of terrorism to the forefront and forced Saudi Arabia to reevaluate its security measures and foreign policy,” he added. Doval said India has also been a victim of terrorism for many decades and has stuck to rule of law in fight against terrorism. The country has faced numerous terrorist attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 168 lives. India has actively been working to combat terrorism through various means, including strengthening its security apparatus, enacting new laws, and cooperating with other countries to prevent terrorist activities. However, in this war against terror, even in the face of grave provocations, India has steadfastly upheld the rule of law, rights of its citizens and protection of human values and rights.” Praising Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa, Doval said his deep understanding of Islam and religions of the world’s incessant efforts toward interfaith harmony, courage to persistently lead on the path of reforms is not only contributing to a better understanding of Islam and its seminal contribution to humanity but also preventing extremist and radical ideologies to plague the young minds. The NSA said that in his capacity as Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa has extensively travelled throughout the world and propagated his message of “peace, empathy and co-existence in the most unambiguous and effective way”. “Your interactions and persuasive articulations have not only brought about a deeper and better understanding of Islam but also worked as a catalyst in promoting the values of compassion, tolerance, and respect among different faiths. The World in conflict and turmoil today, needs it more than ever before,” the NSA said. “You have been a strong votary of the need to shun the paths of conflict and instead supported peace, harmony and understanding. We, in India, too fully subscribe to this approach and believe in doctrines of convergence, dialogue and peace leading to conflict avoidance and mitigation,” he added. Referring to India’s presidency of G-20, he said It is only with mutual trust and cooperation among nations, civil societies, religions and people of the world that security, stability, sustainable development and a dignified life for all citizens can be ensured. “As G-20 President, we ideated our slogan for the Summit as ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future,'” he said. Doval said India, the world’s largest democracy and the mother of democracies, is a land of incredible diversity. “It is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and languages that coexist in harmony. As an inclusive democracy, India has successfully managed to provide space for all its citizens, regardless of their religious, ethnic or cultural backgrounds.” He said India and Saudi Arabia have excellent relations that are rooted in “our shared cultural heritage, common values, and economic ties”. “Our leaders share a common vision of the future. The enduring profoundness of our historic relationship can be understood from the fact that Prophet Mohammad’s, PBUH (Peace Be Upon Him), noble wife Hazrat Khadija had a liking for silk and Kashmiri shawls from India,” he said. The NSA said that among its numerous religious groups, Islam occupies a unique and significant position, with India being home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world. “In fact, to give an idea of the scale we are talking about, Indian Muslim population is almost equal to the combined population of around 33-member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,” he said. The event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in the national capital was organised by the Khusro Foundation. Saudi Arabia’s former Minister for Justice, who is considered a leading global voice on moderate Islam, said that India with its diversity, is “a great model for coexistence” and that the country can send a message of peace to the world. “We have talked just moments ago about the different components in the Indian society and we have been in the past days engaging with them. And I know that the Muslim component of the Indian society, they are, as I said, proud of their Constitution and proud of their nation and they are proud of the brotherhood that they share with the rest of the components of the Indian society,” he said. Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa is on a five-day visit to India.

Founder and leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain has said that the corrupt, civil and military elites are responsible for the destruction of Pakistan. They have been crushing the people to maintain their system of plunder and oppression. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is a secular political party in Pakistan that was founded by Altaf Hussain in 1984. Hussain said that he did not compromise on his ideology, mission and purpose, so the establishment turned against him and conspiracies were made to destroy MQM and groups were formed. His house was held under siege and was burnt to ashes. “The military generals while enjoying power have been doing everything to forcibly remove him from the political canvas,” Hussain said while speaking to a charged gathering in London on the occasion of the 39th foundation day of MQM. A large number of people from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and other cities of England were part of the gathering. He said that he established the All-Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation (APMSO) on June 11, 1978 and Mohajir Qaumi Movement on March 18, 1984, which he changed to Muttahida Qaumi Movement in 1997 and spread its political canvas throughout Pakistan. He said that from 1978 to 2023, the struggle of the movement has been 45 years. The aim of this struggle is to end the monopoly of the two per cent privileged class from Pakistan and establish the rule of 98 per cent of the people in the country. He said that the elite and corrupt military generals have been ruling the country since the creation of Pakistan. In Pakistan, the continuity of the hereditary politics and government of a few families continues. Hussain said that Pakistan was established where the Pakistan movement did not start. He said that the same elite killed the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah, first Prime Minister Khan Liaquat Ali Khan and Fatima Jinnah and the later who was the sister of Jinnah was declared a traitor and spy agent of India by the military dictator General Ayoub Khan. Hussain said that since 1947, the country has been ruled by military generals. He said that all the institutions of the country, including the judiciary, are in the possession of this elite. He said that he was called a traitor for the struggle of people’s supremacy and rights, but the fact is that the political wing of the ISI and top military brasses are the real perpetrators and they have ruined the country. He said that what he had said during his movement is being fulfilled today and with the passage of time, people have realized that his philosophy and message were correct and thus the people have started to understand that the civil and military elites are the axis of all evils. In Sindh, Baluchistan and Pakhtunkhwa as well as in Punjab, this slogan is common: “The menace of terrorism is let out by the ghoulish military. Even the ruling Muslim League (PMLN) also raised this slogan. He said that if Altaf Hussain was a corrupt person, he would have palaces like Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and other corrupt politicians. But he did not commit corruption. Hussain said his name is not included among those who looted the country’s treasure, those who swallowed taxpayers’ money. On refusing to trade his ideology and mission and purpose, the establishment turned against him. MQM and he wanted to end the country’s corrupt system, that’s why some military generals plotted against MQM and him. They created splinter groups within the MQM in form of PSP, MQM PIB and MQM Bahadurabad. A few army generals were directly involved in this conspiracy who used state institutions for their own purposes. He said that today, those who sell their conscience are claiming to be MQM’s claimants and to be the original MQM. They should tell who created MQM. Who made them MNA, MPA, Minister, Advisor, Senator, or Mayor from London? All of them were created by Altaf Hussain or did they create Altaf Hussain? He said it was a blunder to forgive those who betrayed him and the party. Regarding the decision of the property case in London, he said that whatever cases there are will continue to be fought through judicial and legal methods. After the judgment of the case, he saluted all the workers and people who demonstrated in his support in various cities of Sindh and called them his and MQM’s assets. He paid great tribute to all the workers of Pakistan and overseas units for working with the movement and providing financial support to the cases despite all the difficulties.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Sunday) urged the workers and owners of the industries and factories to play a responsible role in ensuring each other's rights and country's prosperity. "The owners invest money and workers give labour in a factory. Their investment and toil keep the factory running alongside increasing production and thus the country's economy becomes strengthened," she said.     The Prime Minister said this while addressing a discussion on Great May Day at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. She virtually joined the function from her official Ganabhaban residence in the city.   The premier asked the labour leaders not to pay heed to the foreigners' prescriptions in solving problems rather to settle those with their own ways. Sheikh Hasina said that all have their own responsibilities to run an organisation. She said the owners will have to ensure appropriate salary for the labourers and suitable environment and safety measures for the workers while the workers have to give their best efforts to run the factories.   "It's the labourers' duty to work sincerely to keep their factories, where they work for livelihoods, operative and it's the owners' duty to ensure the well-being, working environment and safety of the labour force," she said.   Sheikh Hasina hoped that Bangladesh will go ahead if there remains a cordial relationship between the owners and workers of the industries and they work complementarily with each other. She said the owners and workers should cherish the spirit of the May Day and take the country forward.   The Prime Minister spelled out her government’s various measures to ensure labourers’ welfare that included increasing minimum salary range, building dormitories, ratifying ILO conventions and protocols, establishing Bangladesh Shramik Kallayan Foundation and enacting necessary laws and rules. She said some labour leaders are still running after the foreigners to solve the problems of Bangladesh's industries. She added: "I don't know why some labour leaders make complaints to the foreigners although we have done many things for the welfare of them--- I don't know if there is anything that serves their interest or anything to exchange."   The Prime Minister urged the labour leaders to meet her if there is any problem, saying that she can realise the demands of labourers from the owners.      She criticized the so-called labour leaders who go to the foreigners with complaints about the country's labour situation and are inclined to involve the foreigners to resolve problems instead of finding local solutions.   "We're able to solve our own problems. I would like to tell the labour leaders to come to me if you have any problem instead of crying before the foreigners. If there is anything beneficial for the labourers, I can realise it from the owners," she said. State Minister for Labour and Employment Ministry Begum Monnujan Sufian gave chairperson’s remarks while Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Labour and Employment M Mujibul Haque spoke.   Country Director of ILO (International Labour Organisation) Tuomo Poutiainen, President of Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF) Ardashir Kabir, and Acting President of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik League Nur Kutub Alam Mannan also spoke on the occasion while Secretary of the Labour and Employment Ministry Md. Ehsane Elahi gave the address of welcome.    On behalf of the Prime Minister, Begum Monnujan Sufian handed over the cheques of financial assistance to 10 labourers and their family members from the fund of Bangladesh Shramik Kallayan Foundation.     A documentary on the activities of the Labour and Employment Ministry was also screened at the function. Source: BSS AH

After the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officials commented on Al Qaeda activity in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that if the proscribed terror group, Al Qaeda threatens the United States from the war-torn country, the Taliban will be responsible for it. Blinken said that although the Taliban has committed to not allow anyone to threaten any country, including the United States, from Afghanistan's territory, the US will not rely on that commitment. "The Taliban has committed to prevent terrorist groups using Afghanistan as a base for external operations that could threaten the United States and our allies, including Al Qaeda and ISIS-K. We will hold them accountable for that. That does not mean that we will rely on it, we will maintain a visual effort to monitor threats, robust counterterrorism capabilities in the region to neutralize those threats, if necessary," Tolo News quoted Blinken as saying. Earlier on Wednesday (local time), the CIA said that they are noticing early signs that Al Qaeda may be regrouping in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. According to the Deputy Director of the United States Central Intelligence Agency, David Cohen said that current intelligence reports indicate "some potential motion of Al Qaeda [returning] to Afghanistan," reported Intelnews.org. Cohen said that American intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the situation. At the moment, the United States intelligence community estimates that it could take Al Qaeda between one and two years to amass its former strike capability, so as to directly threaten American interests, reported Intelnews.org. The presence of Al Qaeda in Afghanistan was the primary reason behind the invasion of the country by the United States in 2001. However, with the Taliban back in power in Afghanistan, there are concerns that Al Qaeda may make a comeback in the troubled country. Under the leadership of Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda worked closely with the upper echelons of the Taliban in the 1990s and early 2000s. Contacts between the two groups continue to exist, and could potentially deepen following the exit of the United States and its Western allies from Afghanistan, reported Intelnews.org. Source: The Economic Times BM

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday said those responsible for the death of Barishal Metropolitan Police’s (BMP’s) Senior ASP Anisul Karim Shipon will be brought to justice. “Everything related to the incident will be investigated and justice will be ensured after bringing all the accused under the ambit of law,” he said while talking to reporters at his office. “ASP Shipon had been suffering from mental illness and we came to know about it. So, we’ve to investigate the incident for this and everything will be clear after the investigation,” said the minister. “We’ve seen in a video footage that there had been a scuffle between the hospital staff and the ASP and at one stage he died. Doctors at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases declared him dead when he had been taken there,” he said. So far, 11people, including three top-level officials of the hospital, were arrested in this connection, the minister added. Senior ASP Anisul was taken to Mind Aid Hospital for treatment on Monday. After admission, the hospital staff informed his relatives that Anisul had fainted. Later, Anisul’s relatives took him to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases where doctors declared him dead. A CCTV footage of the room showed that the hospital staff physically assaulted Anisul. A case was filed in this connection on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a court placed 10 people, arrested in connection with the incident, on a seven-day remand. Besides, Niaz Morshed, director of Mind Aid Hospital, now undergoing treatment at a hospital in the city, is currently under police surveillance following Anisul Karim’s death. Source: UNB AH

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that no list of Razakars, Al Badar, Al Shams was sent from the home ministry. He said this in response to the questions of newsmen while speaking on the published list of Razakars by the liberation war affairs ministry at his office on Wednesday. The minister said, home ministry does not work on Razakars, Al Badar, Al Shams or freedom fighters. It is the task of liberation war affairs ministry. They sought information about the cases filed under Collaborators Act during the period of 1972-74. We have sent the list of names in which the cases were filed. The minister said, the list that was published is not a list of Razakars. It is the list of accused under collaborator act. The responsibility goes to the liberation war affairs ministry for publishing the list containing all names though notes were given. He said, steps should be taken against the involved. We have sent notes mentioning 996 names though they are not plaintiff or defendant of the cases filed under that law. Mentionable, on December 15 the liberation war affairs ministry published the list of 10, 789 Razakars. But in the list there were names of gazetted freedom fighters. Huge controversy was created after the list came into light. AH  

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Selim Reza said, recruiting agencies of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Bangladesh will be responsible for the women workers as long as they stay in that country for the purpose of their job. Recruiting agencies will bear the responsibilities of residence and others facilities for the women workers who want to return to the country until they come to Bangladesh. He said these at a press conference organized at the ministry meeting room on Monday about the joint technical committee meeting that took place in Saudi Arabia. The Secretary said, a direction will be issued so that Saudi recruiting agencies remain contract bound to the Bangladesh embassy. Such decision was taken at the Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia joint technical committee meeting. Selim Reza said, the mentionable decisions that were taken at the joint committee are- to ensure protection of the women workers all the information regarding detail address of the workers, address of the Saudi and Bangladeshi recruiting agencies along with detail address of the employers, information about the changed employers, woman workers’ arrival date and date of handover to the employers- have to be enlisted in the IT platform. Besides, the women workers who are absconding at the moment, police will not handover them to the employers. Bangladesh and Saudi recruiting agencies will bear the responsibilities till the women workers engage in their work. The women workers who are waiting for repatriation- in this case the recruiting agencies will bear the responsibilities for their residence and others. AH    

Driver, Assistant Driver and Guard of Turna Nishitha Express were held responsible for the train accident at Kasba in Brahmannaria according to the divisional investigation committee report. The report said, Turna Nishitha entered the station violating all types of signals and hit bogie number 11 and 12 of the Udayan Express. According to the railway sources, after submitting the investigation report to the Director General on Sunday it was forwarded to the Railway Secretary. A four-member investigation team led by railway divisional chief and eastern divisional transport officer Md. Nasir Uddin submitted the report. The report mentioned that damage worth 38 lakh taka was done due to the accident and 16 passengers were killed and 57 passengers injured. The report also said, the accident could be averted if the Driver of the train obeyed all the red signals and the Guard would perform his duty properly. Mentionable, on November 11 at around 3:30 am Dhaka bound Turna Nishitha from Chattogram and Chattogram bound Udayan Express from Sylhet collided each other at outer of Mandabag rail station in Brahmanbaria. Total five investigation committees- four on behalf of Railway and one on behalf of district administration were formed in this connection. AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon all including the drivers and pedestrians to be responsible in using the roads to avoid accidents while opening a number of development projects. “Everyone should be sensible to use the roads to avoid accidents,” she said. The premier opened 1.2-km Bhulta Flyover on Dhaka-Sylhet highway, Patia Bypass Road, Satkhira Town Bypass Road, Aldi Bazar Bridge, Banar Bridge on Mymensingh-Gafargaon-Tok district highway and replacement of 13 bridges with permanent construction through a video conferencing at her official residence Ganobhaban in the capital on Wednesday. The Prime Minister said “It will not be wise to hold only drivers responsible for road accidents. Everyone including the drivers and road users should be conscious while driving vehicles and crossing the streets.” Referring to the law regarding road safety enacted by her government, she said that everyone should follow the traffic rules and regulations. The premier stressed the need for introducing education on traffic rules and regulations at school levels and said, “Students should know which sides of the roads will have to be taken to move.” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader spoke on the occasion while PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman moderated the function. Road Transport and Highway Division Secretary Nazrul Islam delivered a brief presentation on the development projects on the occasion. The Prime Minister exchanged views with local lawmakers, administrative officers and distinguished personalities of Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Satkhira, Chattogram and Mymensing districts through the video conferencing at the function. Sheikh Hasina also urged the drivers not to get engaged in unhealthy competition while driving vehicles to avoid road accidents as many families can fall in trouble due to road crash which is not expected. The premier stressed the need for proper maintenance of various infrastructures of the Road Transport and Highways Division, including bridges. “We are developing the communication system in such a way that people can go easily from one place to another,” she said. “Dynamism has been infused in development as the Awami League government is in power for the third consecutive term since 2009,” she said. Criticizing BNP for doing nothing for the people’s welfare rather creating an elite group, the premier said that the Awami League has been doing everything for their betterment. “The government has taken massive development programs for the communication system as it is vital for socio-economic emancipation of the people,” she added. The projects are: the newly constructed Bhulta four-lane flyover on Dhaka -Sylhet highway, 283-metre long PC Guarder Bridge on the Banar river at the 72nd kilometer on Mymensingh-Gafargaon-Tok road; Patia bypass road on Dhaka-Chattogram-Coxsbazar National Highway and Shatkhira Town bypass road including Bhomra Landport connecting road as well as replacement of 13 risky bridges by permanent concrete structures. Bhulta Flyover has a total length of 1.85 kilometers, including 1.2 kilometers on Dhaka-Sylhet highway and 611 meters on Dhaka-Bypass Highway. Road Transport and Highways Division implemented the project at a cost of Taka 338.82 crore. Besides, Patia bypass road was constructed at a cost of Taka 87.70 core, and 283-metre Mymensingh-Gafargaon-Tok PC Garder Bridge was built at a cost of Taka 38.78 crore, while 13 concrete bridges were constructed under Mushiganj district at a cost of Taka 88.62 crore. AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said every person involved in the killing of Feni madrasa girl Nusrat Jahan Rafi will be booked and given exemplary punishment so that no one dares to commit such heinous act.   "We’ve already arrested some culprits and others will be arrested. No one will be spared. We won’t allow anyone to go unpunished. They all have to get exemplary punishment so that no one dares to commit such incident in the future," she said.   The Prime Minister was giving her introductory speech at a meeting of Awami League Advisory Council members at her official residence Ganabahban. Reports UNB.   Nusrat, a student of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa in Sonagazir upazila of Feni, was set ablaze on April 6 allegedly for refusing to withdraw a case filed against principal Siraj Uddoula of the madrasa for sexually harassing her last month.   Only a few minutes before the start of the Alim exam, four unidentified people allegedly took Nusrat to the rooftop of the three-storey administrative building of the madrasa saying one of her friends was being assaulted there and set her on fire at one stage of argument over withdrawing the case.   After fighting for her life for five days, the madrasa girl died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday night.   Sheikh Hasina, also the chief of ruling Awami League, said Nusrat was assaulted by the madrasa principal and she was brutally killed by setting fire on her. "I don't have words to condemn this heinous act. I tried my level best to save the girl, even I tried to send her to Singapore," she said.   Blaming the BNP-Jamaat nexus for introducing the trend of killing people through arson attacks in the country, the Prime Minister said in 2013, they tried this to resist the election while in 2015, they did the same in the name of toppling the AL government. “There should be public awareness in this regard," she said.   Talking about repeated fire incidents in the country, she said those who use houses, offices and buildings have their own responsibilities. "They have to ensure how they can get out of a building and there should be extinguishing arrangement if there’s any fire incident," she said.   The Prime Minister asked the architects, engineers and authorities concerned who give approval to a building to be more cautious while constructing any structure. "The plan of a building should be done considering the weather, climate and other related aspects. The mentality of not sparing an inch of space has to be changed. What type of attitude is this?" she said.   She put emphasis on keeping own arrangements to prevent any fire incident, saying the government is doing whatever necessary for the same purpose.   Hasina mentioned that the government has procured ladders and cranes which could reach up to 22-storey buildings and more.   She also briefly described various initiatives taken by the government, including setting up at least one fire service station in each upazila, to equip the Fire Service and Civil Defense of the country.   The Prime Minister also came down heavily on illegal construction of floors defying the approved design. "After taking approval for 18 floors, one constructed 22 floors. This type of irregularity has to be stopped," she said apparently referring to Banani’s FR Tower where 26 people were killed in a fire on March 28. AH