National
PM Sheikh Hasina Outlines Path to Development Through Independent Institutions
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized today that a nation’s path to development relies on the foundations of an independent judiciary, a robust parliament, and a capable administration. Speaking at the closing session of the two-day International Conference on ‘South Asian Constitutional Courts in the Twenty-First Century: Lessons from Bangladesh and India’ at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), she highlighted the government’s commitment to judicial independence. Hasina pointed out that since assuming power, the judiciary has been separated from the administration, with a distinct budget allocation to ensure financial autonomy.
Acknowledging the past dependence of the Judiciary on the government for financial matters, the Prime Minister detailed the steps taken by her government to create an independent Election Commission. She underscored the significance of detaching the Election Commission from the Prime Minister’s Office, ensuring its complete independence and dedicated funding.
Furthermore, Sheikh Hasina mentioned a constitutional amendment, inspired by a High Court verdict, criminalizing the illegal usurpation of state power. She asserted that this inclusion safeguards the fundamental and democratic rights of the people.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s progress, Hasina announced the country’s recognition as a developing nation effective from 2026. Looking ahead, she expressed the vision of transforming Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country, known as “Golden Bangladesh,” by 2041, in line with the ideals of the nation’s founding leader, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The event also featured remarks from Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Justice Obaidul Hassan, Chief Justice of India, Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Anisul Huq, and Justice M. Enayetur Rahim of the Appellate Division.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
