Corporate
Citycell says its licence was cancelled illegally, it wants it back
Pacific Bangladesh Telecom, the first mobile phone operator in the country, seeks to relaunch Citycell.
The company has recently applied to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to reclaim its licence and spectrum.
In 2016, the BTRC shut down Citycell’s operations on the grounds of a decline in subscribers and failure to pay outstanding dues. Later, in October 2023, the regulatory body officially cancelled Citycell’s licence and spectrum. At the time of its closure, Citycell, the country’s only CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology operator, had around 15,000 subscribers.
However, in its recent review application letter, Pacific Bangladesh Telecom stated that BTRC’s order to cancel Citycell’s licence was illegal.
Pacific Bangladesh Telecom in the application, signed by its head of regulatory and corporate affairs Nishat Ali Khan, argued that Citycell was excluded from various technological upgrades, including spectrum allocation, due to political decisions by the then government.
Despite paying all fees, new claims of outstanding dues were raised unjustifiably, it said. Ultimately, the operation was shut down citing a decrease in subscribers, even though Citycell had an annual turnover of over Tk200 crore before the closure, said the company.
Nishat told the news reporter that they plan to return to court, deeming BTRC’s cancellation of Citycell’s licence illegal while the case concerning outstanding dues is still ongoing in court.
“We have applied to the BTRC to get the licence back, and we will also appeal to the court in the future,” he said.
In the letter, Pacific Bangladesh Telecom stated that at the time of Citycell’s shutdown, the company held 8.82 GB of spectrum and had 850 towers. The closure left 1,000 employees unemployed overnight.
It also claimed to have fully paid all types of fees, including VAT and taxes. As a result of the shutdown, the company said it incurred debts amounting to Tk4,000 crore. If Citycell had remained operational, it could have generated at least Tk2,000 crore in revenue during the period until now.
The letter mentioned that BTRC’s claim of Tk218 crore in outstanding dues, which led to the cancellation of Citycell’s licence, was incorrect. The company argued that although the BTRC demanded the amount for 10 GB of spectrum, Citycell was actually allocated 8.5 GB of spectrum. Therefore, the claim lacked justification, it said, adding that the matter of outstanding dues was already being contested in court.
When asked why it did not approach the court at the time against BTRC’s decision, Nishat said, “The cancellation of Citycell’s licence was a political decision by the government. The court would not have ruled against the government’s decision. That’s why we did not file a petition in court back then.”
When asked whether it would be possible to relaunch Citycell with its significant debt if BTRC reinstated the licence, Nishat responded that despite the shutdown, the company has not defaulted on any bank loans.
Citycell eyes transition to GSM technology
He further said that if the licence is restored, the owners are prepared to transition Citycell from CDMA to GSM technology to resume operations.
Asked by the news reporter, Aminul Haque, acting chairman of the BTRC, declined to comment on the receipt of the letter or the matter of returning the licence.
On 9 September 2022, all spectrum allocated to Citycell and the Radio Communication Equipment Licence was cancelled on 7 August of the same year. Subsequently, on 15 September 2023, the BTRC cancelled Citycell’s 2G service licence.
According to officials concerned, during the tenure of President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Citycell was granted a licence in 1989. The service was launched jointly by Hong Kong-based Hutchison and Bangladesh Telecom Limited. They used analogue mobile technology. The mobile service was highly expensive and not accessible to the general public.
When the BNP came to power, in 1993, the domestic industrial group Pacific Motors and Far East Telecom acquired a 55% stake in Citycell. Of the stake, Pacific Motors held 37.95% and Far East Telecom held 17.51%. The remaining 44.54% of the shares were owned by Singtel, a Singapore-based telecommunications provider. The head of Pacific Motors is former foreign minister and BNP leader M Morshed Khan.
Before Grameenphone acquired its licence in November 1996, Citycell was the sole mobile operator in the country.
Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, China: A diverse delegation of international experts, journalists, and social media influencers concluded a captivating week-long exploration of China’s Yunnan province. The immersive tour, jointly organized by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and China Daily, showcased the region’s rich tapestry of ethnic culture, historical heritage, volcanic wonders, and serene landscapes.
The journey provided participants from various countries, including Bangladesh, with a first-hand experience of Yunnan’s multifaceted appeal, blending rural revitalization stories with natural splendors.
The expedition began in the captivating Shimao Village, where the group delved into the narrative of the village’s remarkable transformation. Attendees immersed themselves in the unique cultural heritage and daily life of the Wa people, gaining insights into the community’s traditions and their harmonious development within modern China.
The itinerary then led to the volcanic region of Tengchong. At the Tengchong Hot Sea, participants experienced renowned geothermal wellness at the Beauty Pool Hot Spring Hotel, where they relaxed in the mineral-rich waters. The geological wonders continued at the Tengchong Volcano and Geothermal National Geological Park. Here, the delegation witnessed majestic volcanic landscapes, with some taking to the skies in hot-air balloons for panoramic views and others hiking up the iconic Little Sky Mountain for a closer look at the ancient craters.
Seeking autumnal tranquility, the group visited the picturesque Ginkgo Village, where they enjoyed the stunning golden scenery of ancient ginkgo trees, a spectacle that highlights Yunnan’s seasonal beauty and idyllic rural charm.
The cultural and historical depth of the region was further unveiled in Heshun Ancient Town. The delegation visited the century-old Heshun Library and the revered Wenchang Palace, symbols of the town’s deep-rooted scholarly tradition. A tour of the former residence of Ai Siqi, a prominent Marxist philosopher, added a layer of modern historical significance to the visit.
The international delegates, armed with cameras, notebooks, and social media platforms, documented their experiences extensively. They expressed particular admiration for the seamless integration of cultural preservation, ecological conservation, and community development they witnessed.
“This tour was an eye-opener,” remarked Nuruzzaman Kafi, a social media influencer from Bangladesh. “From the vibrant culture of the Wa people to the breathtaking power of the volcanoes and the profound historical atmosphere of Heshun, Yunnan offers a truly layered and unforgettable experience. It’s a powerful story of natural and cultural heritage being cherished and shared.”
Officials from the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism stated that such exchanges are vital for fostering international understanding and showcasing Yunnan’s role as a key destination for sustainable and cultural tourism. They believe the delegates’ firsthand accounts and wide-reaching influence will help a global audience discover the unique charms of “Colorful Yunnan.”
The successful tour is expected to generate positive international media coverage and digital content, further elevating Yunnan’s profile as a premier travel destination that celebrates diversity, history, and natural beauty.
China Correspondent: A new chapter in Guangxi’s tourism development unfolded on Dec 2, as a themed flight from Beijing touched down at Nanning Wuxu International Airport.
The flight’s arrival marked the official launch of a joint tourism initiative, “The Next Station, Guangxi,” by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Air China, and China Daily, aiming to showcase Guangxi’s spectacular karst landscapes, ethnic traditions, and local charm to global travelers.
Air China’s Flight CA1311 functioned as a “flying cultural experience of Guangxi”, giving passengers an immersive sneak peek into the region’s unique appeal.
From check-in to landing, travelers were surrounded by Guangxi’s cultural elements: dedicated service counters with Guangxi-themed backdrops for photo opportunities, custom-made bilingual boarding passes that doubled as collectibles, and cabin interiors adorned with stickers featuring the region’s iconic landscapes and ethnic patterns.
In-flight entertainment systems looped promotional videos, allowing passengers to glimpse the “unmatched natural and cultural beauty” awaiting them in Guangxi.
Over the next seven days, a delegation of international and domestic travel influencers, vloggers, and media journalists will embark on an exploratory tour of Guangxi’s key attractions.
Their itinerary includes experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of Nanning’s night markets, where the city’s “night economy” thrives; visiting Hechi’s Bama — a world-renowned “longevity town” — to uncover the secrets of healthy living.
Then they’ll travel to Yizhou in Hechi, the hometown of legendary folk singer Liu Sanjie, to listen to melodious local mountain songs; and explore Guilin’s iconic karst mountains and rivers, which have inspired poets and artists for centuries.
Beyond the Beijing-Nanning route, tailored themed flights connecting Shanghai and Guangzhou to Guangxi are also in the pipeline. These routes will create seamless transfer options for international travelers via China’s major aviation hubs, further facilitating access to the region.
To enhance the appeal of traveling to Guangxi, a series of practical incentives has been rolled out.
Individual travelers who book Air China transfer tickets to Guangxi by December 31, 2025, can enjoy an exclusive 4 to 8 percent discount for travel before March 26, 2026. Specific terms and conditions are available through Air China’s official channels.
Travel agencies can access subsidies until January 5, 2026. Eligible firms organizing inbound groups via charters or block bookings qualify for up to 70,000 yuan ($9,660) per charter, or 700 yuan per person for groups of five or more from overseas and China’s Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions.
Corporate
A Unique Initiative by JCI Dhaka West to Promote Inclusion of Specially-Abled and Disabled Youth
A four-day special workshop titled Project Third Eye 2.0 was jointly organized by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Dhaka West and the Dhaka University Support for Students with Disabilities, with the objective of ensuring inclusion of specially-abled individuals in various sectors of society.
Project Third Eye 2.0, emphasized on developing the professional skills of specially-abled and disabled youth, empowering them to become capable and strong leaders in society. The core objective of this initiative is to increase employment opportunities and ensure accessibility for specially-abled and person with disability to promote inclusive recruitment processes—ultimately helping remove widespread stereotypes and misconceptions in society.
The project Third Eye launched in 2024. The closing ceremony of this project was held on 18 October 2025 (Saturday) at the Faculty of Arts Building, University of Dhaka. A total of 25 visually-impaired, physically, and disabled students from the University of Dhaka and the National University participated in the program.
Certificates were awarded to all trainees, and special honors were presented to everyone involved in organizing the event by Md Altamis Nabil, JCI Bangladesh 2025 National Executive Vice President. He stated that JCI Bangladesh believes Project Third Eye 2.0 is not just a local initiative—it is a sincere commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a proactive step toward building a more inclusive world. He highly appreciated and praised this remarkable initiative of JCI Dhaka West.
Under the guidance and patronization of Sujaur Rahman Emon, 2025 Local President of JCI Dhaka West, all activities of the project were successfully executed. He stated that at JCI Dhaka West, we believe that the greatest wealth of the world lies within humanity itself. Project Third Eye 2.0 is not merely a training program; it is an effort to unlock the indomitable confidence and hidden potential of specially-abled youth. The skills they have acquired will undoubtedly illuminate their professional journey and mark a strong step toward building an equitable and inclusive society.
Project Director Ahmed Wazedul Haque Khan said, “Project Third Eye 2.0 is not just a workshop or a project; it is a vital movement in transforming the corporate culture of Bangladesh. We believe that physical or any other limitations can never limit one’s dreams. These young individuals are now prepared to lead corporate sectors based on their talent and merit.”
Under the supervision of Audrika Eshna Purbasha, Local Vice President of JCI Dhaka West, Project Director Ahmed Wazedul Haque Khan, and Project Lead Jobayer Ahmed accomplished and carried out the project with tremendous success.
The project and training workshop were successfully completed with the support and sponsorship of Youth Upskill Network, GearLaunch, Global Travels, NextGen, National University Skill Development Forum (NUSDF), Savory and Ignite Global Foundation.
It is worth mentioning that Junior Chamber International (JCI) is an organization for enthusiastic young people aged 18 to 40. Its headquarters is located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. JCI operates in more than 120 countries with over 200,000 active members.
