BD rejects action on UN terror report

Bangladesh remains committed to preventing terrorism and protecting national security, Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday, while stressing that the government would not take measures based solely on unverified or assumption-based assessments.

His comments came after a recent UN Security Council report raised concerns about Al-Qaeda’s activities in Bangladesh and alleged that the militant organisation was seeking to establish a permanent presence and covert cells in the country.

Salahuddin said the government had not taken any action based on the report as he had yet to examine its contents in detail.

“I heard about it, but I haven’t read it. It may contain some observations.

I cannot comment without reading it,” he told reporters after a meeting of a committee formed to make recommendations on the Bangladesh Judicial Service Pay Commission 2025 at the Finance Ministry in the Secretariat.

“We are not taking these into consideration. I have not read the report yet. Besides, as far as I have heard, it says they have assumed that such a thing could happen.

So, we are not taking any action based on an assumption-based report,” he said.

The minister’s remarks came as Bangladesh seeks to maintain its record of confronting terrorism and militancy through law enforcement, intelligence-led operations and institutional reforms.

Salahuddin also described the country’s overall law and order situation as having improved visibly during the BNP government’s first 180 days in office, although he said the ultimate assessment should come from the public.

“We have completed only six months. During this period, we have undertaken many reforms and you have seen several commendable initiatives by the law enforcement agencies,” he said.

According to the minister, various government programmes introduced over the past six months have received public appreciation, with several initiatives being implemented in line with the roadmap announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He also claimed that the government had successfully managed a number of domestic and international crises since taking office, including the continuing global energy and gas disruptions.

Salahuddin said the government had initially refrained from increasing fuel prices despite a sharp rise in global energy costs linked to the Russia-Ukraine war.

The adjustment was delayed by about a month during the Boro cultivation season to protect farmers, before prices were raised to what he described as a tolerable level.

He said fuel prices in the international market and neighbouring countries had nearly doubled during the period.

The minister acknowledged that the energy and gas shortages inherited from the previous administration could not be resolved overnight, but said the government was pursuing a long-term strategy to establish a more reliable energy supply.

He stressed that ensuring adequate primary energy was essential for attracting foreign investment, expanding trade and business and maintaining industrial production.

As part of that strategy, the government has decided to establish a full-fledged land-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Matarbari following an inspection of the deep-sea port there led by the prime minister.

The government is also considering several floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) to reduce disruptions caused by recurring mechanical problems at the existing Summit and Excelerate Energy floating terminals. Surveys are under way to identify suitable locations, Salahuddin said.

At the same time, new gas exploration has begun both onshore and offshore in an effort to reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported energy.

The minister said the government expected to achieve a sustainable solution to the gas crisis within the next few years.

On social protection and public welfare, Salahuddin highlighted the Cabinet’s decision at its first meeting to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000, describing it as a historic initiative. Family cards and farmer cards are also being distributed, he said.

The government is providing monthly honorariums to religious officials, including imams and muezzins, while also introducing measures to provide social and state recognition to athletes and cultural figures.

As chairman of the National Procurement Committee responsible for food security, Salahuddin said sound policies and timely government decisions had helped the country build a strong food stock.

Asked about reports that he might be given responsibility for another ministry, the home minister said: “I have also heard the rumour.”

The government is expected to publish a consolidated assessment of the progress made by ministries during its first 180 days in office through the prime minister’s press wing or the relevant ministries and departments.

For the government, however, maintaining public security and preventing the resurgence of militant networks remain central to its broader law-and-order agenda.

The home minister’s remarks suggest that while Dhaka will examine international security assessments, it intends to base counter-terrorism measures on verified intelligence and evidence while maintaining its commitment to keeping Bangladesh safe from terrorism and extremism.