Special Correspondent: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Islamabad on Thursday.Discussions covered a wide range of regional and global issues relating to peace and security, including the situation in Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the future of multilateralism.During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister briefed the UN Secretary-General on Pakistan's positions on Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty, reaffirming Pakistan's call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.He also highlighted Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its facilitation of the Islamabad Talks between the United States and Iran. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means of resolving disputes.The UN Secretary-General appreciated Pakistan's longstanding contribution to the United Nations, as well as its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and de-escalation.Official sources said both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening multilateralism and continued engagement to address global peace and security challenges.

Staff Correspondent: President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged Canada to further increase its investment in Bangladesh and expand cooperation in key sectors, including agriculture, food security, fertiliser, information technology, outsourcing, education and healthcare.He made the call yesterday when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban.President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told BSS that the Canadian envoy, on behalf of Canadian Governor General Louise Arbour, handed over a congratulatory letter to Mirza Fakhrul on his assumption of the presidency.The President thanked the Canadian Governor General for the message and praised Canada’s longstanding democratic traditions, seeking Ottawa’s cooperation in strengthening democratic practices in Bangladesh.“The government is facing difficulties due to the long absence of democracy and parliamentary practices, and it has begun necessary reform activities to institutionalise democracy,” he said.During the meeting, High Commissioner Singh said bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Canada had crossed C$4 billion annually, while there remained significant scope for further expansion.Against this backdrop, President Mirza Fakhrul called for increased Canadian investment in Bangladesh, particularly in sectors with strong potential for mutual economic benefits.He also sought greater Canadian cooperation in agriculture, food security, fertiliser production, IT and outsourcing.The President placed particular emphasis on cooperation in education and skills development, requesting Canadian support in technical education, technology, nursing and medical education.The Canadian High Commissioner informed the President that Canada’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs would visit Bangladesh soon, signalling continued high-level engagement between the two countries.The Rohingya crisis also featured prominently in the discussions. Singh highlighted Canada’s continued humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees, saying Ottawa had so far provided around US$600 million in assistance.The President expressed appreciation for Canada’s sustained support and urged Ottawa to play a more effective role in mobilising international pressure for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.He also highlighted the contribution of the Bangladeshi community in Canada, noting that more than 100,000 Bangladeshis are playing a role in the country’s development.The meeting underscored the broad scope of Bangladesh-Canada relations, extending beyond trade and investment to democracy, education, healthcare and the Rohingya issue.President’s secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting. Canadian Political Counsellor Marcus Davies also attended on behalf of Canada.

MM Rahmatullah: A visiting delegation of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh today met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Humaiun Kobir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, with both sides pledging to deepen parliamentary cooperation and Bangladesh-UK relations.The delegation was led by Ms. Apsana Begum MP, Chair of the APPG on Bangladesh, and comprised Mr. Shockat Adam MP and Lord Qurban Hussain, Member of the House of Lords.State Minister Humaiun Kobir welcomed the delegation and appreciated the APPG’s continued interest in strengthening Bangladesh-UK ties.The State Minister highlighted the UK Government’s support toward Bangladesh’s democratic consolidation and ongoing reform initiatives. Acknowledging the APPG as an important bridge between the UK Parliament, Bangladesh and the British-Bangladeshi community, he sought the Group’s support in facilitating greater engagement with the UK Parliament to convey Bangladesh’s progress and ground realities.The protracted Rohingya crisis featured prominently in the discussions.The State Minister underscored that the crisis has evolved beyond a humanitarian concern, now having wider security and irregular migration implications. He called for stronger international efforts for the early, safe, voluntary and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.Apprising that the delegation will visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar tomorrow, the APPG leaders affirmed their support to address the plight of the Rohingya community. The delegation reassured that they would keep their voice high in different international mechanisms, including in the UK Parliament, for continuing humanitarian assistance and for sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.The discussions also focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation and exchanges between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, along with issues of mutual interest including democratic consolidation, trade and investment, migration, skill mobilization and human rights.The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues and expressed interest in continuing cooperation through relevant bilateral and multilateral channels, officials said.

Online Desk: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said the government is working to make teaching a first-choice profession for meritorious people by reforming teacher recruitment and the education system."Teaching can never be a profession of last resort or merely another job. Rather, we are reshaping teacher recruitment and the education system to ensure that the most meritorious people choose teaching as their first choice of profession," he said.The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium here marking World Teachers' Day 2026 and honouring selected teachers from primary to higher education levels with the national 'Eminent Teacher Award'.Tarique Rahman said, "We believe that the dignity of the state is linked to the honour and dignity of teachers in the state and society. If the dignity of teachers remains intact in society, the image of the state is enhanced."This year's theme of World Teachers' Day is: "Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Enhancing Dignity and Shaping Our Future."The Prime Minister expressed his profound respect to teachers of all primary and secondary schools, colleges, madrasas, technical institutions and universities across the country, and congratulated those who received the 'Eminent Teacher Award' for their merit and competence.He said if teachers could become the "need and loved ones" of their students, it would be easier for the students to face global challenges as responsible citizens through education.Referring to teachers as "ideal role models" for every student after they move beyond the family school, Tarique Rahman said the government is formulating and implementing plans so that teachers can confidently present themselves as role models before their students.In the era of rapid development of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), he said, there is no alternative to technical and practical education beyond conventional teaching methods."So, changing the strategies of learning and teaching and modernising the education curriculum is the demand of the time," he said.The government has formulated a new curriculum based on the realities of the time, and students will receive textbooks based on the new curriculum within this year, the Premier said, adding that the methods of learning and teaching are extremely important to ensure that students do not become alienated from books."Instead of mere memorisation, we have to raise the questions of 'why' and 'how' in the minds of students. If curiosity is created, a student can become his or her own teacher," he continued.Tarique Rahman said "joyful learning" has become popular across the world, particularly among school students.For the first time in Bangladesh, he said, the Ministry of Education is providing sixth-grade students with a new book titled "Learning with Happiness". Similar books will be introduced for other grades in phases.The prime minister said the education system currently faces both immense opportunities and major challenges. Artificial intelligence has opened up vast opportunities for acquiring knowledge, while technical and practical knowledge has become indispensable instead of certificate-based knowledge, he added. Photo: PMOReferring to the new challenges created for teachers by rapid advances in information technology, Tarique Rahman said teachers' training colleges need to be further modernised to meet the challenges of the time. "We do not want to see technology as a substitute for teachers. Rather, technology will be the strength of teachers," he said, adding that the government is advancing the "One Teacher, One Tab" programme to this end.The prime minister said teachers would be able to use digital lesson plans, question banks, students' learning progress data and necessary teaching materials through their tablets. Multimedia classrooms are also being expanded at educational institutions across the country, while free Wi-Fi facilities are being increased, he added.The Premier said the government wants to build an education system where no child is deprived of education."It is also essential to ensure that even if someone drops out at any stage of their educational life for any reason, they do not remain unemployed," he said.Describing education as the biggest priority of the incumbent government, Tarique Rahman said the highest-ever allocation for education has been made in the national budget for the first time in the country's history and the allocation will be increased gradually.Highlighting the scale of secondary education, he said there are currently around 21,000 institutions at the secondary level, where more than 300,000 teachers are providing education to millions of students."Much of secondary education depends on private and MPO-listed institutions," he said."There is still some disparity between urban and rural areas in terms of educational opportunities," the Prime Minister said, adding that the government has various plans to ensure that students in both urban and rural areas have access to skilled teachers and modern technology.Describing the government's approach to reforming the education system, he said its core foundations are equal opportunities, quality education and non-discriminatory access.Tarique Rahman said employment-oriented education is necessary, but employment is not the sole purpose of education. "Moral and character development is also one of the key objectives of education. If knowledge is not linked with morality, it can become a cause of harm rather than benefit to society," he continued.Urging teachers to make truthfulness, a sense of responsibility, empathy, patriotism, humanity, discipline and respect for others integral parts of education, he said teachers play the most important role after families in instilling moral values in students.Highlighting various government measures to ensure teachers' financial security and make teaching a more dignified and competitive profession, the Prime Minister said the government is working particularly for teachers at the primary, secondary and higher-secondary levels.He further said the President and the Prime Minister invite people from different professions and sections of society to state functions at national occasions, including Independence Day and Victory Day."From this year, based on a policy, the concerned authorities are being instructed to make it mandatory to invite at least one teacher each from primary and secondary schools to such events," he said.Tarique Rahman said a teacher, whether serving or retired, remains worthy of the state's respect throughout his or her life because of the noble profession.Mentioning instructions to end harassment of teachers in receiving salaries and retirement benefits, he said a teacher should not have to visit offices and suffer hardship merely to receive salary or retirement benefits."The money due to a teacher must reach their bank account on time and in accordance with the rules," he said.The Premier said the country's teachers are one of the key instruments for building a knowledge-based state and society.World Teachers' Day is observed globally on October 5 every year to highlight the importance of teachers' dignity, rights, professional development and ensuring quality education.Chaired by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon, it was also addressed, among others, by National Professor Dr Mahbub Ullah, Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Education Md Selim Bhuiyan.

Diplomatic Correspondent: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought stronger support from the United Kingdom to further deepen and diversify Bangladesh-UK relations, with particular emphasis on economic cooperation and human resource development.The prime minister made the request when British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday afternoon.During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including the current state of bilateral relations and ways to expand cooperation between the two countries.Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary KM Nazmul Haque briefed reporters following the meeting.The discussions focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, education, skills development, migration and human resource development, according to the press secretary.The prime minister placed particular importance on strengthening economic ties and developing Bangladesh’s human resources, while seeking continued UK support for the country’s economic development and progress.Both sides stressed the importance of further consolidating the historic and friendly relations between Bangladesh and the UK and exploring new areas of cooperation that could benefit both countries.The meeting also highlighted the scope for greater collaboration in areas that can contribute to Bangladesh’s economic advancement while creating stronger opportunities for education, skills and employment-related development.They expressed hope that the existing friendly relations between Dhaka and London would continue to grow and evolve into a broader and more multifaceted partnership.The discussions come as Bangladesh seeks to expand international economic partnerships and strengthen cooperation in areas that can support sustainable development, investment and human resource development.State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and concerned officials were present during the meeting.