Online Desk: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has expressed grave concern over the plight of illegally detained Hurriyat leaders, activists and youth languishing in jails in India and the occupied territory, and urged the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and international human rights organizations to press India for their release. APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, in a statement issued in Srinagar, said that India had imprisoned more than 3,000 Kashmiris, including Hurriyat leaders, in fabricated cases.  He said the mass detention of Kashmiris was aimed at punishing Kashmiris for demanding freedom from Indian occupation, but such coercive measures could not suppress their aspiration for freedom. He noted that some detainees had spent more than two decades behind bars, including Dr. Mohammad Qasim Fakhtoo, Dr. Muhammad Shafi Shariati, Ghulam Qadir Butt, Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, Mohammad Ayub Dar, Mohammad Ayub Mir, Javed Ahmad Khan, Feroz Ahmed Dar, Abdul Hameed Tailee, Tariq Ahmed Mattoo, Mahmood Topi Wala, Bashir Ahmad Pannu, Fayyaz Ahmed, Sharifud-Din-Gujjar, Muhammad Ashraf Peer, Khalid Mehboob Phalwan, Maqsood Ahmed Bhat, Pervaiz Ahmed Mir, Mohammad Abbas Wani, Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Abdul Waheed, Abdul Rasheed Mir and Fahdullah.

BNP nominee wins 255 votes; Oli Ahmed secures 88 in first contested presidential election in 35 yearsMM Rahmatullah: Bangladesh’s Parliament on Thursday elected BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the country’s 23rd president, marking the first contested presidential election in 35 years.Fakhrul secured 255 votes, defeating his rival, Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, who received 88 votes. The 167-vote margin gave the BNP nominee a decisive victory in the parliamentary election.Voting began shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday (August 20) inside the Jatiya Sangsad and concluded at 5 p.m. The election was conducted under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner and presidential election officer A. M. M. Nasir Uddin.343 MPs cast their ballotsA total of 349 members of Parliament were eligible to vote in the presidential election. Six MPs did not cast their ballots, leaving 343 votes to be counted.All 343 votes cast were valid, with Fakhrul receiving roughly three-quarters of the total and Oli Ahmed securing the remainder.Under Bangladesh’s constitutional system, the president is elected by members of Parliament rather than through a direct popular vote.Voting begins with key officeholdersThe voting process began with Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Bir Bikram) casting his ballot. He was followed by Acting Speaker Barrister Kaisar Kamal and Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman.Fakhrul himself subsequently cast his vote.The sequence of voting underscored the importance of the election, with senior constitutional and political figures participating at the opening of the process.Two candidates in the raceThe election featured two candidates.The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) nominated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, one of the party’s senior leaders and a prominent figure in national politics.The opposing candidate was Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, nominated by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.Although Oli Ahmed contested the presidency, he was not among the parliamentary voters because presidential electors are members of Parliament.Article 70 and party disciplineBangladesh’s Constitution plays a central role in determining how MPs participate in parliamentary voting.Under Article 70, MPs elected on a party ticket cannot vote against their party’s decision without facing constitutional consequences. Independent MPs, however, are not bound by a party whip in the same way and may choose between presidential candidates.The provision therefore made parliamentary arithmetic and party positions particularly significant in this election.A historic contest after three decadesThe presidential election carried particular political significance because Bangladesh had not seen a contested presidential election for 35 years.The return of a two-candidate contest brought renewed public and political attention to an office that is largely constitutional in nature but remains one of the country’s highest state positions.Fakhrul’s victory, with 255 votes against Oli Ahmed’s 88, demonstrated a clear parliamentary majority in favour of the BNP nominee.A new chapter for Mirza FakhrulFor Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the election marks a major transition from a long career in party politics to the country’s highest constitutional office.As president, he will be expected to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the office by the Constitution, uphold constitutional continuity and perform a range of important state functions.His election also signals a new phase in Bangladesh’s political landscape, with the country entering a period in which the presidency will be occupied by a veteran political figure who has spent decades at the centre of national politics.After the results were announced, MPs congratulated Fakhrul. Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman rose from his seat to shake hands with the newly elected president, while other senior political leaders also extended their congratulations.After 35 years, Bangladesh has witnessed a contested presidential election inside Parliament. With 255 votes, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emerged as the country’s 23rd president—beginning a new chapter in the nation’s constitutional and political history.

MM Rahmatullah: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said halal food culture and its underlying values can emerge as a major economic asset and source of strength not only for the Muslim world but for humanity as a whole.He made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “Think Halal, Grow Global”, organised by the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka at a city hotel.The minister said the halal sector should no longer be viewed solely through a religious or cultural lens. Its development, he noted, is increasingly connected with the global economy, consumer welfare, investment and international trade.“There is a huge global market for halal food, and both consumers and investors are ready to explore the potential of this sector,” Swapon said.He stressed the need for Bangladesh to take advantage of the growing international demand for halal products by bringing entrepreneurs, investors, traders and relevant institutions together under a coordinated strategy.According to the minister, Bangladesh and Malaysia are well positioned to cooperate in expanding the halal industry because of their shared religious, social and cultural values.“Both countries can jointly play an important role in developing the halal industry and expanding its scope in the global market by utilising their common values, culture and experience,” he said.Swapon emphasised that creating a strong halal economy would require more than simply producing halal goods. Investors and businesses, he said, need accurate information, practical knowledge, clear concepts and appropriate business models.“The proper ideas, information, knowledge and specific business structures must be created for investors,” he said, adding that combining knowledge with sound business strategies could have a positive impact on the market and increase the acceptance of halal products among ordinary consumers.The minister also highlighted the broader economic opportunities associated with the sector. A growing global market for halal food means Bangladesh can potentially expand production, attract investment, create employment and increase its participation in international trade if the country can develop competitive halal products and appropriate certification and business systems.Referring to the recent visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to Malaysia, Swapon described Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s welcome to the Bangladeshi premier in Kuala Lumpur as a reflection of the deep friendship between the two countries.He expressed gratitude to the Malaysian government and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh.Swapon said Bangladesh-Malaysia relations extend beyond formal diplomatic contacts. The relationship, he added, is strengthened by shared values, people-to-people connections and mutual cooperation.Against this backdrop, he identified the halal industry as a promising new area for economic and diplomatic cooperation between Bangladesh and Malaysia.The seminar brought together leading businessmen, investors, entrepreneurs and representatives of relevant sectors from both countries, creating an opportunity to discuss the prospects and challenges of the rapidly expanding halal market.Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman and Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Anwar Shahid also addressed the seminar.The discussions focused on the growing international demand for halal products and the scope for stronger Bangladesh-Malaysia cooperation in developing the sector.For Bangladesh, the message from the seminar was clear: halal products represent not only a matter of faith and culture but also a potentially significant business and development opportunity. With appropriate knowledge, investment, standards and international cooperation, the sector could open new doors for Bangladeshi businesses in the global marketplace.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has discussed expanding employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers, particularly skilled and semi-skilled professionals, in Qatar.The issue came up during a meeting between Khalilur and Qatar's Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri in Doha during the Bangladesh foreign minister's official visit, according to a press release received on Wednesday.During the meeting, the two ministers discussed issues of mutual interest, with particular focus on labour cooperation, workers' welfare and protection, and prospects for creating greater employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in the Qatari labour market.Al Marri commended the valuable contribution of Bangladeshi workers to Qatar's economy and development.The two sides also expressed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the labour and manpower sector.

Special Correspondent: A foreign trip by student leaders is often judged by photographs, meetings and ceremonial exchanges. But at the University of Dhaka, the more important test is increasingly simple: what did students actually get out of it?That question is drawing fresh attention as Chinese companies are reportedly taking part in a recruitment programme at the university's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), an initiative that Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) says is linked to the opportunities created during its recent China engagement.According to information provided for this report, around 30 Chinese companies are participating in the TSC recruitment programme, with opportunities for hundreds of students. The DUCSU side has said that 430 students are expected to receive job opportunities, including positions with salaries that, in some cases, may exceed Tk100,000 a month.The figures and employment outcomes should, however, be independently verified against the participating companies' recruitment lists and appointment records. At the time of writing, publicly available reports reviewed by this newspaper do not independently establish the full figure of 430 appointments.In May, a 15-member DUCSU delegation led by Vice-President Abu Sadiq Kayem travelled to China at the invitation of the Chinese Embassy. Contemporary reports confirmed that the delegation was scheduled to visit Chinese universities, student organisations, educational and research institutions, science and technology centres and economic institutions.The delegation's agenda was broader than a conventional political or cultural tour. Discussions reportedly included education, research, technology, skills development, youth cooperation and international engagement.During the visit, the delegation also held discussions with the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, where issues including technology and innovation, waste management, recycling, environmental awareness, youth development, social service and international cooperation were discussed.The Bangladesh-China Youth Student Association also reported a meeting with the DUCSU delegation in Beijing.For students, however, the most consequential part of the visit may be the attempt to connect Chinese businesses with young Bangladeshi graduates.The significance of the current TSC programme lies precisely here.A student delegation visiting another country is not, by itself, an achievement. Its value becomes much easier to demonstrate when conversations held abroad eventually translate into internships, employment, scholarships, academic partnerships or other opportunities that students can actually access.If the reported recruitment numbers are confirmed, the TSC programme would provide a concrete example of such a transition: a student-union delegation going abroad, meeting businesses and institutions, and subsequently bringing employers to the university campus.That model could be particularly important in a country where educated young people face intense competition for limited employment opportunities.The contrast with public-sector recruitment is also obvious. Government jobs remain highly sought after because of their perceived stability and benefits, while competition for a relatively small number of posts can involve thousands of applicants. A private-sector position with a strong salary package can therefore be highly attractive to a fresh graduate.But there is an important distinction: a recruitment fair is not the same thing as 430 confirmed jobs. Students submitting CVs, receiving interview calls and receiving conditional offers are different stages of recruitment. The final number of appointments, salaries, positions and employment locations will determine the programme's actual impact.Employment is only one part of the claimed outcome of the China engagement.DUCSU's China programme also focused on academic and institutional cooperation. The delegation's announced itinerary included meetings with universities and research institutions, while discussions reportedly covered education, research and skills development.Such cooperation could potentially produce student exchanges, scholarships, research collaboration, language programmes and cultural exchanges between Chinese institutions and the University of Dhaka.There is already a broader Bangladesh-China push in this direction. In February, Bangladesh and China discussed expanding cooperation in education, technology and Chinese-language training, with officials saying thousands of students could benefit from technical and language education linked to employment opportunities.The challenge for DUCSU now is to turn broad understandings into written agreements, scholarship numbers, exchange programmes and measurable beneficiaries.The China visit by DUCSU also acquired a political dimension because a separate delegation involving BNP and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders travelled to China soon afterwards.Reports said a 20-member BNP youth delegation, including current and former Jubo Dal leaders, was scheduled to visit China from June 4 to 14 under an invitation for training and experience exchange.The two visits should not automatically be treated as identical exercises.DUCSU is an elected student body representing students of the University of Dhaka, while the other delegation was a political/youth delegation involving BNP, Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal representatives. Their mandates, objectives and responsibilities were therefore different.It would consequently be unfair to conclude that one trip was a success and the other a failure merely because one has generated a visible campus programme.At the same time, public accountability demands that both kinds of delegation explain what they achieved.If public money was spent on a foreign trip, taxpayers and citizens have a legitimate right to know the purpose, cost, meetings held and measurable outcomes. If the trip was funded or facilitated by a foreign government or institution, that should also be clearly disclosed.The most interesting development may therefore be less about China and more about what students expect from their representatives.For decades, student politics in Bangladesh has often been associated with demonstrations, factional conflict and campus influence. A different model is emerging in which student representatives are expected to work on employability, scholarships, skills, international exchanges and direct links with employers.DUCSU had already moved in this direction by organising the Youth Employability Summit 2026 with Skill Jobs, bringing students together with corporate leaders, HR professionals and policymakers and offering activities such as CV collection, networking and mock interviews.The China-linked recruitment initiative, if its reported results are verified, would take that approach a step further.The ultimate measure, however, will not be the number of companies standing inside TSC, the number of CVs collected or the photographs from Beijing.It will be how many students actually receive jobs, how many remain employed after six months or one year, what salaries they receive, how many scholarships are secured, and whether university-to-university partnerships produce lasting opportunities.For an ordinary university student, the question is straightforward: Can student leaders make life better beyond slogans and politics?If a China visit can lead to genuine employment, scholarships, academic exchanges and international exposure, then such engagement has a clear practical value.But the same standard must apply to every student organisation and every foreign trip.The public deserves accounts of expenditure. Students deserve transparent recruitment information. Companies should disclose the positions and remuneration they offer. And university authorities should make public any formal agreements resulting from international engagements.If 430 students really do secure employment through opportunities developed from DUCSU's China engagement, it will be a notable achievement—not because of the political identity of the organisers, but because hundreds of young people would have moved one step closer to earning a living through a transparent, competitive recruitment process.That is the kind of success student politics should ultimately be judged by: not by how impressive a delegation looks abroad, but by what changes when its members return home.