In the inaugural session of the 13th Parliament, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram and minister for Liberation War Affairs, was elected Speaker, while State Minister for Land Kayser Kamal was chosen as Deputy Speaker.
[live_update time=”4:44 PM” title=”Parliament session adjourned until Sunday”]
The first session of the 13th National Parliament commenced on Thursday. The proceedings began at 11:05am with the recitation from the Holy Quran, notably with the speaker’s chair remaining vacant.
Later in the afternoon, the session was adjourned until 11am on Sunday.
Typically, the inaugural session of a new parliament begins under the chairmanship of the speaker or deputy speaker of the outgoing parliament, who then oversees the election of the new speaker and deputy speaker.
However, an exception to this established rule was made this time.
The deviation occurred as Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the speaker of the 12th National Parliament, resigned in September 2024 and has not been seen in public since.
Outgoing deputy speaker Shamsul Huq Tuku is currently in prison following his arrest in connection with a murder case.
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[live_update time=”3:40 PM” title=”Opposition walks out”]
Speaker Hafiz Uddin requested President Mohammed Shahabuddin to deliver his address to the House. Immediately following the invitation, MPs from the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11 party-alliance stood up in protest and walk out.
The lawmakers displayed placards featuring various slogans, including “No betrayal of July”. In response to the unrest, the speaker called upon everyone to remain calm.
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[live_update time=”3:00 PM” title=”Speaker announces adoption of condolence motion”]
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has officially announced the adoption of condolence motion in Jatiya Sangsad.
The declaration followed a detailed discussion in the House concerning former prime minister Khaleda Zia and the martyred July warriors.
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[live_update time=”2:40 PM” title=”Parliament discussed on Khaleda Zia and July martyrs”]
A discussion was held regarding the condolence motion for former prime minister Khaleda Zia. This was followed by a discussion focused on the martyred July fighters.
Members of Parliament Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nahid Islam, Zonayed Saki, and Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee participated in the discussion concerning the July warriors as part of the condolence motion.
Following the conclusion of speeches, the members of Parliament stood to observe one minute of silence in honour of those who lost their lives.
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[live_update time=”2:30 PM” title=”Yunus, Zubaida, and Zaima Rahman present in visitor’s gallery”]
Muhammad Yunus, former chief adviser, is present in the visitor’s gallery during the first session of 13th Jatiya Sangsad.
He is accompanied by Zubaida Rahman, the wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and their daughter, Zaima Rahman. Also in attendance is Syeda Sharmila Rahman, the wife of late Arafat Rahman Koko.
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[live_update time=”2:30 PM” title=”‘Khaleda Zia would have been the happiest today’”]
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said former prime minister Khaleda Zia would have been the happiest person to be present in Parliament today.
Addressing the House, the home minister noted that Khaleda Zia had successfully won every seat she contested throughout her political career. “Today, that ‘Mother of Democracy’ is not among us. However, she remains present within the hearts of the people,” he remarked, adding that she will continue to live on as an inspiration for democracy.
During his speech, the home minister also paid solemn tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the July uprising.
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[live_update time=”1:55 PM” title=”Condolence motion moved for Khaleda Zia, Khamenei and 31 MPs”]
A condolence motion was moved in the Jatiya Sangsad for several prominent figures, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia, former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, Pope Francis, and the former supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The motion also expressed grief over the passing of former president Badruddoza Chowdhury, Matia Chowdhury, and 31 other former members of Parliament.
However, Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, deputy Leader of the Opposition, described the motion as “one-sided.”
He demanded that the names of several other leaders, including Motiur Rahman Nizami, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, and Sharif Osman Hadi, be included in the condolence motion.
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[live_update time=”1:49 PM” title=”‘You are a valiant freedom fighter, you can do it’”]
Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, has congratulated the speaker and the deputy speaker.
He stated that today’s Parliament stands upon the blood shed during the July movement. He expressed his hope that the speaker would not differentiate between the treasury and opposition benches and expected to receive fair justice. Mentioning the presence of many young leaders, the Opposition Leader also described himself as a youth.
Addressing the speaker, Jamaat Ameer said, “You are a valiant freedom fighter. You can do it.” Shafiqur said he only expects justice from the speaker. He concluded his speech by saying, “We want justice.”
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[live_update time=”1:43 PM” title=”People looking towards this Parliament with great expectations: PM”]
Following the speaker’s address, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman delivered a welcome speech. He remarked that the current Parliament is the “Parliament of the people of Bangladesh” and stated that the citizens are looking towards this House with significant expectations.
Directing his comments to the speaker, the prime minister expressed the government’s intent to make the Parliament vibrant, emphasizing the speaker’s vital role in this process. He concluded by congratulating the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and pledging his full cooperation.
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[live_update time=”1:40 PM” title=”‘Bangladesh first should be our mantra'”]
The parliamentary session resumed shortly after 1:30pm on Thursday following the prayer break.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin declared that the people of Bangladesh are the “vigilant guardians of democracy,” and the parliament stands as its primary symbol. During his address, he also reminisced about the nation’s Liberation War.
The Speaker noted that while autocrats have emerged at various periods in history, the people of Bangladesh have consistently resisted. He highlighted that “fascists” were ousted during the July mass uprising and paid tribute to those who were martyred during the movement.
The speaker remarked that the public is eagerly observing the proceedings of the House. He expressed his expectation that both the government and the opposition would collaborate in the national interest.
To ensure his neutrality, the Speaker announced his resignation from his position on the BNP Standing Committee. He concluded by stating, “Bangladesh above all – let this be our mantra”
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[live_update time=”12:46 PM” title=”Azam Khan sworn in as new minister”]
Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani has announced the name of a new member of the cabinet. Ahmed Azam Khan, the Member of Parliament for the Tangail-8 constituency, was sworn in as a new minister on Thursday.
The oath of office was administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The ceremony took place around 12:45pm.
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[live_update time=”12:10 PM” title=”President administers oath to new speaker and deputy speaker”]
President Md Sahabuddin administered the oath of office to the newly elected Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal on Thursday.
[/live_update]
Read more: Hafiz Uddin elected speaker, Kayser Kamal deputy speaker
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after 12pm at the president’s office located within the National Parliament complex. Following the administration of the oath to the speaker, the president proceeded to swear in Deputy Speaker.
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[live_update time=”11:49 AM” title=”Kayser Kamal, deputy speaker of Parliament”]
Khandaker Mosharraf announced that only one nomination had been received for the post of deputy speaker. The nominee is Kayser Kamal, MP and state minister for land.
Read more: Expectations, promises test parliament
He said that Kayser Kamal has agreed to take on the responsibility. He then called upon MP Ruhul Quddus Talukder to place the proposal, which was supported by lawmaker Ashrafuldin.
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[live_update time=”11:40 AM” title=”Hafiz Uddin now the speaker of Parliament”]
Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has been elected as the speaker of the National Parliament.
Presiding over the session, Khandaker Mosharraf announced that only one nomination had been received for the post of speaker. The nominee was Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, a member of Parliament and a member of BNP Standing Committee.
The chairman informed the House that Major (retd) Hafiz had expressed his consent to assume the responsibility. Following this, the chairman called upon member of Parliament Nurul Islam to move the proposal.
The proposal was moved by Nurul Islam and seconded by Rokibul Islam. When the proposal was placed before the House, it was passed as the “Yes” prevailed.
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[live_update time=”11:33 AM” title=”Mosharraf expresses gratitude to PM and all MPs”]
Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain is presiding over the first session of the 13th National Parliament.
Conveying gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and all Members of Parliament, he expressed that he felt honoured to have the opportunity to serve.
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[live_update time=”11:27 AM” title=”Taher supports Mosharraf Hossain as chairman”]
Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, deputy leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Amir, supported the proposal of Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain’s name to preside over the session.
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[live_update time=”11:13 AM” title=”PM proposes Khandaker Mosharraf’s name to preside over”]
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has articulated a vision for a self-reliant Bangladesh, asserting that the primary goal of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is to ensure every family in the country becomes self-sufficient.
Addressing a parliamentary session shortly before 11:15am following a recitation from the Holy Quran, the prime minister called for national cooperation to achieve this objective. He remarked that there can be no disagreement or conflict regarding the mission to build a self-reliant nation.
During his speech, the prime minister paid solemn tribute to the martyrs of all movements and struggles since 1971. He expressed deep respect for former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Read more: PM proposes Khandaker Mosharraf’s name to preside over first session
He lauded Khaleda Zia’s lifelong struggle for democracy, highlighting her refusal to compromise with autocracy or fascism until her final days.
Emphasising his role as a representative of all citizens regardless of their political affiliations, the prime minister sought the support of all quarters to realise the government’s vision.
In the same session, Tarique proposed the name of Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain to preside over the proceedings. This proposal was met with full support from Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
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[live_update time=”11:6 AM” title=”Parliament session begins with speaker’s chair vacant”]
The first session of the 13th National Parliament commenced at 11:05am on Thursday with the recitation of the Holy Quran, while the Speaker’s chair remained vacant.
Traditionally, the first session of a new parliament is presided over by the speaker or deputy speaker of the outgoing parliament, under whose chairmanship the new speaker and deputy speaker are elected. This session, however, marks an exception to that established practice.
The deviation occurs as the apeaker of the 12th Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, resigned in September 2024 and has not been seen in public since. Meanwhile, the outgoing Deputy Speaker, Shamsul Haque Tuku, is currently in jail following his arrest in a murder case.
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