After assuming his new responsibility, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi spoke with a sense of self-doubt. He expressed concern about whether he was sufficiently qualified for such a major responsibility and whether he would be able to discharge it properly. At first glance, his remarks might be interpreted as an admission of inadequacy. Yet, when viewed against the backdrop of his nearly four-decade-long political career, his words can be understood differently: as an indication of a mindset that places greater importance on the responsibility than on the position itself.

Rizvi’s political journey is not a story of sudden elevation or politics pursued during convenient times. Its roots lie in the turbulent period of Bangladesh’s anti-autocracy student movement.

Rizvi became involved in politics during his student years. At the University of Rajshahi, he served as the publicity secretary and later as the general secretary of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. During the 1980s, when students across the country were taking to the streets against the military rule of H. M. Ershad, Rizvi was also actively involved in the movement. He was seriously injured by police gunfire during the protests. A bullet struck his spine, leaving him with permanent physical complications. The injury remained with him for many years.

Yet the physical setback did not bring his political journey to an end.

In 1989, Rizvi was elected Vice-President (VP) of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU). He served as the last elected VP of RUCSU for the 1989–90 term. At the time, the anti-Ershad movement was at its height. His transition from a university student leader to a recognised figure in the broader national movement was therefore a significant period marked by leadership, struggle and personal sacrifice.

His leadership role in student politics subsequently expanded. On June 16, 1992, he was elected president of the central committee of the Chhatra Dal through a vote at the organisation’s central council. He later took on leadership responsibilities in the Jubo Dal and gradually became an important figure in the central politics of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

One of the most difficult phases of Rizvi’s political career began after the BNP spent a prolonged period out of power. During the Awami League government, the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan frequently became the centre of political tensions, police operations, arrests and legal cases. Rizvi spent extended periods at the party office during those turbulent times. Through announcing party programmes, holding press conferences, issuing statements and communicating the party’s political positions, he gradually became one of the BNP’s most visible public faces.

According to party leaders, more than 180 cases were filed against him during that period. On November 30, 2013, he was arrested by the Detective Branch of police from the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan. In subsequent years, he also faced arrests, detention and remand in connection with various cases. During the prolonged political confrontation, legal cases and arrests became recurring features of his political life.

Although he did not serve as a member of parliament or hold a powerful government position, Rizvi remained at the forefront of the BNP’s organisational politics. His continued presence at the party office during periods of crisis, regular communication with the media and role in announcing political programmes helped establish him as one of the BNP’s principal spokespersons.

At the BNP’s sixth national council in 2016, Rizvi was elected Senior Joint Secretary General. He held the position for nearly a decade. After the BNP formed the government in 2026, he was also appointed as an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. On August 15, he was inducted into the BNP’s highest policymaking body, the National Standing Committee.

Just five days later, on August 20, 2026, following Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s election as President, the BNP nominated Ruhul Kabir Rizvi as the party’s Acting Secretary General. His appointment took effect immediately under Clause 7(b)(6) of the BNP constitution.

Against this background, Rizvi’s expression of self-doubt after assuming the new responsibility can be viewed in the context of his long political journey. From being wounded by gunfire during the anti-autocracy movement and serving as RUCSU vice-president to leading the central Chhatra Dal, facing cases, arrests and detention during years of political opposition, and maintaining the party’s activities from its central office—each chapter has played a significant role in shaping his political career.

As a longtime friend and political associate, BNP Rajshahi Divisional Organising Secretary Syed Shaheen Shawkat believes that each difficult test in Rizvi’s political life has further demonstrated his resilience, sacrifice and sense of responsibility. According to him, throughout the long journey from student politics to national politics, Rizvi has established himself as a committed and steadfast political figure.

From bullets to prison, from RUCSU vice-president to central Chhatra Dal leadership, and from the party office in Nayapaltan to the BNP’s highest policymaking forum—Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has reached his present position by passing through one chapter of political struggle after another.

He may therefore continue to question whether he is fully qualified for the responsibility he has now assumed. But the answer to that question lies not merely in his own words. It can also be found in the history of his long political journey, his struggles, sacrifices and record of shouldering responsibility.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar.The newly elected president arrived at the memorial at 10am and laid a floral wreath at the altar in honour of the martyrs. He then stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect. During the ceremony, a smartly turned-out contingent of the three armed forces presented a state salute, while a bugle played the Last Post.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim and other senior military officials were present.

Earlier upon his arrival, the president exchanged greetings with the state minister, the chiefs of the three services and other officials present.

After the formal ceremony, President Mirza Fakhrul signed the visitors’ book and planted a sapling on the memorial premises before leaving the site.

Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha, a prominent young political leader who has long been a familiar figure in Bangladesh’s political arena, has entered the cabinet with a new responsibility. On Friday, August 21, 2026, he was sworn in as a member of the cabinet at Bangabhaban. He has also been assigned charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Partha’s inclusion in the cabinet marks a significant new chapter in the political career of the chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) and Member of Parliament for Bhola-1.

Andalib Rahman Partha is widely known for his logical, articulate and outspoken speeches. His statements have earned him considerable popularity, particularly among younger generations. His professional experience as a barrister has strengthened the analytical and argumentative aspects of his political discourse. He has also played an active role in parliamentary affairs. In June 2026, he was appointed chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, a position widely regarded as recognition of his experience in legal and parliamentary matters.

Partha was born on April 20, 1974. He began his professional career as a barrister and earned his Bar-at-Law degree from Lincoln’s Inn in London. Alongside his legal career, he has remained actively involved in politics for many years. Following the death of his father, Najiur Rahman Manzur, in 2008, he assumed the leadership of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party.

Partha’s political identity is deeply connected to his family’s political legacy. His father, Najiur Rahman Manzur, was an influential political leader from Bhola. His contribution to the politics and development of Bhola has long been remembered locally. Carrying forward his father’s political legacy, Andalib Rahman Partha has sought to strengthen his relationship with the people of Bhola. His long-standing involvement in the politics of the Bhola-1 constituency has made him a well-known figure among local residents.

One of the most notable features of Partha’s political career has been his emphasis on democracy, people’s rights and political accountability. At various times, his speeches have focused on political freedom, strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that the views of the people are given due importance. His willingness to articulate opposing views and his logical contributions to parliamentary debates have also drawn considerable attention throughout his political career.

His relationship with the people of Bhola is rooted in years of political engagement. Standing beside the poor, vulnerable and ordinary people has been an important part of his political activities. He has viewed addressing local problems, raising the concerns of constituents and maintaining direct communication with voters as integral parts of his political responsibilities.

Another aspect of Partha’s public image is his emphasis on family values. His sense of responsibility toward his mother and family, as well as his perceived sincerity toward ordinary people, is often highlighted by his close associates and political supporters. His political statements have reflected an aspiration to view politics not merely as a means of gaining power, but as a way to serve the people and contribute to the development of his constituency.

His new assignment at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will be an important test of his political and administrative abilities. The ministry is closely connected with issues such as the flow of information, media freedom, responsible journalism, the relationship between the state and the media, and ensuring that citizens receive accurate and timely information. The focus will now be on how effectively he can use his legal expertise, parliamentary experience and long political career to discharge these responsibilities.

Andalib Rahman Partha’s entry into the cabinet marks the beginning of a new chapter in his political journey. The expectations of the people of Bhola, the confidence of the younger generation and his long-standing engagement with democratic politics all make his new responsibility both a significant opportunity and a major challenge. Time will tell how successfully he can translate his political vision, legal knowledge and parliamentary experience into effective leadership at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) made GPS, or Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), mandatory for public transport vehicles from August 1, with the stated objectives of reducing road accidents, controlling reckless driving and bringing greater discipline to public transportation. However, the initiative has come under scrutiny from the outset over data security, additional costs, inadequate preparation and allegations of fraudulent certificates.

According to an investigation, at least 11 of the 27 VTS companies approved by BRTA are using foreign servers. The servers or IP addresses associated with these companies have been traced to countries including the United States, Singapore, India, Lithuania and Germany. This raises questions because Clause 5.05 of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC) VTS licensing guidelines reportedly prohibits licensed operators from carrying or transmitting international voice or data traffic.

The use of foreign infrastructure creates potential risks involving the storage and processing of real-time location data, travel histories, routes and timing information generated by a large number of vehicles in Bangladesh. Information technology experts warn that such data can potentially reveal an individual’s regular movements, residence, workplace and travel patterns. If such data is leaked or misused, it could create risks to personal safety, facilitate targeted crime and enable the profiling of the movements of important individuals.

Officials of the BTRC have acknowledged that the use of foreign servers by some VTS licensees has come to their attention. However, there is still no clear explanation as to how companies allegedly violating the licensing conditions were granted VTS licenses in the first place.

Questions Over GPS Device Pricing

The pricing of GPS devices has also raised concerns. While basic 4G vehicle tracking devices are available in the market for approximately Tk 400 to Tk 1,200, transport operators are reportedly being charged between Tk 3,000 and Tk 5,000 for similar devices by BRTA-approved vendors. In addition, vendors are charging monthly service fees of Tk 300 to Tk 400, or in some cases around Tk 3,500 annually.

There are approximately 1 million registered commercial vehicles in Bangladesh, including three-wheelers. If an average of Tk 4,000 is paid for each GPS device, the total installation cost would amount to approximately Tk 400 crore. At an average annual service charge of Tk 3,500 per vehicle, an additional Tk 350 crore would be required. This means the combined cost of the devices and one year of service could reach approximately Tk 750 crore.

Mandatory System Introduced Without Adequate Preparation

One of the most serious concerns relates to BRTA’s own preparedness. The list of VTS providers circulated to BRTA’s circle offices contains the phrase “Test API Connect” in the remarks column. However, there appears to be no clearly established infrastructure for collecting, storing and analyzing data from the different VTS providers, or for using that information effectively to improve road safety and traffic discipline.

Questions have also been raised about BRTA’s capacity to manage servers and ensure data security, including whether it has sufficient specialized personnel for these tasks.

In June, BRTA appointed Geo Planning for Advanced Development Limited (G-PAD) as a consultant for Tk 23 lakh to conduct a feasibility study and prepare a technical roadmap for the GPS project. The company’s principal areas of experience include drone surveying, GIS mapping and urban planning. Questions have nevertheless been raised about its previous experience in large-scale live GPS tracking, API security and fleet-management infrastructure.

G-PAD has said that it plans to submit a draft feasibility study by August 2026 and complete the overall consultancy work, including preparation of the Development Project Proposal (DPP), by October.

Allegations of Fake Certificates

Within days of the GPS system being introduced, allegations of fraudulent GPS certificates also emerged. An investigation found that fitness certificates for two buses had reportedly been renewed at the Mirpur BRTA office using certificates issued in the name of a VTS company that claimed it had not yet begun issuing any certificates.

BRTA officials have acknowledged that the absence of a digital certificate-verification system created an opportunity for fraud. Therefore, installing GPS devices alone is not sufficient; the entire process of certificate verification and data exchange must also be made digital, secure and independently verifiable.

Another weakness is the reported practice of vehicle owners purchasing only one month of VTS service to obtain or renew their fitness certificates. If the service is discontinued after the first month, BRTA may have no reliable way of knowing whether the vehicle’s GPS device remains active or where the vehicle is operating. This could undermine the fundamental objective of mandatory GPS tracking.

Will BRTA Learn From Its Past Failures?

BRTA’s previous experience with technology-driven projects has also raised concerns. In 2012, digital number plates incorporating RFID technology were introduced with promises of preventing vehicle theft and enabling real-time tracking. Although vehicle owners were charged several thousand taka for the system, questions have remained over whether the expected long-term services were actually delivered.

Similarly, in 2021, CCTV cameras and an Intelligent Traffic Management System were installed along the Dhaka–Chattogram highway at a reported cost of approximately Tk 152 crore. Although cameras were installed at 147 locations, a significant portion has reportedly become non-functional due to inadequate maintenance and problems connecting them to the central server.

GPS tracking can undoubtedly play an important role in improving road safety, controlling vehicle speeds and monitoring public transportation. But installing tracking devices without establishing a robust data-management and security framework could create new risks rather than solve existing problems.

BRTA must clearly define data ownership, server locations, encryption standards, access controls, audit mechanisms, cybersecurity monitoring, backup systems and disaster-recovery arrangements. It must also ensure transparency in device prices and service charges, establish clear criteria for selecting VTS providers and introduce real-time digital verification to prevent fraudulent certificates.

Otherwise, the GPS initiative could impose significant additional costs on transport operators while simultaneously exposing sensitive location data to security risks. To prevent a repeat of previous technology projects that failed to deliver their promised benefits, BRTA needs a realistic implementation plan, strong oversight, transparency and clear accountability before expanding the system nationwide.