Family Cards, Rooppur and Hasina: Zahed’s Briefing at a Glance

In a Nutshell

• Zahed said Bangladesh has sent India a copy of the International Crimes Tribunal verdict against Sheikh Hasina, along with its extradition request, and continues to seek her return. However, he stressed that sending the verdict does not automatically secure extradition.
• Zahed ruled out a government initiative for reconciliation with the Awami League under the present conditions, alleging that the party has shown no remorse and continues to encourage violence. He said an apology alone does not automatically open reconciliation talks, while serious criminal offences remain matters for trial.
• The government has begun building a Family Card database, with a stated target of reaching 45 million women across 45 million households.
• District administrators have been instructed to list LPG dealers, track supplies, and investigate discrepancies. They have also been directed to take legal action against sales above the regulated price. Separately, consumer-rights authorities conducted 368 market inspections and fined 728 businesses Tk 41 lakh between October 1 and 11.
• Zahed reported that Rooppur’s first reactor achieved criticality at 3:34 pm on October 11, starting a self-sustaining nuclear reaction. He said electricity supply to the national grid is expected to begin in stages; however, the briefing did not announce the start of commercial generation.
• The Railway Ministry is pursuing an 81-kilometre Dhaka-Cumilla chord line, with a preliminary cost estimate of Tk 83,901 crore. The proposed route is expected to cut the Dhaka-Chattogram distance by 80 kilometres and travel time by 1.5–2 hours. Zahed said the fully elevated design still awaits a decision at the government’s highest level.
• The government has proposed a project for 60 daycare centres to support working parents. Approval-related documents for activities at 21 centres in the 2026-27 financial year have been forwarded; the briefing did not confirm that those centres are operating.
• The government is distributing VGF rice to fishing families during the October 8–29 hilsa ban. Zahed reported distributions of 587 tonnes in Dhaka division, 610 tonnes in Barishal and 1,175 tonnes in Chattogram.
• The government has decided to provide Sports Card holders with health services, life and risk insurance, and public-transport benefits. The prime minister has also directed an effort to establish at least 1,000 playing fields within two months, towards a wider goal of one in every union.
• Zahed said work is underway to strengthen the Press Council and amend its law to address alleged journalistic misconduct. He also said police are gradually regaining confidence after the August 2024 upheaval, while acknowledging that problems remain.