With decades of political and professional experience, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh. From his early involvement in left-wing student politics to his role as an organizer during the Liberation War, followed by a career in teaching, government service and mainstream politics, Fakhrul has traveled a long political journey before reaching the country’s highest constitutional office.The veteran politician was elected President through a direct vote by members of the National Parliament. Before taking up the presidency, the 78-year-old politician served as the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. He also served for many years as the Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Early Life and EducationMirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was born on January 26, 1948, in the Kalibari area of Thakurgaon district. His father, Mirza Ruhul Amin, was an influential leader of the Muslim League and a former member of the East Pakistan Provincial Council.Fakhrul completed his primary and secondary education in Thakurgaon before studying at Dhaka College. He later enrolled in the Department of Economics at the University of Dhaka.During his university years, he became involved in the left-wing East Pakistan Students Union. Amid the mass uprising against the Pakistani military regime in 1969, he was elected president of the organization’s University of Dhaka unit.He also briefly became associated with the National Awami Party (NAP) of veteran politician Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, marking an early step into national politics. Role During the Liberation WarThe mass uprising of 1969 eventually paved the way for Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971. During the war, Fakhrul emerged as an important organizer among left-wing activists and freedom fighters. He later took refuge in India.Following independence, he entered the teaching profession in 1972. He taught economics at Dhaka College and several other government colleges. At the same time, he served as a Deputy Director at the Directorate of Inspection and Audit as part of his government career.During the administration of President Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul served as the private secretary to then Deputy Prime Minister S. A. Bari. He also worked with the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO. From Government Service to Mainstream PoliticsFakhrul left government service in 1986 to pursue a full-time political career. Two years later, in 1988, he was elected chairman of Thakurgaon municipality as an independent candidate. The position is now known as mayor.He joined the BNP in the early 1990s, during a period of intense anti-autocracy protests against then President Hussain Muhammad Ershad. He gradually rose through the party’s organizational structure, serving as a member of the executive committee and later as Senior Joint Secretary General.He also served for years as vice-president and later president of the BNP-affiliated Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal. Parliamentary and Ministerial CareerMirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was first elected to Parliament in the 2001 general election. After the BNP formed the government, he was appointed State Minister for Agriculture. He later served as State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism.He was elected to Parliament for a second time from a constituency in Bogura in the 2018 general election. However, following the party’s decision, he did not take the oath as a member of Parliament. Five other BNP lawmakers were allowed to join Parliament, but they later resigned in 2022 following a party directive.Following the February 2026 general election, the BNP secured a two-thirds majority and formed the government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Fakhrul subsequently took charge of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. Longest-Serving BNP Secretary GeneralIn 2011, then BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia appointed Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the party’s Acting Secretary General. On March 30, 2016, he was given the position on a permanent basis.Fakhrul became the longest-serving Secretary General in the history of the BNP since the party was founded in 1978.His tenure as Secretary General coincided with one of the most challenging periods in the BNP’s history. The party faced prolonged political pressure, arrests and restrictions during the previous government’s long tenure. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was also imprisoned and later faced serious health problems.During this period, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman led the party from London. Fakhrul played a key role as one of the party’s senior frontline leaders, helping maintain the organization during a difficult political period. He was also imprisoned three times during his political career. Election as PresidentAfter a long career in politics, government and public service, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected the 23rd President of Bangladesh.Under the Constitution, he had to sever his formal relationship with the BNP after being elected President. An emotional ceremony was held to mark his departure from the party, with BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman also in attendance. Family LifeMirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s wife, Rahat Ara Begum, studied at the University of Calcutta and later worked for a private insurance company.The couple has two daughters, both of whom are involved in teaching and academia. Their elder daughter works as a postdoctoral fellow in Sydney, Australia, while their younger daughter teaches at an English-medium school in Dhaka. Political LegacyThroughout his long political career, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has earned a reputation as a moderate and courteous politician. Even political opponents, including members of rival political parties, have praised him personally.Following his election as President, political analysts, BNP leaders and politicians from different parties welcomed his appointment. They highlighted his long service to the party during difficult periods, as well as his inclusive political outlook and comparatively moderate approach.With experience spanning teaching, government service, local government, ministerial responsibilities and party politics, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir now begins a new chapter as Bangladesh’s 23rd President.

BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh, securing 255 votes. His rival, Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmed, the presidential candidate of the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, received 88 votes.The presidential election was held at the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday (August 20), marking the first such election in 35 years. Voting began shortly after 2:00 pm and ended at 5:00 pm.A total of 349 Members of Parliament were eligible to vote in the election. Of them, six MPs did not cast their ballots.Under Article 70 of the Constitution, MPs are not allowed to vote against their party's decision. However, independent MPs were free to vote for either of the two candidates.The voting began with Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad (Bir Bikram) casting his ballot, followed by Acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal and Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman. BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir subsequently cast his vote.The election was conducted by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Returning Officer A. M. M. Nasir Uddin.

A special bus service exclusively for women is set to begin operations in Dhaka on Tuesday, aiming to ensure safer, more comfortable and hassle-free travel for female passengers.The initiative has been taken by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) as part of the government’s election manifesto. The service, popularly known as the ‘Pink Bus’, will be operated by female drivers and female conductors.The initiative is expected to increase women’s participation in the public transport sector while providing female passengers with a safer and more comfortable commuting environment.According to BRTC sources, the official inauguration ceremony of the women’s bus service will be held at 10:00am Tuesday at the BRTC Dhaka Truck Depot premises in Tejgaon.Senior officials from relevant ministries and government departments are expected to attend the programme.Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam will attend the event as the chief guest. State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid and Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque will be present as special guests. BRTC Chairman Abdul Latif Molla will chair the programme.Thousands of women use public transport in Dhaka every day, including working women, students, job seekers and business professionals.However, women passengers have long faced various challenges on public transport, including overcrowding, shortage of seats, harassment, unwanted behaviour and safety concerns.Against this backdrop, the introduction of a dedicated bus service for women is being viewed as an important step towards creating a more women-friendly public transport system.The new BRTC service is expected to allow female passengers to travel in a relatively safer and more comfortable environment. It could particularly benefit working women and students who regularly commute to offices and educational institutions.The initiative could also create additional employment opportunities for women in the transport sector through the recruitment of female drivers and conductors.As the number of female drivers in public transportation remains relatively low, operating dedicated buses with women workers is being seen as a new step towards increasing women’s participation in the sector.The initiative may also pave the way for greater involvement of women in other areas of public transportation if the service proves successful.The announcement of the dedicated women’s bus service has already generated interest among female passengers, particularly working women and students. Many are keen to know the routes, schedules and operational details of the new service.The BRTC’s ‘Pink Bus’ service will officially begin its journey with Tuesday’s inauguration. Officials concerned believe that if the service can ensure regularity and reliability, it could become an important alternative mode of transportation for women in the capital.