Staff Correspondent, Dhaka Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Nahid Islam has urged archive officials to work on enhancing the capacity of the Bangladesh Film Archive. On Wednesday, the adviser visited the Bangladesh Film Archive in Agargaon. He highlighted the significant role played by the Bangladesh Film Archive in preserving information and documentaries related to the nation`s history, heritage, and culture. During the visit, he toured the projection hall, multipurpose hall, digital lab, film museum, film checking room, film vault, and library of the Bangladesh Film Archive.

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Wednesday said the main aim of the government is to establish a base for good democratic system. “Whatever we say-- reforms or election, our main goal is to establish a base for good democratic system,” he said while briefing reporters after the ECNEC meeting at the NEC conference room. Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting which approved some ten projects worth Tk4266 crore. He also said the only goal of the interim government should be transforming the country into a good governed and democratic one.

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka The next national election can be held in December of this year if the political parties want, but it would require cutting short on state reforms, the Chief Adviser`s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said today (7 January). "If they want more reforms, the election can be delayed by six months," he also said while addressing a discussion event at the auditorium of the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Dialogue organised the event titled "Political Orientation: Reforms and Elections". Speaking on the occasion, Alam said ousted premier Sheikh Hasina had established a monarchy in Bangladesh in the last 15 years. "Thousands of murals were built all over Bangladesh. This government got hold of a plane that was sure to crash," he said. Alam, however, stated that currently, reserves, the law-and-order situation, and commodity prices are all stable. "Managing expectations is the biggest challenge at this point." The press secretary also stated that the interim government has issued directives to agencies not to obstruct media freedom. Also speaking at the event, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman`s Adviser Mahadi Amin said, "There is no alternative to dialogues. Awami League`s fascism basically stood on the blood of the opposition forces. BNP was the most prominent [party] in this self-sacrifice. This effort of BNP was to create people`s ownership." Speaking about BNP`s stance on extortion allegations against its activists, he said, "BNP has a zero-tolerance position in the case of extortion. So far, more than 1,000 activists have been expelled from the party." He also alleged many people are misrepresenting the issue of BNP activists "reclaiming their property" as extortion. On state reforms, he said the BNP has been raising its voice for reforms for the last eight years and is working to that end. "Tarique Rahman already proposed a bicameral parliament in 2012."

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has proposed offering employment opportunities to 100 individuals injured during the July uprising. "This initiative aims to help the injured regain financial stability. While we cannot offer help everywhere to all those injured, we have submitted proposals and are advising that employment be arranged wherever feasible for those affected,” he said on Tuesday. The adviser was speaking to journalists after inspecting the Special Branch (SB) and the CID headquarters. Additionally, he addressed concerns about the previous government’s involvement in money laundering. "The biggest issue with the previous government was money laundering. They were the primary culprits," he said. When asked about the current government`s approach to money laundering, he said, "I have emphasised the need for swift action on this matter." On traffic congestion, the adviser said: "Resolving traffic congestion is not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, we have proposed a plan to involve 1,000 students in traffic control tasks. We will provide them with a minimum stipend. Initially, we aimed to involve 500 people, but we could not find enough available." Regarding progress in the past five months, he said: "You can judge for yourselves whether there has been any improvement compared to before. The police have started their work and are taking time to familiarise themselves with the roads. They are also encountering some issues with vehicles. We are addressing this matter with great importance." In response to questions about people fleeing after August 5, he said: "From August 5-6, there was no government in place. Many fled during that time, even crossing into neighbouring countries. At that moment, we were not in power. If anyone fled later, we will investigate the matter."

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Zainul Abedin Farroque urged the government to prioritize both reforms and the swift arrangement of elections and cautioned that delaying the elections could lead to significant harm. He said these on while speaking as the chief guest at an anti-aggression rally organized by the Bangladesh Labour Party in front of the National Press Club to mark Felani Killing Day on Tuesday. He said that conspiracies might be at play. He also called for the immediate announcement of the election schedule. Farroque said: "Immediately create an environment for elections, hold discussions with all political parties and announce the election date. Reforms can proceed simultaneously with the election process." He further said: "Through such an election, whichever party comes to power in Bangladesh, my leader Tarique Rahman has declared that all opposition parties will participate in the elections. It will be an election where no deceased individual will cast a vote, one that will be remembered for its fairness like the elections of 1991." Addressing the Indian government, Farroque said: "Handover Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. Prove that you believe in democracy." He also alleged that the Secretariat fire was part of a conspiracy by what he referred to as “Sheikh Hasina’s ghosts,” saying: “They sit in Bangladesh singing praises of Sheikh Hasina. The people of Bangladesh need to be clearly informed that Sheikh Hasina’s ghosts will no longer have a place in Bangladeshi politics. Therefore, today (recent time), Sheikh Hasina’s followers must be removed from all positions of power and expelled.” At the rally, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran also demanded immediate elections and blamed India’s authoritarian attitude for Felani’s death.