OWSA Contributor

The massive profits coupled with a weak legal framework have drawn influential individuals with political connections into the sand mining business, making it dangerous for environmental activists and journalists to speak out.

The high-stakes meeting brought together 20 leaders from various political parties and organisations in two separate sessions, as Yunus sought to shore up support amid reports of internal tensions within his interim government and growing external pressure.

Beyond trade, both nations expressed keen interest in enhancing vocational training collaboration, with a specific focus on developing industry-aligned skills for Sri Lankan youth.

In Upper Kohistan, 98 out of 718 babies – roughly 13.65 per cent – were born underweight, making it the most affected district in the province. Kolai Palas followed with a 9.04 per cent rate (34 out of 376), while Upper Chitral recorded 76 such cases out of 1,212 births, translating to 6.27 per cent.

The army, which played a key role in ushering in the interim setup, has grown wary of Yunus's intentions.

The data collected from multiple panchayats in the region paints a sobering picture. In areas such as Dhangwan, Laharpur, and Boridand, over 40 per cent of farmers surveyed reported a drastic decrease in crop diversity in the past decade.

Anto Marcus, Secretary General of the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union, confirmed that the company failed to consult workers as mandated by their collective agreement.

China has grown into one of Bangladesh’s most significant economic partners. In FY 2023–24, Bangladesh imported goods worth $16.637 billion from China, accounting for 26.4 per cent of the country’s total imports, indicating the growing demand for Chinese products.