The BNP issued a call for a 48-hour nationwide ‘hartal’ (general strike) to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s “illegal government.” The BNP decided to boycott the general election under former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia, advocating for an interim non-party, neutral government to oversee the election. The second day of the strike coincides with tomorrow’s election, which has already garnered global attention.
BNP Joint Senior Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programs in a virtual press briefing, stating that the hartal will begin at 6 am (local time) today and end at 6 am (local time) on Monday. The Liberal Democratic Party also announced a 48-hour strike for the same reason. This will be the fifth spell of hartals by the BNP and like-minded parties since October 29. Opposition parties implemented nationwide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases over the period.
Bangladesh’s BNP leader has urged people to boycott the upcoming one-sided election, citing potential trouble in the country. The 12-party alliance marched in the capital’s Paltan area, distributing anti-poll leaflets and holding a rally in front of the National Press Club. BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan criticized the Awami League government for cheating the people and said it would have to step down
. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina urged people to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming election to prove democracy prevails in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina’s final campaign speech before the January 7 national election to form the country’s 12th parliament was televised.
Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has announced her intention to seek another five-year term in office to ensure sustainable development, improve living standards, and build a smart, developed Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty. She cited Sunkanta Bhattacharya’s poem Udayachal as a reference.
During her three consecutive terms, Bangladesh has maintained a democratic trend and stability, focusing on building a welfare-oriented society based on equality and justice. Hasina believes that if she can form the government again, she can continue implementing her programs and improve living conditions.
Large Protest by Bangladesh Nationalist Party Causes Stir in Dhaka's Paltan District
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has staged a massive protest in Dhaka’s Paltan area ahead of the general elections scheduled for January 7. Protestors chanted slogans in Bengali, highlighting that elections are not mere child’s play.
Portfolio Design
My portfolio design services acts as a bridge between strategic allocation theory and real-world implementation. It brings flexibility in scope (asset class level or full SAA), a collaborative working style, and the advantage of ongoing specialist input.
Strategic
Practical
Collaborative
Global Overview
My portfolio solutions services help investors design portfolios tailored to their specific circumstances and objectives.
The approach combines quantitative and qualitative methods with implementation planning.
Investors are supported by associate strategists and asset class specialists at every stage.
| Focus Area | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Tailored Objectives | Portfolio design aligned to specific funding goals, risk tolerance, and constraints. |
| Blended Methods | Quantitative modelling plus qualitative judgement for robust, real-world decisions. |
| Specialist Support | Associate strategists and asset class specialists embedded through the process. |
From Theory to Practice
Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) is essential but often leaves a gap between theory and real-world results.
My portfolio design advisory services aim to bridge this implementation gap.
Investors use these services in two main ways:
- Asset class/sub-group level (e.g., Equities, Growth Portfolio, Absolute Return Portfolio), often tied to manager selection.
- Granular portfolio design with SAA review, aligning top-level allocation with detailed structuring.
| Mode | Best For | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Asset Class Level | Refining a specific sleeve such as Equities or Absolute Return. | Clear mandate design and manager selection alignment. |
| Granular + SAA Review | Top-down to bottom-up consistency across the whole portfolio. | Integrated structure that links strategic targets to implementable building blocks. |
Working with Clients
Services act as an extension of the client’s team.
Recommended working group format:
- I provide structure and analysis.
- Client maintains control of the decision-making process.
I recognise that implementation varies by asset class and evolves over time.
| Step | Your Role | My Role |
|---|---|---|
| Define Objectives | Set targets, constraints, and timelines. | Translate into measurable design criteria. |
| Design & Analysis | Provide input and preferences. | Structure, model, and stress-test options. |
| Implementation | Approve direction and pace. | Plan for managers, mandates, and execution. |
Latest Market Musings
Gold at $4K - What Next?
Gold often features in my portfolio considerations, but the key question now is whether I’ll be adding to that exposure at these levels.
Madrid and Dubai Property Bubble Warnings Sounded by UBS
Every year I make a point of looking at UBS’s Global Real Estate Bubble Index. Real estate isn’t a sector I invest in directly — it’s not my special...
Why I'm Looking at Swiss Pharma as This Equity Rally Broadens
The past six months have been all about US tech. The S&P 500 has soared to record highs since April, up more than 12% this year, with AI-d...
SOL Rebranding: Hype Risks Outpacing Business Reality
I want to flag something that's bugging me, because I'm seeing a pattern emerge; one that looks eerily familiar if you were around in the dot-...