In its 39th meeting, the Advisory Council approved the final draft of the ‘Revenue Policy and Revenue Management (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025’. The meeting also approved the draft agreement for reciprocal visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Updates on the implementation of reform commission recommendations were also presented to the council.

Advisor Rizwana Hasan has confirmed that national elections will take place in February. She emphasized that the recent removal of the President’s photographs from foreign missions is unrelated to the election schedule.

“The government sets the election date after careful consideration and consultation with political parties,” Rizwana said. Responding to claims by the NCP that elections would not occur in February, she added, “Everyone speaks from their own political stance. The government does not act based on anyone else’s statements. We have announced elections for February and remain committed to that timeline.”

Regarding the Jaflong stone extraction issue, Rizwana criticized those expressing concern for workers today, saying, “The same people once used dynamite for sand extraction, which resulted in the deaths of 65 to 80 workers. At that time, we did not see them expressing any sympathy.”

The interim government has formed a probe committee to investigate intelligence surveillance equipment purchased during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure—examining procurement sources, costs, and usage. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed that Special Assistant Faiz Ahmed Tayyeb will lead the inquiry.

A separate committee will investigate the purchase of lethal police weaponry under the previous administration. Alam added that the current government is focused on public welfare after what he described as the “misrule and brutality” of the previous regime.

He also reported fruitful discussions during the Chief Adviser’s Malaysia visit, which strengthened bilateral ties and secured agreement to provide Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia with equal social benefits as local workers.

Over the past year, the interim government has achieved savings of Tk 14,131.81 crore in the electricity and energy sectors through various cost-efficient initiatives.

Key savings include repealing the ‘Electricity and Energy Rapid Supply Increase Act, 2010’ and procuring 49 cargos of fuel at lower premiums through 23 agencies, saving Tk 302.7 million. A short-term contract signed on July 22 between Petrobangla and Oman-based OQ Trading Ltd. for importing 17 cargos of LNG is expected to save Tk 308.13 million.

Additional savings include Tk 2.4 million on explosives for stone crushing between April and June 2025. The government has also formed consortia with domestic and foreign commercial banks, increasing revenue by Tk 640.71 million through gas agreements with Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited and KAFCO.

Every polling station in the upcoming parliamentary election will be monitored using AI-powered body-worn cameras, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced.
The technology will allow deputy commissioners and police superintendents to monitor real-time situations remotely, enabling swift action if law and order deteriorates.
Currently, police have 10,000 body cams, with the government planning to purchase an additional 40,000 and train officers in their use. The move aims to ensure a peaceful, fair, and festive election.

Labour Affairs Adviser Sakhawat Hossain has raised alarming concerns about corruption and accountability in Bangladesh’s banking sector. Speaking on Sunday, he revealed that Tk 48,000 crore has been looted from 16 banks and 7 financial institutions—half of it from Janata Bank alone.
“Have you ever heard of a central bank governor fleeing? We can’t even find three of them. Even the so-called ‘poor man’s governor’ has fled,” Hossain said. He admitted that the interim government has been unable to prosecute those involved in money laundering and other financial crimes, questioning whether an elected government would fare better. However, he noted a positive shift: “No one is disappearing anymore; at worst, they are called accomplices of fascism. Isn’t that a change?”

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, the government plans to purchase 40,000 body cameras for police officers. The proposal was discussed at a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Sunday. Special Assistant Foyez Ahmed Taiyeb said the procurement process is in its final stage, with discussions held with companies from Germany, China, and Thailand. The devices will be used to monitor security at high-risk polling stations, and police officers and constables will wear them during election duty. An “Election App” is also being planned for the upcoming polls.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus announced that the second phase of the interim government commenced after the formal government notification to the Election Commission (EC) to prepare for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The statement came after a council meeting at the newly constructed Secretariat building. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the news following the session. Regular meetings are also being held at the Jamuna Secretariat.

To address rising energy demands, the interim government has approved the import of 50,000 metric tons of gasoline. It also granted policy approval for purchasing a small research vessel, a pontoon jetty, gangway, and two speedboats to bolster maritime research.

These decisions were made during the 24th meeting of the Advisory Committee, chaired by the Finance Advisor. Other approved proposals include:

A ropeway project in India under the conversion of wet to dry cement processing.

Two sea and ship-related proposals from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Procurement of 400,000 metric tons of rice under urgent public interest, with reduced tender deadlines.

The Office of the Chief Advisor has officially instructed the Election Commission to complete all necessary preparations to hold the next national parliamentary elections before the beginning of Ramadan in February 2026. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the communication, stating that the letter formalizes the government’s request to the EC to organize a free, fair, peaceful, and festive national election during the specified timeframe.

The directive, signed by Chief Secretary to the Chief Advisor, M. Siraj Uddin Mia, was sent to the Chief Election Commissioner. This follows an earlier public address by the Chief Advisor where he had pledged to initiate the election process by February.

In his address, Dr. Yunus also expressed condolences for the victims of the Milestone College plane crash, which claimed the lives of several students and civilians. He thanked foreign medical teams for their assistance in treating the injured and prayed for the departed souls.

He reiterated his commitment to honoring July’s martyrs and survivors, and highlighted ongoing investigations into crimes against humanity under the former regime.

Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul remarked that although Sheikh Hasina may never face trial in person, her legacy of repression will live on in public memory as one of disgrace.

He condemned her government's human rights abuses, the militarization of the police, and likened their tactics to Israeli forces. Nazrul stressed that justice is being pursued through fair and internationally acceptable legal standards, despite risks to those involved in the transitional government.

In a nationwide address, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus announced that he would formally request the Chief Election Commissioner to organize national elections by February 2026, before the month of Ramadan.

Reflecting on the past year, Yunus said the July Uprising was a turning point that ended years of authoritarian rule. He paid tribute to the July martyrs, the wounded, and those permanently disabled during the uprising, pledging national gratitude and remembrance.

On the same day, Dr. Muhammad Yunus inspected the construction progress of the July Uprising Memorial Museum, currently being built inside the Ganabhaban premises. The museum aims to document the context, struggle, sacrifice, and eventual victory of the 2024 July Uprising.

Yunus engaged with engineers, architects, and workers, urging timely completion. Several senior advisors accompanied him during the site visit.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has revoked the official recognition of eight individuals who were previously listed as martyrs of the July Uprising. The notification did not provide any explanation for their removal. The delisted names include individuals from Tangail, Dhaka, Narsingdi, Narayanganj, Patuakhali, and Shariatpur.