Government advisor Faozul Kabir Khan assured that disputes between BSc and diploma engineers would be resolved with neutrality. He emphasized that the government had already taken the demands seriously, making further protests unnecessary.
“A 14-member working group has been formed, including representatives from government and educational institutions, to bridge gaps between conflicting demands,” he said. The committee will hold meetings with protestors, engineers’ representatives, guardians, and relevant ministries to seek a balanced resolution.

A scheduled meeting between Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin and U.S. Acting Ambassador Tracy Ann Jacobson was canceled on Thursday following a student blockade near Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Agargaon. The meeting was set for 2 p.m. at the Election Commission office. However, around 11:30 a.m., students under the banner of "Krishibid Oikya Parishad" launched a blockade program, halting traffic in the area. The disruption prompted the cancellation of the meeting.

Bangladesh’s Advisory Council has approved the closure of three land ports and suspension of operational activities at one more, in a decision taken at its 40th meeting chaired by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The ports slated for closure are Chilahati (Nilphamari), Doulatganj (Chuadanga), and Tegamukh (Rangamati). Additionally, operations at Balla land port in Chunarughat, Habiganj, have been suspended until further notice.

Political analyst Badiul Alam Majumdar has called for a balanced electoral framework combining both proportional representation (PR) and constituency-based systems, stressing that each has its strengths and weaknesses.

He explained that while constituency-based elections ensure direct accountability between voters and their MPs, PR in the upper house would allow fairer distribution of seats based on vote share.

Majumdar cited the 2001 and 2008 elections as examples where disparities between vote shares and seat distribution produced skewed results. “PR in the upper house could correct these imbalances, while the constituency system ensures stability in governance,” he said.

He urged political parties to consider national interests above partisan gains when debating electoral reforms.

The Election Commission has unveiled a comprehensive 24-phase roadmap for the 13th National Parliamentary Elections. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed presented the plan, highlighting key milestones including the publication of three separate voter lists, with the final version to be released in November.

Each polling booth will accommodate around 600 male and 500 female voters, according to the plan. The commission aims to conclude law-and-order preparations at least 15 days before the election schedule is announced, which is expected 60 days prior to polling.

Ahmed also confirmed that constituency boundary hearings are being reviewed, with final decisions due by September 15 and official maps by September 30.

On the issue of surveillance, he noted that decisions on CCTV and body cameras rest with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Addressing challenges, he acknowledged disinformation and AI manipulation as growing threats, while stressing that the Commission’s priority is to ensure a secure environment where citizens can cast their votes with confidence.

The Election Commission (EC) has finalized the roadmap for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections. According to the plan, the official gazette on the demarcation of 300 constituencies will be published on September 15, followed by the release of the geographical maps on September 30.

September 14 is set as the deadline for the preliminary registration of new political parties, while the final notification will be issued on September 30. The Representation of the People Order (RPO) will be reviewed and forwarded to the Ministry of Law by August 31 for vetting.

The EC also aims to finalize the voter list by November 30 and ensure that ballots reach prison inmates two weeks prior to polling—granting prisoners voting rights for the first time. Dialogues with civil society, media, and stakeholders are scheduled to begin by late September.

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University students, who earlier enforced a blockade at Agargaon to press their three-point demand, withdrew the program after about an hour. Traffic movement has since returned to normal.
The students announced they will hold discussions with engineering student groups before declaring their next program. They also warned of tougher actions if their demands remain unmet.

Police have detained former minister Latif Siddique along with several others, including Awami League leaders, following tensions at an event organized by Munch 71.
The program, titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh”, was scheduled at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity. Dr. Kamal Hossain was invited as the chief guest but did not attend. According to police, the detainees are being taken to Shahbagh Police Station for questioning.

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has postponed all undergraduate exams scheduled between August 30 and September 18 due to the ongoing student unrest. The decision was announced in an emergency notice signed by the registrar on Wednesday.
The university stated that future exam schedules will be decided after discussions in the Academic Council. The move follows escalating protests by engineering students over their three-point demand, which on Wednesday led to clashes with police as students attempted to march toward the Jamuna River. All engineering universities across the country are observing a complete shutdown today.

Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain dismissed rumors that a mosque would be built on the site of the Chandranath temple, calling them “baseless.” He confirmed that the administration has instead taken steps to renovate and upgrade the temple.
Highlighting Bangladesh Railway’s recent allocation of land for one Hindu temple and two mosques in Khilkhet, Hossain described it as a “historic moment” for the interim government and a “powerful symbol of communal harmony.”
He added, “Bangladesh is a land of religious coexistence. Everyone will practice their faith freely without obstructing others.”

The tribunal has begun recording testimonies in the case of martyr Abu Said, who was killed during the July uprising. On Thursday, Tribunal-2 commenced proceedings, with Abu Said’s father expected to testify as the first witness.
Earlier, on August 6, the tribunal framed charges against 30 accused, including former Begum Rokeya University Vice-Chancellor Hasibur Rashid. Six arrested suspects were produced in court today, while 24, including the former VC, remain absconding. The court has appointed four state-funded lawyers to represent the fugitives.

Marking one year of Bangladesh’s Commission on Enforced Disappearances, rights group Fortify Rights has called for full accountability for all disappearances that occurred under Sheikh Hasina’s government, describing them as a hallmark of her “brutal authoritarian rule.”
In a statement, the group’s director John Quinley stressed that victims’ families and survivors must receive compensation. Fortify Rights interviewed 10 survivors, relatives of victims, and a lawyer, some of whom described being held at the infamous secret detention center known as “Aynaghar” before being released after Hasina’s ouster.
Many of the disappeared were members of opposition parties, particularly BNP and Jamaat. The commission has already registered over 1,800 cases of enforced disappearances, with hundreds still missing.

Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) have launched a blockade in Agargaon to press for the fulfillment of three key demands of agriculturists. The protest, organized under the banner of the Krishibid Oikya Parishad, began at 10 a.m. today.
The students’ demands include:

Ensuring that the 10th-grade positions in DAE, BADC, and other research institutions remain reserved exclusively for agriculturists.

Removing any provision for promotion to the 9th grade without clearing recruitment examinations.

Issuing a government order barring non-agriculture graduates from using the title “Krishibid” (agriculturist).
The protest follows demonstrations earlier this week over attacks on engineering students.

Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport is grappling with a staggering Tk 2,126 crore in unpaid dues owed by six domestic and international airlines. Among them, three carriers have already shut down operations without clearing their liabilities.

According to airport authorities, Regent Airways alone owes Tk 252.56 crore, while United Airways has an outstanding Tk 54.96 crore and GMG Airlines Tk 29.30 crore. All three airlines ceased operations without settling their accounts.

Among the active carriers, US-Bangla Airlines owes Tk 2.38 crore and Novoair Tk 1.20 crore. The largest single debtor, however, is the state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines, with a massive outstanding of Tk 1,786.96 crore.

Despite repeated official reminders and correspondence, authorities say little progress has been made in recovering the dues.

Over the past 25 years, 15 airlines have pulled out of Shah Amanat International Airport. Today, only two foreign airlines continue operations from Chattogram. Industry insiders blame the exodus on poor facilities, inadequate services, and lack of passenger-friendly amenities, which have discouraged international airlines from maintaining their routes through the airport.

The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) election, initially postponed to September 28, has been rescheduled again to September 25 to accommodate Hindu students’ Durga Puja festivities.
According to the new schedule:

Nomination papers distribution ends on August 31

Submission on September 1–4 and 7

Scrutiny on September 8–9

Preliminary candidate list on September 11

Appeals and objections resolved by September 14

Final candidate list published on September 16

Voting and results on September 25