Following an armed attack in Pahalgam, India blamed Pakistan without presenting any concrete evidence and took steps like suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. In response, Pakistan’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution rejecting India’s allegations. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who presented the motion, said Pakistan is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression, whether it be “water terrorism” or military provocations.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus paid respects to the late Pope Francis upon arriving in Rome, where he was welcomed by Bangladesh’s ambassador to Italy and Vatican City. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Mazumdar noted that Pope Francis had been an admirer of Yunus’s work, particularly his “Three Zeros” vision. The Vatican had also collaborated with Yunus on launching the “Three Zero Initiative” in Rome.

Adviser Supradip Chakma emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of all communities and building a secular nation. Speaking at an event, he highlighted the government’s open-door policy for development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He stressed the need for economic progress and expanding coffee and cashew nut cultivation in the region, even bringing experts from the plains if needed. Supradip called for overcoming past grievances, like the Kaptai Dam displacement, and working toward shared prosperity.

Following media reports alleging lobbying-related misconduct by Moazzem Hossain, former APS to Adviser Asif Mahmud, discussions have surged on social media. In response, Asif Mahmud has urged the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the various accusations against Moazzem. Speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon at his official residence on Hare Road, Asif called for a transparent inquiry into the matter.

Hefazat-e-Islam organized a protest rally in Kishoreganj rejecting the Women’s Reform Commission’s proposals, calling them anti-Islamic. Speakers demanded immediate withdrawal of the proposals, warning of a nationwide uprising among devout Muslims. The rally concluded with a protest march through the town, starting and ending at the Shahidi Mosque.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced in Doha that Bangladesh plans to establish an onshore LNG terminal as soon as possible to ensure adequate gas imports for industries.
He said many factories have been stalled due to gas shortages. During the Chief Adviser’s visit to Qatar, discussions were held with Qatar Energy regarding this initiative.
He also noted that Bangladesh has reduced its external debt from $3.2 billion under the previous government to $600 million under the current administration.

Two houses belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba suspects Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh were destroyed in a blast in Kashmir on Thursday night.
Indian officials claim the two were involved in the Pehelgam attack, and that the explosion was caused by explosives stored inside their homes.
No immediate casualties have been reported. Thokar is considered one of the prime suspects, while Sheikh is also believed to be involved in planning the attack.

On World Intellectual Property Day 2025, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property and fostering innovation.
He praised this year’s theme, “IP & Music: Feel the Beat of IP,” as especially relevant for Bangladesh.
Highlighting music as a universal language that reflects cultural richness and diversity, he noted that from folk to modern songs, Bangladeshi artists continue to captivate the world.
He added that combining arts with technology would accelerate both cultural and economic development.

Poet and political thinker Farhad Mazhar stated that the post-uprising government has not met the people’s expectations.
He said the nation lacked a fully empowered government to fulfill the revolution’s goals, resulting in unfulfilled promises.
Expressing solidarity with Professor Yunus, Mazhar emphasized the urgent need to address safe drinking water as a top priority for the new administration and urged immediate action to protect water resources.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has arrived in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
According to sources, he will pay respects at St. Peter’s Square shortly after arriving in Italy. He is scheduled to attend the funeral on Saturday.
Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed that the Chief Adviser has no other meetings planned during his visit and is expected to return to Bangladesh on Sunday.

Inquilab Manch has commenced a ‘Martyrs’ Rally’ at Shahbagh, demanding justice for the July, Pilkhana, and Shapla Square massacres, and calling for a constitutional ban on the Awami League. The platform has presented four major demands:
1. Visible progress in prosecuting the July massacre within 100 days.
2. A constitutional ban on the Awami League via executive orders, court rulings, or political consensus.
3. Official recognition of the Shapla Square incident and formation of a UN-assisted investigative commission to identify the martyrs and initiate justice.
4. Publication and implementation of the full report of the Pilkhana massacre inquiry commission.

They also demand all political parties to include clear pledges for prosecuting the Awami League’s alleged mass killings in their election manifestos.

Mass protests have broken out across Pakistan, including in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in response to India’s threats following a recent gun attack in Pahalgam. Demonstrators condemned what they described as “unacceptable” threats from India, including calls to revoke the Indus Waters Treaty.

A businessman named Azmal Baloch stated, “If India wants war, let it come forward openly.” Protesters emphasized their anger over the threats, with Muhammad Wais declaring, “Water is our right, and by the will of Allah, we will reclaim it. Even if it means going to war, we will not back down.” Senior PPP leader Javed Mir warned, “If India makes the mistake of launching an attack, the people of Pakistani Kashmir will be on the frontlines. We are ready to die for Pakistan.”

Spain has cancelled a $7.5 million arms deal with Israeli firm IMI Systems due to pressure from left-wing coalition partners. The move comes after prior criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza, and follows a February deal to purchase 15 million rounds of ammunition, which the government has now scrapped.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the Pahalgam attack during a phone call with Indian PM Narendra Modi, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, while Islamabad has rejected the allegations as a “false flag operation.”

Chief Adviser Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus has left Qatar for the Vatican to attend Pope Francis’s funeral. He departed Doha at 12:25 PM Bangladesh time and is expected to arrive in Rome at 2:15 PM local time. The Bangladeshi ambassadors to Italy and the Vatican will receive him upon arrival.