The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Sunday that the “Special Security Guidelines 2025” for VIPs and distinguished individuals have been revoked. The decision follows recent controversy surrounding a directive that allegedly violated judicial protocols by undermining the Chief Justice’s authority. The High Court has summoned Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani of the Public Security Division to explain the directive on March 18. Additionally, the court has issued a suo moto rule questioning the legality of the canceled guidelines.

Students at Chittagong University staged a protest march demanding swift execution of rapists, particularly in light of the rape and murder of eight-year-old Achiya in Magura. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Who are you? Who am I? We are Achiya,” and “Justice! Justice! We want justice!” The demonstration concluded with a gathering at Zero Point, where student leaders demanded immediate legal action against rapists.

At an OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan strongly opposed Israel’s occupation plans in Gaza, calling them “completely unacceptable.” He stressed that the root cause of the crisis is Israeli occupation and called for international efforts to prevent further annexation of Palestinian territories. He also rejected any attempts to alter the historical and political status of Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem.

Home Adviser Jahangir Alam declared that rapists will find no refuge in Bangladesh. Referring to a recent case in Magura, he confirmed that all suspects have been arrested and will face maximum legal punishment. The government has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy on sexual violence, instructing law enforcement to take swift action against offenders. He also reaffirmed that banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir will not be allowed to operate politically under any circumstances.

Mozammel Haque Manik, a schoolteacher accused of raping a fifth-grade student, was physically assaulted by an enraged crowd while being taken to court in Thakurgaon on Sunday. He was later sent to jail. Meanwhile, students and locals staged a human chain protest in front of the District Commissioner’s office, demanding the harshest punishment. District Commissioner Ishrat Farzana assured that no loophole in the law would allow the perpetrator to escape justice.

In a statement on Sunday, Hefazat-e-Islam emphasized that Islam mandates public punishment for rapists. Quoting the Quran, they stated: “Let no pity deter you from carrying out the punishment in accordance with Allah’s command, and let a group of believers witness it” (Surah An-Nur, Ayah 2). They also referenced Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who sentenced a rapist to death. The statement called for the public execution of former RAB officer Alep Uddin, accused of raping a woman after threatening to kill her husband in a staged ‘crossfire’ incident. Hefazat blamed the rise in rape cases on a culture of impunity.

Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam has announced that the government will take a firm stance against all forms of mob justice. “The law is blind; it does not consider race, religion, gender, or status. Anyone involved in mob justice will be brought under legal action,” he stated following a meeting with the Chief Adviser. He also warned that any attempts to incite chaos, including surrounding police stations or triggering unrest, will be met with strict action.

The Election Commission (EC) will issue a public notice on Monday inviting applications for new political parties seeking registration ahead of the upcoming national election, confirmed Additional Secretary KM Ali. The commission has already approved the decision, and new parties can apply for registration until April 20. After the application deadline, the EC will review and verify submissions before granting registrations to eligible parties. Currently, 54 political parties are registered with the EC.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed astonishment over the decade-long delay in implementing the Saydabad Water Treatment Plant Phase-3 and the Meghna River conservation project. He criticized the lack of progress, stating that excessive groundwater extraction is posing severe environmental risks. Officials reported that nearly 70% of Dhaka’s water supply relies on groundwater, causing an annual drop of 2-3 meters in water levels. The Chief Adviser urged authorities to remove obstacles and minimize costs to expedite project completion.

Bangladeshi students gathered at the historic Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo for Iftar as part of its 1,085-year anniversary celebrations. The event attracted hundreds of Bangladeshi students alongside visitors from Bangladesh. SM Fakhrul Islam, president of the Bangladeshi student association 'Ittehad' in Egypt, attended the event with his family. He shared his experience of observing Ramadan abroad for the first time, missing the festive atmosphere of home but appreciating the opportunity to break fast with nearly 7,000 students from diverse backgrounds.

The High Court has instructed the Women and Child Repression Tribunal to conclude the trial of an 8-year-old child’s rape case in Magura within 180 days. The directive followed a petition presented by Barrister Mahsib Hossain, who highlighted concerns over the child's well-being. Additionally, the court ordered the removal of all social media images of the victim, warning that posting such content is a legal violation, and failure to comply would result in further legal action.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has warned that a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would cause an environmental catastrophe, leading to a severe water crisis in the Persian Gulf region within three days. He emphasized that water contamination levels would rise dramatically, affecting not just Qatar but also Kuwait, the UAE, and all Gulf nations. He cautioned that such an escalation would inevitably lead to a broader conflict that neither the region nor the world desires.

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory urging citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and security risks. The advisory specifically mentions Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as high-risk regions where militant groups remain active. It warns of potential attacks on transport hubs, shopping malls, military sites, airports, universities, and places of worship. Additionally, U.S. officials in Pakistan have been restricted from attending large public gatherings.

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Khurram Shehzad confirmed that China has extended a $2 billion loan to Pakistan to help stabilize its economy. According to a World Bank report published last December, China remains Pakistan's largest creditor, holding nearly $29 billion in loans. Reuters reported that after securing a $7 billion IMF bailout in September 2024, Pakistan has been striving to strengthen its financial position. If the initial phase of the loan review is successful, Pakistan is expected to receive an additional $1 billion.

Legal expert and advisor Asif Nazrul has proposed amendments to the Prevention of Women and Child Repression Act, emphasizing that rape cases should be investigated within 15 days and trials concluded within 90 days. He noted that frequent changes in investigation officers have delayed cases in the past. Under the proposed amendment, designated officers must complete investigations within the stipulated time, and failure to conclude a trial within 90 days will not be grounds for bail, unlike the current provision allowing bail after 180 days.