The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has revoked the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) licenses of seven telecom companies, including Telebarta, Ranks Telecom, and Bangla Phone, for failing to renew their licenses after expiration. Announced on January 20, the cancellation renders any operations under these licenses illegal, as per the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act-2001. The companies have been instructed to return their original license certificates and settle any outstanding dues within 30 days to avoid further legal consequences.

The interim government has abolished the tax on marriage registration, as announced by Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul during a press briefing at the Ministry of Law on Tuesday, January 21. He called the tax unreasonable and confirmed its removal. Additionally, the term “virgin” on marriage forms has been replaced with “unmarried” to make it more respectful for women. Asif Nazrul emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing such issues and hinted at further reforms to improve the legal framework surrounding personal and societal matters.

Dr. Asif Nazrul, Legal, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Advisor, announced that over 2,500 ghost and politically motivated harassment cases across 25 districts will be withdrawn by February. These cases involve millions of accused individuals and include charges under laws like the Explosives Act and Arms Act. Additionally, all cases under the Cyber Security Act will be withdrawn, with efforts to start within seven days. The government also plans reforms to the Cyber Security Law and changes in the judge appointment process to ensure impartiality.

In the 2009 BDR mutiny case, over 200 accused were granted bail in the explosives case by a Dhaka court. These individuals were acquitted in the murder case or faced no appeals against them. The mutiny at Pilkhana led to 74 deaths, including 57 army officers, and resulted in separate murder and explosives cases. Delays in the explosives trial have hindered the release of 468 individuals. A reinvestigation commission has been formed to revisit the case, with a 90-day deadline.

At Jahangirnagar University, students detained a man in Nawab Faizunnesa Hall around 1 AM on January 18. Ashraful Alam Parvez, who entered disguised with a scarf and bindi, was taken to Arpa Khandaker Chandni’s room after attending the winter festival. Nearby students identified him, leading to his detention and eventual handover to Ashulia Police. Arpa claimed she helped him due to his lack of accommodation. Authorities plan disciplinary action against Arpa and have formed a probe committee.

The Public Administration Reform Commission’s proposal to divide Bangladesh into four provinces—Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Khulna—has sparked significant criticism. Experts argue that Bangladesh’s small geographical size, shared language, and cultural unity make such divisions unnecessary and counterproductive. They caution that creating provinces could lead to administrative inefficiencies, governance overlaps, and new conflicts instead of solving existing issues. Local governance experts suggest that strengthening local governments and empowering existing administrative divisions would be a more effective and less disruptive approach. By focusing on decentralization within the current structure, the government can bring services closer to the people without the risks and complexities associated with establishing provincial frameworks.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has requested the bank account details of 14 journalists, including Zulhas Alam of AP and Farid Hossain of UNB, along with their business account information. The BFIU has directed banks to provide these details within seven working days. This follows previous actions taken against journalists in recent months amid a broader investigation into corruption and misdeeds linked to the Awami League government.

The interim government is forming the “July Mass Uprising Directorate” to provide financial aid and rehabilitation for families of those killed and injured during the July-August 2024 protests. Eligible individuals will receive allowances and job opportunities based on defined criteria. The directorate’s policy draft includes categorization of injuries for aid distribution and committee formation for implementation. Pending approvals from relevant ministries, activities will commence soon. Additionally, the initiative faces mixed reactions over overlooked organizational upgrades.

After 7.5 years, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her elder son, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, emotionally reunited in London. Khaleda Zia, in need of advanced medical care, arrived at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday morning via a special air ambulance. She was welcomed by Tarique, daughter-in-law Zubaida Rahman, and BNP leaders. Khaleda, suffering from severe health issues, will undergo treatment at London Clinic and later Johns Hopkins Hospital in the USA. Her health has deteriorated since her 2018 imprisonment. Her return home may include performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.

Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has taken responsibility for the family of Felani Khatun, killed by BSF gunfire at the Fulbari border in Kurigram. He will support her siblings' education and employment. Felani was shot dead in 2011 by BSF member Amiya Ghosh, who was later acquitted in trials. Despite appeals, the case has not seen further progress since a postponed hearing in 2018.

Starting January 8, expatriate Bangladeshis will receive SMS notifications for e-passport delivery, a service previously available only within the country. This initiative aims to minimize inconvenience by notifying applicants when their passports are ready. Efforts are underway to clear a backlog of 197,000 Machine Readable Passports (MRPs), with 182,745 passports already dispatched to embassies within three weeks. To combat fraud and harassment, authorized agents will be appointed to assist applicants, reducing reliance on brokers. Additionally, steps are being taken to streamline passport services and improve the application process at various offices nationwide.