The National Consensus Commission on Thursday continued discussions on finalizing and implementing the July National Charter 2025.

The meeting, chaired by Vice-Chairman Prof. Ali Riaz, reviewed linguistic accuracy, analyzed political party feedback, and considered practical strategies for execution.

The Commission is expected to hold expert consultations next week before sending the finalized charter and recommendations to political parties for endorsement.

The Finance Division has approved the procurement of 220 vehicles—including 195 Mitsubishi Pajero QX-2427cc SUVs and 25 microbuses—for deputy commissioners’ offices and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) to ensure smooth functioning during the upcoming national elections in February.

Each SUV will cost Tk 1.69 crore, while each microbus is priced at Tk 52 lakh, bringing the total expenditure to over Tk 343 crore.

The approval comes with conditions: the new vehicles will be used as replacements, and the old ones must be declared unserviceable by BRTA inspectors before disposal.

Earlier, on August 21, a proposal was also placed for 280 vehicles, including 60 earmarked for ministers, advisers, state ministers, and deputy ministers of the next elected government. The Finance Division has now given its nod to that proposal as well.

Following the Chief Adviser’s directive, Bangladesh is dispatching emergency relief to Afghanistan after a devastating earthquake struck the country’s eastern region on September 1.

The aid package—set to be flown today (Friday) on a Bangladesh Air Force special aircraft—includes dry food, baby food, blankets, winter clothing, tents, drinking water, and essential medicines.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 2,200 people have been killed, over 3,000 severely injured, and at least 8,000 homes completely destroyed in the quake. Describing the disaster as a major humanitarian crisis, officials said the relief underscores Bangladesh’s commitment to standing by Afghanistan in this critical hour.

Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser, has inaugurated passport services at the Citizen Service Center in Gulshan.

According to Special Assistant Faez Ahmad Tayyeb, this marks the first time in Bangladesh that passport applications and renewals are being offered outside traditional passport offices — through citizen service hubs driven by private entrepreneurship.

By the end of this month, 10 pilot citizen service centers will be operational simultaneously in key areas including Gulshan-1, Uttara Sector 6, Nilkhet, Ramna, Mohammadpur, and Banasree. Already, centers in Gulshan-1, Uttara, and Nilkhet are fully functional.

Currently, the citizen service program is running pilot and learning operations with over 400 government services, spanning passport issuance, driving licenses, birth and death registration, national ID, and land record documentation — across government offices, upazila parishads, and district councils.

Plans are also underway to establish a National API Connectivity Hub through Citizen Service, integrating services from all government offices to provide a one-stop, hassle-free experience. This will be Bangladesh’s first-ever Citizen Service Connectivity Hub, consolidating essential public services under one platform.

Masud Alam, Deputy Police Commissioner of the Ramna Division, reported that several former law enforcement officers are committing robbery while impersonating members of the Detective Branch (DB) or other units. “Last night, based on confidential intelligence, seven fake DB members were arrested near Golap Shah Mazar while preparing for a robbery,” he said. The police recovered vehicles and equipment used in the planned crime. Alam noted that the suspects had previously carried out crimes under the guise of DB officers. The police are investigating the root of these impersonations and advised citizens to contact local police stations if they encounter suspicious incidents.

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday published the final gazette after redefining boundaries for 300 parliamentary seats. The changes include the addition of one seat in Gazipur (Gazipur-6) and the removal of one in Bagerhat (Bagerhat-4), with Morolganj and Sharankhola upazilas merged into Bagerhat-3.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Tauhid Hossain stated that BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarek Rahman is free to return to Bangladesh whenever he wishes. “So far, he has not applied for a passport or any travel documents at the Bangladesh mission in London,” Hossain said. He added that the government will take appropriate action if Tarek submits an application, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot act proactively on its own.

On election observation, the adviser mentioned that the European Union has expressed interest, but the Election Commission will decide on the matter. Regarding the positions of friendly nations and development partners on participatory elections, any comment at this stage would be speculative. Hossain also noted that India has previously received a single letter requesting the return of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; any further communication will be announced officially.

The court rejected bail petitions for Abdul Latif Siddiqui and journalist Manzurul Alam Panna in a terrorism-related case filed under Shahbagh Police jurisdiction.

The case stems from a disturbance at a “Roundtable 71” event organized by a group on August 28. Sixteen participants were detained, and SI Amirul Islam later filed the case under anti-terrorism laws, resulting in the arrest of the accused.

The 41st meeting of the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, approved draft policies in three key areas.

The approved drafts include the “2025 Renewable Energy-Based Commercial Power Production Policy” by the Power Division, the “2025 Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy” by the Posts & Telecommunications Division, and the “Third Amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunal) Ordinance, 2025” by the Law and Justice Division. Final approval will follow vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.

The High Court expressed its inability to hear Julius Caesar’s petition challenging the cancellation of his Dhaka University Vice President candidacy.

Caesar, originally assigned ballot number 26, faced allegations of ties with a banned student organization after the final candidate list was released. Following recommendations from the Election Commission, his candidacy and ballot number were removed. He filed the petition after receiving no response to a legal notice sent to the Chief Returning Officer.

The Asian Pacific Human Rights Organization (APHR) has called on ASEAN to take urgent action regarding the humanitarian crisis in Rohingya refugee camps.

In a statement in Dhaka, APHR thanked Bangladesh for sheltering Rohingyas and warned that the crisis threatens regional stability. The organization urged ASEAN to establish a dedicated humanitarian fund, as reduced international aid has heightened food insecurity among the refugees.

François Valériane, Chairperson of Transparency International’s International Board, says corruption continues in Bangladesh, but has decreased since the July political upheaval. Allegations against some advisors of the interim government remain under investigation.

Valériane emphasized that corruption undermines democracy, and attacks or harassment of media and civil society weaken accountability. TIB Executive Director Iftikharuzzaman added that post-August 5 banking reforms have curbed money laundering, though it has not been entirely eliminated.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has sent a letter to the Police Headquarters requesting Interpol red alerts against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

The notice relates to an ongoing case of plot fraud in the Purbachal New Town project. According to the ACC, both accused are abroad, and the court has issued warrants to ensure they are returned for trial. Investigations into illegal plot allocations began in December 2024, with allegations that they misused power for personal gain.

Drivers and workers of four long-distance bus companies have suspended services on the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar route demanding salary hikes, leaving passengers stranded.

Since Thursday morning, employees of Saudia, Purabi, Marsa, and Swadhin transport services have ceased operations, citing unpaid wages and rising living costs. The 36-hour strike is set to escalate if demands are not met. Meanwhile, local buses are providing “closed-door” services at higher fares, sparking passenger complaints.

In 2017, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina granted 900 acres of land in Mirsarai, Chattogram, free of cost to India’s Adani Group for a Special Economic Zone, during her meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Analysts argue this served India’s interests unilaterally while undermining Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Later, another 700 acres of farmland were acquired on Hasina’s assurance, without any written agreement. India established a jetty on the Bay of Bengal coast and began using the Maitree Bridge over the Feni River to transport goods to its northeastern states.
Local farmers lost their land, Indian workers dominated the project, and access restrictions fueled public outrage, which was suppressed by authorities. Critics described the project as “a slice of India inside Bangladesh,” warning it posed grave risks to national independence and security.
After Sheikh Hasina’s ouster on August 5, 2024, Indian personnel withdrew, and BEZA has since proposed canceling the project. A letter has been sent to India, but no response has been received.