Faiz Ahmad Tayyab, special assistant to the chief adviser for posts, telecommunications and ICT in the interim government, has quietly left Bangladesh after formally completing his duties. In a verified Facebook post early Saturday, he said he departed for Germany via Dubai on February 14, citing financial losses and family emergencies as reasons for his travel. He stated that his official farewell took place on February 10 after completing election-related responsibilities and contributions to technology-based election management.

Responding to social media criticism, Tayyab expressed frustration over personal attacks and clarified that he left only after finishing his official duties. He said he suffered financial setbacks while serving the country and needed to find new employment. He added that his wife’s medical emergency and his son’s school meeting required his presence abroad, emphasizing that he had purchased a return ticket.

In his postscript, Tayyab claimed he had worked to bring transparency and new management practices to a ministry he described as corrupt, denied any involvement in corruption, and alleged that certain telecom business groups had spread falsehoods against him.

Twelve candidates lost their security deposits in four parliamentary constituencies of Jhenaidah following the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Election, according to the district returning office. A total of 21 candidates contested across the four constituencies. In Jhenaidah-1, BNP’s Md. Asaduzzaman won with 173,381 votes, while three of five candidates forfeited their deposits. In Jhenaidah-2, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ali Azam Md. Abu Bakar secured victory with 195,702 votes, and four of six candidates lost their deposits. In Jhenaidah-3, Jamaat’s Md. Matiar Rahman won with 175,857 votes, with two of four candidates losing deposits. In Jhenaidah-4, Jamaat’s Abu Talib won with 105,999 votes, and three of six candidates forfeited deposits.

According to the Election Commission’s circular, any candidate failing to secure one-eighth of the total valid votes cast in their constituency must forfeit their deposit. The forfeitures in Jhenaidah reflect this rule, as the affected candidates did not meet the required vote threshold.

The results highlight competitive races between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the district, with voter turnout ranging from 72.93% to 77.84% across the four constituencies.

The Pakistan government has announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan will be transferred from prison to a hospital for medical treatment. A medical board will be formed to examine his health condition. The decision came amid a sit-in protest that began on Friday outside the country’s parliament. According to The Express Tribune, the protest was joined by opposition leaders Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, along with PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohel Afridi and other PTI leaders continued separate demonstrations at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, where police forces were deployed. Protesters declared that their sit-in would continue until Imran Khan was urgently transferred to Shifa International Hospital for eye treatment. Information Minister Ataullah Tatar stated on social media that specialists would conduct further examinations and submit a detailed report to the Supreme Court.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that Imran Khan would be moved from prison to a hospital based on his health condition and assured that all human rights entitled to a prisoner would be provided to him.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government to be formed under the leadership of Tareq Rahman. According to the report, invitations have also been extended to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other heads of government from SAARC member states, as well as leaders from key Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries. However, Modi’s participation in the event remains uncertain, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

The report notes that Modi is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on the same day, when Macron will be in India to attend the AI Impact Summit. Although Modi may not attend, India could still be represented at the ceremony by a senior leader, possibly the vice president or foreign minister. Citing Indian officials, the report adds that New Delhi does not intend to rush into rebuilding ties with Dhaka, though restoring the strained relationship remains a priority for India.

The uncertainty over Modi’s attendance underscores the cautious approach India is taking toward its diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh’s new administration.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was allowed to speak with his two sons following a directive from the Supreme Court. His sister, Aleema Khan, confirmed on Saturday, February 14, that the conversation took place by phone. Prison authorities stated that the call lasted over half an hour, while Aleema said it was around 20 minutes. She added that Khan’s sons, Qasim and Sulaiman, were emotional after hearing their father’s voice, and Imran himself was very happy.

The Supreme Court had ordered prison authorities on February 12 to permit the call after PTI lawyer Salman Safdar submitted a health report on Khan. The report revealed that blood clotting in Khan’s right eye had caused severe damage, leaving him with only 15 percent vision despite treatment. The seven-page report detailed a meeting with Khan at Adiala Jail.

Aleema Khan said the family is awaiting urgent treatment for Imran Khan at Shifa International Hospital and alleged deliberate delays in his eye care, warning against further postponement due to the risk of permanent vision loss.

World leaders are being invited to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of the new government to be formed under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. According to the Prime Advisor’s Office, invitations have been extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other heads of government from SAARC member countries. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 17.

Beyond the SAARC region, invitations are also being sent to the heads of state and government of China, Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey. Officials from the Prime Advisor’s Office stated that the invitations are being issued on behalf of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in coordination with the BNP high command. The interim government will organize the event.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to form the new government after winning more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th parliamentary election, while Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to become the main opposition party.

Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, held on 12 February 2026 under the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, concluded peacefully and was widely described as the most transparent and orderly in the country’s history. The Election Commission announced results for 297 constituencies, confirming a landslide victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, who won 212 seats. Tarique Rahman is set to become the 13th Prime Minister, marking BNP’s return to power after two decades. The election saw a voter turnout of 59.44 percent, with a concurrent referendum yielding 68.1 percent “yes” votes.

International media including CNN, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Dawn, and NDTV praised the election’s fairness and its potential impact on South Asian politics. The armed forces were credited for maintaining order, and the interim government was commended for ensuring a violence-free process. However, post-election violence was reported in several districts, leaving one person dead and over a hundred injured.

Analysts noted that Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as the second-largest political force with 68 seats, while the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) gained six seats. Observers described Jamaat’s rise as a “yellow signal” for BNP’s future political dominance.

Newly elected Member of Parliament S M Jilani from Gopalganj-3 (Kotalipara-Tungipara) constituency has issued a strong message to his party members, declaring that he will neither commit nor tolerate any wrongdoing. Speaking on Saturday night at a gathering near Kazi Montu Filling Station in Kotalipara, he warned that anyone involved in criminal activities would face consequences, regardless of personal closeness.

Jilani, who represents the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), emphasized that the current democratic awakening was achieved through sacrifice and hardship. He reminded party activists that political power is not permanent and can change within hours, urging them to avoid misuse of power, oppression, or injustice. He further advised that actions harmful to personal life or the party should be avoided, stressing that no one is above the law.

During the event, Jilani also attended a Baul music performance at Bhatter Bagan in Unshia village and exchanged greetings with locals. Senior BNP leaders from Gopalganj district and local units were present. Jilani was elected MP on February 12, 2026, with a large margin.

The BNP-led alliance secured 212 out of 299 parliamentary seats in Bangladesh’s 13th national election, representing about 71 percent of the total. The Jamaat-led alliance won 77 seats, or 26 percent, while independent candidates captured seven seats and Islami Andolan Bangladesh won one. Voting in one constituency was postponed. Across 299 constituencies, a total of 75.9 million votes were cast, with the BNP alliance receiving about 38 million votes, or roughly 50 percent. The Jamaat alliance obtained 28.25 million votes, or 37 percent, and other parties and independents shared 9.65 million votes, about 13 percent.

According to the report, 50 political parties participated in the election, but candidates from 43 parties failed to win any seats. Within the BNP alliance, one candidate each from BJP, Gano Adhikar Parishad, and Ganosamhati Andolon won. Jamaat’s allies NCP, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, and Khelafat Majlish won six, two, and one seats respectively, while other smaller allied parties failed to secure any victories.

The final results may change slightly once the postponed constituency’s outcome is added, the report noted.

Following the thirteenth parliamentary election, the BNP achieved a sweeping victory in Sylhet, winning 18 of the division’s 19 constituencies. Party chairman Tarique Rahman, who began his campaign in Sylhet on January 22 after visiting the shrines of two saints, is now preparing to form the new cabinet. Local political observers are closely watching who will be included, with widespread curiosity and discussion across social media.

Sylhet, known as both a BNP stronghold and the home district of Rahman’s in-laws, played a decisive role in the party’s success. Residents now expect significant ministerial representation from the region, including full ministers, state ministers, and technocrat appointments. Several newly elected MPs from Sylhet are already in Dhaka for discussions with the party high command.

Names under consideration reportedly include Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Reza Kibria, Kalim Uddin Ahmed Milon, and G.K. Gaus. Possible technocrat appointees include Maulana Ubaidullah Faruq, Humayun Kabir, and Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury. Final decisions will depend on the BNP chairman’s discretion.

Jamaat-e-Islami faced a significant setback in the 13th parliamentary elections across Sylhet, Chattogram, Barishal, and Mymensingh divisions, according to results announced by the Election Commission. The party failed to win any seat in Sylhet, where its ally Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish secured one. In Mymensingh, Jamaat won two seats while its ally won two more, with most other constituencies dominated by BNP. In Barishal, Jamaat won two out of 21 seats, while in Chattogram it managed three out of 58. In Dhaka division, the party performed relatively better in the capital, winning six of 15 city seats, but struggled in other districts.

In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami achieved strong results in Khulna and Rangpur divisions. The party and its allies won 39 of 69 seats across these two regions, including 25 of 36 seats in Khulna and 18 of 33 in Rangpur. Jamaat also secured 11 seats in Rajshahi division. The data shows a sharp regional divide in the party’s electoral performance, with dominance in the west and heavy losses in the east and south.

The Bangladesh Army has been widely praised for its neutral and professional role in maintaining law and order during the 13th parliamentary election. Deployed under the ‘In Aid to Civil Power’ framework, the army worked across the country to ensure a peaceful and fair voting environment. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), around 100,000 army personnel, along with members of the navy and air force, were stationed in 62 districts and 411 upazilas. The army is expected to return to barracks soon, pending government instruction.

Following the July revolution, the army had been assisting the civilian administration for about one and a half years to stabilize the country. Before the election, troops conducted operations to recover illegal weapons, arrest criminals, and prevent unrest. On election day, they coordinated with police and other law enforcement agencies to prevent ballot snatching, control crowds, and ensure voter safety. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited several districts to oversee operations and provide guidance.

ISPR sources reported that the army recovered over 10,000 weapons and detained more than 22,000 identified criminals since the uprising, contributing significantly to restoring public confidence in the electoral process.

In the 13th parliamentary election, 20 out of 33 candidates in Sylhet district lost their security deposits across six constituencies. The unofficial results were announced on Thursday night by the district’s returning officer and Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam. According to the Election Commission’s circular, any candidate receiving less than one-eighth, or 12.5 percent, of total votes cast forfeits their deposit.

The results show that six candidates in Sylhet-1, three in Sylhet-2, four in Sylhet-3, three in Sylhet-4, one in Sylhet-5, and three in Sylhet-6 lost their deposits. In Sylhet-1, for example, 325,000 votes were cast, and candidates needed at least 40,692 votes to retain their deposits. Similar thresholds were applied in other constituencies, with several candidates from parties such as Ganadhikar Parishad, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Jatiya Party failing to meet the required vote share.

The forfeiture of deposits highlights the limited electoral support for smaller parties and independent candidates in Sylhet’s six constituencies during the 13th national polls.

Seven former presidents of Islami Chhatra Shibir have been elected as members of the National Parliament. They contested the February 12 election under the banner of Jamaat-e-Islami and won by a large margin. The newly elected MPs include Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Taher (Comilla-11), Central Executive Committee member Saiful Alam Khan Milon (Dhaka-12), Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan (Sirajganj-4), Central Executive Committee member and Dhaka South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul (Chapainawabganj-3), Central Working Committee member and Dhaka South Secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud (Patuakhali-2), Salahuddin Ayyubi (Gazipur-4), and Hafiz Rashedul Islam (Sherpur-1).

According to the report, nine other former Shibir presidents also participated in the election but were defeated. In total, Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 parliamentary seats in this election. The results highlight the continued political presence of former student leaders within the party’s national leadership structure.

The election outcome strengthens Jamaat-e-Islami’s representation in parliament and underscores the influence of its former student wing leaders in shaping the party’s political direction.

The London High Court has ruled that the UK government’s decision to ban the pro-Palestinian organization Palestine Action Group as a terrorist group was unlawful. The verdict, delivered on Friday, followed a legal challenge by the group’s co-founder Huda Ammori, who described the ruling as a major victory for the organization. The group had been banned in July of the previous year for taking direct action against Israel-linked defense companies, including blocking entrances and spraying red paint on facilities.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment with the court’s decision, saying she disagreed with the view that the ban was disproportionate. The British government announced it would appeal the ruling. The court stated that the ban would remain in effect until the appeal process is completed, noting that the prohibition represented a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression and assembly.

London police confirmed that despite the court’s ruling, the ban remains in force, and supporting the group’s activities continues to be a criminal offense. A hearing on whether the government can proceed with its appeal is scheduled for February 20.