BNP leader Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain has cautioned opposition groups that insisting on a Proportional Representation (PR) voting system could inadvertently strengthen a fallen authoritarian regime if it delays elections.

Speaking on Thursday, Zahid questioned whether such parties were “indirectly working in favor of dictatorship.” He urged political unity, saying, “We must resist authoritarianism through politics, not brute force.”

He further argued that reforms within BNP had already begun, whereas parties now demanding reform had shown no such initiative in the past.

A Dhaka court has acquitted Selim Bhuiyan, BNP’s Organizing Secretary for Comilla Division, in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The case, lodged in June 2019, accused Bhuiyan of concealing assets worth over Tk 10.9 million and possessing unexplained wealth totaling Tk 13.1 million. According to ACC findings, his total assets were valued at Tk 44.3 million.

After lengthy hearings, the court ruled in his favor, clearing him of all charges.

Azizur Rahman Bacchu, father of BNP Information Affairs Adviser Mahfuz Alam, has been elected General Secretary of Ichapur Union BNP in Ramganj upazila, Lakshmipur.

He secured 266 votes under the “rooster” symbol in Thursday’s election held at Srirampur High School, where 453 members cast their votes. Bacchu previously served as Vice President of the same union committee.

In the same election, Md. Oli Ullah was elected as Union BNP President. BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie attended the election as chief guest.

Abdus Salam, veteran freedom fighter and adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has been admitted to a private hospital in Dhaka after falling ill.
His personal aide said Salam first developed mild cold symptoms during BNP’s biannual conferences in Rajshahi and Naogaon last week. His condition worsened due to overwork, lack of sleep, and weather changes, leading to hospitalization.
Doctors have begun treatment following urgent tests, and his condition is now stable. Physicians have restricted visitors, allowing only close family members. Salam has sought prayers for his recovery.

The student platform Bagchash has announced its ‘Student Unity Forum’ panel for the upcoming Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) elections.
The declared panel includes Arifuzzaman Ujjal as Vice President (VP), Abu Touhid Md. Siam as General Secretary (GS), Zia Uddin Ayan as Assistant GS, and Maliha Namlah as Women’s Assistant GS.
However, the announcement sparked internal discord. Joint convener Md. Nazmul Islam resigned, citing nepotism and favoritism in panel formation. Another senior joint convener, Kawsar Alam Arman, also threatened resignation.
In response, panel nominee Abu Touhid Md. Siam said, “Selections were made based on organizational decisions, prioritizing competence and representation.”

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has warned that any travel agency found involved in abnormal ticket price hikes or syndicate practices will face deregistration and strict punitive action.

In a circular, the ministry noted that earlier directives issued in February to curb ticket overpricing have not been fully implemented. Some agencies have ignored the requirement to print ticket prices on tickets.

Agencies are now required to clearly display their name, license number, and ticket price on all tickets. Passengers have also been urged not to purchase tickets from unregistered agencies.

The ministry’s warning comes amid mounting passenger complaints, with the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) earlier urging the government to strengthen monitoring and fully enforce its directives.

BNP leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal criticized government advisers for indulging in luxury while millions of Bangladeshis struggle to afford basic meals.

Addressing reporters, Alal said:
"In a country where many can’t manage two meals a day, the advisers’ extravagance with duck meat causes us pain."

He also questioned the sincerity of those advocating for proportional representation in elections while simultaneously nominating candidates in all 300 seats. Alal reiterated BNP’s demand for elections by February, warning that the lack of an accountable government has already stalled investment in the country.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), will embark on a two-nation tour later this month, visiting Malaysia (August 22–24) followed by a four-day trip to China.

He will lead an eight-member delegation during the visits. Ahead of the tour, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka hosted a reception on Thursday, attended by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and senior NCP leaders.

Party leaders expressed optimism that the trip would elevate Bangladesh-China relations to “a new dimension.” Notably, delegations from both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have also visited China in recent months.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that attempts are underway to downplay the Liberation War of 1971. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and united against such efforts.

Speaking at a Janmashtami greetings event, Fakhrul recalled the sacrifices of martyrs and stressed that the spirit of July–August 1971 gave Bangladesh its democratic aspirations. He criticized Awami League leaders who, according to him, now live lavishly abroad, detached from the people.

“An extreme form of divisive politics and radicalism is emerging in Bangladesh,” Fakhrul warned, adding that it must not be allowed to grow. He accused the former government of treating citizens as subordinates rather than partners, looting resources, and sending wealth overseas.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman accused rival parties of deliberately complicating the upcoming February election by imposing “new and unnecessary conditions” to block the BNP’s path to victory.

Speaking virtually during a Janmashtami greetings exchange with Hindu community leaders, Tarique alleged multiple conspiracies surrounding the polls.
“Parties that want power should go to the people instead of resorting to tricks,” he said.

He cautioned that while political debate is healthy, conflicts must not reach a level where defeated forces exploit the situation.

Despite registration requirements, Jamaat-e-Islami has yet to provide the Election Commission (EC) with its bank account number and associated details.

While the party submitted its audited income and expenditure report for the 2024 fiscal year on July 31, the absence of an official account number has raised concerns.

According to the report, Jamaat recorded an income of Tk 28.97 crore against expenditures of Tk 23.73 crore—leading all political parties in both income and spending during the year of upheaval. Of this, Tk 16.5 crore came from member contributions, while Tk 6.5 crore was spent on salaries and allowances.

Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, confirmed the audit report was filed but said the party’s finance department would look into the missing account details.

Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of BNP’s Standing Committee, has traveled to Bangkok for medical treatment. According to BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan, Khan departed from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11 am on Thursday via a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.

Earlier, on Tuesday morning, BNP leader Mirza Abbas also left Dhaka for treatment on a Thai Airways flight, accompanied by his wife and son.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has released a list of individuals involved in the large-scale illegal stone extraction scandal in Sylhet. The names span government officials, law enforcement, political figures, and businessmen.

Among those implicated are officials from the Bureau of Mineral Development, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and UNOs—including Azizunnahar, Mohammad Abul Hasnat, Urmi Roy, and Abida Sultana. Also named are the superintendent of police, officers-in-charge, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials, and at least 42 businessmen and political leaders.

Most of the political figures linked to the scandal are affiliated with the BNP, including Rezaul Hasan Quayes Lodi (acting president, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP), Immad Hossain Chowdhury (general secretary), and Companyganj leaders Shahab Uddin and Haji Kamal.

The list also mentions Sylhet Jamaat leaders, including Amir Md. Fakrul Islam and Secretary Zainal Abedin, as well as NCP leaders Nazim Uddin and Abu Sadek Md. Khairul Islam Chowdhury.

Even ousted Awami League activists—such as Bilal Mia, Shahabuddin, and Gias Uddin, all involved in the stone trade—are on the list. The ACC said names of journalists and other professionals linked to the scandal are still being verified.

In an article published by Desarat News, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus declared that his government’s sole objective is to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful national election.
“The election will take place in February, and after that, I will not hold any elected or appointed office in the next government,” Yunus said.

He revealed that upon assuming office, he was “shocked at the scale of mismanagement and destruction” across state institutions. “We began the painstaking process of rebuilding, and gradually, with everyone’s cooperation, we are making progress,” he added.

Yunus expressed optimism about Generation Z, describing the recent youth-led movement for fairness in public jobs as “the world’s first Generation Z revolution.” He said the uprising has become a model for young people globally.

On foreign policy, Yunus highlighted reforms aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s ties with regional and global partners. He also confirmed that his government has drafted sweeping reform proposals, including a constitutional amendment to safeguard against any return to authoritarian rule.
“One clear sign of Bangladesh’s democratic transition was when The Economist named Bangladesh its ‘Country of the Year 2024,’” Yunus noted.

A government taskforce report reveals eight mega projects implemented under the Awami League incurred $7.52 billion extra, with cost overruns ranging from 22% to 221%. Delays, poor planning, and corruption were cited as primary causes. Experts recommend appointing internationally recognized audit firms for transparency, especially since foreign loans and contractors were involved. Despite these recommendations, the interim government has taken no action. Analysts stress quality audits are crucial to prevent future overspending and ensure accountability in large-scale infrastructure projects.