Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has criticized Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury’s recent remarks about organizing the 'Mangal Shobhajatra' during the upcoming Pahela Baishakh, calling them communal and religiously provocative. The organization’s Secretary General, Allama Sajedur Rahman, made the statement in a press release signed by Joint Secretary General Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi and distributed to the media on Wednesday.

In the statement, Sajedur Rahman argued that the minister’s comments reflect an attempt to replace the inclusive 'Ananda Shobhajatra' with the 'Mangal Shobhajatra', which he described as a sectarian tradition rooted in Hindu religious practices. He warned that any effort to impose this on the Muslim majority would face resistance from Islamic scholars. He also claimed that the original name of the celebration was 'Ananda Shobhajatra', first held in 1989, and accused certain cultural groups of renaming it in 1996 for political motives.

Hefazat further stated that while it does not oppose the appointment of a minority minister, it will resist any perceived cultural dominance or revival of what it called 'Hindutva-inspired' influences in national festivities.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam said that a planned city cannot be built without a master plan. He made the remark on Wednesday during a meeting with the executive committee of the Urban Development Journalists Forum, Bangladesh (UDJFB) at the DSCC Nagar Bhaban. Forum leaders including President Matin Abdullah and General Secretary Hasan Imons were present.

Salam noted that Sher-e-Bangla Nagar had been developed as a planned area under a master plan during the Pakistan period, though some deviations occurred later. He criticized the conversion of two playgrounds in Dhupkhola into a market, emphasizing the shortage of open fields and the DSCC’s efforts to ensure at least one playground for every two wards. He also mentioned initiatives under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s direction to ease traffic congestion by relocating inter-district bus terminals from Sayedabad to Kanchpur and constructing new terminals in Kanchpur and Baghair, Keraniganj.

He added that Dhaka faces multiple challenges requiring coordination and called for the formation of an urban government to effectively address these issues.

The Maldives has expressed interest in recruiting healthcare workers from Bangladesh. The announcement came during a courtesy meeting between Maldives High Commissioner to Dhaka, Shiuneen Rasheed, and Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaid Islam, held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in trade, health, education, and communication sectors.

During the meeting, the State Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between business delegations of both countries and thanked the Maldivian government for providing employment opportunities to Bangladeshi workers. She also requested consideration for recruiting more skilled and semi-skilled workers. The High Commissioner reiterated the Maldives’ interest in hiring healthcare professionals from Bangladesh and praised the contribution of Bangladeshi expatriates to the Maldives’ socio-economic development.

The State Minister expressed gratitude for the Maldives’ continued support on the Rohingya issue and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to revitalizing SAARC. Both parties underscored the importance of enhancing regional cooperation.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that the opposition will move forward with the implementation of the referendum verdict by engaging the public. He made the statement at a press conference on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, following a parliamentary walkout by opposition members over disputes surrounding the July Charter Order and the alleged miscode of the opposition leader.

Dr. Rahman expressed disappointment with the government’s stance on the referendum, accusing it of disrespecting the people’s mandate. He said both the ruling and opposition parties had initially agreed on the referendum issue, but the government later violated the people’s final intent. As a result, the opposition walked out of the session in protest.

He further stated that the opposition will now return to the people to realize the referendum verdict through public mobilization. Dr. Rahman added that eleven parties will remain active both in parliament and on the streets, with decisions on future programs to be announced soon.

The Chittagong University unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan demanding the establishment of a safe, student-friendly, discrimination-free, and modern campus. The memorandum was handed over on Wednesday afternoon at the vice-chancellor’s conference room by leaders and activists of the organization.

The memorandum called for increasing the number of shuttle trains and adding extra compartments to improve student transportation. It also urged the construction of new residential halls, renovation of existing ones, transparency in seat allocation, and the introduction of housing allowances for non-residential students. Additional demands included modernization of administrative activities, ensuring justice for campus violence incidents, and strengthening overall student security. The JCD also emphasized launching campus-wide Wi-Fi and providing photocopy, print, and scanning facilities in departmental seminar libraries.

The memorandum further stated that the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CHAKSU) should work for the welfare of all students rather than representing any particular group. It also sought rehabilitation for the families of students Hridoy Chandra Tarua and Farhad Hossain, who were killed in the July uprising, and for the injured.

On Wednesday afternoon, financial assistance was provided to four temples in the Dhaka-17 constituency on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The aid was distributed by his Assistant Private Secretary-2 and constituency representative, Engineer Abdur Rahman Sani, who handed over donation checks to the temple authorities.

The temples receiving the checks were Bhashantek BRP Sarbojonin Temple, Shri Shri Raksha Kali Temple near Mohakhali Chest Disease Hospital, ID Hospital Sarbojonin Puja Temple, and Shri Shri Shivakali Puja Temple at Tempo Mor, Mohakhali. The event was attended by Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front Chairman Bijon Kanti Sarkar, BNP Executive Committee member Romesh Dutta, the Prime Minister’s research officer Abdus Sattar Patwari, and leaders, priests, and devotees of the respective temples.

The distribution aimed to extend financial support to local religious institutions within the constituency, reflecting the Prime Minister’s outreach to diverse faith communities.

Bangladesh’s Law Minister Md. Anisul Haque announced that a total of 23,865 politically motivated cases, allegedly filed to harass citizens, have been withdrawn. He made the statement in parliament on Wednesday in response to a question from ruling party MP S M Jahangir Hossain. The minister added that the process of withdrawing the remaining politically influenced cases is ongoing after proper verification.

Responding to supplementary questions, the minister said that individuals acquitted by the court and proven innocent must be treated according to the law, as it is their fundamental right. He also noted that in the past, many teachers and even deceased persons had been named in politically motivated cases. Some cases were also filed against persons with disabilities and political leaders.

The minister urged affected individuals to apply through their respective ministries or departments for case withdrawal. He clarified that while the law ministry is aware of the issue, the matter does not fall directly under its jurisdiction.

State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari informed the National Parliament that 468,220 positions remain vacant in government jobs across Bangladesh. He disclosed the figures on Wednesday during the question-and-answer session, responding to a query from Sheikh Md. Rezaul Islam, Member of Parliament for Naogaon-6. The session was presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

According to the minister, as of December 31, 2023, a total of 1,450,891 employees were working in various government positions. Among them, 190,773 were in the first class, 233,726 in the second class, 613,835 in the third class, 404,557 in the fourth class, and 7,980 in other categories. The vacancies include 68,884 in the first class, 129,166 in the second class, 146,799 in the third class, 115,235 in the fourth class, and 8,136 in other categories.

The updated statistics reflect the latest manpower data compiled by the Ministry of Public Administration, providing an overview of staffing levels and vacancies across the government service structure.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, met with the Speaker of the National Parliament, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad (Bir Bikram), on Wednesday at the Parliament Secretariat. During the courtesy meeting, the High Commissioner expressed deep condolences over the recent death of the Speaker’s wife, Dilara Hafiz, and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.

Both sides discussed the ongoing global crisis and exchanged views on several important issues concerning their respective countries. The meeting reflected a gesture of goodwill and diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Wasif, and senior officials from the Parliament Secretariat were also present during the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took part in his first question-and-answer session in the 13th National Parliament on Wednesday, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Responding to questions from lawmakers, he expressed gratitude to his constituents in Dhaka-17 and pledged to fulfill the commitments made in the government’s election manifesto. He emphasized that his administration would work diligently to deliver on its promises to the people.

In response to BNP lawmaker A.B.M. Mosharraf Hossain, the Prime Minister said that the Family Card and Farmer Card programs would help strengthen the national economy. He announced that 30,000 more families would be included in the Family Card program within the remaining three months of the fiscal year. The initiative, launched on March 10 across 13 districts, has already provided allowances to 37,814 women-led households, with a goal to reach 40 million families within four years.

Tarique Rahman added that the Family Card, issued in the name of the female head of household, would enhance women’s control over family resources and decision-making. He also stated that the government would take steps to repatriate laundered money, describing it as the people’s trust and a national responsibility to recover it.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, met with the Speaker of the National Parliament, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikrom, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the National Parliament. During the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed deep condolences over the recent death of the Speaker’s wife, Dilara Hafiz.

Both sides exchanged views on the ongoing global crisis and various important issues concerning their respective countries. The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Wasif, and the Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat.

The discussion reflected a continuation of diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan, focusing on mutual understanding amid global challenges.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the president of Iran’s new government has requested a ceasefire from the United States. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump did not name the Iranian official but described him as much less extreme and more intelligent than his predecessors. He added that the U.S. would only consider the request once the Strait of Hormuz is open, free, and secure, warning that until then, the U.S. is devastating Iran.

The report also noted that oil prices rose in global markets following Trump’s remarks. The article referenced ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S.-Israel alliance, describing the latter as having failed decisively in the war. It also mentioned China’s potential role as a mediator to halt the conflict and cited claims of a “remarkable victory” in Iran, with operations expected to conclude within two to three weeks.

The situation underscores heightened regional tensions and uncertainty over whether diplomatic mediation could succeed in achieving a ceasefire.

Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin has declared her commitment to establishing a corruption-free city administration. Speaking as the chief guest at a meet-and-greet event with journalists at the Barishal Press Club auditorium on Sunday afternoon, she said that creating a corruption-free city corporation was her first-day declaration. Shirin emphasized that she does not want to hear further allegations of corruption or irregularities and that the city corporation will be reorganized based on collective opinions.

During the event, held under the chairmanship of Barishal Press Club President Aminul Islam Khasru and conducted by General Secretary Zakir Hossain, Shirin acknowledged the contributions of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, former mayor Ahsan Habib Kamal, and current MP Advocate Mojibur Rahman Sarwar to the development of the press club. She also pledged to support the club’s further development within her capacity as administrator.

Later in the day, Shirin attended a separate meeting on civic issues at the city corporation conference room, where she called for public cooperation to restore Barishal’s traditional identity as the “Venice of the East.”

During a visit to London on Tuesday, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara stated that Syria will not engage in any war unless it is directly attacked. His remarks came amid escalating tensions following a joint United States-Israel strike on Iran, which prompted Iran to retaliate against American bases in the Middle East.

Speaking at the Chatham House think tank in central London, Shara emphasized that after fourteen years of civil war, he does not want Syria to be drawn into another conflict. He repeatedly stressed the importance of keeping his country away from war and clarified that Damascus would not join the U.S.-Israel confrontation against Iran unless Syria itself is targeted.

Shara added that Syria would refrain from involvement as long as no external pressure is applied and no diplomatic solution is reached, underscoring his government’s cautious stance amid regional instability.

Police in Muktagacha, Mymensingh, arrested a man named Azizul Haque on Thursday night for allegedly sharing a Facebook post involving Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The post, originally uploaded from an account called 'Tarique Rahman Blog', placed the Prime Minister’s image beside that of an unidentified woman. A case was filed the following day under the Cyber Security Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act, naming Azizul as the sole accused. He was later produced before court and sent to jail.

Local sources told Deutsche Welle that tension had arisen among BNP supporters before the arrest, though police denied any political pressure. The Muktagacha police chief said Azizul was detained under Section 54 before the case was filed, citing confirmed evidence of wrongdoing. Azizul’s relatives claimed he was illiterate and that someone else might have used his phone to share the post.

Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton questioned the urgency of the arrest, noting the Prime Minister’s generally tolerant stance. The Prime Minister’s press secretary stated that freedom of expression does not justify posting indecent images and that the administration acted independently under the law.