BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has claimed that the people of Bangladesh have effectively 'locked down' the ruling Awami League, accusing the party of using a lockdown campaign as propaganda to regain power. Speaking at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, Rizvi compared the Awami League’s actions to a virus that suppresses the nation, alleging that the government is using illegal and violent means to attack citizens. He also criticized the ruling party for corruption and money laundering, citing alleged embezzlement in major infrastructure projects such as the Padma Bridge and Metro Rail. Rizvi further accused the Awami League of carrying out secret attacks to obstruct justice in war crimes trials. His remarks come amid heightened political confrontation between the two major parties.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar stated that the nation has overcome a period of fear and successfully resisted what he described as fascist threats. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s central office, he accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of continuing to intimidate the nation while being politically aligned with Delhi. Porwar said Jamaat and its student wing held demonstrations across the country, asserting that opposing forces could not confront them on the streets. The event was organized to protest alleged acts of arson and vandalism by Awami League supporters. He also expressed hope that the chief adviser would take effective steps to resolve the ongoing political crisis, warning that otherwise, authoritarian forces might exploit the situation.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called an emergency meeting of its National Standing Committee, the party’s top policymaking body, to be held at 7 p.m. at the chairperson’s office in Gulshan. BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan confirmed the information. Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will preside over the meeting virtually. Although the specific agenda has not been disclosed, it is widely believed that the meeting was convened in response to Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s announcement that the national election and referendum will be held on the same day. The BNP has long demanded that both events take place simultaneously, and the party is expected to discuss its next course of action following the announcement.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has cautioned that the party will not take responsibility if the chief adviser makes any decision outside the scope of the signed July Charter. Speaking after a meeting between BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet in Dhaka, Amir Khosru said no political group has the right to hold the government hostage to press demands, warning that such actions would isolate them from the public. He also emphasized that the ongoing judicial process has no link to the upcoming elections and that those attempting to obstruct the polls are enemies of democracy. According to him, France, like other countries, expects Bangladesh’s elections to be held by February and is eager to work with an elected government.

The newly appointed French Ambassador to Bangladesh, Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, paid a courtesy call on BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the party chairperson’s political office in Gulshan on Thursday, November 13. According to BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, the meeting was also attended virtually by BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Senior BNP leaders including Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Humayun Kabir, and Shama Obaid were present. The discussion was described as a formal introductory meeting, reflecting diplomatic engagement between the French mission and Bangladesh’s main opposition party. No specific agenda or outcomes of the meeting were disclosed publicly.

Eight like-minded Islamist parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, organized a protest rally in Manikganj on Thursday morning. The demonstration began at the Manikganj bus stand area and marched through key points of the Dhaka-Aricha highway before turning into a rally in front of the Raj Hotel. District Jamaat leader Hafez Maulana Kamrul Islam and several other local leaders addressed the gathering, accusing the ruling Awami League of resorting to repression to maintain political control. They alleged that the government was conspiring to destabilize the country through unrest and urged citizens to remain vigilant for peace and security. Over a hundred activists from the eight allied parties participated in the event.

Pakistan’s Parliament has passed the 27th constitutional amendment, a highly controversial bill that significantly expands the powers of the country’s army chief and grants him lifelong legal immunity. The amendment also curtails the independence of the Supreme Court, sparking widespread criticism from opposition parties, legal experts, and human rights groups. The bill, passed in the National Assembly with 234 votes in favor and only four against, designates the army chief as the new defense head overseeing all military branches. Critics warn that this move could push Pakistan toward entrenched military rule and weaken its fragile democracy. The amendment will become law after the president’s approval, with analysts describing it as a step toward authoritarianism and the erosion of judicial independence.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Colonel (Retd.) Dr. Oli Ahmed has alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leader Sajeda Chowdhury were detained at the Akhaura border while attempting to flee Bangladesh following the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman. In a recent television interview, he claimed Hasina had earlier received training in India after returning from Germany, and that former military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad was also involved in Zia’s killing. Oli Ahmed further stated that Zia had no role in the execution of Colonel Taher and criticized India’s interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, asserting that the country fought for independence to be self-governed, not to become subservient to any foreign power.

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is set to issue the long-awaited July Charter Implementation Order today. The order aims to provide a legal framework for constitutional reforms and will be announced following an advisory council meeting that will finalize its approval. Dr. Yunus is expected to address the nation on Thursday afternoon, outlining the details of the order. The government plans to hold a national referendum and parliamentary election on the same day to ensure political balance among rival parties. The July Charter, proposed by the National Consensus Commission, includes 84 reform recommendations, to be implemented through executive orders, ordinances, and constitutional amendments. Political tensions remain high as opposition parties, including BNP and Jamaat, have issued ultimatums demanding immediate implementation, threatening indefinite protests if their demands are not met.

A group of protesters set fire to the banned Awami League’s central office in Dhaka’s Gulistan area on Thursday, November 13, following violent demonstrations linked to the upcoming verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Witnesses reported that activists from Islami Chhatra Shibir vandalized the building while chanting religious slogans. The unrest erupted as Shibir members gathered to oppose the Awami League’s ‘lockdown’ program ahead of the International Crimes Tribunal’s ruling, scheduled for November 17. The tribunal will deliver its verdict against Hasina and two others accused of crimes against humanity during the July–August uprising. Authorities have tightened security across the capital and nationwide to prevent further violence. The Awami League office had previously been attacked during last year’s anti-government protests and was later repurposed by pro-uprising groups.

Despite the banned Awami League’s call for a ‘Dhaka lockdown’ coinciding with the verdict date in the July uprising war crimes case involving Sheikh Hasina and two others, normal activities were observed in the capital on Thursday. Although sporadic incidents of vehicle arson occurred overnight in different parts of the country, no major unrest was reported in the morning. Key commercial areas such as Motijheel, Dilkusha, Paltan, Dainik Bangla, and Fakirapool saw regular office attendance and business operations. Banks and financial institutions reported normal transactions, with customer presence increasing as the day progressed. Senior officials at Sonali Bank confirmed that the lockdown call had no visible impact on banking operations, describing the day as business as usual.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s alliance is leading in the country’s parliamentary election, according to the election commission. Preliminary results show the bloc securing about 1.317 million votes, placing it ahead of rivals. The vote, held on Tuesday, recorded a turnout of 56.11 percent. Sudani, seeking a second term, hopes to consolidate his position through this election. However, many young Iraqis remain disillusioned, viewing the process as dominated by established parties dividing the nation’s oil wealth. With no single party able to form a government alone in Iraq’s 329-seat legislature, coalition negotiations are expected to be complex and prolonged, potentially delaying the formation of a new government for months.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam announced that Bangladesh Television (BTV) is being made autonomous as part of ongoing institutional reforms to ensure it does not serve any political party or power. Speaking at the award ceremony of the 'Notun Kuri' competition in Dhaka, he emphasized that BTV will now represent all people and parties, reflecting the diversity of Bangladesh’s culture. Alam highlighted that the new Bangladesh aims to embrace inclusivity, diversity, and creativity, moving away from years of cultural uniformity. He also praised the young winners from across the country for showcasing talent and innovation, describing them as symbols of a just, equal, and progressive Bangladesh born from the July revolution. The adviser reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a culturally rich and pluralistic nation.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam has expressed hope for the maximum punishment for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in a high-profile crimes against humanity case. The tribunal, reconstituted after the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024, is set to deliver its verdict on November 17. The charges include incitement, ordering lethal force against protesters, and multiple killings during the July uprising. The prosecution earlier sought the death penalty for Hasina and Khan. The case marks the first major trial under the reformed tribunal, with proceedings beginning in October 2023. Chief Prosecutor Islam stated that the verdict would serve as a landmark for justice and accountability in Bangladesh’s history.

Police in Manikganj have arrested Jesmin Akter, a former reserved female councillor of Manikganj Municipality and a local Awami League leader, from her home near Shahid Rafique Road late Wednesday night. According to police sources, the arrest was made in connection with a political case, though details of the charges have not been disclosed. Jesmin Akter, known for her active involvement in local politics and women’s leadership, represented wards 7, 8, and 9 during her tenure. She is currently being interrogated at the police station, and authorities said she will be produced before court on Thursday afternoon following questioning. The arrest has drawn local attention due to her political prominence in the area.