President Md. Shahabuddin has called the first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament to begin on March 12, 2026, at 11 a.m. The announcement was made through a press release issued by the Public Relations Department of the National Parliament Secretariat on Monday. The session has been convened under the authority granted by Article 72(1) of the Constitution, according to a letter signed by Md. Emadul Haque, Director of Public Relations at the Secretariat.

As per parliamentary tradition and law, the first day of the new parliament will include the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Following these elections, the newly elected Speaker will preside over the formal commencement of the 13th Parliament’s proceedings. At the beginning of the session, the President is scheduled to deliver an important address outlining the government’s ongoing development activities and its future administrative and economic plans.

After the President’s address, members of parliament will have the opportunity to participate in a general discussion on a motion of thanks, marking the start of the new parliamentary term.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that a new commission will be formed to thoroughly review the BDR killings and ensure justice based on the commission’s recommendations. He made the statement on Monday at the Secretariat after a meeting with heads of various departments. The minister said the initiative aligns with the government’s election manifesto and emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear chain of command within law enforcement agencies.

Salahuddin criticized the previous lottery-based appointment process for police officers, saying it lacked transparency and did not consider service records. He warned that any illegal interference in police work, whether political or social, would face immediate action. The minister also stated that police operations would be monitored to prevent public inconvenience.

He added that the government is working to reform the police and restore morale after what he described as institutional damage during a previous authoritarian period. Salahuddin said he plans to visit different divisions to motivate officials and guide them toward forward-looking governance.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman stated that foreign representatives have expressed deep confidence in Bangladesh’s new government and a strong willingness to work together. He made the remarks on Monday, February 23, 2026, while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following meetings with U.S. Ambassador Brent Christensen and European Union ambassadors in Dhaka.

Dr. Rahman said he had met several foreign ambassadors, including those from Saudi Arabia, China, India, Pakistan, the United States, and the European Union. During these meetings, he outlined Bangladesh’s foreign policy priorities, emphasizing the principle of “Bangladesh First.” He reaffirmed that the government’s activities would be guided by independence, sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and national dignity, aiming to build mutually beneficial relations with all countries.

The minister added that Bangladesh seeks to resolve bilateral issues through mutual respect and dignity to ensure the protection of all parties’ interests.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on Abul Kalam Azad, former principal secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office and former Member of Parliament for Jamalpur-5. The order was issued on Monday, 23 February 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) petition, Azad is under investigation for alleged irregularities and corruption. The ACC stated that credible sources indicated he might attempt to flee abroad to evade the inquiry. To ensure a fair and uninterrupted investigation, the commission requested the court to restrict his foreign travel. After the hearing, the judge granted the ACC’s request.

The court’s order prevents Azad from leaving Bangladesh while the corruption investigation continues, reflecting ongoing judicial measures to support the ACC’s inquiries.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that 2,701 constables will be recruited urgently to fill vacancies in the police force. He made the statement on Monday after a meeting with heads of law enforcement agencies at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka. The minister said the recruitment process will begin soon to address manpower shortages across all levels of the police.

Ahmed emphasized that the government’s main objective is to manage law enforcement agencies in line with public expectations. He also stated that firearm licenses issued during the previous fascist government will be reverified to ensure they were granted through proper procedures. Licenses given for political purposes will be canceled, and the associated weapons’ permissions will also be revoked.

The home minister expressed hope that both the recruitment and verification processes could be completed within a short period, aiming to strengthen law enforcement capacity and accountability.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that no one will be allowed to interfere in police work and that immediate action will be taken against anyone obstructing law enforcement. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon after a meeting with heads of law enforcement agencies at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that neither political nor social actors can hinder legitimate police duties and that police operations should avoid causing public suffering. Responding to questions, he said the government has begun efforts to make the police truly a friend of the people. He noted that during the previous fascist regime, political interference had damaged many institutions, including the police, and that reforms are now underway to rebuild morale and restore effectiveness.

Salahuddin added that the country is recovering from institutional damage caused during that period and must now work in line with public expectations following the mass uprising. He said he will visit different divisions to motivate officers and guide them toward forward-looking goals.

In Mymensingh’s Valuka upazila, the previously banned Awami League office of Mallikbari Union No. 7 was reopened as local leaders raised the national flag and displayed photos of top party figures. The reopening was accompanied by chants of 'Joy Bangla' and celebrations, with videos of the event circulating on social media. Reports indicate that other union and upazila offices are also preparing to reopen.

Local sources said the reopening occurred soon after the national election. Business owners noted that following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 during a mass uprising, local activists reopened the office without obstruction. A local Awami League leader, requesting anonymity, stated that they had supported the BNP candidate in the election and maintained good relations with BNP members, facing no resistance after reopening.

Police said they visited the site after the video spread online but found the office locked. Authorities are attempting to identify those involved and have pledged legal action once they are located.

Aminul Islam, the newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, pledged to assist the tribunal’s ongoing and upcoming trials in line with the aspirations of the July martyrs. He made the statement on Monday during a press briefing at the tribunal premises after formally assuming his new role. Islam emphasized that those who have not committed any wrongdoing will not face harassment from the prosecution, while genuine offenders will receive due punishment.

Responding to a question from journalists about whether the tribunal’s pace might slow under the new government, Islam expressed optimism that the trials would proceed even faster under an elected administration. Earlier in the day, he officially took charge at the Chief Prosecutor’s office, where outgoing Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam welcomed him with flowers.

His remarks underscored a commitment to fairness and efficiency in the tribunal’s judicial process, signaling continuity and renewed momentum in the prosecution of war crimes cases.

Advocate Talukder Md. Yunus, general secretary of Barishal District Awami League, has been granted bail in a case over the vandalism of BNP’s district and metropolitan offices and the assault of its activists. The bail was approved on Monday afternoon by Judge Sarafatullah of the Barishal Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The case was filed after political changes in August 2024, concerning an attack that took place on January 5, 2017, during protests against an allegedly illegal election.

The case, filed by BNP leader Sarowar Alam, named Sadiq Abdullah as the prime accused and listed 213 individuals. Most of the accused remain absconding, though several Awami League leaders, including former MP Jebunnesa Afroz and others, have already received bail. Assistant Public Prosecutor Hafiz Ahmed Bablu expressed shock and anger at the repeated bail approvals, questioning how Yunus obtained bail despite multiple ongoing political cases.

Yunus’s lawyer, Advocate Kaiyum Hossain, stated that the court granted bail considering his client’s illness and the nature of the case, allowing him to remain free until trial.

The High Court has issued a rule and ordered an investigation into alleged recruitment irregularities at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project following a report published in the newspaper Amar Desh. The order came after a public interest writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Sakina Begum was heard by the bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar. The court directed the formation of a high-level committee led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology to submit a full investigation report within eight weeks.

The Amar Desh report, published on August 27 of the previous year, alleged that several key positions at the Rooppur project were filled through non-transparent processes, fake certificates, and favoritism. It raised questions about the professional qualifications and experience of some appointees. The petition argued that despite serious allegations, authorities had failed to initiate an effective inquiry, prompting judicial intervention.

The court instructed that the investigation review the transparency of the recruitment process, verification of candidates’ qualifications, administrative approvals, and compliance with relevant policies to ensure accountability and integrity in the project’s staffing practices.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen stated that Bangladesh and the United States will work together to make both countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous. He made the remarks on Monday morning during a courtesy meeting with newly appointed Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister Shama Obaid Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka. The hour-long meeting concluded without any comments to the media, but details were later shared on social media platform X.

According to the post, Ambassador Christensen congratulated Khalilur Rahman on assuming his new role and expressed optimism about continuing joint efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Following this meeting, a delegation of eight European Union ambassadors, led by EU Mission Chief Michael Miller, also paid courtesy calls on the minister, state minister, and foreign secretary. Their discussions focused on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the respective countries.

The meetings underscored ongoing diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and its international partners, highlighting shared priorities in strengthening cooperation and mutual development.

Malaysia on Monday enacted a new law limiting the prime minister’s tenure to a maximum of two terms, aiming to enhance accountability and prevent excessive use of executive power. According to AFP, the Southeast Asian nation previously had no fixed limit on how long a prime minister could serve. Former leader Mahathir Mohamad held office for a total of 24 years across two separate periods, from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020.

Current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the two-term limit in January as part of his broader anti-corruption and good governance agenda. His Pakatan Harapan coalition had also pledged this reform in its 2022 election manifesto. However, local media reports noted criticism over the slow pace of reforms, with some suggesting the move was intended to appeal to urban voters ahead of next year’s general election.

Anwar stated last week that the law would first apply to him, emphasizing that ten years is sufficient to serve effectively. The proposed constitutional amendment requires support from at least two-thirds of the 222-member lower house, or 148 lawmakers, to pass.

The Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party has announced its intention to participate in the upcoming Dhaka North and South City Corporation elections and has identified potential candidates for both mayoral positions. According to party chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, the party plans to nominate its secretary, Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, for the Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral race. For Dhaka North, the party is considering Advocate Tajul Islam, provided he is removed from his current post as Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal.

The report confirms that Advocate Tajul Islam has already been relieved of his duties as Chief Prosecutor. Before joining the tribunal, he served as a joint convener of the AB Party but had resigned from the party to take up the prosecutorial role. With his removal from the tribunal, the party is now considering his return to active politics through the mayoral nomination process.

The AB Party’s move signals its preparation to expand its political presence in Dhaka’s local governance through participation in both city corporation elections.

Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that local government elections in Bangladesh will be held at the scheduled time despite the recent appointment of administrators in six city corporations. Speaking to journalists at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, on Monday, he said the government is giving top priority to holding the elections in accordance with laws and regulations. This was his first visit to the party office after assuming ministerial duties, where he exchanged greetings with party leaders, supporters, and staff.

Responding to questions about possible delays due to administrator appointments, Mirza Fakhrul clarified that the government will coordinate all matters to ensure timely elections. He also discussed criteria for party nominations in reserved women’s seats, emphasizing commitment to ideals, close ties with the people, and dedication to the party. On the issue of Awami League offices reopening, he said such activities would be reviewed as they are legally restricted.

He paid tribute to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and highlighted her role in democratic movements, expressing confidence in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership to strengthen the party and achieve national goals.

Pakistan’s Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry, stated that the country will not compromise on national security. He made the remarks following Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan, emphasizing that the operations targeted militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.

Chaudhry said Pakistan has always preferred dialogue and peaceful coexistence but must act when Afghan soil is used for attacks. He urged the Taliban government to take concrete steps to prevent cross-border militancy, stressing that lasting peace in the region depends on the complete elimination of militant sanctuaries.

He further claimed that 21 terrorist groups are operating from Afghan territory, posing a serious threat to regional stability. The statement followed reports that Pakistan’s recent military action successfully neutralized militants involved in assaults on its soil.