Pekua is on track to become the fifth municipality in Cox’s Bazar district, following directives from the Local Government Ministry. The initiative fulfills an electoral promise by Salahuddin Ahmed, who previously upgraded Pekua to an upazila during an earlier BNP government. Now serving as the Home Minister, Ahmed’s commitment to municipalize Pekua is being implemented soon after the formation of the new BNP government.

According to local administration sources, a boundary survey has already been conducted in the proposed municipal area under the supervision of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahbub Alam Mahbub, as per an order from the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner. The UNO confirmed that the ministry has requested necessary data, and field activities have begun accordingly.

Currently, Cox’s Bazar district has four municipalities—Cox’s Bazar, Chakaria, Teknaf, and Maheshkhali. Pekua’s inclusion would make it the fifth. Another new upazila named Matamuhuri is also being planned, aligning with Salahuddin Ahmed’s additional electoral pledges.

Leaders and activists of the Awami League in Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola hung a party banner and the national flag at their local office, which locals noticed on Saturday morning. A nearby restaurant owner said the banner and flag appeared to have been placed overnight.

A source close to the Tazumuddin upazila Awami League stated that it was not unusual for the party to keep its office active, given its national prominence. However, local BNP president Golam Mostafa Mintu claimed the building in question was an abandoned union council office in Chandpur Union and said his party would consult local authorities about the matter. Chandpur Union panel chairman Md. Shahjahan Mia confirmed hearing about the incident and said the issue would be reported to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

UNO Md. Rezaul Islam said the administration was aware of the situation and would take action through the assistant commissioner (land) if the site was found to be government-owned land.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Advocate Md. Asaduzzaman stated that the government is determined to bring fascists to justice through lawful means. He made the remarks on Saturday at a meeting with heads of government offices at the Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner’s conference room, followed by a briefing with journalists.

The minister emphasized that all government allocations must be spent properly for public benefit and warned that any official involved in corruption would face both job termination and legal action. He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on drugs, terrorism, political violence, and social unrest, instructing the administration to act impartially. Asaduzzaman said the government remains committed to the rule of law, justice, and human rights, noting that Bangladesh has progressed on a democratic path after the fall of fascist forces.

He also announced that strict measures would be taken against perpetrators of rape and violence against women and children across the country, including Narayanganj, and warned that anyone providing shelter to such offenders would face severe consequences.

At a press briefing at the National Press Club on Saturday, Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) Executive Director and former caretaker government adviser Rasheda K. Chowdhury said that an integrated education law is essential to implement the new government’s 12-point education reform agenda. She criticized the hurriedly enacted education law of the previous interim government as unacceptable and stated that CAMPE has submitted its own proposals aligned with the government’s plan to the Ministry of Education and is preparing for discussions with the minister.

Speakers at the event, including BRAC University’s Emeritus Professor Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, emphasized that the 12-point plan is not a complete reform blueprint and called for a comprehensive strategy, task force formation, and political commitment. CAMPE’s proposals addressed issues such as increasing education budget allocation, ensuring transparency in development spending, improving school sanitation and nutrition programs, and introducing digital tools for teachers.

Rasheda K. Chowdhury also urged the formation of an expert committee to establish a National Education Reform Commission and suggested using corporate social responsibility funds and an education surcharge to strengthen the education budget.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman worked at his Tejgaon office on Saturday, a government holiday. He arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office around 10:15 a.m. after leaving his residence in Gulshan. According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, the Prime Minister’s schedule included a meeting with officials and employees of his office.

During the meeting, Tarique Rahman sought cooperation from officials and staff to implement his election manifesto. Several advisers, including Mirza Abbas, Ismail Zabihullah, Rashed Humayun Kabir, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, retired Brigadier General A.T.M. Shamsul Islam, Zaher Ur Rahman, and Chief Secretary A.B.M. Abdus Sattar, attended the discussion.

The Additional Press Secretary also said that the Prime Minister would attend an iftar hosted by Jamaat-e-Islami at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the afternoon. Tarique Rahman assumed office as Prime Minister on February 17 and has worked on every Saturday since then, including the previous week at the Secretariat.

US President Donald Trump has voiced frustration over the slow progress of nuclear program talks between the United States and Iran. Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn on Friday, Trump said Iran was not agreeing to what the US wanted, expressing clear dissatisfaction with the pace and direction of the discussions. He added that while he preferred not to use military force, he was not opposed to doing so if necessary.

After arriving in Texas, Trump further stated that he would not be satisfied even if Iran reduced uranium enrichment for civilian energy projects. He insisted that there should be no enrichment at all, not even at 20 or 30 percent levels. His remarks have heightened fears of a possible US strike on Iran, which analysts warn could trigger a wider regional conflict.

Amid growing tensions, the US State Department has instructed its citizens to leave Israel immediately and advised against traveling there, citing security concerns linked to potential escalation.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, declined to use a government protocol car during his first visit to Sylhet in this capacity. The incident occurred on Friday, January 27, at Sylhet MAG Osmani Airport, where a government vehicle and an assistant commissioner had been waiting to receive him. Upon arrival from Dhaka, Rahman returned the car, saying he would use it only after February 12, when the parliamentary session begins.

During the day, Rahman attended three events in Sylhet. He addressed the closing session of a Jamaat-organized training camp, offered Friday prayers at Kudratullah Mosque, and spoke to journalists. Commenting on the new cabinet, he criticized what he called irresponsible remarks by government ministers, saying such behavior could destabilize society. He declined to comment on the issue of the president’s impeachment, noting that discussions were still ongoing.

In the evening, Rahman joined iftar gatherings at the Sylhet Press Club and Aman Ullah Convention Center, where other political figures were also present.

An article by Dr. Mohammad Abdul Majid, published on 28 February 2026 in Amar Desh, examines the final phase of India’s partition in 1947. It describes how, by mid-July 1947, the British withdrawal from India had accelerated, leading to rushed administrative decisions and secretive boundary demarcations. The Indian Independence Act, passed on 18 July 1947, legally ended British rule and created the dominions of India and Pakistan. The Radcliffe Commission, working under extreme time pressure, drew the borders of Punjab and Bengal without prior disclosure to political leaders, fueling uncertainty and violence.

The article highlights how political bargaining, communal divisions, and British haste shaped the subcontinent’s fate. It references Alex Von Tunzelmann’s book “Indian Summer,” which explores the classified background of partition decisions, including negotiations over Chittagong’s inclusion in Pakistan. The narrative details disputes among Congress, the Muslim League, and British officials, showing how strategic decisions left East Bengal economically and politically vulnerable.

The analysis concludes that the rushed and secretive process of partition sowed long-lasting instability across South Asia, with consequences still visible in regional politics and identity conflicts.

Professor Mujibur Rahman MP, Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, stated that the government and opposition parties are not enemies but should act as partners in national development. He emphasized that when the ruling party makes mistakes, the opposition should point them out so the government can correct them, which would strengthen democracy. He warned that without political stability, the country’s development would be hindered.

He made these remarks on Friday at the Engineers Institution auditorium in Dhaka during a discussion and iftar event titled “Significance of Ramadan,” organized by the Forum of Engineers and Architects, Bangladesh (FEAB) Dhaka South. Mujibur Rahman also highlighted the vital role of engineers in building the nation, saying that if they remain truthful and God-fearing, corruption and bribery would decline significantly.

The event was presided over by Engineer Md. Moniruzzaman, with several political and professional figures attending, including Dr. M. Shafiqul Islam Masud MP and Engineer Golam Mostafa.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, describing the country as doing “exceptionally well.” Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Friday, Trump said Pakistan has a great prime minister and a great general, calling both strong leaders whom he respects deeply.

When asked about possible U.S. intervention in the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Trump said he might consider it but emphasized his very good relationship with Pakistan. His remarks highlighted a tone of appreciation toward Pakistan’s current leadership and suggested a positive diplomatic stance.

The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect Trump’s continuing engagement with South Asian affairs, particularly regarding Pakistan’s political and military leadership.

Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, stated that those who fear Allah cannot engage in election engineering or vote rigging. He made these remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing a discussion titled 'Significance of Zakat and the Month of Ramadan,' organized by the party’s Dhaka-6 parliamentary constituency committee.

Azad emphasized that fasting is a means to attain piety and that it should be observed solely for Allah, not for public display. He said true fasting leads to moral purification, and its success is reflected when individuals refrain from corruption, extortion, and violence after Ramadan. He also stressed that a society and state guided by the Quran would achieve dignity and success, as there is no alternative to establishing a Quran-based social order.

Highlighting the economic role of zakat, Azad explained that it was made obligatory in the second Hijri year to purify wealth and stimulate the economy, which in turn helps eradicate poverty. The event concluded with an iftar gathering attended by party leaders and local representatives.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has issued a show-cause notice to Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim, convener of the Jasimuddin Hall unit at Dhaka University, over allegations of organizational indiscipline. The notice requires him to appear at the central office within 24 hours and submit a written explanation in the presence of the central president and general secretary. The directive was announced in a statement signed by office secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Friday.

According to the statement, Hamim, who holds a responsible position within the hall unit, is accused of violating the organization’s discipline. The central leadership, including Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, instructed that he provide justification for his actions or face possible permanent organizational measures.

The notice underscores the organization’s emphasis on maintaining internal discipline and accountability among its university-level leaders.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman is scheduled to attend an iftar event organized by Jamaat-e-Islami at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka on Saturday. The information was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh. According to the official schedule, the Prime Minister will first attend a meeting with officials and department heads at his Tejgaon office in the morning before joining the iftar in the evening.

Earlier, on February 25, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim met the Prime Minister at the Secretariat and formally delivered the invitation letter. During that meeting, the Prime Minister agreed to attend the event. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, also requested over the phone that the Prime Minister attend the iftar with his family.

The event marks a notable engagement between the head of government and the opposition party’s leadership, reflecting a gesture of political and social outreach during the Ramadan season.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney began his visit to India on Friday, aiming to revive bilateral relations and double trade between the two countries. The trip comes amid trade and diplomatic tensions with the United States. Carney is scheduled to address business leaders in Mumbai and meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss new partnerships in trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, human resources, culture, and defense.

Relations between Ottawa and New Delhi deteriorated sharply in 2023 after Canada alleged India’s involvement in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an accusation India denied. Both countries expelled senior diplomats in 2024, but ties began improving after Carney took office in March 2025, with ambassadors reinstated. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said transnational repression issues would be discussed during the visit.

Carney has set a goal to raise bilateral trade to 51 billion dollars by 2030. Following his India trip, he will visit Australia and Japan as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on the United States and strengthen trade with Europe and Asia.

Several former advisers of the previous interim government gathered at the residence of Dr. Faozul Kabir Khan, a former adviser for power, energy, and mineral resources. The event, held at his Minto Road home, was shared on social media by former press secretary Shafiqul Alam, who posted photos of the gathering on Friday. He described it as a pleasant iftar and dinner hosted by Dr. Khan and his family before they move to a rented flat the following day.

The photos posted by Shafiqul Alam showed several former advisers, including former chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who was seen cutting a cake during the event. Although the post did not provide further details, it indicated that the gathering was organized to mark Dr. Faozul Kabir Khan’s departure from his official residence.

The event highlighted a reunion of members of the former interim administration, reflecting personal camaraderie among those who once served together in government.