Two leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated Sramik League were arrested by the district detective police in Pabna while attending the nomination paper scrutiny of independent candidate and Awami League Information and Research Secretary Abu Sayeed for the Pabna-1 constituency. The arrests took place on Friday afternoon in front of the Pabna Deputy Commissioner’s office after the scrutiny session concluded.

The detainees were identified as Sirajul Islam Pramanik, former general secretary of Santhia municipal Awami League and former mayor, and Shahin Hossain, president of the municipal Sramik League. According to Pabna DB Police Officer-in-Charge Rashidul Islam, they were arrested in connection with a case filed at Santhia Police Station and will be presented before the court following legal procedures.

The report adds that on April 12 of the previous year, a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act was filed against former state minister for information Abu Sayeed and 163 others, accusing them of plotting to destabilize the state during a meeting held at his residence in Bera municipality.

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) personnel prevented Indian Border Security Force (BSF) members from constructing a bridge in violation of international border law at Dhabalsuti in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat on Friday, January 2, 2026. The incident occurred near the main border pillar at zero line 828/2 S during Friday prayers, when over a hundred BSF members began the construction. Local residents noticed the activity and informed the Dhabalsuti Border Outpost under Teesta Battalion 61 BGB. Acting promptly, BGB members reached the site and halted the work, forcing BSF personnel to withdraw.

Following the incident, a company commander-level flag meeting was held between BGB and BSF, where BSF assured that the construction would remain suspended. BGB lodged a formal protest, condemning the violation of border law. Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Mohammad Musahid Masum, commanding officer of the 61 BGB Battalion, stated that BGB maintains a strict stance on border law violations and will take all necessary measures to protect national sovereignty and uphold international law.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for national unity to build a truly welfare-oriented and effective state. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Friday, he emphasized that a nation divided by internal discord can never stand tall in the global arena. He urged citizens to overcome divisions and work together for justice and fairness.

Dr. Rahman stated that while differences in thought may exist, they should not turn into bitter conflicts. He called on people to leave behind envy and division and move forward shoulder to shoulder toward establishing a just and equitable state. He concluded his message with a prayer for divine assistance in achieving this goal.

The statement reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s emphasis on unity and moral values as essential foundations for national progress and social harmony.

After the scrutiny of nomination papers, eight candidates in three parliamentary constituencies of Chattogram had their nominations canceled on Friday afternoon at the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner’s office. The decision followed verification by the returning officer’s office, which cited irregularities in voter signatures, inclusion of deceased voters, inconsistencies in party nominations, loan default, and missing documents as reasons for the cancellations.

In Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai), three candidates were disqualified, including an independent candidate for listing a deceased voter, a BNP rebel for lacking party endorsement, and a Jatiya Party candidate for violating election rules. In Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari), three nominations were canceled due to false voter information, missing documents, and incomplete party approval. In Chattogram-3 (Sandwip), two candidates lost eligibility—one for party nomination inconsistencies and another for being a loan defaulter and having disputed supporter signatures.

District Commissioner and Returning Officer Zahidul Islam Miah stated that the disqualified candidates may appeal within the next four working days starting Sunday.

A prayer gathering was held at Jagannath University’s central mosque on Friday, January 2, to seek forgiveness for the soul of Begum Khaleda Zia, the university’s founder, three-time former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and BNP Chairperson. The event was organized by the university mosque committee and preceded by a short discussion session attended by university officials, teachers, students, and staff.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim described Begum Khaleda Zia as a distinguished leader whose contributions were integral to the establishment of Jagannath University. He praised her honesty, unity, and determination, noting her leadership in continuing the political vision of late President Ziaur Rahman. Faculty leaders including Professors Md. Rois Uddin and Imranul Haque highlighted her transformation from a homemaker to a national leader, her steadfastness during political crises, and her lifelong dedication to the nation’s welfare.

The prayer was led by the mosque’s senior imam, with participation from university deans, department heads, teachers, students, and journalists, reflecting broad respect for the late leader’s legacy.

A senior Iranian security official has warned former U.S. President Donald Trump not to interfere in Iran’s ongoing protests. Speaking to local media on Friday, the official said any U.S. involvement in Iran’s internal affairs would destabilize the entire region and would be met with a strong response. The warning followed Trump’s post on his social media platform Truth Social, where he stated that the United States was ready to act if Iranian authorities violently suppressed peaceful demonstrators.

The protests, now in their fifth consecutive day, have spread to more than a dozen cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Lorestan, Mazandaran, Khuzestan, Hamadan, and Fars. Local sources reported at least seven deaths in clashes between protesters and security forces. Demonstrators have been calling for the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and an end to the current political system.

The exchange of warnings between Washington and Tehran underscores rising tensions amid expanding unrest across Iran, with both sides signaling readiness for escalation if violence intensifies.

Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate for the Cox’s Bazar-2 (Maheshkhali–Kutubdia) parliamentary constituency, has had his nomination paper canceled due to complications related to ongoing legal cases. The decision followed a review process on Friday, during which his nomination was initially suspended and later rejected. Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan confirmed that the cancellation was made in accordance with Election Commission regulations after case details surfaced during scrutiny.

According to the Returning Officer’s office, the decision was based on unresolved legal issues from cases filed during the Awami League’s tenure. Dr. Azad currently serves as Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and has a long history in student and party politics, having joined Islami Chhatra Shibir in 1977 and Jamaat-e-Islami in 1995. He was previously elected as a Member of Parliament from the same constituency in the 2008 national election.

Dr. Azad stated that a document related to a “false case” was not submitted with his nomination papers, leading to the cancellation. He plans to appeal the decision by submitting the necessary documents, expressing hope of regaining his candidacy.

The nomination paper scrutiny for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election in Shariatpur-2 (Naria-Sakhipur) constituency has been completed. Out of ten candidates, four were declared valid while six were disqualified due to inconsistencies in information and failure to comply with election rules. The decision was confirmed on Friday morning by District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum at her office.

The disqualified candidates include Imran Hossain of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Akteruzzaman Samrat of Gono Odhikar Parishad, Parvez Mosharraf of Jonotar Dal, and three independent candidates—Farhana Kadir Rahman, Md. Alamgir Hossain, and Md. Nasir. The returning officer stated that they have until January 9 to appeal the decision.

Imran Hossain, the Islami Andolan candidate, told Amader Desh that his nomination was rejected because he failed to mention the opening date of his bank account in the submitted form. He said he intends to appeal the decision.

On Friday, prayer gatherings were held across Bangladesh seeking forgiveness for the soul of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The events took place in mosques and community venues in districts including Chattogram, Dhaka, Bagerhat, Madaripur, Pirojpur, Bogura, Natore, and Lakshmipur. Devotees, party leaders, and local residents participated in Quran recitations, milad, and special prayers following Jumma prayers, praying for her eternal peace.

Local BNP units, affiliated organizations, and civic groups organized the programs as part of broader mourning activities. Reports from various districts described an atmosphere of grief, with participants recalling Khaleda Zia’s political life and leadership. In several places, journalists, social leaders, and members of different political parties joined the gatherings, offering prayers and distributing food among attendees.

The coordinated observances reflected a unified expression of respect and remembrance for the late leader, with prayers continuing in multiple mosques and BNP offices nationwide.

Manch-24 has demanded that the Jatiya Party be declared ineligible to contest the upcoming national election within 48 hours. The demand was made on Friday, January 2, 2026, during a press conference held at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen, where the group’s convener, Fahim Faruqi, also protested the party’s submission of nomination papers for 224 constituencies.

In a written statement, Faruqi alleged that the Awami League, along with the Jatiya Party and other allies in the 14-party coalition, had maintained an authoritarian regime over the past 16 years. He claimed that both parties share responsibility for human rights violations and that the interim government’s ban on Awami League activities should also apply to its main ally, the Jatiya Party. Faruqi further argued that no fascist or autocratic political force should be allowed to operate in post-July Bangladesh.

Manch-24 stated that two legal notices had already been sent to the government demanding action against parties accused of aiding alleged atrocities. The group warned that if the Election Commission fails to act within 72 hours, it will call for a protest to surround the commission.

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, visited the graves of her grandparents, late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, on Friday morning at the Zia Udyan in Dhaka. She offered floral tributes and prayed for their souls during the visit.

Family members, including Begum Khaleda Zia’s sister Selina Islam and younger daughter-in-law Sharmila Rahman, were also present at the site. The relatives were seen in tears as they offered prayers and paid their respects together.

The visit marked a moment of remembrance for the family at the resting place of two prominent figures in Bangladesh’s political history, as reported by Amar Desh Online.

Hasnat Abdullah, the National Citizen Party candidate for Comilla-04 (Debidwar) constituency, has accused the local administration of losing neutrality and leaning toward the BNP. Speaking to journalists on Friday in front of the Comilla District Commissioner and Returning Officer’s office after the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Abdullah alleged that the administration’s partial behavior has raised doubts about the fairness of the upcoming polls.

He claimed that despite submitting written evidence against a candidate for concealing information in the election affidavit, the administration still approved that candidate’s nomination. Abdullah criticized what he described as administrative inaction over recent violent incidents, including the killing of a person named Hadi, and said such failures have undermined public confidence. He further alleged that some political parties have obstructed administrative reforms by exerting their influence.

Abdullah, who is contesting under the ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol nominated by Jamaat-e-Islami, urged Debidwar voters to exercise their voting rights on January 12. The district returning officer declared his nomination valid while rejecting 16 others in Comilla constituencies.

The historic Nalchity launch terminal in Jhalakathi has been renamed after martyr Sharif Osman Hadi by Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The renaming plaque was unveiled on Friday afternoon at a ceremony in Nalchity, where the adviser paid tribute to Hadi’s memory and described him as a fearless fighter and symbol of patriotic youth.

During the event, the adviser said the government is prioritizing the development of water transport infrastructure to connect remote and island communities with the national development mainstream. He emphasized that naming the terminal after Hadi would inspire future generations with patriotism, courage, and responsibility. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has already completed renovation and modernization work on the newly named terminal.

Local residents expressed gratitude for the decision. Earlier, the adviser had handed over a water ambulance named after Hadi to Monpura Upazila in Bhola and inaugurated a new launch terminal in Durgapasha, Bakerganj, aimed at improving local transport and trade connectivity.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher stated that the aspirations of the people will be fulfilled in the upcoming national election. He made the remark on Friday afternoon during a meeting with local Jamaat leaders at the Chauddagram municipality in Cumilla. Taher said that since Bangladesh’s independence, citizens have desired to see Islamic parties in power, but that aspiration has not yet been realized.

He referred to last year’s student and public uprising and alleged that anti-hegemony activist Osman Hadi was killed by terrorists afterward. Taher added that people now want to vote Islamic parties into power to ensure justice for Hadi’s killers and to build a corruption- and extortion-free Bangladesh. He called on party members to play an active role in achieving this goal.

The meeting was presided over by Mahfuzur Rahman, the municipal election director and Upazila Jamaat Ameer, and attended by several local leaders including VP Shahab Uddin, Maulana Ibrahim, Belal Hossain, Kazi Yasin, Zainal Abedin Patwari, Mosharraf Hossain Opel, and Supreme Court advocate Al Mamun Russell.

Inqilab Mancha has announced it will continue street protests until justice is served for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. The group warned that if justice is not ensured by January 7, it will launch a movement to topple the government. On Friday, January 2, after the Juma prayers, activists marched from Dhaka University’s central mosque to Shahbagh, where they staged a large demonstration that partially blocked traffic on one side of the road.

Speakers at the rally, including member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, accused the government of failing to identify and arrest the real killers even after 21 days. They rejected what they described as misleading government statements and demanded that all those involved be brought under the law. Jaber said the group would remain on the streets until the murder trial is completed and called on political parties to avoid secret meetings with foreign representatives.

Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot on December 12 in Purana Paltan and died on December 18 in Singapore while under treatment.