A major reshuffle has taken place in the top ranks of the Bangladesh Army, according to an order issued from Army Headquarters on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Lieutenant General Mainur Rahman, previously the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of ARTDOC, has been appointed as the new Chief of General Staff (CGS), the second most important position after the Army Chief. The post had been vacant since January 17. Former Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan, has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an ambassador.

Major General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman, formerly GOC of the 24th Infantry Division, has been appointed as the new PSO. Major General Ferdous Hasan, previously Commandant of the East Bengal Regimental Centre, will now serve as the GOC of the 24th Infantry Division. The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) has also seen changes, with Major General Jahangir Alam reassigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Brigadier General Kaiser Rashid promoted to Major General and appointed as the new DG.

Additional changes include Major General J M Imdadul Islam’s transfer to the East Bengal Regimental Centre and Brigadier General Md Hafizur Rahman’s promotion to Major General and appointment as GOC of the 55th Infantry Division.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Principal Asadul Habib Dulu visited his constituency in Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila on Friday afternoon after assuming office. During his three-day visit, he met with party members, social organizations, and local residents. On Saturday night around 9:30 p.m., two district Awami League leaders—Treasurer and Union Parishad Chairman Habibur Rahman Habib and Education and Research Secretary and former Principal Sarwar Alam—visited the Circuit House to present him with flowers.

Photos and videos of the nighttime floral greeting quickly went viral on social media, triggering widespread discussion and criticism. Several district Awami League leaders alleged that the two had shifted political allegiance and previously campaigned for the BNP’s election symbol during the February 12 national polls. Anonymous sources suggested that opportunists across the country were becoming active ahead of upcoming local government elections, intensifying grassroots political tensions.

BNP leaders, however, stated that Minister Dulu now serves all citizens and that anyone may greet him. They added that determining any legal wrongdoing is the responsibility of the authorities.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has declared that no form of corruption will be allowed in the Ministry of Education. Speaking on Sunday, February 22, at the Secretariat after a meeting with the Teachers and Employees Unity Alliance, he said that teachers would no longer need to visit the ministry to press their demands. He emphasized the government’s sincerity in improving the education sector.

The minister stated that issues such as teacher evaluation, salary scales, and other legitimate demands would be presented to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj, who was also present, said that the government aims to ensure a corruption-free education system and prevent the politicization of education. He added that steps would be taken to harmonize the curricula of the three existing education categories.

The meeting reflected the ministry’s commitment to transparency and reform, with both ministers highlighting the goal of creating a fair and quality-driven education environment.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has announced that citizens aged 16 or 17 can now apply for national identity cards (NID). According to a circular issued on Sunday by the National Identity Registration Wing of the EC Secretariat, eligible applicants will receive their NID, and their names will be automatically added to the voter list once they turn 18.

The circular stated that the decision was made under Section 5 of the National Identity Registration Act, 2010, as amended in 2013. It clarified that any Bangladeshi citizen who has reached or will reach the age of 16 or 17 on the date of application may now register for an NID.

The directive, signed by Khan Abi Shahanur Khan, Director (Registration and Expatriates) of the National Identity Registration Wing, instructed all regional, district, and upazila election officers to implement the order immediately.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will take place during the first session of the 13th National Parliament. He made the statement on Sunday after a meeting with the Prime Minister at the Secretariat. According to the minister, the President will convene the first session of the new Parliament on March 12, following the Prime Minister’s advice.

The Home Minister also stated that ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government will be presented in the same session. In addition, he mentioned that reshuffles have begun at the higher levels of the police administration.

The announcement marks a key step in initiating the activities of the 13th National Parliament, setting the stage for leadership selection and administrative adjustments within the government.

Newly elected NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain announced his first post-election visit to his constituency in Rangpur after winning the 13th parliamentary election. His visit to Haragachh has drawn protests and a strike call from the local municipal BNP, led by Emdadul Bhorsa. In a Facebook post early Sunday, Hossain warned that if anything happened to him during the visit, responsibility would lie with Bhorsa and the BNP high command. He stated that he would continue working for the oppressed workers of Haragachh.

In his post, Hossain accused Bhorsa’s supporters of election-day irregularities, intimidation, and post-poll violence against NCP activists. He described incidents of obstruction, threats, and attacks at polling centers, alleging that Bhorsa’s men attempted to manipulate votes in Haragachh. Hossain claimed that despite repeated appeals, authorities took no action to stop the violence or vandalism.

Hossain said he planned to visit damaged homes and meet displaced supporters, adding that he had secured special allocations worth 6.5 crore taka for Haragachh’s development. He reiterated that any harm to him during the visit would be the responsibility of Bhorsa and the BNP leadership.

Five leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were injured in an alleged attack by Awami League activists at Pattashi Bazar in Indurkani upazila of Pirojpur on Friday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m., leaving the presidents of the local Matsyajibi Dal and JASAS among the injured. The victims, identified as Nazrul Islam Fakir, Zahid Hossain, Nahid Hossain, Nasir Uddin Fakir, and Naim Hossain, were first treated at Indurkani Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Pirojpur District Hospital.

According to locals, they found the victims bleeding and two of them unconscious when they arrived at the scene after hearing cries for help. Injured Zahid Hossain alleged that the attack was led by Nasir Uddin Tuku, joint secretary of the local Awami League, along with his son Raihan and brother Alaudin, claiming it was retaliation for their involvement with the BNP. However, Nasir Uddin denied the allegation, saying he was injured while trying to stop the fight and was being falsely accused.

Indurkani Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shamim Hawlader said they received reports of the clash and would take legal action upon receiving a written complaint.

Detective Branch (DB) police detained Ferdous Ahmed Chowdhury Toshar, president of Bahubal upazila BNP in Habiganj, taking him into custody on Sunday. In protest, local BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal activists held a rally and blocked the Mirpur section of the highway around 2 p.m., halting traffic for about half an hour. The demonstrators demanded Toshar’s unconditional release within 24 hours.

Police sources said Toshar was detained following allegations of using abusive language and issuing threats to Bahubal Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Saiful Islam. A leaked phone call recording of the incident had circulated on social media. The dispute reportedly began after police arrested Masuk Mia, identified as a member of the 2019 Union Jubo League committee, whom some BNP leaders claimed was a BNP activist.

Toshar later went live on social media, accusing the OC of involvement in illegal cigarette seizures, drug trade, and other irregularities, which he said he verbally reported to the district police superintendent.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Joint Secretary General Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi issued a statement on Sunday calling for widespread public use of the words “Inquilab, Insaaf, and Azadi,” describing them as the language and heritage of the July mass uprising. He criticized what he called “defeated cultural fascists” for opposing these historically significant Arabic-Persian terms, which he said had inspired rebellion during the uprising. Islamabadi also expressed concern that a minister from the ruling party had spoken against the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad.”

In his statement, Islamabadi argued that Arabic, Persian, and Urdu words have enriched the Bengali language and played a vital role in anti-colonial and popular movements. He accused certain “secular cultural elites” of attempting to undermine the revolutionary spirit of the July movement by attacking these words while ignoring other politically charged terms. He urged students and the public to respond peacefully to any attempts to distort the historical slogans.

He further called on intellectuals and media professionals to strengthen their skills and strategies to counter what he described as fascist and hegemonic narratives, emphasizing the need for continued cultural resistance.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the next session of Bangladesh’s parliament will begin on March 12. He said the session will be convened by the president on the advice of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The minister made the statement after a meeting with the prime minister at the Secretariat on Sunday. He added that elections for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be held on the same day, while discussions on the new president have not yet taken place.

The 13th national parliamentary election and referendum were held on February 12, followed by the publication of the official gazette the next day. According to constitutional requirements, the first session of the new parliament must be held by March 14. Newly elected members took their oaths on February 17. Tarique Rahman, chairman of the BNP, has been elected as the leader of the house and has already formed a new government.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir Shafiqur Rahman has been chosen as the leader of the opposition, with Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher as deputy opposition leader and Md Nahid Islam of the National Citizens Party as opposition chief whip.

State Minister for Education and newly elected Member of Parliament for Dhaka-13, Bobby Hajjaj, announced on Sunday his decision to take legal action against Mamunul Haque, a rival candidate in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Hajjaj accused Haque of orchestrating attacks on BNP activists and attempting to seize polling centers on election day. The announcement came after Hajjaj visited Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital in Dhaka to review the condition of those injured in the election-day violence.

According to Hajjaj, Haque’s supporters tried to take control of polling centers under his direction, leading to clashes when BNP supporters resisted. Over a hundred BNP activists were reportedly injured, including Haidar Ali, who remains in critical condition in the hospital’s ICU due to brain hemorrhage. Hajjaj stated that Haque was present at the scene and directly ordered the attacks, prompting the decision to name him as the main accused in the forthcoming case.

Hajjaj also outlined several initiatives to curb drugs and crime in Mohammadpur, including installing CCTV cameras, police boxes, and increasing patrol teams.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has announced plans to complete the postponed parliamentary by-elections for Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 constituencies before Pahela Baishakh, which falls on April 14. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Ma’shud confirmed the decision on Sunday, stating that the commission aims to finish the voting process before the start of the Bengali New Year celebrations.

According to the commissioner, the EC is working to ensure that all pending electoral activities are concluded on time. In Bogura, expatriate voters who have already registered have cast their votes, and the commission will send ballots to them again. Additional time of a few days may be given to include any new voters who were left out. Alongside these by-elections, the process for reserved women’s seats has also begun through party nominations.

The commissioner added that the formalities for the reserved women’s seats will be completed within 90 days of the gazette publication, with the EC expecting to finish that election within the stipulated period.

On February 12, 2026, Bangladesh held its 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum. According to the Election Commission, voter turnout stood at 59.44 percent. However, analysis of the results shows that 15 members of parliament were elected after securing less than 40 percent of the total votes cast in their respective constituencies.

Among the winners, BNP candidates, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, and several independents prevailed in closely contested races. For example, BNP’s Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman won in Mymensingh-10 with 34.56 percent of votes, while Jamaat’s Kamrul Hasan took Mymensingh-6 with 33.03 percent. Other low-margin victories included BNP’s Jahandar Ali Jahan in Madaripur-2 with 32.38 percent and independent Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal in Kishoreganj-5 with 38.50 percent. Several constituencies, including Gopalganj, Natore, and Dinajpur, also saw winners with similar vote shares.

The data highlights a fragmented electoral outcome, with multiple candidates dividing the vote in many constituencies. The Election Commission’s overall turnout figure contrasts with the narrow winning margins, suggesting highly competitive local races across the country.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that his country will not yield to US pressure regarding its nuclear program. He made the statement during a ceremony honoring members of Iran’s Paralympic team. His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said he was considering limited military strikes to pressure Iranian leaders into reaching a nuclear control agreement.

Responding to Trump’s comments, Pezeshkian said Iran would not bow to any challenges or coordinated efforts by world powers to force compliance. The statement underscored Tehran’s defiance as indirect talks between Iran and the United States resumed earlier this month in Oman, followed by a second round in Switzerland last week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Friday that a diplomatic solution was within reach and that a draft agreement could be finalized within two to three days for submission to Washington.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has returned to his previous workplace after completing his tenure as the chief adviser of the interim government. On Sunday morning, he arrived at the Yunus Centre located in the Telecom Building in Mirpur, where his long-time colleagues warmly welcomed him with flowers. The information was shared through a post on his verified Facebook page.

According to the post, upon his return, Dr. Yunus held a meeting with the managing directors and advisers of Grameen organizations and the Yunus Centre. The discussion focused on resuming various activities that had been on hold during his public service and on outlining future plans. His return marks the end of an 18-month period since he left the Yunus Centre to lead the interim government during a critical phase in the country’s politics.

The meeting at the Yunus Centre signaled the restart of organizational operations and planning for upcoming initiatives under Dr. Yunus’s guidance.