Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced a pardon for 1,856 prisoners ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The directive orders their release from correctional and punitive institutions in Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed serves as the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates as well as the ruler of Dubai.

Dubai’s Attorney General, Chancellor Essam Issa Al-Humaidan, stated that the pardon reflects Sheikh Mohammed’s humanitarian outlook. He explained that the initiative aims to bring joy to the prisoners’ families and help the released individuals start a new life and reintegrate into society. The Dubai Public Prosecution has already begun coordinating with Dubai Police to implement the legal procedures for the release.

According to the report, such humanitarian gestures are undertaken annually by UAE rulers during Ramadan, carrying a positive message across society.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman continued his second day in office by holding a series of high-level meetings in Dhaka on Thursday. In the morning, he met separately with the Directors General of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Later, he held a meeting with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Following these security discussions, the Prime Minister attended an inter-ministerial meeting at 11:30 a.m. to finalize the implementation plan for the upcoming ‘Family Card’ program. The initiative aims to streamline government support for families across the country. In the afternoon, he was scheduled to chair another inter-ministerial meeting focused on a five-year plan to plant 250 million trees and to discuss nationwide dredging and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and water bodies.

The meetings reflect the Prime Minister’s early emphasis on national security coordination, social welfare planning, and environmental restoration programs as part of his government’s initial agenda.

The holy month of Ramadan 1447 began in Bangladesh on Thursday, February 19, 2026, following the moon sighting announcement on Wednesday evening. From the first day of Ramadan, new working hours took effect for government offices, courts, banks, and the stock market. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification after approval from the advisory council on February 8, setting hours based on sahri and iftar times.

Government offices will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a prayer break from 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., maintaining Friday and Saturday as weekly holidays. The Supreme Court administration announced that lower courts will function from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with the same prayer break. Bangladesh Bank’s February 10 circular set banking hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with transactions until 2:30 p.m. and a similar prayer break, requiring alternative arrangements for uninterrupted customer service.

The stock market will trade from 10:00 a.m. to 1:40 p.m., followed by a 10-minute post-closing session. Essential services such as hospitals, railways, and state industries will adjust schedules according to their respective regulations and public interest.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the government will take steps to organize district council, upazila council, and municipal elections as soon as possible. He made the statement on Wednesday at the Secretariat during his first working day after taking oath as minister. Responding to a journalist’s question, he said that decisions on these elections will be made quickly.

Following the July uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government, the interim administration removed all city corporation, district, upazila, and municipal mayors—most of whom were Awami League leaders—and appointed administrators in their place. These administrators are still performing their duties. The minister declined to comment on alleged irregularities by former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, saying he would review the matter first.

Mirza Fakhrul added that law and order and the economy have improved compared to the past, and that the banking sector is now under control. He said the country is recovering from the political upheaval following the fall of the previous government.

Bangladesh’s new Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman announced that the country’s foreign policy will prioritize national interests under the motto “Bangladesh First.” Speaking to journalists after meeting visiting Nepalese Foreign Minister Bala Nand Sharma at the Padma State Guest House on Wednesday evening, he said the government would return to the foreign policy principles of late President Ziaur Rahman. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s diplomacy will be guided by sovereignty, mutual respect, non-interference, national dignity, and mutual benefit.

Rahman stated that the government led by Tarique Rahman intends to revive the foreign policy approach of the late president, recalling Ziaur Rahman’s initiatives such as Bangladesh’s election to the UN Security Council, the founding of SAARC, and his role in the Al Quds Committee. He said Bangladesh aims to reclaim its active role in regional and global peace efforts.

On the Rohingya issue, the minister said monitoring of Myanmar will be strengthened, with continued communication with Myanmar and the Arakan Army to seek a prompt resolution. He also urged the media to act responsibly to avoid misinformation that could harm diplomatic relations.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has welcomed the ruling party’s announcement to forgo duty-free car and government plot privileges, calling it a timely and hopeful step toward ending discriminatory state practices. In a statement issued Wednesday, TIB described the move as an important beginning in building a transparent and accountable governance system. The organization urged the government to develop a comprehensive national anti-corruption strategy based on the BNP’s 31-point reform outline, the election manifesto, the July Charter, and the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission’s report.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the July uprising and the 13th parliamentary election reflected the people’s desire for a corruption-free Bangladesh. He emphasized that preventing corruption is essential for fulfilling the new coalition government’s political, economic, and social commitments. TIB also called for all public representatives and government employees to annually disclose their and their families’ income and assets online.

The organization further recommended constitutional amendments to curb abuse of power and urged inclusion of all political parties and institutions in implementing the national anti-corruption strategy.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Abu Zafar Mohammad Zahid Hossain said that the true picture of development can only be understood by observing conditions on the ground. Speaking as chief guest at a meeting with ministry officials and employees on Wednesday, he emphasized that walking along the 'highway of development' reveals how far the country still lags behind. He called for working beyond partisan interests to implement the public mandate.

The minister pledged to remain frugal and continue supporting the ministry’s development in all aspects. Expressing his commitment to nation-building under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, he recalled the sacrifices made during the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising, noting that today’s Bangladesh was achieved through great sacrifice. He urged officials to cooperate in fulfilling the people’s trust.

State Minister Farzana Sharmin said she was honored to serve in a ministry where her father had also worked and sought everyone’s cooperation to make its activities more dynamic. Earlier, ministry secretaries and officials welcomed the newly appointed minister and state minister with flowers.

Tribunal-2 has accepted the testimony of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi as evidence in the crimes against humanity case concerning killings during the July Revolution. The case names Awami League General Secretary and former Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and six other accused. The decision followed a prosecution request, and Hadi had given his statement on June 18 of the previous year. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, approved the application on Wednesday.

The other accused are Awami League Joint General Secretary A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan. All defendants are currently absconding. Earlier, Tribunal-1 had accepted a statement by Badruddin Umar as evidence in a separate case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In his testimony, Hadi described his background, involvement in student activism, and detailed accounts of alleged violence during the 2024 uprising, accusing political and organizational leaders of orchestrating attacks on protesters.

Police detained five activists in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, on Wednesday after they attempted to reopen a banned Awami League office. The detainees—Akhtar Hossain, Sajjad Hossain, Gouranga Roy, Mozammel Haque, and Bablu Sarkar—were sent to jail following a police operation led by Officer-in-Charge Faruk Hossain. Authorities said the arrests followed tensions surrounding the reopening attempt, and a case was filed against the individuals.

Similar incidents occurred in Chattogram, Narayanganj, and Barguna, where activists of the banned Awami League reopened offices, hoisted national and party flags, and displayed banners. In Chattogram, a video posted by Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel showed the reopening of the city Awami League office after 18 months. Police in multiple districts said they were identifying those involved and investigating the incidents.

Local police officials in Narayanganj and Barguna confirmed that investigations were underway, while opposition representatives in Barguna reported the incidents to the administration, urging swift action.

State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Advocate Dipen Dewan said the government aims to resolve the long-standing issues of the Chittagong Hill Tracts through dialogue and consensus. Speaking to journalists at his office in the Secretariat on Wednesday, he stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is highly positive about the matter and that maintaining peace and harmony while prioritizing development will be the government’s focus.

Dewan emphasized that under the current administration, citizens have been able to exercise their voting rights, unlike during the previous fascist government. He pledged to work toward fulfilling public expectations and ensuring comprehensive development in the hill region. Expressing pride in his new role, he said he would perform his duties with dedication to uphold the image of the party and government and strengthen the Prime Minister’s leadership.

Dewan, elected from Rangamati in the 13th National Parliament, previously served as a judicial officer before joining politics and the BNP. He reiterated his commitment to achieving peace, harmony, and development in the hill areas through collective cooperation.

The Dhaka University unit of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has called for ensuring food quality and reducing meal prices for students on campus during the holy month of Ramadan. The demand was made through a press release issued on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The organization emphasized that Ramadan, a month of self-restraint and spiritual purification, holds deep cultural and religious significance for Bangladeshis and Muslims worldwide.

According to the statement, students face recurring difficulties every Ramadan due to poor food quality and inflated prices in residential hall canteens and campus eateries. The group noted that financially disadvantaged students are particularly affected by these conditions. It urged the university administration to take special measures to address the issue.

The Chhatra Dal demanded that the university set fixed price limits for sehri and iftar meals, conduct regular monitoring of food quality, and strengthen administrative oversight of canteens. The unit’s president Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and general secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon extended greetings to all students and called on the administration to ensure affordable, quality food during Ramadan.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has called on the government, the information and broadcasting minister, and media heads to guarantee journalists’ freedom and democratic rights. In a social media post on Wednesday night, February 19, 2026, he urged authorities not to oppress anyone and to uphold press freedom in Bangladesh.

Kayem described the day as a dark one for the country’s media, alleging that five journalists, including Mahbub Morshed of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and several from Ekhon Television, were forcibly dismissed or barred from entering their offices. He claimed the move came on the first working day of the BNP government and linked the dismissals to the journalists’ support for the “July movement.”

He condemned the reported incidents, calling them acts of harassment against journalists who had played key roles in promoting the nine-point agenda of the July revolution, and demanded that their professional rights be protected.

Former Member of Parliament and Barishal Metropolitan Awami League vice-president Zebunnesa Afroz has been granted bail by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Barishal, SM Shariatullah. Along with her, former Barishal Metropolitan Chhatra League president and former Sadar Upazila vice-chairman Jasim Uddin, and Barishal Metropolitan Jubo League joint convener Mahmudul Haque Khan Mamun also received bail. The information was confirmed by Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station’s G.R.O. SI Shambhu.

A reliable source also confirmed that former student leader and central Awami League leader Balram Poddar recently obtained bail from the High Court. Barishal Sadar Police Station’s G.R.O. Humayun Kabir verified the bail of Zebunnesa Afroz and the two others. Zebunnesa had been arrested by DB police from her Dhaka residence on May 17, 2025, and was shown arrested in six Barishal cases, remaining in Barishal Central Jail since then.

According to the report, Zebunnesa had previously been granted bail in one case but was subsequently shown arrested in others, prolonging her detention until the recent court order.

In Noakhali’s Senbag-Sonaimuri constituency, a woman named Fatema Akter was divorced by her husband Idris after she voted for the BNP candidate instead of his preferred independent contender during the 13th national election held on February 12. Following the incident, the BNP announced that it would take responsibility for Fatema and her three children. The party’s local leaders, under the direction of BNP’s winning candidate Zainul Abedin Faruk, visited Fatema’s home and provided food supplies including rice, lentils, and oil.

According to the report, Idris became angry when Fatema admitted to voting for the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol rather than the “cup and plate” symbol. He allegedly assaulted her and expelled her from their home, later divorcing her publicly. Fatema confirmed the divorce and is now living at her father’s house in Kesharpar village.

When contacted, Idris could not be reached as his phone was switched off. His father, Md. Rafiq, denied that the divorce was related to voting, claiming instead that it stemmed from family disputes and Idris’s personal issues.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced that it will hold a press conference to discuss current national issues. The announcement was made late on Wednesday, February 18, by Yasir Arafat, the media secretary of the party’s central election management committee. The event is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, at 2 p.m. at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka.

According to the statement, NCP convener Nahid Islam and spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan will be present at the press conference. The purpose of the event is to address contemporary matters concerning the country, although no specific topics were disclosed in the announcement.

The press conference is expected to provide the party’s perspective on ongoing national developments, but further details about the agenda or issues to be discussed were not mentioned in the statement.