Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the party would stand for the country’s 180 million people if any action went against their interests. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Thursday, February 19, he stated that Jamaat, as a responsible opposition, would fully support the government in advancing national progress and building a corruption-free country.

Rahman emphasized that neither the government nor the opposition should allow any situation that harms the public. He said the opposition was prepared to resist if national interests were undermined. He added that Jamaat would cooperate with the government in all positive initiatives but would build resistance where necessary, while hoping such circumstances would not arise.

According to Rahman, the opposition seeks to cooperate with the government but remains vigilant to ensure accountability whenever national interests are at risk.

Road Transport and Communications Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that money collected from transport operators on roads through mutual understanding should not be considered extortion, but if anyone is forced to pay, that constitutes extortion. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon during a press briefing at his office in the Secretariat while responding to journalists’ questions.

The minister explained that transport owners’ and workers’ associations collect funds for their welfare, describing it as an unwritten practice rather than extortion. He acknowledged that there may be debate over how the money is used but emphasized that the process is based on mutual consent. He also noted that influence often depends on which group or party is in power, giving dominance to affiliated labor organizations.

Robiul Alam further said that no external group is allowed to exert pressure or collect money within areas under the ministry’s jurisdiction. If owners collect funds by agreement, the ministry will review whether anyone is being deprived or if the funds are being misused. He also discussed traffic congestion caused by roadside markets and said measures will be taken to bring order.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has formed a four-member committee to investigate corruption allegations against Mahbub Morshed, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). The order, issued on Thursday, states that the ministry’s Additional Secretary (Grade-1) will serve as the committee’s chair.

Other members include the Principal Information Officer of the Press Information Department, the Director General of the Department of Mass Communication, and the Senior Assistant Secretary (Press-1) of the ministry, who will act as member secretary. The committee has been tasked with thoroughly reviewing the allegations, collecting statements from relevant parties, and conducting necessary inquiries.

According to the directive, the committee must submit a comprehensive report with recommendations by February 25, 2026. The ministry emphasized that the investigation should be impartial, transparent, and fair.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has expressed optimism that the proceedings of the International Crimes Tribunal will continue without interruption. Speaking to reporters on Thursday at the tribunal premises, he referred to the law minister’s recent statement that the tribunal’s activities would proceed at a normal pace. Tajul Islam said that although the government had not given any specific directive, it had indicated support for keeping the tribunal’s work ongoing.

He further stated that as long as the prosecution team remains in office, all activities will continue in their regular course, emphasizing that maintaining the tribunal’s operations is essential for ensuring justice. His remarks reaffirmed the prosecution’s commitment to sustaining the tribunal’s judicial process in line with the government’s position.

The statement comes amid ongoing discussions about the tribunal’s continuity, with officials signaling that its judicial functions will not be disrupted.

Bangladesh’s Road, Rail and Water Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that the unrestricted movement of battery-run autorickshaws on Dhaka’s main roads will be brought under control. Speaking at a press conference at the Road Transport and Highways Division on Thursday, he said a coordinated action plan involving the city corporation, traffic division, and home ministry will be prepared soon to decide whether to restrict or gradually phase out the vehicles.

The minister said a 180-day priority plan will focus on restoring discipline on roads, expanding rail networks, re-excavating canals, and developing an integrated transport system. He noted that unregulated parking, roadside markets, and battery-run rickshaws are worsening traffic congestion. Discussions with city corporations will be held to review and, if necessary, cancel street parking leases on key roads.

Sheikh Robiul Alam also addressed issues such as toll collection at the Padma Bridge, Eid travel management, the progress of metro rail construction, and the review of the BRT project. He emphasized transparency and accountability in ministry operations, stating that public interest will take precedence over political influence.

Newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to work on Saturdays in addition to regular working days. The decision, announced on February 19, 2026, aims to accelerate administrative activities and improve government efficiency.

Following his assumption of office, the Prime Minister also decided that Members of Parliament will not receive duty-free cars or plots, a move that has been widely appreciated. He further instructed ministers to avoid unnecessary expenditures, signaling a focus on austerity and responsible governance.

These early decisions reflect the Prime Minister’s intent to bring discipline and speed to the administration, with an emphasis on transparency and cost control within the government.

The Supreme Court Bar Association has announced that elections for its 2026–2027 executive committee will be held on March 11 and 12. A total of 14 positions will be contested, according to a notice issued on Wednesday. Nomination papers can be submitted from February 19 to March 1 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on March 1 at 9:30 p.m., and the deadline for withdrawal is March 4 at 3 p.m.

The election will cover one president, two vice presidents, one secretary, one treasurer, two joint secretaries, and seven executive members. The schedule outlines the full process from nomination submission to withdrawal, ensuring a structured timeline for candidates.

The notice marks the beginning of the formal electoral process for the association’s upcoming session, setting the stage for leadership selection among Supreme Court lawyers.

India’s Assistant High Commissioner in Sylhet, Aniruddha Das, announced that the Indian visa process for Bangladeshi citizens will soon return to normal. Speaking at a press briefing at the Sylhet District Press Club on February 18, he said that while medical and double-entry visas are currently available, other categories such as tourist visas remain suspended. He confirmed that strong initiatives are underway to reopen all visa categories.

Das emphasized that India-Bangladesh relations are built on mutual respect and trust, noting that the people of both nations are the main stakeholders in maintaining a stable and long-term partnership. He also highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties between the two countries.

Following the recent formation of an elected government in Bangladesh, citizens of both nations believe that the visa process may soon fully normalize after restrictions imposed by India in the aftermath of the mass uprising.

Bangladesh’s new parliament has formally begun its journey with members, ministers, and the prime minister taking oath, marking the start of the BNP-led government. Following this transition, discussions have intensified over when and how the next presidential election will occur. Current President Md. Shahabuddin, appointed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, remains in office with a term lasting until April 2028. Constitutional experts note that no new president can be elected unless he resigns or is impeached.

President Shahabuddin previously indicated his willingness to step down after the February election, citing discomfort during the interim government period. Analysts believe his resignation could pave the way for a smooth transition, as the new parliament and speaker assume their roles. Under the constitution, the president is elected by members of parliament, and the election is conducted by the Election Commission.

The July Charter, a proposed reform document, seeks to rebalance powers between the president and prime minister, potentially expanding presidential authority. However, experts caution that constitutional amendments are required before such changes take effect.

The High Court has formed an election tribunal to ensure speedy disposal of election-related cases under Section 49 of the Representation of the People Order. Justice Md Zakir Hossain will preside over the single bench designated to hear petitions concerning alleged irregularities in the recent national elections. The Chief Justice has granted this bench jurisdiction over election petitions in addition to its existing civil authority.

According to the High Court’s cause list, the bench will handle petitions transferred to it under the 1972 Representation of the People Order as amended in 2001. The tribunal will receive, admit, and hear applications and related rules concerning election disputes. Under Section 49, candidates or parties may file petitions within 45 days of the gazette notification of elected members.

The tribunal’s formation follows the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12, where voting took place in 299 out of 300 constituencies, and unofficial results for 297 seats were announced on February 13.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and Member of Parliament Nahid Islam declared that the current parliament has no value without the formation of a constitutional reform council. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Rupayan Tower, Banglamotor, Dhaka. Islam stated that although the election process and voting were fair, manipulation occurred in the results. Despite this, he said his party accepted the outcome in the interest of democracy and national stability and took oath to make both the parliament and the reform council functional.

He further alleged that the people of Bangladesh, who had voted in favor of reform in a referendum held under the July Charter Implementation Order, were deceived. According to Islam, the referendum’s popular verdict was ignored, amounting to a betrayal of the aspirations for a new Bangladesh. He urged that the constitutional reform council be formed and its members take oath promptly, reiterating that without it, the parliament holds no legitimacy.

Islam’s comments underscore ongoing political contention surrounding electoral integrity and constitutional reform in Bangladesh.

National Parliament Chief Whip and NCP convener Nahid Islam has accused the ruling BNP of appointing loan defaulters and murder case suspects as ministers while pretending to reject legitimate parliamentary benefits. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka’s Banglamotor on Thursday, he alleged that the BNP government is attempting to suppress media freedom and that its new cabinet continues old political arrangements without inclusivity or regional balance.

Nahid Islam said the NCP had hoped the recent election would advance democracy and good governance in Bangladesh, but alleged vote manipulation shattered those expectations. He stated that despite flaws, his party accepted the results for the sake of stability and took oath to make both the National Parliament and the Constitutional Reform Council functional. He accused the BNP of deceiving the public by not taking oath as reform council members.

Citing Transparency International Bangladesh, Nahid claimed 62 percent of MPs are businesspeople with large debts. He urged immediate convening of both the parliament and the reform council, warning that if the referendum is annulled, the government’s legitimacy would be questioned.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has launched a special website for residents of Thakurgaon-1 constituency to directly report incidents of extortion, land grabbing, or other local problems. In a verified Facebook post on Thursday, February 19, he urged citizens to use the platform to inform him about any wrongdoing or crime in their area. Fakhrul stated that the website, inaugurated on January 7, has already received a strong response, with numerous complaints and messages under review by his team. He assured that every message will be answered soon.

Several residents welcomed the initiative. Businessman Saiful Islam said the website offers a safe way to report extortion without fear, while teacher Roksana Begum called it a positive example of direct communication with a public representative. Youth Abdul Kader emphasized that visible action must follow the complaints and requested that identities of complainants be kept confidential.

The initiative aims to create a secure channel for citizens to report local crimes and ensure accountability through direct communication with their representative.

At a press conference at the Ministry of Education in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon, State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj announced that the government will treat education as the state’s first investment rather than an expenditure. He said education will be the main factory for human resource development and the central project for nation-building. Hajjaj stated that the government aims to raise education spending to five percent of GDP, aligning with international standards of four to six percent.

He outlined a three-year fiscal uplift plan to improve both the quantity and quality of education funding, emphasizing milestone-based cash releases and alignment of development projects with the school calendar. The minister acknowledged inefficiencies, noting that 53 percent of the secondary and higher education development fund remained unused last fiscal year. He pledged reforms in procurement, spending quality, and classroom outcomes.

Hajjaj also announced initiatives for teacher training, digital literacy, artificial intelligence awareness, and cyber safety. Plans include mandatory third-language education, improved school infrastructure, and digital tools such as “One Teacher, One Tab.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a skilled, just, and technology-enabled Bangladesh through education.

US President Donald Trump has congratulated Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on assuming office. In a letter sent on Wednesday, Trump extended greetings and best wishes on behalf of the American people for Rahman’s historic victory. The message emphasized the longstanding partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, built on mutual respect and shared interests in ensuring prosperity among strong and sovereign states within a free Indo-Pacific region.

Trump expressed optimism that under Prime Minister Rahman’s leadership, bilateral trade relations would advance further. The letter highlighted expectations that implementing mutual trade agreements would benefit farmers and workers in both countries. It also underscored the importance of completing regular defense agreements to ensure access to advanced US military equipment for Bangladesh’s armed forces.

The US President conveyed his hope that relations between the two nations would become stronger than ever before and affirmed his full confidence in the US ambassador stationed in Bangladesh.