Newly appointed Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government aims to completely end mob culture in Bangladesh. He stated that no one will be allowed to engage in mob actions in the name of demands, though peaceful rallies, processions, and submission of memorandums for legitimate causes will remain permitted. He emphasized the continuation of democratic practices in the country.

Speaking on his first working day at the Secretariat during an introductory meeting with ministry officials, Ahmed said the police must become friends of the people and restore their damaged image. He pledged to make the Home Ministry free from corruption, ensuring transparency and accountability among officials. He warned that no illegal lobbying would be tolerated and that any member of the security forces found involved in crimes would face immediate investigation and action.

The meeting was chaired by Acting Secretary Md. Delwar Hossain and attended by officials from various levels of the ministry. Upon arrival, the minister was greeted with flowers and given a guard of honor.

Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and head of the central publicity and media department of Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed deep concern over the killing of party activist Abbas Uddin in Lakshmipur Sadar. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, he said Abbas Uddin was burned to death after miscreants set fire to Jitu Agro Fish Farm in Ward No. 1 of Char Ramani Mohan Union. He condemned the incident as a brutal act of political vengeance.

Zubair urged the government to conduct a free, fair, and impartial investigation to identify and punish those responsible for the killing. He described the incident as an inhumane act against an innocent person and demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.

He also prayed for Abbas Uddin to be accepted as a martyr and extended his condolences to the bereaved family, praying for their strength to endure the loss.

Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh has called for closing hotels and restaurants during daytime in the holy month of Ramadan to maintain its sanctity. The appeal was made by the organization’s Secretary General Sultan Mahmud at a rally held on Wednesday afternoon at Paltan intersection in Dhaka, organized to welcome Ramadan.

During his address, Sultan Mahmud emphasized that Ramadan is a month of self-purification, restraint, and morality for Muslims. He urged the government to take effective measures to control market syndicates, ensure the supply of adulteration-free food, and keep essential commodities affordable for the public. He also called on the administration to take strict action if necessary to uphold the sanctity of Ramadan.

Mahmud further requested that all educational institutions provide quality and affordable meals for students. Leaders at the rally encouraged unity to foster social harmony, morality, and human values in building a welfare-oriented society during Ramadan.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a colorful rally and gathering in Rajshahi city on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to welcome the holy month of Ramadan and demand control of essential commodity prices. The event began at 10 a.m. from the city’s Museum Mor and concluded at Zero Point after passing through key streets. Participants carried banners and festoons, chanting slogans to mark the occasion.

Speakers at the gathering alleged that dishonest business syndicates and hoarders create artificial crises during Ramadan, pushing prices beyond the reach of ordinary people. They urged the government to take strict monitoring measures and effective action against such groups. Rajshahi Metropolitan Shibir President Imran Nazir said profiteering through hoarding contradicts the spirit of Ramadan, while Secretary Dr. Sakhawat Hossain called for a zero-tolerance policy against hoarders.

The event concluded with prayers for the prosperity of the nation, unity of the Muslim Ummah, and peace for oppressed Muslims worldwide. A large number of Shibir leaders and general citizens attended the rally.

On February 18, 2026, LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir spoke with journalists at his office in the Secretariat on the first working day of the newly formed government. He evaluated the activities of the outgoing interim administration led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus and discussed the upcoming challenges for the government headed by Tarique Rahman. Fakhrul said the new cabinet was formed to implement the prime minister’s specific plan to solve people’s problems and move Bangladesh forward.

He emphasized that democracy would remain central to all government efforts, noting that the Local Government Ministry directly connects with grassroots citizens. Addressing concerns about law and order and the economy, Fakhrul stated that conditions had improved, with better control over the banking sector and restored macroeconomic stability. He warned against mob justice and said the government would bring such incidents under control.

Fakhrul credited the interim government for successfully managing the transition to democracy and said there was no need to issue a white paper on its activities. He also claimed that the recent election had gained both national and international acceptance.

Supreme Court senior lawyer and former Islami Chhatra Shibir central secretary Shishir Monir has announced that any legal challenge against the July National Charter or related referendum will be met through proper legal procedures. He made the statement on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in a post on social media platform Facebook.

In his post, Monir assured that he and his fellow lawyers would handle any such legal actions skillfully in court and urged people not to be worried about the matter. His declaration comes amid discussions surrounding the July National Charter and referendum, though the source does not specify the nature of the potential challenges or the broader political context.

The announcement signals a readiness from Monir and his legal associates to defend the legitimacy of the July National Charter through judicial means if contested.

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has congratulated Dr. Khalilur Rahman on his appointment as Bangladesh’s new foreign minister in the recently formed government. Jaishankar extended his greetings through his official verified Facebook page, expressing eagerness to work together for mutual progress and prosperity between the two neighboring countries.

Dr. Khalilur Rahman previously served as the National Security Adviser in the interim government and as the High Representative on Rohingya issues under the Chief Adviser. He earned his master’s degree in economics from the University of Dhaka in 1977, securing first place in his class, and joined the Bangladesh Civil Service (Foreign Affairs) cadre in 1979. He later obtained an MA in Law and Diplomacy and a PhD in Economics from Tufts and Harvard universities in the United States.

Between 1983 and 1985, Rahman worked in the South Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as the personal secretary to the foreign minister. He was later posted to Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and joined the UN Secretariat in Geneva in 1991 as a special adviser to UNCTAD.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali stated that the police have delivered a fair and widely accepted election through utmost sincerity and dedication. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the monthly crime review meeting for January 2026, held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh. Addressing DMP members, he thanked all officers for maintaining neutrality and professionalism during the election and said the force had regained its lost glory. He urged everyone to continue working to uphold this positive image.

During the meeting, Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Mohammad Sarwar instructed officers to manage heavy traffic before iftar during Ramadan to ensure smooth movement for the public. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S.N. Mohammad Nazrul Islam directed vigilance during major upcoming events such as International Mother Language Day and the Ekushey Book Fair, and to prevent theft and snatching during Ramadan nights. The DMP Commissioner also awarded officers for outstanding performance in maintaining law and order and public safety in January.

Senior DMP officials, including several additional and joint commissioners, deputy commissioners, and officers-in-charge from all police stations, attended the meeting.

A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and former RAJUK assistant legal adviser Sardar Mosharraf Hossain in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The order was given on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez after the accused failed to appear in court. The court also set March 8 for submission of the arrest execution report.

According to the case, filed on April 15 of the previous year, Siddiq and others allegedly misused their positions to illegally obtain a flat from Eastern Housing Limited in Gulshan-2 without payment. The ACC later submitted a charge sheet on December 11 under several sections of the Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. Earlier, co-accused Shah Khusruzzaman had sought a stay on the investigation, which the High Court granted for three months.

The report also notes that Siddiq had previously been sentenced to six years in prison in three separate cases related to plot allocation fraud.

Newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will travel in his own car instead of using an official vehicle, according to BNP media cell member Atikur Rahman Ruman. He will not claim any expenses for fuel or driver as part of his official privileges. On Wednesday, his first day after taking oath, the Prime Minister used his personal white Toyota car to visit Savar National Memorial and later Sher-e-Bangla Nagar before attending the first cabinet meeting at the Secretariat.

Ruman said the Prime Minister has reduced his motorcade from 13–14 vehicles to four, considering Dhaka’s traffic congestion. He also instructed that the usual deployment of uniformed police along his travel route be discontinued. The Prime Minister decided to hold most cabinet meetings at the Secretariat instead of the Prime Minister’s Office to avoid traffic disruptions caused by VIP movement.

During official state events or visits by foreign guests, the national flag will be displayed on his car, but not during regular activities, Ruman added.

At a central executive meeting held at its Paltan headquarters on February 17, 2026, Khelafat Majlis leaders expressed deep concern that the winning party, BNP, and its coalition partners in the 13th National Parliament had not taken oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. They said this stance went against public expectations and undermined the spirit of the July uprising. The party emphasized that, since the people voted 'yes' in the referendum, the government must promptly implement the July Charter and accelerate constitutional reform.

The leaders also alleged widespread irregularities in vote counting and result announcements during the 13th parliamentary election. Khelafat Majlis demanded a recount in constituencies including Narayanganj-05 and Khulna-04 and announced plans to file a petition with the High Court, expecting justice. The meeting further called for control of commodity prices and improvement of law and order ahead of Ramadan, urging restraint from activities that could harm the sanctity of the holy month. A national election review committee was also formed.

The meeting was chaired by Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and conducted by Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed that electricity supply remain uninterrupted during sehri, iftar, and tarawih prayers in the upcoming Ramadan. The instruction came on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during the first cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat under his chairmanship. After the meeting, State Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque Nur briefed reporters about the decisions.

According to the state minister, the Prime Minister reminded cabinet members that the government enjoys strong public support and must uphold good governance and accountability. He urged ministers to perform their duties free from influence or favoritism and to maintain a firm stance against corruption. The Prime Minister also emphasized keeping commodity prices stable during Ramadan and ensuring law and order.

Additionally, the meeting discussed implementing visible progress on government commitments such as family cards, farmer cards, and health cards, which were highlighted during election campaigns.

The government has relieved Sheikh Bashir Uddin from his position as chairman of the board of directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited. The decision was formalized through a gazette notification issued on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, by order of the President. The notification was signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Mosammat Shakila Parvin of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

According to the notification, Sheikh Bashir Uddin was released from his duties at his own request. The government exercised its authority under Section 30(g) of the Bangladesh Biman Order, 1972 (reinstated and amended by the Bangladesh Biman Order Reinstatement and Amendment Act, 2023). The order was issued in the public interest and took effect immediately from the date of issuance.

The announcement marks an official change in leadership at the national flag carrier, though no successor or further administrative details were mentioned in the government order.

Dr. Reza Kibria, the BNP candidate who won the Habiganj-1 (Nabiganj-Bahubal) constituency by a large margin, has not been included in the newly formed cabinet, causing disappointment among his supporters and local residents. The absence of his name, despite his reputation as an internationally recognized economist, has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many had expected him to be appointed as a minister, particularly in a key economic role.

Local BNP leaders expressed frustration, saying that the people of Nabiganj-Bahubal had voted with the hope of seeing Dr. Kibria in the cabinet. Gajnaipur Union BNP president Safiul Alam Bajlu described the exclusion as a setback for both the constituency and merit-based leadership. Upazila BNP general secretary Majidur Rahman and senior joint secretary Oliur Rahman echoed similar sentiments, urging the party leadership and the prime minister to reconsider the decision.

The disappointment reflects broader expectations in Habiganj district, where no representative was given a cabinet position, leaving voters disheartened after their strong electoral support.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam stated that Sajib Wazed Joy, son of the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak were among the masterminds of the July genocide. He made the remarks on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during a press briefing at the tribunal premises, where the prosecution presented its opening statement in the crimes against humanity case against Joy and Palak.

According to Tajul Islam, the genocide took place during the July–August 2024 student uprising, when protesters were allegedly massacred after internet services were shut down. He said both Joy and Palak, who were responsible for ICT affairs at the time, played key roles by facilitating the internet shutdown that enabled the killings.

The Chief Prosecutor further claimed that Palak had consulted with then–Prime Minister’s Adviser Salman F Rahman regarding assistance in the genocide, and that the prosecution had presented evidence of their alleged conspiracies and planning in court.