Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the era of political godfathers had ended under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership and vowed not to let a new generation of such figures emerge.

He criticized the ruling Awami League for allegedly exploiting Cox’s Bazar in the name of tourism, turning it into a hub of drug trafficking. He emphasized the need for environmentally friendly tourism and the protection of local people's rights.

On the Rohingya issue, Nahid said, “We have compassion for the Rohingya, but hosting them indefinitely is unjust to the people of Cox’s Bazar.” He urged for a prompt solution to facilitate their repatriation.

At the rally, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar called on young voters to support the party in upcoming elections. “To build a new Bangladesh based on good governance, the first vote of the new generation should go to the ‘Scales’ symbol,” he said.

Porwar claimed Jamaat is the most oppressed political group in the country. “By Allah’s mercy, we have stood beside the families of countless martyrs, unlike any other political party,” he added.

BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has stated that his party has often had to bear the burden of Jamaat-e-Islami’s controversies. “People used to say BNP was a democratic party, one that contributed to the Liberation War. So why associate with war collaborators?” he questioned during a protest in Tangail Press Club against derogatory remarks about Ziaur Rahman and Tarique Rahman. Tuku announced that Tarique is calling for national unity against fascism and has plans to form a national government. Addressing Jamaat, he warned, “If you obstruct the people’s rights, you too will face rejection from the public.”

Dhaka, July 19 – Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman collapsed on stage toward the end of a mass rally at Suhrawardy Udyan while delivering his speech. He was quickly assisted by party members and resumed his address while seated on the stage.

Before falling ill, Dr. Rahman urged party members to uphold the values of sacrifice and humility. Reflecting on the legacy of the 24 martyrs, he warned against arrogance and disdain toward other political groups, stating, "Pride and contempt, if left unchecked, can lead to fascism." Although the incident caused concern among attendees, the situation quickly returned to normal.

In a striking display of public mobilization, thousands of people walked over eight kilometers to join Jamaat-e-Islami’s national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, due to an absence of available vehicles on the roads. Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator of the NCP, expressed astonishment on Facebook at the massive turnout, calling it a “historic event” for those who have been politically sidelined for the past 16 years.

Jamaat-e-Islami presented a seven-point demand during the rally, including calls for free and fair elections, justice for mass killings, fundamental reforms, proportional representation in national elections, and ensuring voting rights for expatriates.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that his party was not officially invited to Jamaat-e-Islami’s national rally. Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Taher clarified that only parties supporting Proportional Representation (PR) were invited. The event formally began at 2 PM with Quran recitation, featuring speeches from party Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar. Jamaat organized the rally to press for a seven-point charter of demands.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir clarified that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is not a revolutionary organization but a liberal democratic political party. Speaking at a discussion in Dhaka marking the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, he stated that BNP lacks the capacity and courage to seize power through revolution. Instead, the party aims to come to power through elections with public support to build a welfare-oriented state. The event was attended by leaders from various democratic and progressive platforms.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a national rally in Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan, inviting several anti-fascist parties but notably excluding its former ally BNP and the AB Party. Jamaat cited BNP’s opposition to the proportional representation (PR) system as the reason for exclusion, stating it would cause discomfort for both sides. Despite AB Party's support for PR, it was not invited due to internal resentment toward its leader Mujibur Rahman Monju, who regularly criticizes Jamaat. The move signals a growing rift in the opposition landscape.

Authorities in Gopalganj have eased the curfew from 6 AM to 8 PM today following recent deadly clashes during an NCP rally that left five people dead. With the partial relaxation, some public movement has resumed, especially for essential shopping, though overall activity remains subdued. Markets and shops remain closed due to the weekend, and the town has not yet returned to normal. The situation follows a series of violent incidents involving arson, vandalism, and clashes on Wednesday.

Prominent political figure Dr. Faizul Haque has declared that the future of Bangladesh belongs to Islam and the Kalema (declaration of faith). Addressing a Jamaat-e-Islami rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, he condemned all forms of discrimination among Islamic scholars and emphasized the need for nationwide political unity. He strongly criticized extortion, terrorism, and violence, stating that such acts will not be tolerated. Referring to the 2013 executions of Jamaat leaders, he demanded justice. Dr. Haque also dismissed the continued use of the term “razakar” (wartime collaborator), calling it outdated and politically motivated. “Anyone who tries to tarnish Islamic heritage under the guise of that term will be met with a strong response,” he warned, urging collective readiness for such challenges.

In a trilateral prisoner exchange, 10 Americans were released from Venezuela and returned to the US, while over 200 Venezuelans—many previously held in El Salvador’s CECOT prison—were repatriated. Most of the Venezuelans had been deported from the US under a controversial act, sparking human rights concerns. Only seven had serious criminal records. The deal also included the return of seven Venezuelan children separated from their parents in the US, and Venezuela is expected to release 80 more political prisoners soon.

Tens of thousands of supporters gathered at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s national rally. The grounds were already filled to capacity six hours before the program officially began.

Party leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman arrived at 12:30 PM, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from party members. The rally formally commenced at 2:00 PM under his leadership.

Earlier in the day, at 9:30 AM, Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar reached the venue. The rally was organized to press for a seven-point charter of demands, including proportional representation in elections, voting rights for expatriates, and the implementation of the "July Declaration."

This marks the first time Jamaat-e-Islami has held a solo national gathering at this landmark location.

At the SAFA International Conference 2025, Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced that the government is taking steps to end unfair competition in business caused by years of irregularities and the rise of criminal capital. He warned of the risks of a kleptocracy if transparency and equitable resource distribution are not ensured. Over 600 professionals from SAARC nations attended the event, where topics like GDP, economic growth, AI, and the changing role of accountants in global trade were discussed in technical sessions.

Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has recently faced a series of cyberattacks, reportedly orchestrated by Chinese-backed hacker groups. According to cybersecurity firm Proofpoint, at least three distinct groups were involved, using phishing emails and customized malware to breach companies tied to semiconductor design, manufacturing, and financial analysis. The attacks occurred between March and June, affecting the supply chain and major service providers. A fourth group also attempted to install malware named Spark. These new groups use tactics that differ from traditional Chinese cyber operations.

Bangladesh is pushing forward with a reciprocal trade agreement with the US despite political and economic concerns. The deal includes conditions that may affect national sovereignty and demand significant purchases from the US, such as LNG and military equipment. While 85% of the terms have reportedly been agreed upon, negotiations continue over sensitive issues. Experts say Bangladesh lacks the economic leverage seen in countries like India or Vietnam and warn that poor coordination and transparency could weaken its negotiating position.