The 13th National Assembly’s second session, known as the budget session, concluded on Wednesday evening with the reading of the presidential announcement by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal. The session began on June 7, the national budget for the current fiscal year was presented on June 11, and it was passed on June 30. The session lasted 26 working days and ended on July 15.

During the session, 48 hours and 51 minutes were spent discussing the budget across 14 working days, with participation from 316 members of parliament. Ten government bills were passed. Under Rule 71 of the parliamentary procedure, 715 notices were received, of which 24 were accepted and 22 discussed. Additionally, 125 two-minute notices were discussed under Rule 71(a).

A total of 278 questions were submitted for the Prime Minister, with 35 tabled answers. Ministers from various ministries received 5,031 questions and responded to 3,474. Eleven committees, including a special committee on constitutional amendment, were formed, and the business advisory committee was reconstituted.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sharply criticized the previous fascist and autocratic government, accusing it of deliberately destroying Bangladesh’s education and healthcare systems to benefit a particular foreign country and a vested interest group. He made the remarks on Wednesday during his concluding speech at the second session of the National Parliament, which was presided over by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal.

Rahman said the former regime followed a policy aimed at crippling the nation’s education system to serve another country’s agenda, while also paralyzing the healthcare sector to hand over commercial advantages to foreign interests. He assured Parliament that the current government has adopted a master plan to allocate 5 percent of GDP to education and healthcare in phases, with the goal of rebuilding both sectors to international standards.

The Prime Minister added that the government is prioritizing modern, humane education, removing controversial syllabuses, ensuring quality teaching materials, and providing proper training for teachers. He also noted that the current budget includes the highest-ever allocation for education and a plan to raise healthcare spending to 5 percent of GDP within five years.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), said that those involved in extortion and tender manipulation are enemies of the country. He made the remarks on July 15, 2026, at a roadside rally organized by the NCP in Mokamtala, Bogura. The event, held at the Mokamtala bus stand area, was attended by central and district leaders of the party.

During his speech, Patwari stated that the people of Bangladesh are now eager for change and that a transparent, accountable, and people-oriented political system is more necessary than ever. He emphasized that the NCP continues to work for the rights of ordinary citizens and called for the establishment of a new political trend through youth involvement. He also highlighted the need to create employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth.

The rally was also attended by northern regional organizer Sarjis Alam and several other central and district-level NCP leaders. After the event, participants departed for Joypurhat.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman described the current Parliament as a “gathering of the oppressed” and urged the Speaker to act as a strong commander in leading the House. Speaking during the concluding session of the national budget debate on Wednesday, he said a well-functioning Parliament would restore public confidence and inspire collective nation-building. He also expressed concern over Dhaka’s poor condition and waterlogging, proposing a coordinated master plan and special budget allocation to address the crisis.

Dr. Rahman criticized the unequal distribution of budget funds, alleging that opposition constituencies were deprived of fair allocations. He called for merit-based inclusion of educational institutions in the MPO list and urged the government to end the practice of political favoritism. He welcomed increased allocations for education and health but emphasized focusing on citizens’ real needs. He also condemned the wasteful culture of installing nameplates on public projects and called for ending such practices.

The opposition leader demanded a nationwide anti-corruption initiative, stressing that corruption must be rooted out through collective political will. He thanked the prime minister for prioritizing financial discipline and urged strict action against corrupt individuals regardless of political affiliation.

Students from various educational institutions in Chattogram continued demonstrations for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, demanding the resignation of the education minister. The protests were sparked by the government’s decision to hold Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations in flood-affected areas. Gathered at the city’s 2 No. Gate area around 3 p.m., students marched and chanted slogans calling for the minister’s resignation.

During the rally, students argued that holding exams without considering the realities faced by flood-affected students was unjust. They declared that the education minister must take responsibility and resign. The protesters also announced that their movement would continue until their demands were met, emphasizing unity and peaceful demonstrations.

The previous day, on Tuesday morning, HSC candidates and students had staged a sit-in in front of the Chattogram Education Board gate in Muradpur, demanding postponement of exams in flood-hit regions and a revised schedule.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declared that there will be no place for extremism or radicalism in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon during his concluding speech at the second session of the 13th National Parliament. Rahman emphasized that the government aims to transform Bangladesh from a debt-dependent economy into an investment-driven one, focusing on job creation and wealth generation to move toward a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.

He criticized the previous Awami League government, alleging that the health sector was destroyed to benefit a particular foreign country. Rahman said his administration has begun implementing plans across all sectors and intends to unify various social safety cards into a single universal card. He called for cooperation from opposition parties to combat extremism and promote national development.

The Prime Minister stressed that while political differences may exist, all parties must work together for the welfare of marginalized citizens. He added that preventing authoritarianism and foreign influence requires building a politically and economically self-reliant nation.

The Bangladesh Parliament on Wednesday passed the Investment Bangladesh Bill 2026 without any discussion, despite objections from opposition lawmakers. The bill was introduced and passed on the same day, bypassing the usual process of referral to a parliamentary standing committee. The government stated that the bill aims to merge four existing laws into a single authority to streamline investment-related functions. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, representing the Prime Minister’s Office, presented the bill and proposed its immediate passage.

Opposition members, including Jamaat-e-Islami MP Nazibur Rahman, criticized the government for rushing the process and denying lawmakers the opportunity to review or propose amendments. They argued that the move undermined their legislative rights and questioned the justification for such urgency. The opposition leader, Shafiqul Rahman, also warned that this approach could set a negative precedent for the parliament.

In response, the Home Minister assured that reasonable amendment proposals from opposition members would be considered in future sessions. The bill was ultimately passed by voice vote after the Deputy Speaker urged the minister to uphold his commitment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told the National Parliament on Wednesday that the country’s health system had been deliberately destroyed to benefit a particular foreign nation. He added that the education system had also been undermined for the same reason. At the beginning of his speech, he paid tribute to the Shapla martyrs and thanked opposition members for supporting the government’s family card project.

Rahman further stated that to prevent authoritarianism in the future, the nation must build both political and economic strength. Earlier in his address, he recalled the sacrifices made during the Liberation War, lamenting that successive governments had failed to prepare a complete and impartial list of martyrs. He said political interference had repeatedly obstructed this process, despite the martyrs’ sacrifices being the foundation of the country’s independence.

His remarks in Parliament linked historical grievances with current governance priorities, emphasizing national unity and institutional reform.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed reaffirmed that the court-issued death sentence against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be executed once she is brought back to the country from India, where she is reportedly taking refuge. Speaking on Wednesday at a discussion organized by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Dhaka University’s TSC auditorium, he emphasized the government’s determination to prevent any resurgence of fascism and to strengthen national unity formed through the anti-autocracy movement.

The minister said arrest warrants had been issued through Interpol to bring back fugitive ministers, MPs, and officials of the former government, citing the arrest of former IGP Benazir Ahmed as an example. He criticized the Awami League for showing no remorse over past violence and accused the party of attempting to re-enter politics. Ahmed also stated that legal amendments now allow both Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League to face trial under the International Crimes Tribunal Act and anti-terrorism laws.

He urged all citizens, especially the youth, to work together to build a safe, democratic, and autocracy-free Bangladesh, in line with the “National July Charter” signed by political parties.

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president Nurul Islam has said that the sacrifices of those who were martyred, injured, or disabled in the July uprising made it possible to dream of a new Bangladesh and to restore the people’s political rights. He emphasized that without the July movement, the current political reality would not exist, and therefore, realizing the aspirations of July is now everyone’s main responsibility. He made these remarks on Tuesday at the closing session of the organization’s second general meeting of the central executive council held at Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday, the event was attended by senior leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, including opposition leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP, and other former Shibir presidents. The meeting reviewed the central committee’s half-yearly report, approved district setups, analyzed campus and national political situations, and outlined future plans. Nurul Islam also announced the names of 12 newly elected members of the 2026 executive council and administered their oath.

He called for strengthening national unity and building skilled, ethical, and responsible manpower through training to achieve the vision of an equitable and prosperous Bangladesh.

President Md. Shahabuddin stated that the July uprising was an outburst of long-suppressed public anger against inequality, corruption, enforced disappearances, killings, and fascist misrule. In a message marking July Martyrs’ Day, he recalled the events of July 16 in Rangpur, where Abu Sayeed was shot dead, and similar sacrifices by several young people across the country that gave new momentum to the movement.

The president said the uprising began through the detention and repression of public university students and the active participation of private university students and the general public. He paid deep respect to the martyrs and injured participants of the 2024 July uprising, emphasizing that the movement was not the achievement of any single person or group but a collective struggle for democracy and justice.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring recognition, welfare, and rehabilitation for the martyrs and injured, as well as justice for related killings. The president urged all citizens to work together to build a democratic, accountable, and equitable Bangladesh inspired by the spirit of July.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that the blood of the July martyrs will never go in vain, describing the spirit of the July uprising as both a source of national pride and inspiration for building the future. In a message issued on Wednesday ahead of the historic July Martyrs’ Day on Thursday, he paid deep respect, sorrow, and gratitude to those who died during the 2024 anti-fascist movement.

The Prime Minister recalled that on July 16, 2024, at least six people, including Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed and Chattogram college student Mohammad Wasim Akram, were killed by police gunfire during protests that evolved from quota reform demands into a movement against fascism. He said the uprising united the nation against oppression, corruption, and the denial of voting rights, ultimately forcing the autocratic ruler to flee the country.

Rahman emphasized that the government remains committed to honoring the martyrs’ sacrifice by strengthening democracy and building a safe, humane, and self-reliant Bangladesh. He prayed for the souls of the martyrs and wished a speedy recovery for those injured in the uprising.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), and Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer for the northern region, visited the graves of the July martyrs in Bogura. The visit took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Namazgarh cemetery in the city, where they offered prayers for the souls of the martyrs.

Several central and regional NCP leaders were present during the visit, including joint member secretary Saif Mostafiz, joint chief organizer Sakib Mahdi, joint member secretary Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir, Rajshahi divisional organizational secretary Imran Imon, Bogura district convener Engineer M S A Mahmud, and district member secretary Sultan Mahmud. Also attending were joint member secretary Abdus Sabur Sumon, National Student Power Bogura district convener A M Z Shahriar Juhin, member secretary Soikat Ali, and other party activists from district and upazila levels.

The gathering reflected the party’s respect for the July martyrs and its continued engagement in commemorative activities in the Bogura region.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed in Gopalganj to reinforce security measures ahead of July 16. From Wednesday morning, BGB members began patrolling key areas of the city. Police checkpoints have been set up at several important points, and plainclothes law enforcement officers are also on duty to maintain order.

The heightened security comes in anticipation of possible unrest linked to the anniversary of the July 16, 2025 NCP march, during which clashes between law enforcement and Awami League activists left five youths dead. Authorities have taken precautionary steps to prevent any recurrence of violence or deterioration of law and order.

Officials expect the increased presence of security forces to deter potential disturbances and ensure public safety throughout the city during the sensitive period.

HSC students in Pirojpur staged a protest on Wednesday demanding the resignation of Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon. The demonstration began around 2 p.m. after the examination at Pirojpur Government Women's College center. Students marched through several streets of the town and later blocked the road at the Sadar Upazila premises, chanting slogans calling for the minister’s resignation.

To maintain law and order, additional police forces were deployed at the scene. The situation remained under control as security personnel monitored the protest. Around 3 p.m., Pirojpur District Chhatra Dal president Salauddin Talukder Kumar and other leaders intervened and persuaded the students to calm down and disperse peacefully.

The protest ended without reports of violence, and normalcy was restored in the area following the intervention of local student leaders and law enforcement.