The BNP-led government has issued a new circular revising the list of national and international days to be officially observed. Released by the Cabinet Division on March 11, the circular maintains the previous interim government’s decision to cancel several commemorative days introduced during the Hasina administration. These include the observances of March 7, March 17, August 5, August 8, August 15, October 18, November 4, and December 12.

The circular also confirms that August 5 will now be marked as July Uprising Day, commemorating the fall of the Awami League government, while July 16 will be observed as July Martyrs’ Day in memory of a student killed during the 2024 protests in Rangpur. The classification of days remains divided into three categories—A, B, and C—based on national significance and scale of observance. Ministers will participate in major events, and up to 50,000 taka may be allocated for organizing A-category programs.

The directive advises ministries to avoid repetitive or low-priority observances to conserve government time and resources, emphasizing efficiency in official commemorations.

On Thursday, the first day of the 13th National Parliament’s inaugural session, 133 ordinances issued by the previous interim government were presented in the Bangladesh Parliament. According to the day’s agenda published by the Legislative Support Wing of the Parliament Secretariat, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman placed the ordinances under Article 93(2) of the Constitution.

The presentation of these ordinances was carried out as a constitutional requirement, marking a key procedural step at the start of the new parliamentary term. The session also saw the formation of five parliamentary committees, including the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee, as part of the initial organizational activities of the new legislature.

The parliamentary session has been adjourned until Sunday, allowing members time to review the ordinances and prepare for subsequent discussions and legislative actions.

The Speaker of the 13th National Parliament announced the nomination of panel members who will preside over parliamentary sessions in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The announcement was made in Parliament on Thursday, confirming that the member listed first will take the Speaker’s chair when both top officials are unavailable. The nominated members include Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed from Dhaka-8, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy from Dhaka-2, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan from Narsingdi-1, Mohammad Monirul Haque Chowdhury from Cumilla-6, and ATM Azharul Islam from Rangpur-2.

According to the announcement, this nomination is part of the regular parliamentary procedure, ensuring that sessions continue smoothly even when the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent. The panel members will preside over meetings in rotation as required.

The nomination followed the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and the oath-taking ceremony, marking the formal progression of the first session of the 13th National Parliament.

BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir recited a poem written by poet Al Mahmud about Begum Khaleda Zia in the National Parliament. The recitation took place on Thursday during a discussion on a condolence motion. Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, was presiding as Speaker at the time.

The session marks a continuation of parliamentary proceedings following the political changes that occurred after the 2024 mass uprising, which led to the fall of the Awami League government. The last parliamentary session before that event concluded on July 3, 2024, after the passage of the 2024–25 fiscal year budget. The current session has been adjourned until Sunday.

The event reflects the resumption of parliamentary activities under the new political context, with cultural and commemorative expressions taking place within formal proceedings.

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman has expressed his desire to see the 13th National Parliament become truly meaningful for the country and its people. He made the remarks on Thursday while delivering a congratulatory speech during the first session of the newly formed parliament, which was presided over by newly elected Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

During his address, the Prime Minister pledged full cooperation to the Speaker to ensure the parliament functions effectively. He emphasized that those who have returned to parliament after a long time were elected by the people’s votes, and the government wants to see the legislature operate in a productive and effective manner.

The session was adjourned until Sunday, and five parliamentary committees, including the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee, were formed during the proceedings.

The 13th National Parliament of Bangladesh began its first session under Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, following his election along with Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal. The opening day’s proceedings included the presentation of condolence motions for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, victims of the July uprising, those killed in the Milestone School and College plane crash, and several other national and international figures. Chief Whip Matiur Rahman Nizami proposed adding the names of Ali Ahsan Mujahid and Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, which the Speaker accepted.

Separate condolence motions were also presented for former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pope Francis, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The session expressed grief over the deaths of 62 former MPs, former President A.Q.M. Badruddoza Chowdhury, and numerous cultural, academic, and civic figures. Another motion honored those killed between 2007 and August 2024 in struggles for democracy and human rights.

The Parliament stated that additional names of distinguished individuals omitted from the list could later be included upon submission to the Secretariat.

President Md. Sahabuddin administered the oath of office to the newly elected Speaker, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, on March 12, 2026. The ceremony took place at the President’s office in the Parliament complex. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman and other government representatives were present, while no opposition members of parliament were seen at the event.

Earlier, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the Member of Parliament from Bhola-3 constituency, was unanimously elected Speaker through a voice vote in the National Parliament. Barrister Kaiser Kamal, representing Netrakona-1, was also unanimously elected as Deputy Speaker. Both positions were filled through consensus among the attending members.

The report also mentioned that five parliamentary committees, including the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee, have been formed, and the current parliamentary session has been adjourned until Sunday.

A major surprise marked the opening of Bangladesh’s new parliamentary session on March 12, 2026, when Barrister Kaiser Kamal was unanimously elected Deputy Speaker. The announcement was made by Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, who was presiding over the session. Kamal, a young first-time Member of Parliament from Netrakona and a Supreme Court lawyer, had been serving as State Minister for Land in the cabinet of Tarique Rahman.

Before Kamal’s election, Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain was proposed to chair the opening session in the absence of the outgoing Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Following his introductory remarks, he announced the name of Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, a six-time MP, who was unanimously chosen as the new Speaker. The proposal for Kamal’s name as Deputy Speaker was then put forward and also approved unanimously.

The session also saw the formation of five parliamentary committees, including the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee, and was adjourned until Sunday.

The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament began on Thursday at 11 a.m., presided over by Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain. During the session, Major Hafiz (Retd.) Bir Bikram was elected Speaker and Barrister Kaiser Kamal was chosen as Deputy Speaker. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman addressed the session, which was attended by both ruling and opposition lawmakers.

In the visitors’ gallery, former interim government chief adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman, Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman, and daughter Jaima Rahman were present, along with the chiefs of the Navy and Air Force. The session also saw attendance from the President, foreign diplomats, and leaders of various political parties.

The 13th parliamentary session follows the February 12, 2026 election, held about one and a half years after the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024 and the formation of an interim government led by Dr. Yunus. The new members of parliament took oath on February 17, and the session was convened within the constitutional 30-day period after election results were gazetted.

The parliamentary session resumed shortly after the noon prayer break on March 12, 2026, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin addressing lawmakers. He emphasized that the people of Bangladesh are vigilant guardians of democracy and described the Parliament as a symbol of that democratic spirit. The Speaker recalled past struggles against autocratic regimes and paid tribute to those who were martyred in the July uprising that ended fascist rule.

He noted that citizens eagerly follow parliamentary proceedings and expressed hope that both the government and the opposition would work together in the national interest. During his remarks, the Speaker mentioned that a member had resigned from the BNP Standing Committee to uphold neutrality. Concluding his address, he called for adopting “Bangladesh first” as the nation’s guiding motto.

The session also saw the formation of five parliamentary committees, including the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee, and was adjourned until Sunday.

Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, MP for Bhola-3, has been elected Speaker of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament, while Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP for Netrokona-1, has been chosen as Deputy Speaker. Both were elected unanimously through a voice vote during the first session of the new parliament held under the chairmanship of Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, a senior BNP leader and member of the party’s standing committee.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam proposed Hafiz Uddin’s name for Speaker, supported by MP Rokibul Islam of Khulna-3. Government Whip Ruhul Quddus Talukder proposed Kaiser Kamal for Deputy Speaker, seconded by Whip Ashraf Uddin Nizan. Before his election, Hafiz Uddin resigned from his post as Minister for Liberation War Affairs. Following the election, the parliamentary session was adjourned for half an hour for the oath-taking ceremony.

The session began under an exceptional arrangement since the previous Speaker, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, resigned in September 2024, and former Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque (Tuku) is in custody. The parliament leader, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, nominated Dr. Mosharraf Hossain to preside over the opening session, a proposal supported by senior ministers and opposition leaders.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, former chief adviser of the interim government, attended the first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament, which began at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The session was convened by President Md. Shahabuddin in accordance with the constitutional requirement to hold a parliamentary meeting within 30 days of the election results.

The 13th parliamentary election was held on February 12, 2026, under the interim government, about one and a half years after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024, following a student and public uprising. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formed the new government with a two-thirds majority, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance secured 77 seats to become the main opposition. The Awami League, which was banned from political activities, did not participate in the election and therefore has no representation in the new parliament.

The first session marks the beginning of legislative activities under the new political arrangement following the transition from the interim administration.

Barrister Kaiser Kamal has been elected Deputy Speaker of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament. The first session of the new parliament began on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 11 a.m., presided over by BNP Standing Committee member Mosharraf Hossain. Earlier, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram was elected Speaker. The nomination of Kaiser Kamal was proposed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, supported by Mirza Fakhrul Islam, and seconded by Abdullah Md. Taher on behalf of the opposition leader.

The 13th parliamentary session follows significant political changes in Bangladesh. The previous 12th Parliament was dissolved after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024, following a student and public uprising. The 13th general election was held on February 12, 2026, under an interim government, resulting in a two-thirds majority for the BNP, which formed the new government. The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance secured 77 seats and became the main opposition, while the banned Awami League has no representation in the current parliament.

According to the constitution, the first parliamentary session must be convened within 30 days of the election results, and President Md. Shahabuddin called the session accordingly on March 12.

The first session of Bangladesh’s new parliament faced a temporary disruption on Thursday when a technical fault in the main sound system caused a microphone failure. The session, which began shortly after 11 a.m., was suspended for 20 minutes before resuming. Senior BNP lawmaker Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain initially presided, during which Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Kaiser Kamal were elected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively. President Md. Shahabuddin administered their oaths during the break.

When the session resumed around 12:45 p.m., Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed encountered sound issues while addressing the chamber and switched to a handheld microphone. He thanked members for electing him unopposed and urged patience as technicians worked to fix the problem. Officials from the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Parliament Secretariat were seen consulting with the Speaker during the disruption.

After the noon prayer call, the Speaker announced a 20-minute recess. The session restarted at 1:30 p.m., with the Speaker confirming that the malfunction had been resolved and delivering his remarks again from the beginning.

Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram has been elected Speaker of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament. The first session of the new parliament began at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, presided over initially by BNP Standing Committee member Mosharraf Hossain. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman proposed Hafiz Uddin Ahmed’s name, which was supported by Mirza Fakhrul Islam and opposition representative Abdullah Md. Taher.

The 13th parliamentary session follows the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024, after a student and public uprising. The 12th Parliament was subsequently dissolved, and elections for the 13th Parliament were held on February 12, 2026, under an interim government. The BNP formed the government with a two-thirds majority, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance secured 77 seats as the main opposition. The Awami League, whose activities remain banned, has no representation in the current parliament.

According to the constitution, the first parliamentary session must be convened within 30 days of election results. President Md. Shahabuddin called the session in compliance with this requirement.