Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has criticized the government’s decision to cancel the license of Ad-Din Hospital, calling it inappropriate. In a Facebook post expressing grief over the recent deaths of six newborns at the hospital, he said that while the incident was tragic and required proper investigation, shutting down the entire institution was not the right solution.

He stated that if any negligence, fault, or crime was proven through investigation, legal action should be taken against the responsible individuals. However, revoking the hospital’s license would harm public interest. Dr. Rahman described Ad-Din Hospital as a long-standing institution known for providing affordable healthcare and earning public trust.

He further noted that Ad-Din is also a medical college hospital with around 400 to 500 students and a nursing program. Closing its operations would jeopardize the future of these students. He urged the government to reconsider its decision, emphasizing that punishment should target individuals found guilty, not the entire institution.

Bangladesh has announced a plan to introduce a special 'Pink Bus Service' aimed at ensuring safe travel for women and children. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury revealed the initiative on Thursday while presenting the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year in the Jatiya Sangsad. The service will be operated entirely by women, including drivers, assistants, and management staff, to strengthen safety measures for female passengers.

The proposed budget also reaffirmed the government's commitment to a 'zero tolerance' policy against workplace violence, abuse, and sexual harassment targeting female workers and professionals. It further outlined plans to expand safe housing and transportation facilities for women across the country.

According to the government, creating a secure environment is essential to increasing women’s participation in the workforce and public life. The introduction of the Pink Bus Service is part of broader protective measures designed to promote gender-inclusive mobility and empowerment.

The human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed deep concern over recent incidents along the Bangladesh-India border where many people, including women, children, and elderly individuals, were reportedly forced toward Bangladeshi territory and made to remain in the zero line for extended periods. In a press release issued on Thursday, ASK described these actions as violations of human dignity and international human rights principles.

ASK stated that Indian authorities were attempting to push individuals into Bangladesh without transparent or lawful verification of their nationality or identity. The organization emphasized that no one should be subjected to inhuman, cruel, or degrading treatment, regardless of nationality, religion, or migration status. It warned that depriving people of food, water, medical care, and shelter in such uncertain border conditions could amount to inhuman treatment.

ASK urged that questions of citizenship or nationality be resolved through lawful, transparent, and mutually recognized diplomatic and administrative processes rather than through coercive measures that undermine the rule of law.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest march in Dhaka on Thursday evening in immediate reaction to the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The demonstration began from the north gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, where participants denounced the budget as anti-people and oppressive. Protesters chanted slogans condemning various sections of the budget and demanded its withdrawal along with increased allocations for public welfare sectors.

Leaders and activists from Jamaat’s central and Dhaka city units led the procession, which moved through several key streets in the capital. The protest reflected the party’s strong opposition to the government’s fiscal plan presented earlier in the day.

Earlier on Thursday, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury had placed the proposed budget of 9.38 trillion taka before the National Parliament, marking the formal start of the 2026–27 budget discussions.

The Bangladesh government has proposed an allocation of Tk 31,099 crore for the Ministry of Home Affairs in the 2026–27 national budget, presented in parliament on June 11 by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The increase, compared to the previous year’s revised allocation of Tk 27,174 crore, aims to modernize law enforcement, strengthen border security, enhance cybercrime response, and improve disaster management. The budget emphasizes technology-driven security measures and modernization of key agencies including the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Fire Service, and Department of Narcotics Control.

According to the budget documents, major investments will focus on public safety, border management, and digital transformation of policing. Projects include modern equipment for Dhaka Metropolitan Police, construction of a counterterrorism and international crime prevention center, and expansion of digital investigation capacity. The plan also covers new border observation posts, coastal patrol vessels, new fire stations, drug rehabilitation centers, and prison infrastructure upgrades. Analysts cited in the report said the increased allocation reflects growing challenges in internal security and cyber threats.

If implemented effectively, the proposed investments are expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s security infrastructure and enhance technological readiness across law enforcement agencies.

The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) has dismissed the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year as nothing more than political showmanship. In a statement issued on Thursday responding to the budget announcement, the party described it as a collection of empty words rather than a practical financial plan.

According to JASAD’s central executive committee, the proposed budget’s estimated size of 9.38 trillion taka was designed to appear large but is unrealistic and unattainable. The party argued that the budget lacks a foundation in economic reality and serves political rather than developmental purposes.

The statement reflects JASAD’s immediate reaction to the government’s fiscal proposal, emphasizing concerns about feasibility and credibility in the country’s financial planning process.

Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister has chosen China for her second official foreign visit since forming the new government, according to the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament. Speaking at the 7th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum in Kunming, Yunnan Province, he said the visit would open a new chapter in bilateral relations and strengthen the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Deputy Speaker highlighted the historical foundation of Bangladesh-China diplomatic ties, crediting late President Ziaur Rahman for initiating relations through visits in 1977 and 1980. He also recalled former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s visits in 1991 and 2002, which further deepened friendship between the two nations. Emphasizing regional cooperation, he called for revitalizing SAARC as an effective platform for peace and development and suggested that China, as an observer, could play a constructive role.

During the forum, Bangladesh’s parliamentary delegation met Chinese leaders to discuss cooperation in agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, and industry. Chinese officials reaffirmed their commitment to working with Bangladesh’s democratic government and expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh soon.

Bangladesh’s opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami announced that it will deliver its formal response to the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year on Monday. The party will hold a press briefing at its central office in Moghbazar on Friday at 11:30 a.m., where central leaders will present Jamaat’s position and observations on the budget.

In a separate announcement, the Dhaka North unit of Jamaat said it will organize a rally on Thursday evening to give an immediate reaction to the budget. The rally is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in front of Uttara Badda Kamil Madrasa. The budget, amounting to Tk 9.38 trillion, was presented in the National Parliament on Wednesday by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

According to Jamaat’s media wing, the Friday briefing will serve as the party’s official platform to outline its assessment of the proposed budget and its implications for the country’s economy.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, has called for legal action against actress Meher Afroz Shaon for her controversial remarks about the new Bangladesh achieved through the July Revolution. He made the appeal in a Facebook post on Thursday, criticizing Shaon for allegedly spreading propaganda labeling the revolution as terrorism.

In his post, Tajul Islam claimed that Shaon’s comments were linked to two incidents: the arson attack on the July Memorial in Netrakona and the abduction and assault of a July fighter by members of the banned student organization Chhatra League. He described both incidents as serious criminal offenses and accused Shaon of exceeding all limits with her statements.

Earlier, Shaon had posted on Facebook expressing joy that Netrakona, her in-laws’ hometown, was in the news following the two incidents. Her post sparked widespread debate and criticism on social media.

The Bangladesh government has allocated Tk 4,401 crore for the Election Commission Secretariat in the 2026–27 fiscal year. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the new budget during a national parliament session chaired by Speaker Major (Retd.) M Hafizuddin. The proposal was approved earlier by the parliamentary business advisory committee.

According to the budget proposal, the allocation for the Election Commission has increased compared to previous years. The commission received Tk 4,346 crore in 2025–26 and Tk 2,956 crore in 2024–25. This year’s allocation is Tk 245 crore lower than the previous year due to the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12 of the current year.

Information from the Election Commission and local government indicates that upcoming elections will be held for all city corporations, district councils, upazila councils, and union councils. The newly allocated funds will be used to conduct these local government elections, as many of these institutions are currently being run by administrators.

UK Defence Minister John Healey has resigned following prolonged disagreements with the government over increasing military spending amid a complex global security environment. In his resignation letter submitted on Thursday, Healey sharply criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration for failing to ensure adequate funding to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities.

According to a Reuters report cited in the source, Healey accused the government and the finance ministry of neglecting to take necessary steps to secure resources vital for national security. The letter stated that the government had not prioritized defence funding and that the finance ministry had shown reluctance on the issue.

The report added that discussions between the defence and finance ministries over the proposed increase in military expenditure had been ongoing for months, but disagreements over the budget had stalled the government’s much-discussed “Defence Investment Plan” since last year. Analysts described Healey’s resignation as a significant political setback for the UK government that could intensify debate over defence policy and spending.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has played a leading role in the country’s anti-fascist movement and efforts to restore democracy. He made the remarks on Thursday during the presentation of the 2026–27 national budget session in the Jatiya Sangsad.

The minister said BNP has long been engaged in continuous movements for democracy, voting rights, and the establishment of citizens’ fundamental rights. He emphasized that the people of Bangladesh aspire to democratic values, good governance, and an accountable state system, and that political parties must act responsibly to fulfill those expectations.

Chowdhury further noted that a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh can be built through participatory politics, economic development, and institutional strengthening. He called for political tolerance, national unity, and mutual respect to create an environment conducive to these goals. The session also featured discussions on the current political and economic situation and the need to strengthen democratic institutions.

At least five people were injured in a clash between two factions of the BNP in Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola on Thursday morning. The incident occurred in front of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) office at the Upazila Parishad premises, centering on the distribution of government-allocated rice for fishermen. The injured were first taken to Tazumuddin Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Bhola Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment.

According to the upazila administration, former Chhatra Dal leader Jasim Patwari had lodged a complaint with the UNO alleging irregularities in the rice distribution and demanded proper verification of genuine fishermen. At the same time, Malongchhara Union’s panel chairman Md Ibrahim visited the UNO regarding distribution permission, leading to an argument between the two groups that escalated into violence. Jasim Patwari’s side claimed he was assaulted for protesting irregularities, while Ibrahim denied the allegation and said he was attacked instead.

UNO Mohammad Bani Amin confirmed the incident and said police were instructed to investigate and take necessary action. Local authorities reported that the situation is now under control, though tension remains in the area.

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he canceled planned military strikes against Iran, claiming that Iran’s leadership had approved a draft agreement to extend the ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin 60 days of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump said the deal had been approved by all parties involved, including the U.S. and several regional countries, and that a naval blockade would remain until the agreement was finalized.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency denied that any agreement had been approved, though it acknowledged a possibility that Tehran might consider signing off later. Three sources briefed on the talks told Axios that key gaps were narrowed during discussions between Iranian officials and Qatari mediators in Tehran on Wednesday, focusing on frozen assets, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and the structure of nuclear negotiations.

According to those sources, Iranian officials informed several countries that an agreement in principle had been reached, pending final approval from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

A proposal has been made to require submission of an income tax return certificate for candidates seeking election as Union Parishad (UP) chairman in Bangladesh. According to the proposed amendment to the Income Tax Act 2023, individuals who fail to provide proof of tax return submission will not be eligible to contest the election. The amendment adds the UP chairman election to the list of activities requiring such documentation under Section 264 of the law.

Currently, candidates for municipal, upazila, district council, city corporation, and national parliamentary elections must already submit proof of income tax return filing. If the proposed amendment is passed by parliament, the new requirement for UP chairman candidates will take effect from next year.

The measure aims to expand the scope of tax compliance among public office aspirants and align local-level elections with existing financial accountability standards.