Jamaat-e-Islami has started the process of selecting candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the national parliament following the 13th parliamentary election. The party, which won 68 seats, is expected to receive around 12 of the 50 reserved women’s seats. Discussions are ongoing within the party’s women’s wing, which will propose names to the central decision-making forum for final approval by the parliamentary board. The selection aims to include both central and regional leaders as well as qualified professionals.

Party sources indicate that several prominent women leaders and professionals are under consideration, including senior members of the women’s division and notable figures from academia and civil society. Jamaat’s leadership has emphasized that the selection will ensure representation from areas where the party did not win general seats. The process will be finalized after the first parliamentary session, in accordance with the Election Commission’s schedule.

If the number of reserved seats increases from 50 to 100 under the proposed “July Charter,” Jamaat could secure up to 24 seats, expanding its selection plan accordingly.

After a gap of 18 months, local leaders and activists raised the national flag at the Shahjahanpur Upazila Awami League office in Bogura. The flag was seen flying on Monday morning at the party office located beside the main highway in the upazila headquarters. According to local residents, the flag was hoisted early in the morning using a GI pipe on the rooftop.

Attempts were made to contact Shahjahanpur Upazila Awami League president and former upazila chairman Sohrab Hossain through WhatsApp, but he did not respond. Sub-Inspector Abu Zarra of Shahjahanpur Police Station stated that the police were unaware of the flag-raising event but would investigate the matter.

The incident marks the first time in a year and a half that the national flag has been displayed at the local Awami League office, drawing attention from residents and prompting official inquiry.

Indian diplomat and intellectual Jahar Sarkar has offered a detailed analysis of Bangladesh’s recent political changes and election results. Speaking from Kolkata, he advised that India should patiently rebuild its long-standing friendship with Dhaka while avoiding overt involvement in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. Sarkar emphasized that the political deadlock surrounding Sheikh Hasina needs swift resolution so that bilateral relations are not hindered.

According to Sarkar, India’s policy is undergoing a significant shift as Delhi realizes the risks of relying on a single political figure. After a year of distance, India is now showing greater interest in engaging with the BNP, which he observed has adopted a more moderate stance. He also noted that Jamaat-e-Islami is attempting to improve its image despite limited electoral success, with its growing influence in border areas posing concern for India.

Sarkar expressed mixed views on Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, praising institutional reforms and the popular “July Charter” but noting shortcomings in law enforcement and bilateral management. He urged India to normalize border trade, ease visa access, and support Bangladesh’s economic stability under Tarique Rahman’s new government.

The new government has decided to replace International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam with a new appointee. Advocate Aminul Islam is being considered for the position, according to information shared by British journalist David Bergman on his Facebook profile on Sunday night. A source said Tajul Islam has been informally informed about the decision, though he has not made any public comment. Law Minister Mohammad Asaduzzaman reportedly called Tajul Islam to his office on Sunday to convey the government’s interest in appointing a new chief prosecutor.

Aminul Islam previously served as a member of the legal team defending BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in her corruption case, in which she was sentenced to prison. The report indicates that the government’s decision reflects a shift in the leadership of the ICT’s prosecution wing.

Further details on the timing of the appointment or official confirmation from the government were not available at the time of reporting.

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has invited Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to visit New Delhi. The invitation was conveyed by Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma during a courtesy meeting with Rahman on Sunday afternoon. The meeting took place as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two neighboring countries.

According to a statement issued by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday evening, High Commissioner Verma expressed his government’s readiness to work closely with Bangladesh’s new administration to further advance bilateral cooperation. Minister Rahman emphasized Bangladesh’s intention to build a forward-looking and balanced partnership based on mutual interests for the welfare of both nations’ peoples.

Both sides agreed to maintain regular and constructive communication to strengthen bilateral relations. The invitation marks a continuation of diplomatic efforts to deepen cooperation between Bangladesh and India.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has finalized its preliminary mayoral candidates for the upcoming Dhaka North and South City Corporation elections. Party leaders confirmed that senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib has been selected for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), while Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has been chosen for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Adib previously contested the Dhaka-18 parliamentary seat under the 11-party alliance, securing 111,297 votes despite losing to the BNP candidate. He has also represented the party in urban and environmental forums and was an organizer in the July uprising and anti-fascist movements.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, a frontline participant in the July 2024 uprising and former adviser to the post-uprising government, currently serves as NCP’s spokesperson. A central leader of the party, speaking anonymously, said NCP is preparing its nominations assuming the city polls will be held after Ramadan. The party plans to contest the elections in coordination with the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance and will finalize councilor candidates before holding talks with alliance partners.

The NCP’s early candidate announcements indicate its readiness to engage in alliance-based local electoral strategies in Dhaka.

Dr. Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, an orthopedic specialist and medical officer at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, has been appointed as the Senior Medical Officer at the Prime Minister’s Office. The appointment was announced on Sunday, February 22, through a notification signed by Mohammad Nur-e-Alam, Deputy Secretary (Deputation-1) of the Ministry of Public Administration.

According to related sources, Dr. Aman Ullah will oversee healthcare services for the officials and employees of the Prime Minister’s Office and coordinate emergency medical support. His role is considered important for ensuring the smooth delivery of health services within the office.

The report notes that Dr. Aman Ullah has previously provided continuous medical care to numerous injured leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organizations during the anti-fascist movement. Known for his modesty, he is described as a trusted physician of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

A secret banner announcing the reopening of the banned Bangladesh Awami League’s Charfassion upazila office in Bhola was discovered early Sunday, February 22, 2026. Locals believe it was placed late the previous night on the wall of the party’s old office on College Road. The banner bore the name of a central Jubo League member, Md. Nazmul Hossain Jewel. Witnesses said those who hung it left quickly, and the banner was later removed by a local Jubo Dal leader before noon.

The incident stirred significant local reaction. Anti-fascist activists on social media described it as an attempt to disturb Charfassion’s peaceful environment. Former BNP upazila secretary Motahar Hossain Alamgir Maltia and NCP youth coordinator Shahadat Khondaker Monju condemned the act and demanded that authorities identify those responsible. Police confirmed they were investigating after being alerted.

The office had been unused since protesters vandalized it during the August 5, 2024 uprising. It was briefly used by the NCP’s local branch before being locked again, leaving its current status uncertain.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke by phone with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released on Sunday. During the conversation, Dar congratulated Rahman on his recent assumption of office and both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across various sectors.

The two ministers emphasized building a forward-looking partnership focused on peace, stability, and prosperity. They exchanged views on enhancing mutual collaboration, including in trade and multilateral forums. The statement highlighted their shared commitment to developing a progressive partnership for the welfare of the peoples of both countries.

The discussion underscored a mutual interest in deepening engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan, signaling a renewed diplomatic effort to advance cooperation in multiple areas of shared interest.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) has declared that no irregularities will be tolerated in the upcoming Hajj operations. Speaking at a meeting with ministry officials on Sunday afternoon at the Secretariat, he said that anyone found responsible for even the slightest deviation in Hajj management will face disciplinary action. The minister emphasized that the same standard of accountability applies to all government duties, warning that negligence in any official responsibility will not be excused.

During the meeting, the minister urged officials to perform their duties sincerely for the satisfaction of Allah and to ensure their earnings remain lawful. He criticized the tendency of some officers to appear compliant without contributing meaningfully to the ministry or the country. He encouraged open communication, inviting officials to discuss any personal or professional issues directly with him and to point out if any directive seems unlawful.

Senior officials, including the Religious Affairs Secretary Md. Kamal Uddin and several additional secretaries from different divisions, were present at the meeting.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has alleged that several advisers of the interim government engaged in election engineering to defeat the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Speaking to journalists on Sunday afternoon at the inauguration of a playground and walkway in Halishahar, he said that despite such efforts, the people had countered the engineering and expressed their support for Tarique Rahman as the future prime minister of Bangladesh.

Dr. Hossain rejected claims that the BNP manipulated the national election, asserting that as a part of the government, he could confirm that no such engineering was done by the party. He reiterated that the attempts by interim government advisers to influence the outcome had failed. Addressing the upcoming Chattogram City Corporation election, he said he wanted a credible and fair vote to test his popularity among residents.

The mayor added that although his term legally extends until 2029, he prefers to hold elections sooner in the spirit of democracy and has already requested an early poll.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against former Jessore-1 Member of Parliament Sheikh Afil Uddin and his wife, accusing them of amassing about Tk 63 crore in unexplained wealth. The announcement was made on Sunday at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, by the commission’s Director General (Prevention) Md. Akhter Hossain. The cases were filed under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

According to the first case, Sheikh Afil Uddin was found to possess assets worth Tk 53.86 crore, including both movable and immovable properties, against a legal income of Tk 7.60 crore, indicating Tk 46.26 crore in unexplained wealth. The second case alleges that his wife, Tahera Sobha, owns assets worth Tk 19.23 crore against a legal income of Tk 3.18 crore, resulting in Tk 16.05 crore in unaccounted wealth.

The ACC also issued notices to their three sons to submit wealth statements after discrepancies were found in their asset records, showing excess assets ranging from Tk 70 lakh to Tk 2.16 crore beyond known income sources.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel intends to form a regional network of allied nations to counter what he described as “radical” adversaries. The initiative, which he called a “hexagon” of alliances, would include countries such as India, Greece, Cyprus, and other unnamed Arab, African, and Asian states. Netanyahu made the remarks while confirming the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying India would be part of an “axis of nations that see eye to eye” with Israel.

Modi expressed agreement with Netanyahu, emphasizing the strong bond and shared commitment between India and Israel. The announcement comes as Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza has weakened the Iran-led “axis of resistance,” including Hezbollah in Lebanon. Netanyahu also referred to both a “radical Shia axis” and an “emerging radical Sunni axis,” though he did not elaborate on the latter.

The move follows strained relations between Israel and several Sunni-majority states, including Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, amid the Gaza conflict. It also builds on Israel’s efforts since 2020 to expand ties with Arab and Muslim nations under the US-backed Abraham Accords.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Saturday that his country will not bow to pressure from the United States, following US President Donald Trump’s remarks that he was considering limited military strikes to force a deal on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Pezeshkian made the comments at a ceremony in Tehran honouring Iranian Paralympians, as the US expanded its military presence in the Gulf with two aircraft carriers and dozens of fighter jets.

Indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the US resumed earlier this month in Oman and continued last week in Switzerland, but no breakthrough was achieved. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a draft deal could be finalised within days. Meanwhile, Trump warned that Iran had a short window to reach a “meaningful deal,” and hinted at possible limited strikes. Iran’s letter to the UN Security Council cautioned that any US aggression would be met “decisively and proportionately.”

The growing military buildup has raised fears of regional conflict, prompting several countries, including Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia, to advise their citizens to leave Iran.

Several top-level changes have been made in the Bangladesh Army, with new appointments announced on Sunday afternoon through an official order from Army Headquarters. Lieutenant General Mainur Rahman has been appointed as the new Chief of General Staff (CGS), the second most important position after the Army Chief. He previously served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of ARTDOC. The former Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan, has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an ambassador. The CGS post had remained vacant since January 17, following the tenure of Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim.

Major General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman has been appointed as the new PSO, replacing Hasan. He previously served as the GOC of the 24th Infantry Division. Major General Ferdous Hasan, formerly Commandant of the East Bengal Regimental Centre, has been named the new GOC of that division. In another major change, Brigadier General Kaiser Rashid has been promoted to Major General and appointed as the new Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), replacing Major General Jahangir Alam, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Additional transfers include Major General J M Imdadul Islam moving from the 55th Infantry Division to the East Bengal Regimental Centre, while Brigadier General Md Hafizur Rahman, previously posted at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, has been promoted to Major General and made GOC of the 55th Infantry Division.