India has welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran but made no mention of Pakistan’s role in facilitating the truce. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement supporting the ceasefire and expressing hope for lasting peace in West Asia, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy. However, the statement omitted any reference to Pakistan, which several world leaders have praised for mediating the agreement.

The omission has drawn criticism from India’s opposition parties and analysts, who described it as a diplomatic setback. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said Pakistan’s role should have been India’s, while former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon Rao urged India to clarify its position and support de-escalation without aligning with any side. Analysts such as Ashok Swain and Abhinav Singh argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempt to isolate Pakistan has instead left India diplomatically sidelined.

Commentators noted that Pakistan’s mediation has enhanced its global standing, while India’s silence has raised questions about its regional influence and foreign policy direction.

BNP’s women leaders in Bogra have stepped up their activities to secure party nominations for reserved seats in the national parliament. The political atmosphere in the district has become more active following the upcoming by-election in the Sadar constituency. At least ten leaders are reportedly preparing for nomination, with six names gaining particular attention as they maintain communication from grassroots to central levels.

Among the prominent figures are Advocate Shahajadi Laila Arjuman Banu, acting president of the district women’s wing, and former reserved seat MP Nur Afroz Begum Jyoti, both of whom have long political experience. Other contenders include Nazma Akhter, Nihar Sultana Tithi, Suraiya Jerin Roni, and Advocate Rahima Khatun Mary, all holding or having held key positions in the district women’s committee. Each is emphasizing their political experience, activism, and loyalty to strengthen their case for nomination.

District BNP president Rezaul Karim Badsha stated that the party’s high command will make the final decision based on merit and dedication.

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, has refused India’s proposal to move to a third country such as Qatar. She fled to India on August 5, 2024, following a nationwide uprising that forced her from power and has remained in Delhi since then. Despite repeated requests from the Bangladeshi government for her repatriation, New Delhi has declined, creating a diplomatic dilemma for the Modi administration.

Analysts note that India’s stance has become contradictory. While the government publicly campaigns against illegal immigration from Bangladesh, it continues to shelter Hasina and other former Bangladeshi leaders who entered without proper documentation. This inconsistency, they argue, undermines India’s credibility both domestically and in its relations with Dhaka.

Diplomatic sources suggest India initially sought to reorganize Bangladesh’s Awami League leadership through intermediaries but failed due to Hasina’s firm refusal to cooperate. Observers believe her continued stay has turned into a political burden for India, complicating its efforts to balance regional diplomacy and internal policy narratives.

Bangladesh’s interim government has introduced major reforms in Hajj management for 2025 and 2026, focusing on transparency, cost reduction, and administrative efficiency. Under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, the government enforced strict anti-corruption measures, cancelled licenses of errant agencies, and enhanced oversight. The ‘Labbayk’ mobile app was launched to streamline registration, flight information, and emergency support. Around 87,000 pilgrims successfully completed Hajj in 2025, with improved services including trained guides, medical centers, and digital tracking.

Financial transparency was strengthened through refunding surplus funds to pilgrims and recovering about 380 million taka from Saudi accounts of Hajj agencies. The government reduced airfare by about 40,000 taka over two years and set the 2026 minimum Hajj package at 467,167 taka, significantly easing financial pressure on pilgrims. It also decided not to send anyone on government expense, ensuring fairness and cost control.

A sudden Saudi decision to cut Bangladesh’s Hajj quota from 80,000 to 60,000 was later reversed through diplomatic engagement, restoring the full quota. Officials described the 2026 preparations as disciplined, technology-driven, and among the most successful in the country’s history.

An eleven-party alliance in Rangpur city distributed leaflets on Thursday evening demanding the implementation of the recent referendum verdict. The campaign took place around the Rangpur Press Club and Jahaj Company intersection, with leaders from various parties including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party participating.

During the event, Rangpur city Jamaat-e-Islami chief ATM Azam Khan alleged that despite the February 12 election result supporting the formation of a Constitutional Reform Council, the government has ignored the public mandate. He accused the authorities of betraying the people by disregarding the referendum outcome and obstructing state reform efforts. Khan further claimed that the government’s unilateral decisions undermine democratic values and weaken judicial independence and constitutional neutrality.

He warned that if the government delays implementing the referendum verdict, a mass movement will be launched. The alliance leaders urged citizens to unite for the realization of the referendum’s mandate through continued public awareness efforts.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka North unit held a leaflet distribution program at Moghbazar intersection in the capital on Thursday afternoon. The event was inaugurated by Mohammad Selim Uddin, a central executive council member and the unit’s amir. He stated that the people had spontaneously given a historic public mandate in favor of implementing the July Charter and demanded that the government fully implement it, including every detail. He warned that otherwise, the people would be compelled to enforce the mandate themselves.

The campaign was part of an 11-party initiative aimed at raising public awareness under the slogan calling for the immediate convening of the Constitutional Reform Council, implementation of the referendum verdict, and resolution of the energy crisis. Several central and local Jamaat leaders attended the event. Selim Uddin criticized the government for allegedly ignoring the referendum results, claiming that about 70 percent of voters had supported it. He accused the authorities of attempting to undermine the public verdict through authoritarian means.

He urged the government to act wisely and return to a positive course before it is too late, emphasizing that conscious citizens would resist any attempt to subvert the people’s will.

Police in Chattogram’s Bayezid area have arrested Sadeq Abdullah, a leader linked to the July Movement, in connection with a case filed by the Muniria Youth Tabligh, a religious organization based in Raozan. The case involves allegations of bribing a prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal. Bayezid police said Abdullah was wanted under a court warrant issued in the case and would be handed over to Raozan police.

The Muniria Youth Tabligh, associated with the Awami League, has long faced criticism for alleged land grabbing, intimidation, and militant activities under a religious guise. Its leader, Munir Ullah, has been accused of various irregularities. Abdullah, a student of Haji Muhammad Mohsin College and linked to Islami Chhatra Shibir, was an active participant in the 2024 July–August student movement.

Family members and political figures, including a senior official of the National Citizen Party, condemned the arrest, calling it politically motivated and demanding Abdullah’s release within 24 hours. Police maintained that the arrest was carried out strictly under judicial orders.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has described the verdict in the Abu Sayeed murder case as a significant advancement in the judicial process. The party made the statement on Thursday, emphasizing that the ruling marks progress in addressing the killing of students and civilians during the July uprising. It also urged the government to swiftly arrest the fugitives still at large.

Party joint secretary general and spokesperson Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman said only two of the 25 accused have been arrested, while the rest remain absconding. The tribunal sentenced two police officers to death and handed various prison terms to 25 individuals, including a former assistant police commissioner, a former metropolitan police commissioner, and the vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University. Rahman noted that the tribunal’s verdict represents only the first stage of the legal process, with further hearings expected in higher courts.

He added that the government must act more sincerely to apprehend the convicts and ensure justice. Rahman also expressed concern over the lack of visible progress in arresting the political masterminds behind the July killings.

Two parliamentary by-elections in Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 concluded under the BNP government with BNP candidates winning both seats. In Bogura-6, BNP’s Rezaul Karim Badsha secured 133,516 votes, defeating Jamaat’s Abidur Rahman Sohel by 76,611 votes. In Sherpur-3, BNP’s Mahmudul Haque Rubel won by a margin of 118,966 votes, while Jamaat’s candidate Masudur Rahman withdrew midday citing irregularities. The Sherpur-3 election had been postponed earlier following the death of a Jamaat candidate during the campaign.

Voting in both constituencies was largely peaceful, though isolated incidents occurred. In Sherpur, six individuals were detained for alleged fake voting, and two police officers were injured while controlling unrest. Jamaat’s Masudur Rahman alleged ballot fraud and the expulsion of his polling agents, claims denied by BNP’s Rubel, who said the election was fair and well-secured. Election officials reported no written complaints regarding the boycott.

In Bogura, minor irregularities were reported, including a presiding officer collecting early signatures on result sheets, later deemed a procedural mistake. Authorities described the overall voting process as peaceful and orderly.

BNP-nominated candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel has won the Sherpur-3 parliamentary by-election by a margin of more than three times his nearest rival’s votes. The unofficial results were announced by Returning Officer and District Election Officer Mohammad Jahangir Alam at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the district election office.

According to the declared results, Rubel, who contested under the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol, secured 166,117 votes. His closest competitor, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Md. Masudur Rahman, received 47,051 votes. The announcement confirmed a decisive victory for the BNP in this constituency.

The report also mentioned that BNP candidates achieved victories in both Bogura and Sherpur constituencies, while opposition parties in parliament criticized alleged irregularities in the two elections.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman accused the BNP government of adopting fascist practices, citing Thursday’s two-seat by-elections as evidence. Speaking at a press briefing at the National Parliament complex on Thursday night, he said the elections showed no change in political behavior and condemned the killings of two local Jamaat leaders in Sherpur. He demanded justice through the Speaker and criticized the government for undermining democratic norms.

Dr. Rahman said the opposition had raised objections to several bills in Parliament, arguing that some sought to curtail citizens’ rights, weaken the Supreme Court’s authority, and damage the electoral system. He alleged that ministers were given unlimited time to speak while opposition members faced restrictions. The opposition walked out in protest but did not boycott Parliament, pledging to continue representing public interests.

He further warned that the BNP’s approach to local government appointments and judicial control could lead to a one-party system similar to past authoritarian models, vowing to resist any return to fascism with public support.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the initiation of direct talks with Lebanon. He stated that Lebanon had requested to sit for direct discussions, prompting him to instruct that the process begin as soon as possible.

The directive comes despite continued Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. According to the report, Israeli attacks on Beirut and other areas have resulted in 203 deaths and at least 1,000 injuries as of Wednesday. The situation remains tense as regional actors respond to the escalating violence.

The report cites Al Jazeera as the source of information, indicating that the developments are unfolding rapidly amid heightened regional tensions.

In Bangladesh’s National Parliament on Thursday, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain stated that if the Supreme Court verdict declaring him the elected mayor was considered invalid, then the entire interim government should also be declared illegal. His remarks came in response to an allegation from Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, who claimed Ishraq had demanded recognition as a legitimate mayor from an election held during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.

The discussion arose during a point of order while debating the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Bill. Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam questioned the circumstances under which Ishraq was declared mayor and why he was not sworn in despite a Supreme Court ruling and a gazette notification. Nahid Islam later clarified that he had resigned from the interim government before Ishraq’s 2025 protest and requested correction of what he called false information.

Speaker Nurul Islam Moni allowed Ishraq to respond, after which he reiterated that his mayoral verdict had been upheld by a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad has emphasized that the government’s image is closely tied to the management of Hajj and warned that any negligence will not be tolerated. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Ashkona Hajj Camp in Dhaka to review overall preparations for this year’s pilgrimage. The minister said this year’s Hajj is the first under the current government and must be managed more efficiently and beautifully than in the past.

Kaikobad described pilgrims as guests of Allah and instructed officials to serve them as family members. He announced that offices and agencies providing exemplary service during the Hajj will be rewarded. Representatives from various ministries and organizations involved in Hajj management presented their readiness and pledged to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

The meeting was attended by senior officials including the Religious Affairs Secretary, the Additional Secretary of the Hajj Wing, the Director General of the Islamic Foundation, and leaders of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh, along with representatives from multiple government and private entities.

Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque stated that the BNP-led government must stand with the people's democratic aspirations rather than citing constitutional limitations. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at the representative conference of the Industrial Area Police Station unit of Revolutionary Youth Solidarity in Ashulia.

Haque emphasized that the BNP government should fulfill the people's hopes for change and prioritize employment for millions of unemployed youth. He called for rapid expansion of investment and necessary measures to prevent frustration among young people, noting their repeated sacrifices in national movements. He also stressed that the opportunity created by the formation of a new BNP-led government to build a democratic, progressive, pluralistic, and non-communal state and society must not be wasted.

The event was presided over by Liton Mondal, convener of the Industrial Area Committee of Revolutionary Youth Solidarity, and attended by party leaders including Akbar Khan, Bepari Bindu, Babor Chowdhury, Anisur Rahman, and Faruk Hossain.