An air ambulance from Qatar is on standby to transport BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to London for advanced medical treatment once her medical board grants approval. BNP adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury confirmed that the Royal authorities in Qatar have arranged the aircraft, which is reportedly sourced from Germany. He added that the party is maintaining constant communication with Qatari officials regarding the arrangements.

Khaleda Zia remains under intensive observation at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she has been receiving treatment since November 23. Doctors say she has not yet regained the physical stability required for air travel, delaying her transfer. The medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder and including Dr. Zubaida Rahman, has been meeting daily to review her condition and test results.

BNP sources indicate that once the board issues a ‘green signal,’ the air ambulance will immediately depart for Dhaka to carry her to London. The situation continues to be closely monitored by both medical and political stakeholders.

National Citizen Party (NCP) South Region chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah has declared that he will contest the upcoming election in Devidwar independently, without forming any alliance. Speaking at a courtyard meeting in Rajamehar Union on Friday night, he said he would continue working for the people even if he received only ten votes, emphasizing his commitment to the constituency over electoral success.

Hasnat addressed speculation that he would not secure more than 500 votes without joining a coalition, asserting that he is personally engaging with voters across Devidwar. He noted that many local elders have urged him to consider alliances, but he remains determined to stand alone. According to him, educated youths and students from various universities have already joined the NCP and are actively supporting his campaign.

He added that young people and women are increasingly aligning with his party’s symbol, the Shapla (water lily), and expressed confidence that his campaign would rely on grassroots volunteers rather than financial resources or formal agents.

In West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, expelled Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir initiated the foundation-laying ceremony for a new mosque named 'Babri Masjid' in Beldanga on Saturday. The event, organized across 25 bighas near Moradighi, is expected to draw nearly 300,000 attendees, including religious scholars from Saudi Arabia. Around 40,000 biryani packets have been prepared for guests, with total event costs estimated between ₹6–7 million.

Kabir, recently ousted from the Trinamool Congress for anti-party activities, has continued the initiative despite political backlash. Local police, following Calcutta High Court directives, have deployed about 3,000 officers to maintain order and traffic flow along National Highway 12. Authorities have expressed concern over potential congestion due to the large turnout.

The event has stirred unease within the Trinamool Congress, as Kabir’s move is seen both as a show of defiance and a test of his local influence. The ceremony, beginning with Quran recitations, is scheduled to conclude by late afternoon under police supervision.

Eight Islamist and like-minded political parties held a large-scale rally in Sylhet’s historic Alia Madrasa field today, aiming to demonstrate unity and public strength ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national election. Central leaders from all eight parties attended, with speeches scheduled from noon to late afternoon. Organizers built a large stage and installed around 100 microphones to accommodate the expected massive turnout.

The rally, coordinated by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sylhet city leader Muhammad Fakhrul Islam, focused on five key demands, including a referendum on the July National Charter Implementation Order and ensuring a level playing field in the election. The city was decorated with banners, arches, and posters, as organizers anticipated attendance from across the Sylhet division.

Political observers note that the gathering could signal renewed cooperation among Islamist parties seeking greater influence in national politics. The event’s outcomes may shape future alliances and policy debates around electoral reform and Islamic governance principles.

Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stated that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent remarks pose a threat to national security. Speaking at a press conference on December 5, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General said Khan continues to believe that the country cannot function without him in power, describing his political career as over and driven by ego and emotion.

Chaudhry accused Khan of inciting citizens to withhold electricity bill payments and discouraging overseas remittances, actions he said undermine the state. He also warned that negative comments against the army’s leadership would not be tolerated. The ISPR chief emphasized that the army remains apolitical and loyal to the constitution, rejecting any attempt to drag it into politics.

The statement comes amid growing tensions between Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the military establishment. Analysts suggest the remarks signal a hardening stance by the army, potentially deepening Pakistan’s political polarization ahead of future elections.

Pakistan’s federal government has imposed a complete ban on all meetings with former Prime Minister Imran Khan inside Adiala Jail, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Friday. The minister described Khan as a ‘war-mongering extremist’ and said the decision was taken under prison regulations to prevent political directives being issued from inside the facility.

Tarar warned that any attempt to disrupt law and order outside the prison would be met with swift and strict action. He accused Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of trying to push the country toward economic default by allegedly writing to the IMF and orchestrating violent attacks on military installations on May 9. The minister also claimed that PTI members were distancing themselves from Khan’s ‘Taliban-like mindset’.

The government is reportedly considering imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a PTI stronghold. Tarar emphasized that there would be no dialogue with groups promoting extremism or anti-state narratives, signaling a further hardening of Islamabad’s stance against Khan and his supporters.

December 6 marks the anniversary of the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India—an event that continues to shape South Asia’s political and cultural discourse. The destruction of the 16th-century mosque, built by Mir Baqi in 1528, was not merely the fall of a structure but a symbolic rupture in India’s pluralistic and secular fabric. The incident exposed the fragility of state institutions when confronted with religious nationalism.

The Babri demolition followed decades of tension, from the 1949 idol installation to the 1980s rise of Hindutva politics and the 1990 Rath Yatra led by L.K. Advani. The Liberhan Commission later concluded the demolition was premeditated, not spontaneous. Human rights data indicate over 2,000 deaths in communal violence between 1992 and 2002, reflecting the deep societal scars left by the event.

The 2019 Supreme Court verdict granting the disputed land for temple construction reignited debates on justice and secularism. Analysts argue that December 6 remains a moral reminder—civilization cannot be built on destruction but on coexistence, equality, and the courage of reason.

The Bangladesh Labour Party has officially severed its two-decade-long political alliance with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The decision was announced on Friday, December 5, following a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee at its Nayapaltan headquarters, chaired by party chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran. A press release confirmed that the Labour Party will no longer maintain any political cooperation or joint programs with the BNP.

Party leaders accused the BNP of showing disregard and betrayal toward its allies, breaking promises related to movements, elections, and coalition governance. They alleged that BNP’s nomination process under Tarique Rahman favored controversial figures and was influenced by financial transactions, undermining the party’s moral leadership. The Labour Party also recalled years of sacrifice, including arrests, attacks, and deaths of activists in joint movements.

The decision marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s opposition landscape, as the once 20-party alliance continues to fragment. The Labour Party announced plans to pursue its own reformist political agenda focused on social equality and democratic governance.

Germany’s Bundestag has approved a new voluntary military service program for 18-year-olds, marking a major shift in the country’s defense policy. The initiative, set to begin in January 2026, requires all 18-year-old men to respond to a mandatory questionnaire about their interest in joining the armed forces, while participation remains optional for women. The move is part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s broader plan to build “Europe’s strongest army.”

The law passed by a 323–272 vote and has sparked widespread protests across nearly 90 German cities, with students and youth groups opposing what they see as a step toward militarization. Demonstrators argue that young people should not be trained for war, emphasizing that conflict destroys their future rather than securing it. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that from 2027, all 18-year-old men will undergo medical screening to assess their fitness for potential deployment.

Germany currently has about 182,000 active troops and aims to expand to 260,000 by the early 2030s. Officials have not ruled out reinstating mandatory conscription if voluntary enlistment falls short or security conditions worsen.

Hezbollah’s deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem declared that no external power, including the United States and Israel, will succeed in disarming the Lebanese armed group. Speaking at a memorial event for fallen clerics on December 5, Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah remains committed to defending Lebanon’s sovereignty and will not surrender under any circumstances.

Qassem described Hezbollah as a unifying national force that symbolizes patriotism, freedom, and dignity. He accused Israel of expansionist aggression and urged all necessary measures to counter threats against Lebanon. The leader also criticized U.S. and Israeli interference in Lebanese internal affairs, asserting that neither has the right to dictate the country’s defense policies.

He reiterated Hezbollah’s readiness to cooperate with all Lebanese factions, including Christian groups, to safeguard national interests. Qassem concluded by stating that Hezbollah has fulfilled its duty in defending the nation, and it is now the Lebanese government’s turn to take initiative in ensuring stability and sovereignty.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has claimed that party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health is in critical condition due to what he described as ongoing political persecution under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rule. In a Facebook post on Friday, Rahman accused the government of subjecting Zia to imprisonment and multiple forms of oppression, asserting that her life now faces extreme danger.

Rahman’s statement coincided with the anniversary of December 6, 1990, the day Bangladesh’s autocratic regime under Hussain Muhammad Ershad ended. He drew parallels between that movement and current political struggles, urging democratic forces to remain united against what he termed a “fascist” regime. He also paid tribute to those who died in the anti-autocracy movement of the 1980s and called for continued efforts to restore full democracy.

The remarks come amid ongoing political tension and concerns over Khaleda Zia’s health, which has been a recurring issue in Bangladesh’s political discourse. No immediate response was issued from the ruling Awami League regarding Rahman’s allegations.

Tensions within Bangladesh’s opposition alliance have intensified as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced 272 candidates for the upcoming 13th National Election without prior consultation with its partners. The move has angered long-time allies, including the Bangladesh Labour Party, which ended its two-decade partnership with the BNP, citing broken promises and unilateral decision-making. Other coalition members, such as the 12-Party Alliance, the Nationalist Like-Minded Alliance, and the Ganatantra Mancha, have also voiced frustration over being sidelined.

Allied leaders accused BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman of disregarding earlier commitments on seat-sharing and government formation. They claim BNP’s approach has eroded trust and weakened the opposition’s unity, while BNP insists that nominations were based on candidates’ winning potential and that allies should remain patient. The 12-Party Alliance is set to announce its next steps on December 8, while Ganatantra Mancha may consider contesting independently.

The growing discord threatens the cohesion of the opposition movement, raising doubts about its ability to mount a unified challenge to the ruling Awami League in the forthcoming election.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has called on Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) to take into account the illness of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia when announcing the election schedule. Speaking at a policy dialogue in Dhaka on Friday, he emphasized that while the EC should show empathy, the electoral process must not be halted for any particular political party.

Nahid Islam stated that the EC should work to unite all political parties and ensure a smooth start to the electoral journey. He clarified that NCP has no objection to the timing of the election schedule and that the polls should be held as planned. Addressing speculation about alliances, he said NCP has not entered into any formal or informal agreements with other parties and is preparing independently.

He added that NCP seeks to promote a new political culture based on democracy and economic justice, distancing itself from traditional parties that have lost public trust. The party aims to present itself as a fresh alternative in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Special prayers were held across Bangladesh on Friday seeking the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. From Rajbari to Bagerhat, and from Noakhali to Mymensingh, mosques hosted prayer gatherings following the Jumu’ah prayers, joined by BNP leaders, activists, and local worshippers. In several districts, including Panchagarh, Pirojpur, and Kushtia, local BNP units and affiliated organizations arranged Qur’an recitations and milad ceremonies.

Party leaders such as Barrister Ragib Rauf Chowdhury, Engineer M.A. Matin Khan, and Dr. Mohammad Jalal Uddin attended regional events, emphasizing unity and collective supplication for Zia’s health. The BNP’s central and district committees coordinated the observances, which also drew participation from journalists and civic representatives in some areas.

The widespread prayer initiative reflects the party’s concern over Khaleda Zia’s ongoing health condition and aims to demonstrate solidarity among supporters nationwide. BNP officials indicated that similar religious gatherings may continue until her condition improves, underscoring the symbolic and emotional significance of the events for the party’s grassroots base.

On the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, former Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for a mosque named 'Babri Masjid' in Raninagar, Murshidabad, West Bengal. The ceremony took place on December 6 at noon, coinciding with the date of the original mosque’s destruction in Ayodhya in 1992. Local authorities deployed heightened security to ensure the event proceeded peacefully.

A division bench of the Calcutta High Court declined to intervene in a petition seeking to halt the construction, effectively removing legal barriers to the project. Kabir announced that the mosque’s construction would take around three years, funded by donations from devout Muslims. He urged for police cooperation to maintain peace during the event.

The move comes as Ayodhya’s Ram Temple nears completion following the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict. The Murshidabad project has drawn attention for its timing and symbolism, reflecting ongoing religious sensitivities in India’s socio-political landscape.