Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), announced that if entrusted with state leadership, his party would establish Bangladeshi missions across the world and increase the number of diplomats to better serve expatriates. Speaking on Sunday, February 8, at 7:15 p.m. on state television BTV, he said the goal would be to export manpower to promising countries at minimal cost while ensuring their protection from any form of harassment. He emphasized that mutual respect, fairness, and cooperation would form the foundation of Bangladesh’s foreign policy.

Nahid Islam added that under NCP governance, economic and trade deficits would be reduced and dependency on any single country would gradually decrease to build balanced diplomatic relations. He pledged to replace submissive policies of undemocratic rulers with a self-reliant and dignified foreign policy prioritizing national interests. The NCP also plans to revitalize SAARC, pursue membership in ASEAN, and strengthen political, economic, and strategic ties with the Muslim world.

These commitments reflect the NCP’s intent to reshape Bangladesh’s external relations through proactive diplomacy and regional engagement.

Hamas senior leader Khaled Meshaal declared that the group will continue its resistance against Israel’s occupation and will not surrender its weapons. Speaking at a conference in Doha on Sunday, Meshaal said Hamas rejects U.S. and Israeli demands for disarmament and will not accept foreign intervention in Gaza. He emphasized that labeling the resistance movement or its weapons as criminal is unacceptable and asserted that resistance is the right of an occupied people.

The statement comes as a U.S.-mediated ceasefire in Gaza enters its second phase, which envisions a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and potential demilitarization of the territory, including Hamas’s disarmament. Hamas has repeatedly called disarmament a red line but has indicated it might consider transferring weapons to a future Palestinian governing authority.

According to Israeli officials cited in the report, Hamas still has around 20,000 fighters and approximately 60,000 Kalashnikov rifles in Gaza.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, attended a protest organized against him on Sunday, February 8, at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram. The demonstration was arranged by the Allama Junaid Babunagari Memorial Council and began after the Asr prayer. Witnesses saw Patwari at the venue, where he also delivered a speech.

The protest was organized in response to what participants described as false and indecent remarks made by Patwari about Allama Junaid Babunagari, the late former secretary general and amir of Hefazat-e-Islam. Photos from the protest later circulated on social media, sparking public discussion. Following the online reaction, Patwari posted on his Facebook page, expressing unconditional regret to anyone hurt by his words or actions.

The incident drew attention due to Patwari’s direct presence at a protest against himself, as well as his subsequent public apology on social media.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a new directive regarding the February 10 holiday in connection with the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. According to the circular released on Sunday, February 11 and 12 will be nationwide public holidays under executive order for the election and referendum scheduled for Thursday, February 12. Additionally, the previously announced special holiday for industrial workers and employees on February 10 will remain in effect.

The directive further states that authorities overseeing industrial areas may designate any convenient weekly holiday after February 10 as a working day to compensate for the special leave. Earlier, a notice from the Chief Adviser’s verified Facebook page clarified that factories implementing the February 10 holiday could later require workers to make up the day by working on another date.

The updated instruction aims to ensure smooth participation in the election process while maintaining flexibility for industrial operations across the country.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his party would adopt a zero-tolerance policy against corruption if it forms the next government. Speaking at an election rally on Sunday at Lal Math in Pallabi Ward No. 2 of Dhaka-16 constituency, he said that changing the fate of the people requires taking a firm stand against corruption. He criticized the past 16 years of governance, claiming that while many mega projects were undertaken, they failed to improve people’s lives and instead became sources of large-scale corruption.

Rahman described the upcoming election on the 12th as a decisive moment for the country’s future, urging citizens to choose who should lead the nation. He emphasized that BNP’s main goal is to improve people’s lives rather than merely criticizing opponents. He also outlined several pledges, including introducing a “Family Card” for women’s empowerment, a “Krishak Card” for farmers with loan waivers up to 10,000 taka, building a hospital in Dhaka-16, and launching canal excavation programs to address waterlogging.

He added that law and order would be prioritized to ensure public safety and reiterated his call to rebuild the country above all else.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming referendum. He made the appeal on Sunday afternoon during a roadside rally at Golimbabur Hat in Jagannathpur Union of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila. Fakhrul said the referendum’s central question is who supports reform and who does not. He argued that the country needs reform to correct past mismanagement and urged everyone who wants change to vote 'Yes'.

Addressing the Hindu community, Fakhrul assured them of his continued support and said no one would be able to harm them. He added that the decision on whether the country will continue as before or move in a new direction will be made in three days. Fakhrul described BNP leader Tarique Rahman as young, energetic, and modern-minded, saying the party supports new leadership over old politics.

He concluded by expressing hope that the next prime minister would be a young leader capable of advancing the nation with fresh ideas, calling on all to stand for change.

The interim government of Bangladesh has recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 politically motivated cases filed against leaders and activists of several political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Gano Adhikar Parishad. The announcement was made on Sunday through a press release signed by Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. According to the statement, the decision could relieve nearly half a million people from such cases filed during the previous Awami government.

The press release stated that to review and recommend the withdrawal of these cases, the interim government formed two committees on September 22, 2024: a district-level committee led by the Deputy Commissioner and an inter-ministerial committee headed by Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law. The committees invited applications from political parties seeking withdrawal of harassment cases filed between January 6, 2009, and August 5, 2024.

The inter-ministerial committee held 39 meetings to examine the applications and recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 cases. The process remains ongoing, according to the ministry’s statement.

Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP Standing Committee and the party’s nominated candidate for Bhola-3, said the interim government formed one and a half years ago has failed to deliver any development and described it as a weak administration. He made the remarks on Sunday, February 8, during his final campaign rally for the 13th National Parliamentary Election at the Tazumuddin Government Degree College field in Bhola.

Hafiz Uddin criticized the Awami League, accusing it of promoting a culture of criminal politics and alleging that the party sent a miscreant to campaign against him. He also criticized an Islamic political party for misleading voters by linking religious promises to voting symbols, saying that Jamaat-e-Islami has a long-standing habit of exploiting religion for political gain.

The rally was organized by the Tazumuddin Upazila BNP, chaired by Upazila BNP President Golam Mostafa Mintu and conducted by General Secretary Omar Asad Rintu. Several district and local BNP leaders also addressed the gathering.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a circular fixing office hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The directive, released on Sunday by the ministry’s Regulation-6 branch, applies to all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous institutions across the country.

According to the circular, the schedule was set considering the times for Sehri and Iftar. It also states that banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, postal services, railways, hospitals, state-owned industries, factories, and other essential service providers may determine and follow their own office hours according to their respective laws and regulations. The Supreme Court will set working hours for itself and all subordinate courts.

The interim government’s advisory council had approved the proposal for Ramadan office hours on February 5. Depending on the sighting of the moon, the month of Ramadan is expected to begin on February 18 or 19.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh announced that expatriate voters registered through the 'Postal Vote BD' app must cast their votes by Tuesday midnight, Bangladesh time. Votes not submitted by 11:59 p.m. on that day will be considered invalid. The commission issued the directive on Sunday, urging registered voters who have not yet scanned the QR code printed on their ballot envelopes to do so before the deadline.

According to election official Salim Ahmad Khan, a total of 503,441 expatriate Bangladeshis have already voted in the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum, with 428,828 postal ballots having reached Bangladesh by mail. In addition to expatriates, election officials, government employees working outside their home constituencies, and voters in legal custody are also eligible to vote by postal ballot.

The commission stated that ballots submitted to post offices by Tuesday will reach returning offices on time. Only ballots arriving by 4:30 p.m. on February 12, the day of the election, will be counted; others will be invalidated.

The Bangladesh interim government has published a book titled 'Reform Book' summarizing major reform initiatives undertaken since August 2024. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing issued on Saturday morning, the publication outlines sector-wise reforms implemented after the interim administration, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, assumed office during a period of severe economic and institutional crisis following the July uprising.

The press release stated that the government enacted around 130 new or amended laws and took over 600 executive decisions within 18 months, with about 84 percent of reforms already implemented. Key measures include strengthening banking oversight, restoring judicial independence, and ensuring media freedom. The government also reported progress in foreign relations, including tariff reductions with the United States, duty-free access for over 7,400 products to Japan, and renewed cooperation with China and India.

The statement described these reforms as the first step toward a new governance system, acknowledging that reversing 16 years of authoritarian damage cannot be achieved in 18 months but asserting that Bangladesh has moved decisively away from authoritarian rule.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh has announced a 34-point election manifesto ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The declaration was made on Sunday afternoon at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, by senior vice president and election monitoring cell convener Maulana Abdur Rob Yousufi. The event was presided over by vice president Maulana Najmul Hasan Kasemi and attended by several senior party leaders.

The manifesto prioritizes Islamic values, social justice, good governance, a corruption-free state system, educational and economic reforms, religious freedom, and the protection of national sovereignty. Yousufi described the manifesto as a realistic framework to prevent moral decline, ensure citizens’ rights, and build a welfare state based on justice. Key pledges include improving Islamic education, ensuring justice, controlling commodity prices, creating employment, and strengthening national unity.

The manifesto also emphasizes providing all adult citizens with phased self-defense and basic military training to prepare them to act as guardians of independence during national crises. Party leaders called on citizens to unite behind the manifesto and support the party in the upcoming election.

The government has imposed nationwide restrictions on vehicle movement ahead of the national parliamentary election and referendum. According to a circular issued on February 1 by the Road Transport and Highways Division, taxi cabs, pickups, microbuses, and trucks will be prohibited from operating for 24 hours starting midnight on February 11 until midnight on February 12, the day of voting. Additionally, motorcycle movement will be completely banned for 72 hours from midnight on February 10 to midnight on February 13.

The circular states that exemptions will apply for essential services and election-related activities. Law enforcement, armed forces, administration, and accredited election observers will not be subject to the ban. Vehicles carrying emergency services, medicines, essential goods, and newspapers will be allowed to operate. Special allowances are also provided for outbound and returning air passengers, candidates, election agents, journalists, and telecommunications service vehicles under specific conditions.

Authorities have been instructed to maintain normal traffic flow on national highways, ports, and key inter-district routes to prevent communication breakdowns. District magistrates and metropolitan police commissioners may tighten or relax the restrictions based on local circumstances.

Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, Director General of the Ansar and Village Defence Force, has warned that no negligence or bias will be tolerated during the upcoming national election. Speaking to Ansar members at the district stadium in Chattogram on Sunday morning, he said that anyone failing to perform duties properly would face strict action, including possible imprisonment for biased behavior.

He instructed all members to carry out their responsibilities with dedication, emphasizing that their duty extends beyond maintaining law and order to ensuring a fair voting environment. The Director General made it clear that any failure to uphold these responsibilities would not be accepted.

Deputy Director General Dr. Saifur Rahman and Chattogram District Commandant Mostak Ahmad were present at the event, which focused on reinforcing discipline and neutrality among Ansar personnel ahead of the election.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has urged citizens not to believe or spread rumors circulating on social media about the postponement of the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The call was made in a press release signed by EC Director of Public Relations Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik on Sunday.

According to the statement, some individuals have been spreading misinformation online claiming that the elections would be delayed. The EC clarified that the national election and referendum will be held as scheduled on February 12, 2026 (Thursday), in 299 parliamentary constituencies, excluding Sherpur-3. The commission reaffirmed that there has been no change to the official election timetable.

The EC requested the public to remain alert against any kind of propaganda or misinformation regarding the postponement of the election and referendum, emphasizing that such rumors are baseless and misleading.