The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held a meeting with a delegation from the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan. Led by Standing Committee member Abdul Moin Khan, the BNP delegation discussed the country’s post-uprising situation, reform initiatives, and upcoming parliamentary elections. The IRI delegation, headed by Asia-Pacific Director Stephen Simmer, also included Deputy Director Matthew Carter and Senior Program Manager Amitabh Ghosh. BNP shared its future plans, while IRI has previously engaged with other parties including Jamaat-e-Islami.

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been granted bail in eight cases linked to attacks on military installations in May 2023. The Supreme Court approved his appeal against the Lahore High Court’s rejection of his bail requests. The 72-year-old will be released unless accused in other cases but remains in prison for a corruption conviction. Several PTI leaders have faced similar convictions. The 2023 unrest followed Khan’s arrest, with protesters vandalizing military sites in Rawalpindi.

The Appellate Division will announce its verdict on September 4 regarding the state’s appeal against the acquittal of Tareq Rahman, Lutfuzzaman Babar, and other accused in the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack case. In 2018, the lower court sentenced several accused to death, life imprisonment, and varying jail terms. The High Court later acquitted all, but the state filed an appeal. The 2004 attack killed 24 people, including Ivy Rahman, and injured nearly 300, narrowly missing Sheikh Hasina.

Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, has announced plans to cut nearly half of the agency’s workforce and reduce its annual budget by $700 million as part of a major restructuring. The move aims to streamline operations, merge teams, and ensure impartial, timely intelligence. Hours earlier, she revealed that the Trump administration would revoke security clearances of 37 current and former officials accused of politicizing intelligence, though no formal evidence or charges were presented.

NCP convenor Md. Nahid Islam is set to embark on a three-day visit to Malaysia from August 22 to 24. The visit is organized by the NCP Diaspora Alliance–Malaysia Chapter. During his stay, Nahid Islam will engage with the Bangladeshi expatriate community, social and political organizations, journalists, human rights activists, and professionals through discussions and evening gatherings. He is also scheduled for a courtesy meeting with officials of the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia. As part of the visit, a grand public event is planned, expected to draw over 300 Bangladeshi expatriates. Nahid Islam is slated to return home on August 25.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has strongly criticized a section of poets, writers, and actors, accusing them of expressing grief on August 15 without genuine emotion. Speaking at a public gathering, he alleged that many of these figures have aligned themselves with fascism out of material greed rather than standing by democratic values.

Rizvi claimed that during the past government, the position of the country’s top police officer was awarded to someone merely for writing a book on the ruling party’s founder. Similarly, flats near the runway were allegedly given to cultural personalities as rewards for loyalty.

Highlighting the July Revolution, Rizvi described it as an “epic event” and said every martyr, injured, and participant holds historical significance. “The July movement was the collective expression of all forms of rebellion,” he added.

He further accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of spending public funds for personal gain while in power, sparking widespread resentment.

At the same event, Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur stated, “We want to see a Bangladesh where the state and law enforcement never stand against the people.”

All major political parties have jointly requested the Appellate Division to expedite the review hearing on the caretaker government system. The court has set August 26 as the date of hearing.

Lawyer Shishir Monir pointed out that a long court recess is approaching but the review petition has yet to be heard, despite appearing on the cause list. The Chief Justice responded that while time is limited, efforts will be made to conclude proceedings.

The debate stems from the 2011 verdict, when a seven-member Appellate Division bench struck down the 13th constitutional amendment that had institutionalized the caretaker government system. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul filed a review petition last October, following similar appeals from civil society members and Jamaat’s Secretary General Prof. Mia Golam Porwar.

The Dhaka University Students’ Rights Council has announced that Rashed Khan, the General Secretary candidate in the 2019 DUCSU elections, will attend today’s meeting of the inquiry committee formed to investigate alleged vote rigging. The session is scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Earlier, Rashed Khan submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor demanding punishment for teachers accused of siding with authoritarian practices, and cancellation of DUCSU posts held by banned Chhatra League leaders. He alleged that widespread irregularities and fraud in the 2019 election—facilitated by then VC Akhtaruzzaman—led to Golam Rabbani being declared General Secretary.

Md. Nazmul Islam, Joint Convener of the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad (Bagchas) Jahangirnagar University unit, has resigned through a Facebook post.

Following his announcement, Nazmul was seen distributing sweets at the university’s Bottola area.

In his post, he wrote:
“I, Md. Nazmul Islam, Joint Convener of Bagchas Jahangirnagar University branch, am resigning from my position.”

He added that he would explain the reasons behind his resignation at a press conference on Thursday.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Helal Uddin has warned that holding national elections without improving law and order and ensuring reforms will prevent a fair voting environment. He stressed that the global community will not accept a “mockery” of elections that lack credibility, inclusiveness, and neutrality.

Helal insisted that equal opportunities, security, and a level playing field for all political parties and candidates must be guaranteed before the polls. Without such measures, he warned, both candidates and voters may face insecurity.

“If the interim government fails to present the nation with a credible, free, and impartial election, it will have to answer to the people,” Helal declared.

He also highlighted that 71% of citizens prefer the Proportional Representation (PR) system but alleged that invisible pressures are preventing the government from adopting it. He urged immediate announcement of elections under the PR system.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has warned of multiple conspiracies surrounding the upcoming elections, stressing that stronger unity is key to overcoming them.
Visiting families of students and teachers injured in the Milestone tragedy, Annie delivered financial aid on behalf of Tarique Rahman.
He criticized the government’s limited role in helping victims, questioning why an investigation committee has yet to produce results after a month.
“On Sheikh Hasina’s orders, Uttara was turned into a death zone during the uprising. BNP is not just about rallies—we are committed to rebuilding the nation and will continue to fight for the people,” Annie said.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam has announced that the ministry will extend full cooperation in improving the quality of films produced with government grants.
Speaking at a cheque handover ceremony, he said the ministry will also arrange workshops on film development. “This year’s grant selections were made with maximum transparency, and the stories represent diverse themes,” he added.
He emphasized that all state-funded films will be archived in the Bangladesh Film Archive and screened under its management.
Mahfuz expressed regret that many filmmakers failed to complete projects within deadlines and urged timely delivery.
At the event, the government disbursed Tk 1.8 crore in first installments for 12 full-length films (Tk 15 lakh each) and Tk 1.2 crore for 20 short films (Tk 6 lakh each).

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has warned that the party’s struggle is far from over, as democracy is yet to be fully restored.
Speaking on Thursday, he said, “To regain democracy, we may have to cross more dangerous paths ahead. Our leaders, activists, and nationalist forces are prepared.”
He alleged ongoing conspiracies and “master plans” to obstruct free and fair elections.
Rizvi credited Tarique Rahman for organizing the ongoing student-people movement and recalled Ziaur Rahman’s role in restoring multiparty democracy after the “dark age of Baksal.” He blamed international conspiracies for Zia’s assassination in 1981, calling it a blow to Bangladesh’s security and freedom.

BNP leader Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has claimed that nearly 450 BNP activists have been martyred in the party’s movement.
Speaking on Wednesday, he said, “Under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the fall of fascism came at the cost of countless sacrifices.”
Tuku accused Sheikh Hasina of destroying electoral democracy, stealing people’s rights through midnight voting, and establishing a “robber government” that has now collapsed.
“They abducted and killed our leaders, tortured our chairperson in jail for six years. We are not in politics for power but to restore people’s rights,” he added.

BNP leader Khairul Kabir Khokon has criticized the idea of imposing the PR system on the Bangladeshi public, calling it unnecessary and ineffective.

Khokon asserted that no external force can stop the elections announced for February. He warned that those attempting to manipulate the election for personal gain would not succeed, emphasizing that the public is eager to vote for BNP. Reflecting on Bangladesh’s democratic journey, he paid tribute to the sacrifices of countless martyrs, praying for their eternal peace and expressing deep respect.