Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, senior Naib-e-Ameer of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, has accused the BNP of replicating Awami League’s political approach. “The BNP is now doing what the Awami League used to do. I see no difference between the two parties. As I’ve said before—boat or paddy sheaf, they’re two snakes with the same venom,” he told a rally marking Islami Jubo Andolon’s 9th founding anniversary.
He added that BNP had repeatedly failed to uphold the ideals of its founder, the late President Ziaur Rahman.

BNP leader Abdus Salam has claimed that acting party chairman Tareq Rahman owns no home, car, or bank account in Dhaka. “When he returns to the country, he will have to rent a house to stay in,” Salam said.
He praised Rahman’s leadership, saying that a single directive from him had calmed nationwide unrest that could have otherwise set the homes of Awami League leaders ablaze. Salam pledged that, if in power, Rahman would bring sweeping reforms within a month—ending theft, extortion, and corruption. At the event, Salam united Rajshahi Division leaders in a pledge to set aside differences and work together.

Saudi authorities have arrested 23,630 foreigners between July 31 and August 6 for violating residency, labor, and border security laws. The detainees include 13,833 residency law violators, 4,624 border law offenders, and 3,615 labor law violators. Among them, 35% are Yemeni, 64% Ethiopian, and 1% from other countries. Some were caught attempting illegal entry or exit. Authorities warned that aiding offenders can lead to up to 15 years in prison, heavy fines, asset confiscation, and public naming.

The U.S. will launch a one-year pilot program on August 20 requiring certain B-1 and B-2 visa holders from countries with high overstay rates to pay a refundable bond of $5,000–$15,000 before entry. Zambia and Malawi will be the first affected, with more nations possibly added. The policy aims to curb overstays, a major source of undocumented immigration. Exceptions apply for humanitarian needs and official travel, and deposits will be refunded if visa terms are met.

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will visit Malaysia from August 11–13 at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The trip will feature a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya, a business conference, and the signing of up to five MoUs on areas including defense, energy, trade, and education. Migration and investment will be key topics, with discussions aimed at boosting Bangladeshi manpower exports. Dr. Yunus will also receive an honorary degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia during the visit.

After a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher said, “We agreed on implementing the proportional representation (PR) voting system in the upper house, but we demand PR for both the upper and lower houses. We will continue our movement for this.”
Taher criticized the past 54 years of electoral history, saying fair elections had never been ensured. While Jamaat has no objection to the February election date, he emphasized that previous three elections left public doubts unresolved. “We have told the CEC that a level playing field is a prerequisite for elections. He assured us of his sincerity, and we want to trust him,” Taher added.

Tariqul Islam, convener of the National Youth Power, stated that top leaders of the National Citizens’ Party (NCIP) are continuously subjected to media trials across the country, not just in Cox’s Bazar.

He accused rival political factions of conspiring against young leaders who are not accepted by the established powers. Tariqul warned that without youthful leadership, the progress toward building a new Bangladesh will stall. He pledged that Youth Power would emerge as a strong platform breaking away from traditional politics. The youth manifesto will be unveiled on August 12.

BNP leader Amir Khasru observed that countries which quickly restored democratic governance after revolutions achieved stability sooner. He warned that imposing change forcefully will not yield sustainable results.

Khasru emphasized that those who want to act in the public’s interest must secure a legitimate mandate. He added that BNP is preparing to perform from day one if given the opportunity to form the government. Regarding the interim government, he refrained from commenting on its success or failure but noted its role as a transitional body tasked with restoring citizens’ constitutional rights. Praising the National Unity Commission’s initiatives, he remarked that political parties have diverse ideologies, making consensus on all issues unlikely.

In a virtual address during BNP’s biennial conference, Tareq Rahman stated that the previous fascist government not only destroyed the electoral system but also devastated all sectors and brutally suppressed opposition voices. He credited the July uprising’s sacrifices for their downfall.

Rahman said the interim government is moving forward to hold elections in which BNP will emerge victorious. However, he cautioned that BNP will face various challenges upon coming to power, requiring unity and collective effort to overcome. He stressed the importance of creating skilled employment both domestically and internationally and delivering quality education to youth for a brighter future. Rahman also mentioned the possibility of taking water-sharing disputes, including those involving the Padma River, to international courts if necessary.

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton revealed that Washington’s long-standing policy aimed to keep India distant from Russia and China’s influence. While successful for years, President Trump’s tariff wars have strained US-India trade relations, pushing India closer to Russia and China. Experts warn this shift could impact defense cooperation and the Indo-Pacific balance. Amid Modi-Putin talks and China’s strategic moves, India’s future alignment remains uncertain, influencing Asia-Pacific geopolitical dynamics.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court will hear former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s bail plea on August 12 related to the May 9, 2023, riots. The three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, will preside over the case. Imran Khan has been imprisoned in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since his arrest on August 5, 2023. His bail plea was previously denied by an anti-terrorism court and the Lahore High Court. The Supreme Court had earlier suspended proceedings due to the absence of his senior lawyer.

SM Zillani, President of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, has alleged that a mafia-style group emerges whenever the BNP discusses elections, selling what he described as “tickets to paradise” to the public.

“We have observed that when BNP talks about elections, a certain mafia group starts selling so-called ‘tickets to paradise’ to people. These sellers are once again conspiring over Bangladesh’s electoral process,” Zillani said.

According to him, the public has identified these groups as a “bot army” for their role in mobilizing mobs and orchestrating online propaganda. He urged party leaders and activists to remain vigilant against both this bot network and false campaigns on social media.

“The answer to lies must be the truth,” Zillani emphasized, calling for a proactive approach to counter disinformation.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed, during a ceremony to provide financial aid to the heroes of July and previous movements, declared that everyone who suffered in the 16-year struggle against dictatorship is a future national hero. He highlighted numerous enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and political murders during this period.

Salahuddin referenced the Chief Advisor’s statement recognizing the martyrs of 1971 as national heroes and extended this honor to all who sacrificed their lives in the anti-fascist movement. Citing human rights organizations, he noted that by 2023, over 7,188 people fell victim to enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killings, with 709 still missing. He urged the need for mental reform and a shift in the mindset of those who govern, stressing that structural reform alone will not achieve desired progress.

Sixteen new political parties, including the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), have successfully passed the Election Commission’s initial verification process for registration. The Commission will make the final decision after thorough field-level scrutiny.

According to Election Commission officials, as of June 22, 145 parties applied for registration, but none met the conditions in the first round. After an extension and amendment window, 16 parties passed the preliminary phase. Following established procedures, the Commission will issue public notices inviting objections after final scrutiny, and no objections will lead to official registration. Only registered parties are permitted to field candidates under their symbols in elections.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strongly criticized Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City, calling it “completely unacceptable.” Speaking with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s unwavering support for Palestine. He welcomed potential recognition of Palestine by Western countries like France, the UK, and Canada, and highlighted growing criticism of Israel in the West. Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet has approved preparations for a ground operation to seize Gaza City, aiming to relocate Palestinians by early October.