The Bangladesh National Parliament formed five committees, including the Business Advisory Committee, on the opening day of the 13th Parliament session held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The committees were approved by voice vote of the members. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed announced the Business Advisory and Parliamentary Committees, while Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni proposed the names for the Special Committee, Privilege Committee, and Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions Committee.

The Business Advisory Committee includes Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed as chair, with members such as Leader of the House Tareq Rahman and Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman. A 14-member Special Committee, headed by Zainal Abedin, was formed to review 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period. The Privilege Committee is chaired by the Speaker, and the Private Members’ Bills Committee is led by Md. Shahjahan.

The ordinances under review include amendments to laws governing Bangladesh Bank, local government bodies, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, and the International Crimes Tribunals, among others. Two ordinances related to the July Uprising were also listed for consideration.

A Jhenaidah court has granted one-day remand for two leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement in a case related to a bus arson incident. The order was issued by Senior Judicial Magistrate Mokhlesur Rahman on Thursday morning. The two leaders are Humayun Kabir, former joint convener of the district committee, and Abu Hasnat Tanaim, convener of 'The Red July'. Police had sought a 10-day remand for interrogation, but the court approved one day. The case was filed over a bus set on fire at the Jhenaidah central bus terminal on the night of March 7.

On the same day, the court denied bail to five other leaders of the same movement and ordered them sent to jail in connection with vandalism at a filling station owned by Awami League leader Harunur Rashid. The accused include district convener Saidur Rahman, member secretary Ashiqur Rahman Jibon, senior joint convener Tashdid Hasan, joint convener Ejaz Hossain Antor, and Russell Hossain.

The incidents followed the death of student leader Fardin Ahmed Nirab, who was beaten by filling station workers after a dispute on March 7. Two separate cases were filed the next day, leading to police raids and arrests of movement activists.

The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament turned heated on March 12, 2026, when President Md. Shahabuddin began his address. During the speech, the opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Congress Party (NCP) walked out of the chamber in protest. Jamaat Ameer told reporters that the president was a criminal and an accomplice to killers, accusing him of failing to take action in murder cases and neglecting his duties as a guardian of the nation.

He further alleged that although the opposition members had taken two oaths, the ruling party had not, and that the president had not convened a reform council meeting. The Jamaat leader claimed that 70 percent of the population had been insulted and accused the Speaker of ignoring opposition lawmakers. He warned that the opposition would not tolerate injustice in parliament and emphasized their role as representatives of the people.

After the walkout, opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said they had fought to oust fascism and protested because the Speaker denied them the chance to respond to the president’s speech.

The opening day of the 13th National Parliament session in Bangladesh ended amid intense protests, placard displays, and a walkout by opposition lawmakers led by Jamaat-e-Islami. The session, held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, was adjourned until Sunday, March 15, at 11 a.m. by Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed following President Md. Shahabuddin’s inaugural address.

During the session, opposition members stood in protest as the President took the stage, chanting slogans and holding placards demanding democracy and denouncing alleged betrayal related to the July uprising. Despite repeated calls for calm from the Speaker, the opposition continued their demonstration before walking out in protest of the President’s presence and speech.

In his address, President Shahabuddin discussed the July uprising and the interim government’s role, congratulating Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his allies for forming a majority government while emphasizing the need for a strong opposition. Outside the chamber, opposition leader and Jamaat chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman sharply criticized the President, accusing him of complicity during the July events.

Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqul Rahman stated that the country’s parliament had often been ineffective, describing it as a dummy institution under fascist control for much of its history. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon while delivering a congratulatory speech in the National Parliament, where Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presided over the session.

In his address, Dr. Rahman reflected on Bangladesh’s 55 years of independence, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in 1947, 1971, 1990, and during the Shapla Chattar movement, as well as those persecuted during what he termed 15 and a half years of fascist rule. He described the current parliament as one built upon the blood of the 2024 struggle and congratulated both the newly appointed Speaker and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

Dr. Rahman expressed hope that the Speaker, having resigned from his party’s standing committee, would act impartially and ensure justice for all members, fostering a dynamic and fair parliament.

National Citizen Party (NCP) northern chief organizer Sarjis Alam said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) began its political journey by breaking the July Charter, sending a negative message to the people. He made the remarks on Thursday, March 12, 2026, after attending a scholarship award ceremony at Panchagarh Government Auditorium. According to him, the charter stipulated that while the Speaker would come from the ruling party, the Deputy Speaker should be from the opposition, but BNP’s Kaysar Kamal was appointed instead.

Sarjis alleged that both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were sworn in by what he called a fascist government’s president, marking BNP’s alignment with authoritarian forces. He said the people of Bangladesh, including BNP supporters, had voted “yes” in a referendum supporting the July Charter’s implementation, justice for genocide, and reforms. Ignoring these demands, he warned, would make normal parliamentary function impossible.

He also criticized election irregularities, claiming targeted engineering in some constituencies during the national polls and warning that any attempt to manipulate upcoming local elections would be resisted by opposition forces.

The opening of the 13th National Parliament session in Bangladesh on March 12, 2026, began with an unexpected moment of humor. With the previous Speaker absconding and the Deputy Speaker imprisoned, there was initially no one to preside over the session. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman nominated Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain to chair the first sitting, a proposal accepted by the opposition.

During his speech, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr. Taher expressed satisfaction with the nomination, noting that Dr. Hossain was a senior leader. He added that prior consultation with the opposition would have been preferable, though they would have supported the choice regardless. At one point, Dr. Taher humorously remarked that their homes were near each other in Comilla, prompting laughter across the chamber.

The lighthearted exchange created a cheerful atmosphere in the parliamentary hall, marking a lively start to the new session.

President Md. Shahabuddin, in his address to the first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament on Thursday, described the July–August 2024 student and public uprising as a landmark in the nation’s democratic history. He said the movement, which began as a quota reform protest, evolved into an anti-fascist struggle that led to the fall of the then fascist government on August 5, 2024. The president noted that a new democratic Bangladesh emerged through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs.

In his speech, President Shahabuddin congratulated all political parties and officials involved in organizing what he called a peaceful, free, fair, and neutral election. He stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, led by Chairman Tarique Rahman, won more than two-thirds of the parliamentary seats. He extended congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the newly formed government, as well as to all elected members of parliament.

The president also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War, former President Ziaur Rahman, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for their roles in establishing democracy in Bangladesh.

Ahmed Azam Khan, Member of Parliament from Tangail-8, was sworn in as a new minister on Thursday afternoon. The oath was administered by President Md. Shahabuddin after Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani announced his appointment earlier in the day.

In the same parliamentary session, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, MP from Bhola-3, was elected Speaker of the 13th National Parliament, while Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP from Netrakona-1, became Deputy Speaker. Both were elected unanimously through a voice vote.

The first sitting of the new parliament was presided over by BNP Standing Committee member and senior MP Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, during which the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were chosen. The session also saw the formation of five parliamentary committees, including the Business Advisory Committee.

During the first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament, President Md. Shahabuddin faced strong protests from opposition members as he began his address. The opposition lawmakers stood up, displayed leaflets reading “July’s traitor,” and chanted slogans, prompting the Speaker to call for order. Despite the appeal, the commotion intensified, and the opposition members eventually walked out of the session.

Following the walkout, NCP chief organizer and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah posted a three-word message on his Facebook account reading “Get out Chuppu,” which quickly went viral online. The phrase echoed the slogans shouted by opposition MPs during the session. The incident drew attention on social media, highlighting the tense political atmosphere surrounding the parliamentary proceedings.

The session also included the formation of five parliamentary committees, including the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee, as part of the new parliament’s organizational activities.

President Md. Shahabuddin stated that the then Awami League government had made Bangladesh a champion in corruption. He made the remark on Thursday, March 12, during his address to the 13th National Parliament session. In his speech, the president highlighted the government's introduction of the family card as a symbol of women's empowerment and mentioned various ongoing initiatives.

The president also referred to the fall of a fascist government through a mass uprising, recalling the July uprising and the martyrs of that movement. He outlined the activities of the interim government formed afterward and discussed the current government's programs. Additionally, he touched on the war situation in the Middle East and spoke about the country's economic condition, including inflation and foreign currency reserves.

President Shahabuddin expressed hope that the current government would continue to take welfare-oriented measures in agriculture and the economy to improve the country's overall situation.

President Md. Shahabuddin declared that Bangladesh was freed from fascism through the July–August 2024 student and mass uprising, calling it a turning point in the nation’s democratic history. Speaking at the opening session of the 13th National Parliament on Thursday, he said the movement, which began as a quota reform protest, evolved into a nationwide anti-fascist struggle that led to the fall of the former regime on August 5, 2024. Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout before his speech began.

The President congratulated all political parties for participating in what he described as a peaceful, free, and fair election that formed the 13th Parliament. He noted that the BNP and its allies, led by Tarique Rahman, won more than two-thirds of the seats. He honored the sacrifices of those killed and injured during the uprising and detailed government initiatives for their treatment, rehabilitation, and commemoration, including memorials, museums, and national observances.

He also reported that Bangladesh’s economy showed signs of stabilization in fiscal year 2024–25, with GDP growth at 3.49 percent and inflation declining to 8.58 percent in January 2026.

A US intelligence assessment has concluded that Iran’s leadership remains intact and faces no imminent risk of collapse, despite nearly two weeks of airstrikes by the United States and Israel. Reuters reported the findings on March 12, 2026, citing sources familiar with the intelligence analysis. The report indicates that Iran’s ruling system continues to maintain control over its population and that internal cohesion remains strong.

According to the sources, the latest intelligence review was completed in recent days. Rising oil prices have increased political pressure on US President Donald Trump, who is expected to end the military campaign in Iran soon. The report also notes that even after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the attacks, Iran’s religious leadership has remained unified. An Israeli official acknowledged in closed-door discussions that the war offers no guarantee of regime collapse in Iran.

The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, and the White House declined to comment on the report.

During the first session of the 13th National Parliament held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, the opposition party expressed support for the proposal to appoint Dr. Khondaker Mosharraf Hossain, a respected figure, as Speaker of Parliament. The proposal was made by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman, who also delivered the opening address, expressing gratitude to those involved in the recent mass uprising.

Government lawmaker Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir supported the proposal, which was also endorsed by opposition deputy leader Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. However, Taher noted in his remarks that the ruling party could have consulted the opposition before nominating the Speaker. The session took place at the National Parliament Building in Dhaka.

The event marked the formal beginning of parliamentary politics under the new assembly, with both government and opposition members emphasizing cooperation and respect for parliamentary norms.

An unprecedented incident occurred in Bangladesh’s National Parliament when President Md. Shahabuddin entered the chamber to deliver his scheduled speech. As soon as he arrived, lawmakers from the opposition parties Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP) stood up and began protesting, displaying placards reading 'July’s traitor'. The protest took place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, shortly after the parliamentary session began.

Despite the commotion, the President proceeded toward the dais to deliver his address. However, the opposition MPs from the Jamaat alliance continued their uproar during his speech. After the President began speaking, the protesting members staged a walkout from the session.

The event marked a rare disruption during a presidential address in Parliament, highlighting heightened political tensions within the ongoing session.