The newly formed BNP government has formally begun implementing its election manifesto promises following the 13th parliamentary election. On Thursday, inter-ministerial meetings were held on three key pledges: the Family Card program, a nationwide tree-planting initiative, and river, canal, and reservoir dredging projects. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting on the Family Card, forming a 15-member committee led by the finance minister to finalize its design and beneficiary selection process. The committee will submit a preliminary report by February 24, aiming to distribute the cards before Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Family Card, to be issued in the name of female heads of households, will initially cover 5 million poor rural families, with plans to expand to 40 million marginal families. It will provide monthly financial or food support worth 2,000–2,500 taka per family. The government also discussed planting 25 crore trees over five years, starting by May, and dredging waterways nationwide. Analysts praised the government’s swift action, saying it demonstrates genuine commitment to public welfare and the fulfillment of electoral promises.

Ministers and experts emphasized transparency and coordination among ministries to ensure effective implementation of the manifesto programs.

Following Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election on February 12, the banned Awami League has intensified efforts to re-enter national politics. While the BNP-led coalition proceeds with forming a new government, Indian diplomatic and media circles have repeatedly discussed the future of Awami League and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On February 14, India’s The Tribune published an ANI-based interview with former Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri, who suggested that Bangladesh’s new prime minister might consider lifting the political ban on the Awami League.

The interview also noted that the BNP alliance narrowly outperformed the Jamaat-e-Islami coalition, reflecting a competitive political landscape. Meanwhile, Awami League offices in several districts, including Khulna, Dinajpur, and Panchagarh, have reopened after years of closure, signaling renewed grassroots activity. In contrast, Sheikh Hasina remains convicted in multiple cases, including a death sentence for crimes against humanity and a 10-year corruption sentence, and is currently in India as a fugitive.

Analysts warn that rehabilitating the Awami League before accountability for past abuses would be unjust, underscoring the political and judicial tensions shaping Bangladesh’s post-election environment.

An imam in Hesakhal area of Nangalkot upazila, Cumilla, was allegedly dismissed from his position for serving as a polling agent of the Jamaat-e-Islami-supported candidate symbol during the February 12 national election. Hafiz Md. Abdul Alim Bhuiyan, 58, who had served at the Hesakhal Khamar Para Majumdar Bari Jame Mosque for about five years, was reportedly removed last Friday by Jahangir Alam Majumdar, president of the Upazila Shaheed Zia Smriti Sangsad and a resident of the same village.

Local sources said Jahangir Alam acted without formal authority in the mosque committee, allegedly using political influence to remove the imam. The mosque committee’s general secretary, Mozaffar Hossain Selim, resigned in protest. Abdul Alim told reporters he was dismissed for acting as an agent of the “Dhalapalla” symbol and appealed for justice to the local MP and the prime minister. Jahangir Alam could not be reached for comment despite repeated calls.

Local Jamaat leaders confirmed the incident and urged reinstatement of the imam, while the party’s candidate for Cumilla-10 constituency criticized the action as undemocratic. The incident has stirred local tension, with residents hoping for a negotiated resolution.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has announced a firm stance against illegal billboards and unauthorized advertisements to make the city more organized, visually appealing, and clean. He stated that regular eviction drives will be conducted to remove unapproved billboards, banners, and posters across the city, with the goal of gradually making Chattogram completely free of billboards. The announcement came on Thursday afternoon during his inspection of an eviction drive against illegal billboards in the Kazi Deuri area.

Before the inspection, the mayor instructed the executive magistrates and relevant departments of the City Corporation to take necessary actions. The operation was carried out jointly by the magistrate team, engineering department, cleaning department, and law enforcement agencies. During the drive, various unauthorized billboards, banners, and posters that had been installed for a long time were removed.

The initiative is part of the City Corporation’s broader plan to enhance urban aesthetics and maintain a cleaner environment in Chattogram through coordinated enforcement efforts.

The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has expressed deep concern over the decision by Ekhon TV to place four of its journalists on compulsory leave and bar them from entering the newsroom. The statement, issued on Thursday by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel, identified the affected journalists as Md Mujahidul Islam (Shuvo), Mahmud Rakib, Mohammad Azharuzzaman (Azhar Limon), and Belayet Hossain. The first three are permanent members of the DRU.

According to the DRU statement, the action was taken in connection with old Facebook posts by the journalists, which the organization described as an unwarranted measure. The leaders said that punishing journalists for expressing opinions contradicts the principles of media freedom and violates their right to free expression. They welcomed the information minister’s assurance to take action and emphasized that media institutions should uphold journalists’ dignity and professional rights.

The DRU leaders demanded that Ekhon TV immediately reinstate the journalists and withdraw the decision. They warned that if the decision is not reversed, the organization will take necessary steps to protect its members’ interests.

A local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Nilphamari has said that the party does not accept any referendum, a comment that quickly went viral and drew criticism. Shafiqul Islam Kajol, president of the Bhogdaburi Union BNP in Domar upazila, made the remark in a video circulated on social media on Thursday. In the clip, he claimed that BNP’s defeat in Nilphamari and the Rangpur division was preplanned despite strong voter support, while acknowledging some internal weaknesses.

Kajol also linked the party’s poor performance to dissatisfaction over candidate nominations, citing internal disputes in the Domar-Dimla constituency. He alleged that several BNP activists were recently assaulted and hospitalized, with related cases still under trial. Criticizing Jamaat-e-Islami, he questioned how a force defeated in 1971 could seek state power and said the nation would not accept it. He reiterated that BNP rejects any “yes-no” vote or referendum and mentioned that calls for protests were emerging nationwide.

When contacted, district BNP convening committee member Riazul Islam Kalu said he had not seen the video and ended the call when asked about the party’s stance on the referendum.

Prime Minister’s wife Zubaida Rahman and her daughter Zaima Rahman joined orphan students for iftar on Thursday at Jamia Qurbaniya Talimiya Dawra Hadis Women’s Madrasa and Orphanage in West Bhashantek, Dhaka. The event was confirmed by BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan.

According to the report, Dhaka-17 constituency’s Member of Parliament Tarique Rahman has arranged for local BNP units to provide iftar, dinner, and sehri throughout Ramadan to 14 orphanages and Hafezia madrasas in Karail slum and Bhashantek. Before the meal, Zubaida and Zaima Rahman spoke with the orphan students.

In previous years, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and central leaders held iftar gatherings with orphans and religious scholars on the first day of Ramadan, but no such central event took place this year.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has congratulated Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In a letter shared by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media platform X on Thursday, Starmer expressed his desire to strengthen the Bangladesh–UK partnership and advance shared priorities.

In his message, Starmer highlighted the long-standing and close relationship between the two countries, expressing confidence that cooperation would deepen under Rahman’s leadership. He emphasized expanding trade and investment ties, noting the UK’s position as one of Bangladesh’s largest foreign investors. Starmer also welcomed opportunities for collaboration in tackling illegal migration, combating climate change, and enhancing defense and security relations.

The UK Prime Minister further commended Bangladesh for its generosity in hosting Rohingya refugees and reaffirmed the UK’s continued support. He said he looked forward to the next chapter of partnership between the two nations.

Nahid Islam, Chief Whip of the Opposition in Bangladesh’s National Parliament and convener of the National Congress Party (NCP), stated that if the referendum is annulled, the recent election will also become questionable. He made the remarks on Thursday at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. Islam urged the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to make the parliament functional as soon as possible and to take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council before convening the next session.

He alleged that although the voting process in the 13th national election was fair, manipulation occurred in the results. Despite this, he said the NCP accepted the outcome in the interest of democracy and national stability. Islam also accused the BNP of deceiving the people by not taking oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, claiming that this act betrayed both the citizens and those supporting constitutional reform.

The remarks reflect ongoing political tension over the legitimacy of the election and the functioning of key parliamentary and constitutional bodies.

A Sylhet court has issued a show-cause notice to District Commissioner Md. Sarowar Alam for failing to provide information about the executive magistrate who allegedly ordered gunfire during an anti-discrimination student movement in Golapganj. The order was given by Senior Judicial Magistrate Sudipta Talukdar of Sylhet Amli Court No. 2 on February 8, and the matter became public on February 19, 2026.

The court noted that the district commissioner’s failure to supply the requested information and documents to the investigating officer has delayed the investigation of a case filed on August 29, 2024. The delay has prevented the start of judicial proceedings. The court described the non-compliance as a punishable offense amounting to contempt of court. The notice directed the district commissioner to explain in writing within 15 days why legal or departmental action should not be taken against him.

Md. Sarowar Alam acknowledged hearing about the show-cause order and said a response would be submitted to the court.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the party would stand for the country’s 180 million people if any action went against their interests. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Thursday, February 19, he stated that Jamaat, as a responsible opposition, would fully support the government in advancing national progress and building a corruption-free country.

Rahman emphasized that neither the government nor the opposition should allow any situation that harms the public. He said the opposition was prepared to resist if national interests were undermined. He added that Jamaat would cooperate with the government in all positive initiatives but would build resistance where necessary, while hoping such circumstances would not arise.

According to Rahman, the opposition seeks to cooperate with the government but remains vigilant to ensure accountability whenever national interests are at risk.

Road Transport and Communications Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that money collected from transport operators on roads through mutual understanding should not be considered extortion, but if anyone is forced to pay, that constitutes extortion. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon during a press briefing at his office in the Secretariat while responding to journalists’ questions.

The minister explained that transport owners’ and workers’ associations collect funds for their welfare, describing it as an unwritten practice rather than extortion. He acknowledged that there may be debate over how the money is used but emphasized that the process is based on mutual consent. He also noted that influence often depends on which group or party is in power, giving dominance to affiliated labor organizations.

Robiul Alam further said that no external group is allowed to exert pressure or collect money within areas under the ministry’s jurisdiction. If owners collect funds by agreement, the ministry will review whether anyone is being deprived or if the funds are being misused. He also discussed traffic congestion caused by roadside markets and said measures will be taken to bring order.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has formed a four-member committee to investigate corruption allegations against Mahbub Morshed, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). The order, issued on Thursday, states that the ministry’s Additional Secretary (Grade-1) will serve as the committee’s chair.

Other members include the Principal Information Officer of the Press Information Department, the Director General of the Department of Mass Communication, and the Senior Assistant Secretary (Press-1) of the ministry, who will act as member secretary. The committee has been tasked with thoroughly reviewing the allegations, collecting statements from relevant parties, and conducting necessary inquiries.

According to the directive, the committee must submit a comprehensive report with recommendations by February 25, 2026. The ministry emphasized that the investigation should be impartial, transparent, and fair.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has expressed optimism that the proceedings of the International Crimes Tribunal will continue without interruption. Speaking to reporters on Thursday at the tribunal premises, he referred to the law minister’s recent statement that the tribunal’s activities would proceed at a normal pace. Tajul Islam said that although the government had not given any specific directive, it had indicated support for keeping the tribunal’s work ongoing.

He further stated that as long as the prosecution team remains in office, all activities will continue in their regular course, emphasizing that maintaining the tribunal’s operations is essential for ensuring justice. His remarks reaffirmed the prosecution’s commitment to sustaining the tribunal’s judicial process in line with the government’s position.

The statement comes amid ongoing discussions about the tribunal’s continuity, with officials signaling that its judicial functions will not be disrupted.

Bangladesh’s Road, Rail and Water Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that the unrestricted movement of battery-run autorickshaws on Dhaka’s main roads will be brought under control. Speaking at a press conference at the Road Transport and Highways Division on Thursday, he said a coordinated action plan involving the city corporation, traffic division, and home ministry will be prepared soon to decide whether to restrict or gradually phase out the vehicles.

The minister said a 180-day priority plan will focus on restoring discipline on roads, expanding rail networks, re-excavating canals, and developing an integrated transport system. He noted that unregulated parking, roadside markets, and battery-run rickshaws are worsening traffic congestion. Discussions with city corporations will be held to review and, if necessary, cancel street parking leases on key roads.

Sheikh Robiul Alam also addressed issues such as toll collection at the Padma Bridge, Eid travel management, the progress of metro rail construction, and the review of the BRT project. He emphasized transparency and accountability in ministry operations, stating that public interest will take precedence over political influence.