Sheikh Bashiruddin, adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has stepped down from his position as chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. On Monday, he submitted his resignation letter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, which has been forwarded to the Chief Adviser’s Office for approval. A farewell reception for him is scheduled to be held at Biman’s headquarters, Balaka, on Monday evening.

Sheikh Bashiruddin was appointed chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines on August 26 of the previous year through a ministry notification. He succeeded Muid Chowdhury, the former chairman of Biman and a former adviser to the caretaker government. In addition to his role in the aviation ministry, Sheikh Bashiruddin also serves as an adviser to the Ministry of Commerce.

The resignation marks the end of Sheikh Bashiruddin’s tenure of less than a year at the national carrier, pending formal approval from the Chief Adviser’s Office.

The High Court has postponed for two weeks the hearing on a writ petition challenging the legality of the ordinance and administrative actions that dissolved the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and created two new divisions named Revenue Policy and Revenue Management. The bench of Justice Rajik Al Jalil and Justice Anwarul Islam announced the decision on Monday, February 16, after five days of hearings, without issuing any rule. NBR’s counsel Barrister Omar Faruk confirmed the decision, noting that the court will observe the new parliament’s stance once the government is formed.

The writ was filed by Tanvir Ahmed, a joint secretary of the Cabinet Division, who argued that the new rule requiring secretaries to have VAT and tax experience reduces his eligibility for promotion. He also claimed that the changes to the Rules of Business were unconstitutional and beyond the advisory council’s authority. A previous bench had dismissed a similar petition in August, citing non-presentation.

The government issued the ordinance on May 12 of the previous year, sparking protests among NBR officials under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council. Although amendments were later made, the protests continued until June 29, when the movement was withdrawn following government warnings and reports of anti-corruption investigations.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman visited the residence of Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, on Monday evening at 7:15 p.m. The meeting took place at Karim’s residence on Bailey Road in Dhaka as part of a series of courtesy visits by the BNP leader.

According to the report, Tarique Rahman had earlier paid courtesy visits on Sunday evening to Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and later that night to NCP Convener Nahid Islam at their respective residences. Islami Andolan Bangladesh had fielded 257 candidates out of 300 constituencies in the recent election. In Barishal-5, BNP’s Mojibur Rahman Sarwar was unofficially elected with 131,431 votes, while his closest rival, Islami Andolan’s Mufti Faizul Karim, received 93,528 votes.

The series of visits marks continued political engagement among opposition and Islamist party leaders following the election results.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has declared the Bogura-6 parliamentary seat vacant following BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s decision to represent the Dhaka-17 constituency. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed issued a gazette notification on Monday, February 16, 2026, confirming the vacancy effective from the same date. The decision was made under Article 71(2)(a) of the Constitution after Rahman formally submitted a signed declaration expressing his intent to represent Dhaka-17.

In the 13th national election, Tarique Rahman contested and won from both Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 constituencies. His party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), secured a sweeping majority with victories in 212 seats. The EC’s announcement follows Rahman’s formal choice of constituency representation as required by law.

Newly elected members of parliament and cabinet members are scheduled to take oath on Tuesday, February 16, 2026, during which Tarique Rahman is set to be sworn in as the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, will represent his country at the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tareq Rahman’s new cabinet on Tuesday. The event marks Rahman’s assumption of office as Prime Minister following his party’s sweeping victory in Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12.

According to a message received in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andalib Elias, saw off Minister Jayatissa at Colombo airport before his departure. The Sri Lankan minister’s participation is being viewed as a reflection of the strong and friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The ceremony underscores ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two South Asian nations as Bangladesh transitions to a new government under Tareq Rahman’s leadership.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has signed the July National Charter at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka on Monday, in the presence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain signed the document on behalf of the party. The event was attended by National Consensus Commission Vice President Professor Ali Riaz, Commission Member Badiul Alam Majumdar, and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider.

Chief Adviser Yunus said the nation had expected NCP’s signature on the charter, and with this step, the July National Charter reached completion. He thanked the party for participating in what he described as a noble initiative and urged all to remain vigilant so that the document contributes to building a humane new Bangladesh. He also announced that newly elected members of parliament would take their oaths the following day.

NCP leader Nahid Islam stated that their elected MPs would take oath tomorrow, marking two oaths at once, and pledged to fulfill the trust placed in them by the people.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has returned home after being discharged from Square Hospital in Dhaka. He had been admitted with fever, cold, and breathing difficulties, and was released on Monday following several days of treatment. His personal assistant, Arifur Rahman Tushar, confirmed the development.

Doctors reported that Rizvi’s health has improved significantly, noting that his fever has subsided and his breathing problems have largely eased. He had been admitted to the hospital urgently last week due to his deteriorating condition.

A medical board comprising specialist doctors supervised his treatment during his stay at the hospital, ensuring close monitoring of his recovery process.

The Manobadhikar Sangskriti Foundation (MSF) reported that at least seven people were killed and 350 injured in violence that erupted across 26 districts of Bangladesh following the announcement of the 13th National Parliament election results. The organization released a statement on Monday, three days after the election, expressing strong condemnation and deep concern over the incidents. It urged the state to take swift and effective action to stop the violence and called on political parties to act responsibly and urgently.

According to MSF, victims included supporters of independent candidates in Munshiganj and Bagerhat, a child in Mymensingh, and an Awami League activist in Bhola. Two people died in a bomb explosion in Chapainawabganj, and a rickshaw driver in Lakshmipur was found dead after being missing since election night. The group also reported that over 350 political activists and civilians were injured in attacks across multiple districts, with cases of arson, vandalism, and one reported rape in Noakhali’s Hatiya.

MSF warned that misleading information and videos circulating on social media could further inflame the situation.

Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry will represent his country at the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected government, scheduled for tomorrow at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building. Although invited, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will not attend, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar are also unlikely to visit due to an ongoing trip to Europe. Ahsan Iqbal will therefore attend on their behalf as Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

From India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be absent, but Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will participate in the event. Other foreign guests expected include Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Tshering Tobgay, and Bala Nanda Sharma.

The oath ceremony follows Bangladesh’s national election held on February 12, in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured a two-thirds majority to form the government. An 11-party alliance, including Jamaat and NCPC, won 77 seats and will sit in the opposition benches.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin Ahmed will administer the oath to the newly elected members of parliament, as both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent. According to Article 158(2)(b) of the Constitution, the CEC is authorized to conduct the oath-taking ceremony in such circumstances. On Monday, Parliament Secretariat Secretary Kaniz Mowla visited the CEC’s residence with the formal invitation letter for the event, a responsible official from the Secretariat confirmed.

The 13th parliamentary election was held on February 12, in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured an absolute majority by winning 212 seats. The oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected MPs is scheduled for Tuesday. Following the swearing-in, the formal process of forming a new government is expected to be completed soon.

The developments mark the transition toward a new parliamentary session and government formation following the BNP’s decisive electoral victory.

Leaders of the Dhaka North and South units of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) exchanged floral greetings with Tarique Rahman on Monday at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The event was held to formally congratulate him on being elected as a Member of Parliament from Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies.

Present at the meeting were Rafiqul Alam Majnu, convener of Dhaka South BNP and newly elected MP from Feni-1, member secretary Tanvir Hasan Robin, and Aminul Haque, convener of Dhaka North BNP, along with other party leaders and activists. They congratulated Rahman for his electoral success and expressed commitment to continue working together to fulfill public expectations.

During the exchange, Tarique Rahman thanked the leaders and activists for their support and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to strengthen party unity. He urged all members to play an active role in upholding democracy, development, and citizens’ rights across the country.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman has invited Hefazat-e-Islam’s Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari to attend the new government’s oath-taking ceremony as a guest. The invitation was extended over the phone on Monday afternoon, February 16, 2026. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Tuesday afternoon, February 17, 2026, at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka.

According to the report, Tarique Rahman, who led the BNP to victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, is also set to meet Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, known as Pir Saheb Chormonai, on Monday evening. The invitation to religious leaders highlights the inclusion of key Islamic figures in the upcoming state event.

The oath ceremony is described as a historic occasion, expected to mark the formal beginning of the new government’s tenure following the recent election.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman stated that no elements of 'election engineering' were observed in the country’s 13th parliamentary election. Speaking at a press conference at TIB’s Dhanmondi office in Dhaka, he said the election was largely acceptable, fair, neutral, and participatory. The event was organized to release TIB’s report titled 'Observation on the 13th National Election Process and Affidavit-Based Analysis.'

The report, based on a representative random sample of 70 out of 300 constituencies, found that 99 percent of candidates violated at least one of 58 electoral codes of conduct. It also documented incidents such as attacks on independent female candidates, intimidation outside polling centers, expulsion of polling agents, voter harassment, proxy voting, and vote buying. Additionally, 21.4 percent of the sampled constituencies recorded at least one instance of ballot fraud.

TIB’s findings further noted post-election violence, including 45 clashes between rival political groups, 34 cases of intimidation, and 18 attacks on homes or offices. The report concluded that while early signs suggested healthy competition, political violence and unhealthy rivalry increased during and after the election.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has resigned from the Bogura-6 parliamentary seat. On Monday, February 16, 2026, he submitted his resignation in writing. Rahman had contested and won in both the Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies during the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

According to election law, a candidate elected from multiple constituencies can retain only one seat. In compliance with this rule, Tarique Rahman chose to vacate the Bogura-6 seat and decided to take oath as a Member of Parliament from Dhaka-17. The decision formally confirms his representation of the Dhaka-17 constituency in the new parliament.

The resignation opens the Bogura-6 seat for a future by-election, as required by electoral procedures, though no schedule has yet been announced in the report.

The Jubo Dal has expelled Imam Hossain Pobi, member secretary of the Sonagazi upazila unit in Feni, for alleged involvement in activities contrary to the party’s policies, ideals, and organizational unity. The decision, which includes termination of his primary membership, was confirmed on Monday through an official statement by Minhazul Islam Bhuiyan, assistant office secretary of the central Jubo Dal. The expulsion was approved and implemented by the organization’s central executive committee president Abdul Monayem Munna and general secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Noyon.

According to the statement, the organization will not bear any responsibility for any misconduct committed by the expelled leader. It also instructed all party members and activists to refrain from maintaining any organizational contact with him.

The announcement underscores the Jubo Dal’s emphasis on maintaining internal discipline and adherence to party principles within its local units.