NCP lawmaker Abdul Hannan Masud told Parliament on Sunday that Generation Z no longer supports Bangladesh’s 1972 Constitution. Speaking during the discussion on the President’s address, Masud identified himself as part of the Gen Z generation and argued that those born decades after independence question why they have not fully enjoyed voting rights. He said that although the country gained independence, flag, and borders, young citizens still do not feel secure in Bangladesh.

Masud also raised issues from his constituency, including river erosion in Hatiya and attacks on his motorcade during the election period. He accused ruling party members of benefiting from sacrifices made by July Movement activists and warned against repeating the irregularities of the 1994 Magura by-election. He alleged post-election violence, including an assault on him and a rape incident linked to political retaliation, criticizing delays in investigations and DNA reports.

Other opposition MPs, including Khandaker Abu Ashfaq, Abdul Aziz, and Mohammad Abdul Malik, also participated in the discussion on the President’s speech.

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has said that the current activities of the National Parliament show no reflection of the July Charter or the referendum held alongside the national election. Speaking on Sunday, March 29, during a session of the 13th National Parliament, he remarked that observing the ongoing proceedings gives the impression that no such referendum ever took place.

Nahid Islam argued that before conducting regular and daily parliamentary business, the House should first discuss the referendum and the July Charter implementation order as matters of national importance. He emphasized that these issues deserve the highest priority in parliamentary discussions and should be resolved before proceeding with routine activities.

He added that a notice had already been submitted on behalf of the opposition leader under parliamentary rules. Nahid appealed to the Speaker and the House to prioritize discussion on the referendum and the July Charter implementation order as the first agenda item.

Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP on Sunday raised an adjournment motion in parliament regarding the delay in convening the session of the Constitutional Reform Council as required under Article 10 of the July National Charter and Constitutional Reform Implementation Order 2025. With the Speaker’s permission, he presented the motion, recalling those who suffered or died under past authoritarian rule and emphasizing that the current parliament was formed in a special context following years of struggle against fascism.

Dr. Rahman stated that despite legal provisions requiring the council to be convened within 30 calendar days of the national election results, no such session had yet been called. He argued that this inaction disregards public expectations and urged immediate discussion on the matter. The Speaker later ruled that a two-hour discussion would be held on March 31.

Earlier, heated debate arose between government and opposition members over the motion notice, but the situation normalized after the Speaker allowed the notice to be raised following question-answer and Rule 71 discussions.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued 11 directives requiring government employees to remain in their offices from 9:00 to 9:40 a.m., conserve electricity and fuel, and maintain cleanliness in office spaces. The instructions were sent on Sunday to all departments, agencies, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and upazila executive officers. The ministry emphasized that earlier guidance from the Cabinet Division on similar matters had not been fully followed, prompting the renewed call for compliance.

The directives include mandatory presence in offices during the specified morning period, efficient use of natural light, limiting use of electrical appliances, maintaining air conditioner temperatures at or above 25 degrees Celsius, and ensuring all electrical equipment is turned off after office hours. Offices are also instructed to avoid unnecessary lighting, practice fuel efficiency, and keep all areas clean, including corridors and stairways.

Each office has been asked to form a vigilance team to monitor adherence to these directives, reinforcing accountability and energy-saving practices across government institutions.

Bangladesh’s Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal announced on Sunday that the parliament will hold a two-hour discussion on March 31, Tuesday, regarding the convening of the Reform Council session. The discussion will take place as the final agenda item of the day. The decision followed a motion raised by Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman under Rule 62 of the parliamentary procedure.

Law Minister Asaduzzaman supported holding the discussion, calling the matter important, and requested that members be provided with documents including the current constitution, the July National Charter, the Constitution Reform Implementation Order 2025, and the Medina Charter before the session. However, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed questioned the procedural validity of the motion, arguing it should fall under Rule 68, which allows only a half-hour discussion, and cited Rule 63 to note that matters requiring legal amendments cannot be discussed under a postponement motion.

Despite the procedural objections, the Deputy Speaker confirmed the two-hour discussion for March 31 and declined further floor requests from the Home Minister, moving on to other parliamentary business.

The United Arab Emirates has called for strict security guarantees and compensation from Iran as part of any political settlement to the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, stated on social media that any agreement must include a firm commitment to a 'non-aggression' policy to prevent future attacks. He emphasized that Tehran should compensate for assaults on Gulf countries’ civilian infrastructure and populations.

Gargash accused Iran of misleading neighboring states about its intentions before the conflict and claimed that Iran carried out a 'premeditated aggression' despite regional efforts to avoid escalation. He said mandatory security assurances and reparations are now essential to address what he described as the main threat to Gulf security.

The remarks, reported by Middle East Eye, come amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing discussions about possible political solutions to the Iran-UAE conflict.

The opposition in Bangladesh’s Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday submitted a motion to suspend regular proceedings and demanded discussion on a notice regarding the convening of the Constitution Reform Council session. Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman raised the issue after the question-answer session, citing the July National Charter and the Constitution Reform Implementation Order 2025 as the basis for his notice. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, presiding over the session, decided to continue with the day’s agenda while assuring that the matter would be considered later.

The debate intensified as ruling party Chief Whip Nurul Islam and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed argued that, by parliamentary convention, such motions should be raised only after the completion of Rule 71 discussions. Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam countered that the issue was of national importance and should be discussed promptly, referencing the recent referendum and the July Charter. The Deputy Speaker reiterated that the notice would be reviewed and a decision announced after Rule 71 proceedings.

The Speaker later assured that the issue would be discussed in the next or a scheduled session, calming tensions in the chamber.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal expressed hope that practicing Westminster-style democracy would help build a strong democratic nation. He made the remarks on Sunday while presiding over a session of the National Parliament in the absence of the Speaker. Kamal described the current parliament as a rare one in world history, noting that many members had endured imprisonment, exile, or persecution before joining. He offered gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House, and his constituency’s people for their support.

In his address, Kamal paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War, late President Ziaur Rahman, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, whom he called the “Mother of Democracy.” Recalling the 2024 student and public uprising that ended fascism, he honored those who sacrificed their lives. He pledged neutrality in conducting parliamentary duties and said he had resigned from his party post to ensure impartiality.

Drawing from his experience studying in the United Kingdom, Kamal said that adopting Westminster-style parliamentary practices could lead Bangladesh toward democratic success, emphasizing cooperation between the government and opposition as essential to effective democracy.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal said the National Parliament should serve as the mirror of the nation, reflecting the people's democratic hopes and aspirations. Speaking on Sunday, March 29, 2026, during the first session of the 13th National Parliament after a 13-day recess, he noted that some members came to Parliament from death row, some from abduction, and others after long imprisonment, making this Parliament rare in the world. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, all members, and the people of Netrakona-1 for their trust and support.

Kamal emphasized that Bangladesh’s national history is rooted in sacrifice and struggle, with the Liberation War forming the foundation of independence. He paid tribute to the martyrs and freedom fighters and remembered former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia for restoring parliamentary democracy in 1991 and for her lifelong leadership against autocracy. He also recalled the 2024 student uprising that he said ended fascism and reopened the path to democracy.

The Deputy Speaker honored the martyrs of the July movement and expressed sympathy for those left disabled or suffering as a result of the struggle.

Nepalese police arrested former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Saturday, accused of involvement in the crackdown on Gen-Z protesters last September. The arrests came a day after newly elected Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his cabinet took office. Kathmandu Valley Police spokesperson Om Adhikari confirmed the arrests and said further legal steps would follow.

The Gen-Z protests erupted after a temporary social media ban, fueled by long-standing economic hardship. The demonstrations turned violent on September 8 and 9, leaving at least 76 people dead, including 20 young protesters on the first day. The unrest led to Oli’s resignation at age 74 and the fall of his government. In the subsequent March 5 election, Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party won an absolute majority.

An interim commission investigating the violence recommended legal action against Oli and other officials, citing negligence in controlling the shootings that killed several children.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Md. Aminul Islam, stated on Sunday, March 29, 2026, that no one involved in crimes or abuse of power during the One-Eleven period will be exempted, regardless of their influence. He mentioned that two officials, Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Mamun Khaled, have already been arrested and are in police custody in other cases. Their past activities, he said, fall under the tribunal’s jurisdiction as crimes against humanity.

Islam added that the accused misused power and were involved in inhumane acts such as creating secret detention sites like “Aynaghar,” where people were allegedly tortured, killed, or disappeared. He emphasized that all allegations cannot yet be disclosed for the sake of investigation but confirmed that numerous complaints have been received. He also discussed the Abu Sayeed case, noting that judgment is scheduled for the 9th and that investigations into related incidents are ongoing.

The Chief Prosecutor affirmed that anyone found involved in crimes from the One-Eleven period to the previous government will face trial, and no indemnity will obstruct the tribunal’s work.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road Transport, Railways, and Shipping, Sheikh Robiul Alam, has issued strict instructions to enhance safety in ferry operations. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, March 29, 2026, after a high-level meeting at the Secretariat, he announced that from now on, all passengers must disembark from buses before they are loaded onto ferries. No bus carrying passengers will be allowed to board under any circumstances.

The minister also stated that installing railings on ferries will be made mandatory to ensure adequate safety. He explained that accidents often occur when vehicles board or leave ferries or when ferries are hit by waves, and such risks can be reduced through railing installations. Sheikh Robiul Alam emphasized the government’s responsibility to protect lives and said the new rule would be strictly enforced.

Senior officials from relevant ministries and law enforcement agencies attended the meeting. According to ministry sources, the directive is expected to strengthen public safety at ferry terminals across the country.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf has accused foreign adversaries of secretly planning a ground assault while publicly signaling interest in dialogue. His remarks came in a message marking one month since the start of the ongoing war, as reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA and other local media outlets.

Ghalibaf stated that the United States is presenting a 15-point list outlining its demands, attempting to achieve through negotiation what it failed to secure in battle. He added that Iranian forces are prepared for any U.S. ground operation and ready to respond with artillery fire. Addressing the issue of surrender, Ghalibaf emphasized in Arabic that Iran’s stance is clear and that humiliation will not be accepted.

The comments come amid continuing regional tensions, with reports of heavy casualties in Iran from U.S.-Israeli attacks and diplomatic efforts by Pakistan to mediate between Washington and Tehran.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar on Sunday issued a statement expressing deep concern and strong condemnation over remarks made by West Bengal BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya. The BJP leader reportedly suggested integrating Bangladesh’s Khulna and Jessore regions with India’s West Bengal, which Porwar described as a provocative and unacceptable statement against Bangladesh’s territorial integrity.

In his statement, Porwar said such comments undermine international norms and friendly neighborly relations, calling them a blatant display of extremist mentality and a serious threat to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. He also alleged that India’s ongoing military activities near the border, satellite surveillance, and religious provocations pose grave challenges to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and regional security, creating fear and unrest among border residents.

Porwar urged Indian leaders to respect international law and Bangladesh’s sovereignty, demanded an apology and withdrawal of the remarks, and called on the Bangladesh government to respond firmly through diplomatic and legal means to safeguard national independence and regional stability.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed optimism that if the National Parliament operates on the basis of justice, justice will also be established throughout the country. He made this remark on Sunday afternoon while delivering a goodwill speech in the National Parliament, following a statement by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

During his address, Dr. Rahman thanked the Deputy Speaker for citing verses from the Holy Quran and references to Caliph Abu Bakr (RA) in his speech. The opposition leader also assured the Deputy Speaker of his full cooperation in parliamentary activities.

The statement reflects a call for fairness and moral governance within the legislative process, emphasizing the link between just parliamentary conduct and broader national justice.