The government of Bangladesh has decided to deploy the army to major oil depots across the country to ensure security amid an ongoing fuel crisis. The decision was formalized through a directive issued on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. The move comes as the country faces heightened demand from fuel dealers, leading to supply strain on marketing companies such as Padma Oil PLC, Meghna Petroleum Limited, and Jamuna Oil Company Limited.

According to the directive signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Enamul Haque, the deployment aims to prevent potential unrest and safeguard key installations. The army will be stationed at critical depots including Patenga in Chattogram, Daulatpur in Khulna, Baghabari in Sirajganj, Godnail and Fatullah in Narayanganj, Parbatipur in Dinajpur, and depots in Barishal. The ministry stated that the measure is necessary to maintain national energy security and avert any disorder arising from the crisis.

The directive underscores the urgency of stabilizing the fuel supply chain and ensuring uninterrupted operations at vital energy facilities during the ongoing shortage.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for the full implementation of the July reform package, rejecting any partial adoption such as the Deputy Speaker proposal. Speaking at a press briefing after a meeting of opposition lawmakers at the LD Hall of the National Parliament on Thursday, he said that 69 percent of voters supported the reform in a referendum, and this mandate cannot be ignored. He emphasized that the government should honor the July reforms and complete the oath process accordingly.

The meeting, chaired by Dr. Rahman, included members of the 11-party alliance, among them Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Chief Whip Nahid Islam. Rahman stated that the opposition aims to act as a responsible parliamentary force, supporting government initiatives beneficial to the nation while opposing harmful ones. He urged the government to engage in dialogue and uphold fairness in parliamentary proceedings.

Rahman further expressed hope that the government would act in line with public expectations and the spirit of the July reforms, ensuring democratic sustainability and avoiding corruption and misgovernance.

The parliamentary party of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has entrusted Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tareq Rahman with the responsibility of finalizing candidates for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions of the 13th National Parliament. The decision was made during a BNP parliamentary meeting held at the National Parliament building on Wednesday. Chief Whip Nurul Islam confirmed the decision at a press conference following the meeting. The first session of the 13th Parliament is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. tomorrow, during which the elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker will take place.

According to the Chief Whip, the session will begin with the Speaker’s chair vacant, followed by a recitation from the Holy Quran. The Leader of the House will then propose a senior member to preside over the session, whose nomination will be seconded by another member. Additionally, 133 ordinances issued during the interim government will be presented in Parliament, and a special committee including both government and opposition members will be formed to review them.

Nurul Islam added that the Prime Minister had offered the Deputy Speaker post to the opposition, but no positive response had been received so far.

Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament is set to begin its first session on March 12, following the February 12 general election that brought the BNP to power. President Md. Shahabuddin has convened the session, which will open with the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and a formal address by the President. The BNP’s Tarique Rahman has become Prime Minister, while Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has been named Leader of the Opposition.

This parliament is considered exceptional because over 75 percent of its 296 members are first-time lawmakers, and both the previous Speaker and Deputy Speaker are unavailable—the former having resigned and the latter being in custody. Analysts note that the President may appoint a temporary presiding member for the opening session, a rare occurrence in parliamentary history. The session will follow constitutional and procedural rules, including the President’s written speech outlining the new government’s plans.

Experts suggest that the high number of new members may slow the legislative process as they adapt to parliamentary procedures and committee work.

A Dhaka court has postponed for the tenth time the submission date of the reinvestigation report in the murder case of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inquilab Moncho. The new date for submitting the report has been set for April 2. On March 11, the investigating officer, CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdur Kadir Bhuiyan, failed to submit the report to the court. Following this, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam fixed the new date, confirmed by prosecution officer SI Ruknuzzaman.

According to the case details, Hadi was shot by assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka’s Paltan area on December 12 after attending Friday prayers and election campaigning. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on December 18. The case was subsequently converted into a murder case.

Earlier, the Detective Branch had submitted a charge sheet against 17 individuals, including former ward councilor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and Faisal Karim Masud. Dissatisfied with that report, Inquilab Moncho’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed an appeal, leading the court to order further investigation by the CID.

A five-member fact-finding committee has been formed to investigate any credible allegations against members of the prosecution or related individuals of the International Crimes Tribunal. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam announced the formation during a press briefing on Wednesday, stating that the committee will examine any claims of irregularities and take legal action if necessary.

According to the Chief Prosecutor, the committee’s main objective is to uncover factual information if any prosecution team member or associated person is involved in unethical activities. He emphasized that the allegations currently under consideration are being taken seriously and that the committee, under his leadership, will ensure a thorough investigation into any such claims within the tribunal.

The initiative aims to maintain accountability and transparency within the prosecution team by ensuring that any substantiated allegations lead to appropriate legal measures.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the first session of the 13th National Parliament will begin at 11 a.m. tomorrow. On the same day, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be elected, and President Md. Shahabuddin will administer their oath of office. The minister shared this information after a meeting of ruling party lawmakers chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

According to the Home Minister, several historic decisions are expected during the session. The Leader of the House will deliver a welcome address and present the name of the presiding officer. He added that once the session begins, it will reflect public expectations, the aspirations of the martyrs, and the commitments agreed upon in the July Charter.

The announcement marks the formal start of the new parliamentary term, setting the stage for leadership selection and policy direction under the new government.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed special restrictions in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and surrounding areas to ensure the smooth conduct of the first session of the 13th National Parliament, scheduled to begin on March 12. According to a public notice signed by Acting DMP Commissioner Md. Sarwar, all types of gatherings, processions, rallies, and demonstrations are prohibited from midnight on March 11 in designated areas around the Parliament complex.

The order also bans carrying any kind of weapons, explosives, or harmful and polluting substances within the restricted zones. The affected areas include major roads and intersections such as Mymensingh Road from Mohakhali Crossing to Banglamotor, Panthapath to Farmgate, Mirpur Road from Shyamoli to Dhanmondi-16, and all roads and lanes within the Parliament complex boundaries.

The DMP stated that the restrictions will remain in force until the end of the parliamentary session, urging all citizens to comply with the directives to maintain peace and order.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher has stated that President Md. Shahabuddin, whom he described as an ally of authoritarianism, has no right to deliver a speech in Parliament. He made the remarks on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, after a meeting with opposition Members of Parliament.

Taher questioned why the BNP was allowing the president to address Parliament, saying the matter was unclear to them. He added that some decisions had been made on the issue and that further details would be disclosed the following day. Regarding the position of Deputy Speaker, he said the opposition had discussed the matter and would announce a decision once a proposal was submitted.

Earlier, Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman chaired a meeting of the party’s MPs and members of the 11-party alliance. The meeting finalized the opposition’s notices, adjournment motions, and topics for general discussion in the upcoming parliamentary session.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced temporary traffic control measures in parts of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Thursday, March 12, 2026, to manage vehicle movement during the first session of the National Parliament. The advisory, signed by Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman, urges city residents to use alternative routes to avoid congestion near the parliament area.

According to the DMP notice, the arrival and departure of the President, Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, foreign diplomats, political leaders, and other dignitaries are expected to increase traffic pressure around Urojahaj Mor, Khejurbagan, Manik Mia Avenue, Asad Gate, and July Smriti Jadughar crossings. To ease movement, diversions will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on several routes.

The DMP has requested drivers to strictly follow the specified directions and cooperate with traffic authorities to prevent congestion during the restricted hours.

The government of Bangladesh has issued a new directive regarding the supply of octane and petrol to filling stations amid an ongoing global energy crisis caused by the Iran-Israel and United States conflict. According to a notice signed by Shahina Sultana, Secretary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the average reduction in fuel sales in divisional cities has been revised from 25 percent to 15 percent.

The directive aims to maintain adequate fuel supply across the country in line with public demand during the current global crisis. BPC has instructed its marketing companies, depot supervisors, sales officers, and dealers or agents to ensure fuel distribution according to the revised allocation chart.

The notice emphasizes that all concerned parties under BPC must take necessary measures to implement the updated supply plan effectively to prevent further disruption in fuel availability.

Fuel unloading has started from six ships at Chattogram Port, with four more vessels currently within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary. According to port authorities, the ships are carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), various fuel oils, and industrial raw materials. Additional four ships are expected to arrive within the week, ensuring that fuel supplies remain stable for the next one and a half months.

Despite the stable supply outlook, port authorities have expressed concerns about possible sabotage attempts targeting fuel-carrying vessels. The Navy and Coast Guard have been instructed to take special measures to secure ships anchored offshore. Officials recalled that after the fall of the fascist government during the August 5, 2024 uprising, four fuel ships were damaged in mysterious explosions.

Currently, fifteen fuel vessels are positioned within the port’s waters, including tankers carrying LPG, LNG, gas, high-sulfur oil, chemicals, crude oil, and diesel. Two tankers from Singapore recently arrived, and three more are scheduled to reach the port by mid-March.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Mexico, M. Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Dhaka. The transfer order was issued on March 8, 2026, by Md. Abul Hasan Mridha, Director General of the Ministry’s Administration Wing. The directive instructs Ansari to immediately relinquish his current duties and return to Dhaka.

According to the order, the decision was made with the approval of the competent authority. It also states that the ambassador and his family members will be entitled to travel expenses and other allowances as per government regulations.

No further details were provided regarding the reason for the reassignment or Ansari’s next posting within the ministry.

The Chattogram Port Authority has requested special security measures from the Navy and Coast Guard to protect 15 fuel-carrying ships currently anchored at various jetties and outer moorings. The request follows concerns that domestic and foreign groups might attempt sabotage amid ongoing instability. Four additional ships are expected to arrive within the week, ensuring sufficient fuel supply for the next one and a half months, according to port officials.

Officials cited past incidents of mysterious explosions on four fuel tankers following the fall of the previous government in August 2024 as a reason for heightened vigilance. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) confirmed that the country currently holds enough LNG, LPG, diesel, and crude oil to meet demand for six weeks. Customs authorities have also been instructed to expedite documentation and berthing processes for incoming tankers.

A coordination meeting involving the Navy, Coast Guard, and port stakeholders has already been held to reinforce security. While no specific sabotage intelligence has been reported, the port authority emphasized that the enhanced measures are precautionary to prevent potential disruptions in the energy sector.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the government’s ‘Family Card’ program on Tuesday at the T&T playground near Karail slum in Dhaka’s Banani area. The initiative, part of the ruling party’s election manifesto, aims to promote women’s empowerment, economic freedom, and social justice. Following the launch, financial assistance was instantly transferred to women’s bank or mobile accounts nationwide. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for fulfilling the electoral promise and emphasized his government’s commitment to accountability and public service.

The event, chaired by Social Welfare Secretary Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, was attended by cabinet members, diplomats, and senior officials. During the ceremony, 17 women received Family Cards directly from the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by his spouse Dr. Zubaida Rahman and ministers. Beneficiaries from Dhaka’s slums thanked the government for the support. The Family Card program, a key pledge of the BNP’s election manifesto, has begun as a pilot in 14 districts, initially reaching 37,567 women.

Rahman announced plans to expand the program to 40 million families within five years and confirmed progress on a similar ‘Farmer Card’ initiative. He reiterated that while global conditions may delay some promises, the government remains committed to its pledges.