Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has declared a renewed commitment to national reform, even at the cost of life and blood. Speaking at a rally in Brahmanbaria on Thursday, he emphasized the need to rebuild institutions weakened by decades of politicization.

The event, held at the municipal open stage, concluded a march honoring the martyrs and injured of the July uprising. The demonstration was led by NCP central leaders and saw participation from people across various professional groups.

The Gono Odhikar Parishad has released its first list of 36 candidates ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Elections. The announcement was made Thursday at the party’s central office by Senior Joint Secretary General Hasan Al Mamun, in the presence of party President Nurul Haque Nur and General Secretary Rashed Khan.

Key figures include Nurul Haque Nur, who will contest from Patuakhali-3, and Rashed Khan, who will run in Jhenaidah-2. Hasan Al Mamun himself is set to contest in Netrokona-2. Several central leaders will also contest from key constituencies such as Chattogram, Tangail, Gazipur, and Sylhet. The party has stated that it plans to eventually field candidates in all 300 constituencies across the country.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has ordered a full investigation into deaths caused by alleged Awami League-led violence prior to the July uprising. On Thursday, Yunus met the family of Abrar Fahad, a student killed in a high-profile campus incident. Abrar’s father, Barkat Ullah, and brother Faiyaz demanded justice and steps to end campus violence and ragging. The Chief Advisor assured them of swift justice and confirmed that investigations into past political violence are ongoing.

Mufti Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has called for the adoption of a proportional representation (PR) electoral system to eliminate corruption and misgovernance. Speaking at a rally in Pirojpur, he said the people have rejected tyranny and cultural decay over the past 16 years. Referring to the 2024 uprising, he stated that the nation now dreams of a future that can't be built on man-made ideologies, urging unity under the banner of Islam.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described the former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque’s ruling abolishing the caretaker government system as anti-state and the root of Bangladesh's political crisis. Speaking to the press, Fakhrul demanded exemplary legal action against Haque, who was arrested Thursday morning from Dhanmondi. Haque faces three separate cases in Dhaka and Narayanganj. Fakhrul also opposed the planned demolition of the Shishu Academy building.

Nahid Islam, Convenor of the National Citizens Party (NCP), announced that the party will intensify its campaign for national reform, justice, and a new constitution. He pledged to secure formal adoption of the July Charter and Declaration by August 5. Speaking at a march in Brahmanbaria, southern leader Hasnat Abdullah called for unity against fascism and warned against the reorganization of the Awami League under any guise. He urged opposition parties to form a united front.

The interim government has established a new pay commission to revise the salary structure of nearly 1.5 million public servants. Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan will lead the commission. Civil servants are currently paid under the 2015 pay scale, but rising inflation and declining real income have necessitated an overhaul. The current budget allocates BDT 84,684 crore for salaries and benefits, an increase of BDT 1,707 crore from the previous year.

Following violent clashes and attacks on public property during a National Citizens Party (NCP) rally in Gopalganj, the interim government has formed a six-member investigative commission. Headed by former Justice Dr. Md. Abu Tariq, the commission has been tasked with delivering a report within three weeks. It will identify those responsible and recommend legal action and preventive measures. A government press release attributed the escalation to organized assaults by banned groups, necessitating curfews and military assistance to restore order.

Top leaders of Bangladesh’s ousted Awami League had scheduled a press conference in Delhi to address alleged "genocide" in Bangladesh. However, the event was abruptly postponed, officially citing a flight delay. The event, organized under the banner of "Bangladesh Human Rights Watch," was set for Wednesday at 5:30 PM local time. Unofficial diplomatic concerns from Dhaka are believed to have influenced the cancellation. Experts warn that such controversial events may strain India-Bangladesh relations. The Indian government has not yet issued a formal statement.

The interim government has amended the criminal procedure code, mandating that families, friends, or legal representatives of any arrested individual must be informed within 12 hours of arrest. The amendment was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday. Legal Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul emphasized that no delays beyond 12 hours will be permitted. Previously, the law required presenting the accused before a court within 24 hours and mandated immediate notification to families, based on High Court directives.

Human Rights Watch has accused the Indian government of forcibly deporting hundreds of Bengali Muslims to Bangladesh, including individuals legally residing in India. The organization claims that even lawful citizens are being mislabeled as “illegal infiltrators” under the Hindutva-driven BJP government—a move it deems a violation of international human rights laws. Between May and June, at least 1,500 people, including some Rohingyas, were pushed across the border. HRW also alleges coercion and threats by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). Bangladesh has stated it will not accept anyone without verified documentation. The UN has labeled this a violation of the principle of non-refoulement.

Former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque was arrested Thursday morning from his residence in Dhanmondi. In response, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, accused Haque of causing "grave damage to the nation" during what he called a fascist regime. Rahman alleged that Haque’s controversial rulings enabled political mafias to engage in enforced disappearances, killings, and corruption. The Jamaat leader called for justice, pointing out that Haque retired in 2011 after handing down multiple contentious verdicts, including the abolition of the caretaker government system.

Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the northern region for the Nationalist Citizen’s Party (NCP), said that “those who tried to erase the name of Cumilla are themselves erased from the country.” He made the statement during a mourning rally in Cumilla on Wednesday. Alam also paid tribute to fellow revolutionaries including Hasnat Abdullah, Asif Mahmud, Abu Bakr Mojumdar, and Rifat Rashid. Meanwhile, NCP leaders are currently visiting Brahmanbaria and Habiganj as part of their “July March” campaign.

Mahtab Ahmed (14), a student at Milestone School who was severely burned in the Uttara fighter jet crash, passed away at 2:13 PM on Thursday in the ICU of the National Burn Institute. He had sustained burns over 85% of his body. Despite efforts by doctors, he could not be saved. A video of Mahtab running while engulfed in flames had gone viral, drawing national attention and prompting widespread prayers for his recovery. His death has left the nation mourning.

The government has decided to confer state honors on the two teachers who lost their lives in the recent Uttara fighter jet crash. The decision was made during Thursday's Advisor Council meeting. The session also included a minute of silence and a resolution of condolence. Measures to support injured victims and the families of the deceased were also announced. Special prayers will be held across all religious institutions on Friday for the departed souls. Details on how the honors will be awarded are expected soon.