The government of Bangladesh has decided to introduce a pilot 'Family Card' program to bring marginal and low-income families under social protection. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman will officially inaugurate the initiative on March 10. The decision was made at a committee meeting chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Initially planned for two upazilas, the pilot will now cover 13 wards across 13 upazilas, including areas in Dhaka, Rajbari, Chattogram, Brahmanbaria, Bandarban, Khulna, Bhola, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Bogura, Natore, Thakurgaon, and Dhaka’s Nawabganj.

According to the meeting, the Family Card will structurally assist poor and ultra-poor families, integrating existing programs such as the Food-Friendly Program, TCB Card, and Vulnerable Women Benefit Program. Beneficiary selection will use NID, birth date, and mobile number verification to prevent duplication. Each card will cover five family members, with additional cards for larger households. Female-headed households will receive the cards, and financial support will be distributed through banks or mobile financial services.

Officials expect the initiative to reduce targeting errors—currently estimated at 50 percent—and minimize resource wastage by unifying multiple social safety programs.

The government has issued official notifications withdrawing three secretaries from their current positions. On Monday, the Ministry of Public Administration released three separate circulars announcing the withdrawal of Md. Kamal Uddin, Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Md. Saifullah Panna, Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office; and Ms. Rehana Parvin, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division. Following their withdrawal, all three officials have been attached to the Ministry of Public Administration.

The notifications were published on February 23, 2026, confirming the administrative changes. The Ministry of Public Administration handled the process through individual orders for each secretary. No further details were provided regarding the reasons for the withdrawals or their future assignments.

The reassignment places the three senior officials under the Ministry of Public Administration, indicating an internal reshuffle within the government’s top administrative structure.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to 30.11 billion dollars, according to Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The announcement was made on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Dhaka. The central bank attributed the growth to its purchase of dollars from commercial banks through auctions.

Officials explained that the rise in reserves was supported by a significant increase in remittance inflows through formal banking channels, which boosted the supply of dollars in the market. In January 2026, Bangladesh received 3.17 billion dollars in remittances, the third-highest monthly total in the country’s history and 45.41 percent higher than the same month in 2025, when 2.18 billion dollars was recorded.

A senior central bank official noted that the increased dollar supply prompted the bank to buy dollars through auctions to prevent a sudden drop in the exchange rate. This approach has allowed the central bank to strengthen reserves while maintaining currency stability.

Dhaka-5 Member of Parliament Mohammad Kamal Hossain declared that there will be no compromise in eliminating terrorism, extortion, and drug-related crimes. Speaking as the chief guest at a meeting with police officials on February 23, he emphasized the need for full enforcement of the law to protect citizens’ lives and property. The meeting was held at the Wari Zone DC office to discuss improving law and order.

Expressing anger over the recent killing of Laguna driver Nure Alam Khairul in Jatrabari for refusing to pay extortion money, Hossain instructed police to bring those involved to justice swiftly. He said his duty as an elected representative is to ensure safety and legal support for all residents of Dhaka-5, regardless of political affiliation or voter status.

Hossain further stated that anyone committing crimes, regardless of party identity, would face legal action. He directed police to act impartially, asserting that the law must apply equally to everyone.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a directive for candidates recommended under the freedom fighter quota in the 45th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination. According to the ministry’s notice released on Monday, those listed in the provisional results of the 45th BCS Exam 2022 must submit their freedom fighter certificates for verification. Candidates are instructed to fill out the designated form and send the required documents either by post or directly to the relevant branch by March 2.

The final results of the 45th BCS examination were published on November 27 of the previous year, with 1,807 candidates provisionally passing and being recommended for appointment to various cadres. The ministry’s directive specifically applies to those who received recommendations through the freedom fighter quota.

The submission process aims to verify the authenticity of the quota-based recommendations before final appointments are confirmed.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed has alleged that extortion in Bangladesh has increased by 20 to 50 percent during the interim government period. Speaking at a press conference at the DCCI office in Motijheel, Dhaka, he said the rise followed the fall of the Awami League government. When asked who was involved, he mentioned individuals linked to the ruling party, police, and revenue officials among those engaged in extortion.

The press conference, titled “Expectations from the Newly Formed Government to Address the Current Economic Situation,” outlined DCCI’s concerns and recommendations. Ahmed urged the government to identify those responsible for extortion and corruption, warning that businesses might shut down if the situation persists. He called for strong government action to restore law and order, ensure transparency in public administration, and support non-willful loan defaulters with working capital.

He further advised reducing dependence on bank loans by listing quality companies on the capital market and creating a green channel for profitable state-owned enterprises. DCCI also demanded disclosure of trade-related clauses in the tariff agreement with the United States.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that all cases filed after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, will be re-examined. Speaking at the Secretariat after a meeting with heads of agencies under his ministry, he said the directive was issued to ensure that innocent people are not victimized by opportunistic groups. The police have been instructed to scrutinize these cases and submit reports accordingly.

The minister also said that a new commission will be formed to review the BDR mutiny killings and that its recommendations will guide future judicial actions. He added that firearm licenses issued during the previous government will be verified to determine whether they were granted through proper procedures, with politically motivated licenses to be canceled. Ahmed further addressed public complaints about passport services, proposing a registration system for online application assistants to improve accountability and service quality.

He mentioned that the initiative will be piloted in Dhaka and other divisional cities before possible nationwide implementation, with a policy framework to be developed soon.

One person was killed and ten others injured in a clash between two rival groups in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj on Monday, February 23, 2026. The violence erupted in Komlapur village over a long-standing dispute for local dominance between the groups led by Anwar Munshi and Nur Islam, both reportedly linked to BNP politics. The deceased was identified as Nilu Munshi, 50, son of Anwar Munshi.

According to police and local sources, the conflict began when Anwar Munshi’s sons attacked Nur Islam near a hospital gate, injuring him. In retaliation, Nur Islam’s supporters attacked Anwar Munshi’s house, leading to a violent confrontation involving both sides. At least eleven people, including women, were injured. Severely injured victims were taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where Nilu Munshi was declared dead by doctors.

Muksudpur Police Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed the incident and said police, army, and RAB personnel were deployed to maintain order. The area remains tense following the clash.

A youth leader named Anwarul Islam Babu, aged 40, was arrested in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha after a raid at his home uncovered a large quantity of Tapentadol tablets. The operation was conducted late Sunday night around 11:30 p.m. by a team from the Department of Narcotics Control led by Sub-Inspector Jewel Islam. Officers found 2,850 tablets hidden in a plastic bag inside a drawer in Babu’s bedroom. Following the seizure, he was taken into custody.

Authorities confirmed that a case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act at Gobindaganj Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque stated that Babu was sent to Gaibandha District Jail through the court on Monday. In response to the incident, the local unit of Jubo Dal expelled Babu from his position as member secretary of the Sapmara Union Jubo Dal, citing activities contrary to party ideals.

The arrest and expulsion mark a disciplinary move by the party amid ongoing enforcement actions against illegal drug possession in the region.

Muhammad Tajul Islam, the outgoing Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, stated that it is natural for an elected government to appoint its preferred individuals to various state positions. He made the remarks on Monday, February 23, 2026, while speaking to journalists at the tribunal premises. Earlier that morning, the new BNP government relieved him of his duties and appointed Supreme Court lawyer Aminul Islam as the new Chief Prosecutor.

Tajul Islam, a leader of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, had been serving as Chief Prosecutor in the tribunal reconstituted to try crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. Responding to his removal, he welcomed his successor and expressed good wishes for the completion of unfinished tasks. He recalled that when he took office, the tribunal’s main building was abandoned and operations were being conducted from a tin shed amid disarray left by the previous prosecution team.

He explained that the government initially indicated continuity but later signaled its intention to replace him. He said he was told the change would occur through a natural process rather than resignation to avoid sending a wrong message.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has demanded the cancellation of results and a neutral investigation into alleged irregularities in the 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12. The party made the call at a press conference at its central office in Paltan, Dhaka, where Secretary General Jalaluddin Ahmad claimed that agents of party leader Mamunul Haque were forcibly removed from polling centers in Dhaka-13 constituency. He also alleged that veiled and general voters were intimidated and that Mamunul Haque was confined at a center and forced to leave with army assistance.

The press conference further alleged widespread irregularities and vote rigging across constituencies nationwide. The party presented six specific demands, including the formation of a commission to investigate election misconduct. Jalaluddin Ahmad also accused the newly elected MP and current State Minister for Education, Babu Hajjaj, of threatening legal action against Khelafat Majlis activists and claimed post-election attacks on their members in Dhaka-13.

Party leaders urged an end to attacks and threats against their activists and warned of strict programs if their demands remain unaddressed.

The Parbatya Chattogram Chukti Bastobayan Andolon has called for the withdrawal of the non-hill state minister from the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and redistribution of the portfolio. In a joint statement sent to the media on Monday, the group’s joint coordinators, human rights activist Zakir Hossain and Professor Dr. Khairul Islam Chowdhury, congratulated the newly elected BNP-led government and party chairman Tarique Rahman following the 13th national parliamentary election.

The statement expressed hope that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the new democratic journey of Bangladesh would prioritize full implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord, along with the protection of ethnic and religious minority rights and the human rights of marginalized communities. The leaders argued that appointing a non-hill state minister alongside a hill full minister contradicts the spirit of the 1997 accord.

They recalled that the BNP government initiated dialogue with the Jana Sanghati Samiti in the 1990s, leading to the 1997 accord, and later played a responsible role in its implementation. The group urged correction of decisions inconsistent with the accord to realize the BNP’s “rainbow nation” vision.

Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Member of Parliament for Feni-1 and convener of Dhaka South BNP, visited the home of Runa Akter Munni, a 32-year-old woman from Paglir Kul village in Chithlia Union, Parshuram upazila, on Monday, February 23, 2026. Runa was reportedly divorced by her husband after she voted for the paddy sheaf symbol during the February 12 national election instead of the scales symbol he preferred. Majnu, accompanied by local BNP leaders, expressed solidarity with Runa and her two children, offering them financial assistance on behalf of the BNP.

Majnu stated that he came under the instruction of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman after learning of the incident. He condemned the divorce as an act of social injustice, saying that voting is a constitutional right and that punishing someone for their political choice violates human rights. He pledged legal and social support for Runa and emphasized that no one should face persecution for their voting preference.

The visit drew attention to the alleged political and social repercussions faced by individuals for exercising their voting rights in Parshuram.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the appointment of Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Officers-in-Charge (OCs) will no longer be made through a lottery system. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Monday after a meeting with heads of departments under the Home Ministry, he said future postings will be based on merit and professional competence.

The minister explained that during the tenure of the interim government before the election, SPs and OCs were appointed through a lottery process. He criticized the method, saying it failed to ensure effective service delivery and lacked transparency. According to him, the responsibilities of large and small districts differ, requiring consideration of experience, skill, and suitability, which were not properly followed under the previous system.

Salahuddin Ahmed added that government appointments should not be handled in such a manner. He instructed that only those deemed competent and qualified by the relevant departments will be appointed according to established standards.

Ferdous Ahmed Chowdhury Tushar, president of Bahubal Upazila BNP in Habiganj, received temporary bail on Sunday, February 23, after being arrested for allegedly using abusive language toward Bahubal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Saiful Islam over the phone. He was presented before the Bahubal Amli Court at 11:30 a.m., where Magistrate Tanzina Rahman Tanin granted bail at 1:15 p.m. following arguments between the prosecution and defense.

According to court sources, the bail will remain effective until the police report is submitted. Earlier that day, at around 12:30 p.m., detectives detained Tushar from his residence in the Shayestanagar area of Habiganj town. The arrest followed the circulation of an audio clip on social media on Saturday afternoon, in which he allegedly directed offensive remarks toward the police officer, sparking public discussion and criticism.

Law enforcement authorities initiated an investigation into the viral audio before detaining Tushar. The case remains under review pending the police report.