BNP central leader M. Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu expressed deep gratitude toward journalists, stating, “Even if I gave my own blood, I couldn’t repay the debt I owe to journalists. It was through their writings that I rose from a district-level student leader to become an MP, a minister, and a national-level BNP leader.” Speaking as the chief guest at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Natore Press Club on Saturday, Dulu promised lifelong support for journalists and media freedom. He added that if the BNP comes to power, no party member will obstruct the press, and journalists will be free to do their work without interference.

More than a hundred aggrieved businessmen staged a protest in front of Vatara Police Station in Dhaka on Saturday night, demanding the arrest of Dr. Mujtaba Ali, chairman of the e-commerce platform Dhamaka Shopping.

They accused Dr. Mujtaba of embezzling nearly Tk 4 billion (400 crore taka) from them. The demonstration, which began in the evening, continued until 1 a.m., with protesters alleging that instead of taking action, police were sheltering him inside the station under the pretext of security.

When contacted, the officer-in-charge of Vatara Police Station confirmed that Dr. Mujtaba had not been arrested and that no decision regarding his arrest had yet been made.

BNP leader Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tarnished even the country’s sports sector with corruption and partisanship. He asserted that if the BNP is entrusted with power, it will transform the sporting arena to genuinely reflect the aspirations of the people.
At the same event, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that those who became martyrs during the July–August mass uprising are among the nation’s finest sons. He described Sheikh Hasina’s rule as marked by chaos and brutality, accusing the government of abducting many political figures including Chowdhury Alam and Ilias Ali, who remain missing to this day. Rizvi referred to chilling revelations documented in the Disappearance Commission’s report. He also warned of ongoing conspiracies to manipulate the upcoming election, emphasizing the need to ensure that elections are held on time.

During the tenure of the Awami League government, significant irregularities marred the 30th and 31st BCS recruitments. Forty-one individuals were unlawfully appointed to cadre positions without any recommendation from the Public Service Commission (PSC). Previously, 21 candidates were similarly appointed in the 29th BCS, a matter now under Anti-Corruption Commission investigation. Despite being on non-cadre lists, the appointees were assigned through special gazettes issued by the Ministry of Public Administration and placed in key positions as loyalists of the ruling party. PSC officials reiterated that there is no provision for transferring non-cadres to cadre posts without proper procedure.

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has expressed deep concern over the government’s decision to impose a 2% advance income tax without prior discussion. At a press conference in Gulshan, industry leaders warned this measure—coming amid severe crises in gas supply, electricity, and bank loans—could devastate the sector. “Is this policy designed to destroy local industries and benefit our neighbors?” one leader asked. The association demanded the tax’s withdrawal within seven days, threatening factory closures if their call goes unheeded. They stressed that $75 billion in investments and the national economy itself are now at risk.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has inquired about the medical treatment of Zisan, the younger brother of slain protester Abdullah Bin Zahid, who is battling cancer. Joining virtually from the BNP office in Gulshan, he spoke to the bereaved mother and promised continued support. Tarique sent gifts for Zisan and expressed hope for his recovery. Overcome with emotion, the mother thanked Tarique and recounted her family’s tragedies: losing a son to political violence, her younger son’s cancer diagnosis, and the death of her husband.

Rifat Rashid, president of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has denounced the government’s failure to provide proper medical care to those injured in the July uprising. “Healthcare is a constitutional right,” he said, criticizing the Advisory Council’s indifference. “If any advisor lacks sincerity, they should vacate their chair. If they have no empathy for the wounded and martyred, they have no right to lead.” He accused a doctors’ syndicate aligned with a ruling party of obstructing care and delaying treatment under false assurances. Central leaders met victims’ families in NITOR and Mirpur and pledged to fight the syndicate’s hold over healthcare.

Awami League leader Kamrul Haque was arrested at Sylhet’s MAG Osmani International Airport upon returning from the holy Hajj pilgrimage. Kamrul Haque is an executive member of the Awami League’s Bianibazar Upazila unit. He was detained during immigration questioning and subsequently arrested based on a case filed at Bianibazar police station. Kamrul is a resident of Ghungadia village in Muria Union and a businessman in the travel sector.

Hasan Uddin Government, a senior BNP leader, criticized the Awami League for allegedly corrupting educational institutions with the intent to weaken the nation’s backbone. He claimed that the ruling party aimed to keep the nation ignorant and leaderless to maintain power indefinitely. “Earlier, it was unthinkable that teachers would engage in corruption, but now educational institutions have become centers of corrupt competition,” he stated. Hasan made these remarks during the inauguration of a free medical and dental camp in Tongi, Gazipur.

A new report by Bangladesh’s Disappearance Investigation Commission reveals harrowing accounts of torture inside secret government detention centers. The findings document the experiences of 253 victims, many held in ‘torture cells’ for periods ranging from 39 to 391 days. Detainees described being hung by their arms, subjected to electric shocks, waterboarding, having their nails pulled out, denied blankets in the cold, and sexually assaulted. “They tied my arms outstretched, like crucifixion, and took my scarf,” said one female victim. “I used to have late periods, but they tortured me so severely my period started immediately.” While perpetrators often tried to erase evidence of abuse, in many cases the judiciary ignored clear signs of torture.

The Anti-Discrimination Employees’ Unity Forum has strongly protested the promotion of two officers from the 15th batch of the BCS (Administration) cadre, Sirajul Noor Chowdhury and Dr. AKM Shahabuddin, to the position of Secretary. The forum accused both officers of being beneficiaries of the Awami League’s authoritarian regime and former student league activists. They allege that these officials have aided the government in money laundering activities and have connections with the fugitive former Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdour Rouf. The forum condemned such promotions as a grave betrayal of the blood shed during the people's uprisings.

Several students at Chittagong University confined Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Yahia Akhtar in his office and threatened him over the promotion of a teacher. The protesting students told the VC, “You didn’t come here by merit; we put you in this chair.” Among the two who led the intimidation were Shakhawat Hossain, a former Islami Chhatra Shibir leader, and Tahsan Habib, a former Chhatra Odhikar Parishad leader and postgraduate student of the History Department. On Friday, they occupied the administrative building in protest against the promotion of Assistant Professor Dr. Kushal Baran Chakraborty. They locked the main gate and staged demonstrations. Later, the authorities annulled the promotion board responsible for Dr. Chakraborty’s advancement.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam emphasized the urgent need for justice, political reform, and drafting a new constitution to replace the current system. Speaking at a rally in Joypurhat, he stressed that merely ousting Sheikh Hasina is insufficient; systemic change is essential to eliminate corruption, mafia networks, and terrorism. Other leaders urged unity against conspiracies and communal violence, advocating for a constitution based on the July movement ideals and an end to family-based political dominance, enabling ordinary citizens to lead Bangladesh’s future.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has advocated for the adoption of a proportional representation (PR) system to halt the rise of fascism and ensure a fair electoral process in Bangladesh.

“We do not seek power for ourselves but want to establish a just and equitable Bangladesh,” he said at a party conference in Feni.

Calling on the police to work for the people, he warned during a roadside rally in Cumilla that this time, the party would not accept any manipulated election. “If necessary, we are prepared to bring change — even at the cost of blood,” he declared.

Bangladesh Bank is working to rehabilitate troubled banks, with the government committed to returning depositors’ money, assures Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. The Bank Resolution Act ensures no depositor will lose funds, though some time is needed. Past incidents of fund misappropriation are unprecedented globally. Discussions continue to resolve National Board of Revenue issues, with a five-member committee formed for recommendations. Import duties have been reduced to boost foreign investment, streamlining business approvals to attract investors from Europe and America.