Outgoing German Ambassador to Bangladesh, Achim Troster, paid a farewell courtesy visit to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Friday at 8:30 PM. The meeting took place at her residence in Dhaka.

According to BNP’s media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, several senior party leaders were present during the meeting, including BNP Standing Committee members Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, and Begum Zia’s personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.

Religious Affairs Advisor Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain has requested the Saudi government to retain the existing quota of 1,000 pilgrims per Hajj agency for the 2026 Hajj season, instead of raising it to 2,000 as previously proposed.

The request was made during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Al Hassan Yahya Al Manaakhara, in Jeddah. The advisor thanked the Saudi authorities for their continued support in managing Hajj logistics and improving pilgrim services.

During the meeting, Dr. Khalid Hossain also submitted several proposals aimed at enhancing the overall Hajj experience and requested further cooperation. In response, the Deputy Minister assured that all suggestions would be carefully considered.

JAGPA spokesperson Rashed Pradhan has called for a peaceful national election in Bangladesh, free from foreign — particularly Indian — influence. Emphasizing that there is no alternative to national elections in the effort to build a truly democratic Bangladesh, he stated, "We have managed to avoid the feared confrontation between the BNP and the government, which is a positive development."

However, Pradhan expressed surprise over the announcement of Bangladesh’s proposed election date coming from outside the country, as well as the issuance of a joint statement by the government and a political party. “These moves have undermined the credibility of the interim government,” he said.

He also raised concerns about external destabilization efforts, claiming that India is pushing Rohingya and Indian militants into Bangladesh to create unrest. He urged the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the government to take decisive action to counter these threats.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, emphasized the need for a comprehensive hydrographic database and precise seabed mapping to strengthen Bangladesh’s economy and develop a sustainable maritime policy. He highlighted the Bay of Bengal’s importance for national security, economy, and environment. The Bangladesh Navy’s Hydrographic Department plays a vital role in surveying coastal areas, ensuring maritime safety, and supporting blue economy initiatives. He called for increased professionalism and dedication in the sector to fully utilize maritime resources and advance regional economic goals.

On June 16, a meeting was held at the Chief Advisor’s Office to fast-track the implementation of immediate public administration reform proposals. The meeting, chaired by Principal Secretary M. Siraj Uddin Mia, discussed 121 actionable recommendations from five reform commissions. Of these, 18 proposals focused on administrative reforms were thoroughly reviewed and decisions were taken for prompt execution via the Cabinet Division.

Food and Land Affairs Advisor Ali Imam Majumder stated that Bangladesh’s food situation is highly satisfactory due to a bumper Boro harvest. He emphasized the need for continuous monitoring despite current success. Procurement targets in Patuakhali and Barguna are nearly met. The government is buying rice and paddy at increased prices to support farmers. A proposal to raise food subsidies to Tk 9,500 crore for FY 2025–26 has been made to ensure affordable food for low-income groups.

During a meeting with local administration in Patuakhali, Land Advisor Ali Imam Majumder directed authorities to take legal action against illegal occupiers of government (khas) land, regardless of their identity. He highlighted that such land is owned by the Land Ministry and is to be managed by the local administration. He blamed negligence and apathy of field-level officials for widespread land grabbing and instructed immediate steps for eviction.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for national unity to rebuild Bangladesh with a democratic spirit, criticizing the destruction of institutions over the past 15 years. Speaking at a cricket tournament in Thakurgaon, he emphasized the importance of sports in mental and physical development. He urged people to rise above political divisions and support talented athletes. Fakhrul also highlighted the opportunity to create a tolerant political environment and called for initiatives to host international-level sporting events in Thakurgaon.

National Consensus Party (NCP) leader Sarjis Alam has criticized the interim government for partiality in resource distribution. In a Facebook post, he stated that one of the government's key limitations is its bias — evident from the advisory council to development allocations. Many commenters echoed his concerns, raising questions about the neutrality of the current administration.

A 13-year-old boy named Fazle Rabbi drowned while swimming in a pond during a visit to his grandfather’s house in Madhya Gachhua village, Muladi upazila, Barisal. He reportedly did not know how to swim and was using a banana tree trunk for support, which slipped from his hands. The incident occurred around noon on Friday. Rabbi was rescued and taken to Muladi Hospital, where he was declared dead. Police have confirmed the cause of death as drowning.

Raipur Municipality in Lakshmipur is grappling with severe waterlogging due to five days of continuous rain and a poorly maintained drainage system. Key areas like Notun Bazar, Khajurtola, and the Upazila Parishad remain submerged, disrupting movement and daily activities. Residents report long-standing neglect and demand urgent drainage repairs. Businesses, schools, mosques, and local markets are affected. Authorities have promised road repairs within a week and drainage system restoration soon. Locals seek a permanent solution to prevent recurring monsoon suffering.

Md. Iqbal Bahar, a former Additional Inspector General of Police, was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Friday evening from a residence in the Bailey Road area. He last served as Additional IGP at Rajarbagh Telecom and retired in 2019. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether he has been arrested under any specific case. Previously, he held the position of Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police before being transferred to the Rajarbagh T&I&M division as Additional IGP.

Marking World Hydrography Day 2025, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need for accurate seabed mapping and a sustainable ocean policy to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic foundation. He called on professionals to work diligently in creating a comprehensive hydrographic database. He added that this effort would not only boost maritime security but also aid in port development, resource conservation, oil and gas exploration, and coastal disaster management.

Following Friday prayers, four Islamic organizations held a protest rally at the northern gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, condemning Israeli strikes on Iran. The groups — National Revolutionary Council, Islami Oikya Andolon, Khilafat Majlis, and the Council for the Revival of Islamic Unity and the Muslim Ummah — described the attacks as inhumane and a grave affront to Islamic brotherhood, demanding an immediate halt.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has voiced opposition to a bilateral meeting between a political party chairman and the head of a state, calling it inappropriate. Speaking on the recent London meeting, he stated that the chief advisor should have engaged with all political parties jointly. Due to perceived bias, Jamaat had boycotted the second round of dialogue and issued a statement of objection. However, Taher later said the chief advisor assured Jamaat’s Ameer of maintaining neutrality, after which Jamaat joined the Unity Commission meeting and proposed holding the presidential election through an electoral vote.