BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the grave of his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko at Banani Cemetery on Saturday. Before the visit, he completed voter registration work at the Election Building. Tarique Rahman also paid respects at the grave of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inquilab Mancha, prior to visiting his brother’s resting place.

Arafat Rahman Koko was born in Dhaka in 1969 and passed away from cardiac arrest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 24, 2015. He left behind his wife and two daughters, Jafia Rahman and Jahia Rahman. From 2003 to 2005, Koko served as a member of the advisory council of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

The visit by Tarique Rahman followed his official voter registration activities and reflected a personal moment of remembrance for his late brother, who had been involved in sports administration in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Navy will conduct a missile firing exercise in the Bay of Bengal between Cox’s Bazar and Hatiya on Monday and Tuesday. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) announced the exercise in a statement issued on Saturday, urging all types of vessels to avoid the designated area during the operation for safety reasons.

According to the ISPR, the restriction applies to all maritime traffic, including fishing boats and trawlers, to ensure the safety of lives and property during the missile firing. The advisory emphasized that no vessels should remain or move within the specified zone while the exercise is underway.

The notice serves as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents and maintain operational security during the naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal.

Inqilab Mancha activists returned to Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka around noon on Saturday after briefly moving to Katabon to make way for BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Following Rahman’s departure from the Dhaka University area after visiting Sharif Osman Hadi’s grave, the protesters resumed their sit-in at Shahbagh, chanting slogans demanding justice for Hadi’s killing.

According to the report, Inqilab Mancha had been occupying Shahbagh since Friday afternoon, continuing their protest through the night until early Saturday. The group’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber earlier declared that they would not leave Shahbagh until government advisers appeared before them. He also stated that the protest would continue until those involved in planning, executing, or aiding the escape of Hadi’s killers to India were arrested.

Hadi, the group’s spokesperson and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 in Purana Paltan. He later died on December 18 in Singapore after being transferred there for treatment. Investigators reportedly identified a banned Chhatra League leader as the shooter, who has since fled to India.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman completed his voter registration at the Election Commission building on Saturday afternoon to participate in the upcoming national election. He arrived at the commission around 1 p.m. and completed the process in 16 minutes at the Election Training Institute’s Room 104. According to the Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, S M Humayun Kabir, Rahman will receive his national identity card within 7 to 24 hours after providing his fingerprints.

The registration marks the end of a 17-year gap during which Rahman could not register as a voter due to living abroad. The Election Commission had finalized the voter list on October 31, but Rahman and his daughter Jaima Rahman were added after the election schedule was announced. The commission will now publish a revised supplementary list for Dhaka-17 constituency. His registration removes all barriers to his candidacy in the 13th parliamentary election, for which nomination submission closes on December 29.

The national election and referendum were announced on December 11, with voting scheduled for February 12. Rahman has already collected nomination papers from Bogura.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman will receive his National Identity (NID) card within a maximum of 24 hours and a minimum of 7–8 hours after providing his fingerprint, according to SM Humayun Kabir, Director General of the National Identity Registration Division. He made the announcement at a press conference at the Election Commission (EC) office on Saturday morning, confirming that the EC has completed all necessary preparations, including the room where Rahman will provide his biometric data.

Tarique Rahman is set to be included in the voter list and collect his NID today. His daughter, Zaima Rahman, will also apply for an NID. He has already submitted his online application and will visit the EC office in Agargaon by noon to complete the remaining process. Reliable sources from the EC and BNP confirmed that his voter registration will be under Ward 19 of Dhaka-17 constituency, using a Gulshan address.

The EC’s readiness indicates that Rahman’s NID issuance process will be completed swiftly once biometric verification is done.

Eight flights scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were diverted to alternative airports on Saturday due to dense fog. According to an official notice, three flights landed at Chattogram Airport, four at Kolkata Airport, and one at Bangkok Airport. The diversions were made for safety reasons as visibility at Dhaka airport dropped significantly.

The notice stated that all flight operations will resume normally once weather conditions improve. Airlines have arranged food and hotel accommodations for passengers affected by the delays. The airport authority emphasized that the diversions were precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety amid the foggy conditions.

Normal flight operations are expected to restart as soon as the weather clears, though no specific timeline was provided in the notice.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the grave of martyr Osman Hadi on Saturday at around 11:30 a.m. He also paid respects at the nearby grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and participated in prayers with senior BNP leaders. The visit took place before Rahman departed for the Election Commission to register as a voter at 11:40 a.m.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel were present during the visit. Rahman also spoke with Hadi’s brother, Abu Bakar Siddique. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, along with other university officials and DUCSU Vice President Sadik Kayem, welcomed Rahman at the site.

The visit highlighted Rahman’s engagement with party leaders and university officials ahead of his voter registration process.

More than 100 passengers were rescued after a passenger launch became stranded on a shoal in the middle of the Padma River due to dense fog on Friday night. The vessel, named ‘ML Mizanur,’ had departed from Daulatdia launch terminal in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila for Paturia in Manikganj around 7:45 p.m. when it lost direction near the Kolbagan area opposite Daulatdia ferry terminal No. 7. Responding to a 999 call, a team from the Daulatdia River Police began a rescue operation using a trawler despite poor visibility.

According to police sources, the rescue team, led by SI Mehedi Hasan Apurbo and ASI Ashok Dutta, reached the stranded launch around midnight with the help of artificial lighting. Passengers were safely transferred to trawlers and brought to the Daulatdia bus stand area. Officer-in-Charge Trinath Saha confirmed that no injuries or damage occurred during the incident.

Authorities temporarily suspended all ferry and water transport operations on the Padma River due to the heavy fog. The Daulatdia River Police continued public announcements and maintained round-the-clock safety measures in the area.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that concerns over the upcoming election have subsided, though conspiracies remain active. He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking to journalists before visiting the grave of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi near Dhaka University. Fakhrul said Tarique Rahman demonstrated political wisdom by deciding to visit Hadi’s grave and would also pay respects at the tomb of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Responding to questions, Fakhrul noted that while conspiracies cannot be fully predicted, Tarique Rahman’s return to the country has largely dispelled election-related plots. He added that Rahman’s arrival has simplified the political equation and revived nationalist ideology within the party. According to him, nationalism remains the most suitable philosophy for the people’s liberation.

Fakhrul further expressed optimism that Tarique Rahman’s leadership and new political plans would open a new direction for national politics and that he would achieve significant political success in the forthcoming election.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to become a registered voter today, Saturday, at the Election Commission (EC) office in Agargaon, Dhaka. According to EC and BNP sources, he is expected to visit the EC between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. The voter registration form was completed on Friday using his Gulshan address. EC Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Ma’sud confirmed there is no legal barrier to his registration, noting that the EC can enroll any eligible citizen at any time.

Sources from both the EC and BNP said Rahman may register using the address of his Gulshan residence ‘Firoza,’ though his birthplace Bogura is also under consideration. The final decision will be made before his photograph is taken. EC officials clarified that registering after the election schedule announcement is not unprecedented, citing previous cases including Sheikh Rehana in 2001 and Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar.

Rahman returned to Bangladesh last Thursday after 17 years abroad. The 13th national election schedule was announced on December 11, with voting set for February 12 next year. To contest in the election, being a registered voter is mandatory.

A new report has revisited Bangladesh’s first parliamentary election held on 7 March 1973, following the adoption of the country’s constitution in December 1972. The election, conducted under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League, resulted in the party winning 293 seats and forming a government without any opposition presence in parliament. Researchers and political analysts cited widespread irregularities and manipulation across the country, including allegations that ballot boxes were flown to Dhaka to ensure the victory of certain candidates.

One of the most controversial cases was in Comilla-9, where Awami League candidate Khandaker Moshtaque Ahmed reportedly won after ballot papers were taken to Dhaka for recounting. Analysts said the ruling party’s dominance left no space for opposition, with several Awami League leaders, including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, winning uncontested. Contemporary newspapers described the election as a “mockery,” while opposition figures alleged that results in dozens of constituencies were altered through coercion and irregularities.

The 1973 election remains a defining episode in Bangladesh’s political history, marking the beginning of a parliament without an opposition and raising questions about the democratic process in the newly independent nation.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman left his residence in Gulshan on Saturday morning to visit the grave of martyr Osman Hadi. According to the report, he departed around 10:45 a.m. before heading to the Election Commission office in Agargaon to complete his voter registration process.

Reliable sources from the Election Commission and the BNP confirmed that Tarique Rahman is set to become a registered voter. The formalities for his voter form were completed on Friday, using his Gulshan address in Dhaka. His visit to the Election Commission marks the next step in finalizing his registration.

The report highlights that the process follows official procedures and that both the Election Commission and BNP sources have verified the information.

Inkilab Mancha has temporarily vacated the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka due to security measures surrounding the visit of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. He is scheduled to visit and pay respects at the grave of Shaheed Osman Hadi, located beside the tomb of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The group, which had been staging a continuous sit-in demanding justice for Hadi’s killing, moved its protest site to the front of Aziz Super Market on Saturday morning.

Leaders of Inkilab Mancha stated that they would return to Shahbagh and resume their sit-in after Tarique Rahman completes his visit. Following their departure, members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal took position at Shahbagh, chanting slogans ahead of Rahman’s arrival. The area saw a significant presence of BNP activists.

Extensive security arrangements have been implemented across Shahbagh and the Dhaka University area, with personnel from BGB, police, RAB, and the BNP chairperson’s special security force (CSF) deployed to maintain order. Authorities reported that the situation remains fully under control.

In Sariakandi upazila of Bogura, women from 117 chars along the Jamuna River are leading a quiet revolution in agriculture. They work across the sandy river islands, cultivating crops and contributing significantly to the rural economy. From seedbed preparation to harvesting and threshing, women now participate equally with men in nearly all farming activities, helping bring stability and prosperity to their families.

Despite their vital role, these women face deep-rooted wage discrimination. Female laborers report earning only 200 to 260 taka per day, while men receive 500 to 600 taka for the same work. Local sources note that both government and non-government organizations are conducting advocacy programs to raise awareness about women’s rights, but wage inequality remains unresolved. Agricultural officer Mohammad Ali Jinnah praised the women’s skill and dedication, emphasizing that ensuring fair pay could further strengthen the rural economy.

Observers believe that addressing wage disparity would not only recognize women’s true contribution but also enhance national agricultural productivity.

Mohammad Hossain, a young farmer from Purba Charumed in Lalmohan’s Ramaganj Union of Bhola, has achieved notable success in jujube cultivation. Over the past five years, he has expanded his orchard to 160 decimals of land, growing four varieties of jujube—Bol Sundari, Thai Apple Kul, China Tok-Mishti Kul, and Bharat Sundari. Despite unfavorable weather this year, his yield has been the highest among local growers, and he expects to sell around Tk 1.6 million worth of jujube this season.

Hossain began his venture on one acre of fallow land and gradually expanded due to consistent profits. He has already sold 2,000 kilograms of China Tok-Mishti Kul for about Tk 250,000, with wholesale prices at Tk 130 per kilogram and retail at Tk 150. His success has motivated 16 other farmers from nearby areas to start jujube cultivation under his guidance, receiving hands-on training and advice from him.

According to Lalmohan Upazila Agriculture Officer Abu Hasnain, Hossain’s orchard is managed hygienically and produces sweet, juicy fruits. The agriculture office has pledged full support to anyone interested in starting commercial jujube farming in the area.