NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari stated the party’s commitment to transforming Bangladesh into a global investment hub. The NCP plans to improve the business climate by cutting red tape, ensuring investor security, and streamlining services. Patwari pledged to increase annual FDI from $1.3 billion to $15 billion and improve Bangladesh’s global business rankings.

Islamic scholars Ahmadullah and Mizanur Rahman Azhari announced a historic rally on April 12 at Suhrawardy Udyan, uniting political and non-political groups in solidarity with Palestine. Participants include BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islamic Movement Bangladesh, celebrities, athletes, and representatives from Islamic organizations. Speakers will include Baitul Mukarram’s Khatib Abdul Malek, editor Mahmudur Rahman, and content creators like Ayman Sadiq and RJ Kibria.

Retired Inspector General of Police (IGP) Moynul Islam has been appointed as Bangladesh’s ambassador to Poland for a two-year term, effective April 10. The appointment requires him to relinquish all affiliations with other professional or organizational roles. Moynul was previously appointed IGP following the fall of the Awami League government in August.

Agriculture and Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam issued a stern warning to an LGED executive engineer over phone after farmers complained that a leaking rubber dam was putting crops at risk. “Why is there a leak in your dam? You’ll be repaired if the dam isn’t,” he warned. The advisor instructed the engineer to fix the dam within seven days and accused him of negligence and corruption.

India has sent back four Bangladesh-bound cargo trucks carrying garment products from the Petrapole border after revoking the transshipment facility. These trucks were en route to a third country using Indian territory under a 2020 agreement that allowed Bangladesh to transport goods through Indian land to other destinations.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of India officially cancelled the agreement on Tuesday. Since the agreement’s inception on June 29, 2020, Bangladesh had been permitted to use Indian customs stations to access various ports and airports for international shipments. With the cancellation, such transshipment arrangements are no longer valid.

Foreign and local investors attending a four-day investment summit in Dhaka were introduced to the government’s roadmap for Bangladesh in 2035. Political parties also participated. BIDA reported that the summit helped establish a long-term investment pipeline, which is expected to significantly increase foreign direct investment. According to Nahian Rahman, over 450 foreign investors attended and left with a positive impression of Bangladesh. However, it may take 18 to 24 months for these investments to materialize.

Nahid, a student from Matainkot High School, sat for his SSC exam on Thursday while his father’s body lay at home. Following the exam, he returned to his village in Bara Hargila to attend his father’s funeral. The burial, initially scheduled for the morning, was delayed until 2 PM to allow Nahid to complete his exam.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, currently in Singapore for his wife Rahat Ara Begum’s medical treatment, revealed a personal ordeal on social media.

He wrote, “In December 2022, when my wife was diagnosed with a serious illness, we decided on surgery as soon as possible. Just a day before the operation, at 3 a.m., the Awami League government’s police picked me up from my home. My daughter rushed back to Dhaka, and during the surgery, I was in jail. Only my daughter and Dr. Zahid were at the hospital. Our Acting Chairperson and my siblings kept in touch over the phone.”

He added, “My wife handled everything with patience and a smile. Alhamdulillah, the doctors have now said everything appears to be going well.”

Sharmin Sheila, known on social media as “Cream Apa,” was arrested on Thursday for allegedly abusing her child to generate online views and income. The case was filed following public outrage over her treatment of the child in videos aimed at earning money through social media platforms.

Nurul Abchar (76), a freedom fighter who provided false testimony in the war crimes trial of the late BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, has been detained by local authorities. Upon receiving information about his whereabouts, local residents, led by BNP leaders Enamul Haque and Hanif Jihadi, surrounded his house. The police arrived and arrested him. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ramu Police Station confirmed that Abchar is in police custody, and investigations are underway to check if any cases are pending against him in Rangunia.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that if elected, the party would create 10 million jobs within its first 18 months in office. BNP has set a target to raise GDP to $1 trillion by 2034. The party also aims to reform the tax system, improve investment regulations, and enhance local workforce skills. Key proposals include making BIDA more effective, modernizing visa and work permit rules, ensuring 24/7 investor services, automating profit repatriation, and introducing new infrastructure and security laws to attract long-term investment.

Abdul Samad Dawood, CEO of Pakistan’s Engro Holdings, met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to discuss potential investment opportunities. Dawood expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector and highlighted interest in contributing to industrial development by utilizing gas supplies from Bhola.

Welcoming Engro’s interest, Professor Yunus emphasized Bangladesh’s focus on long-term, impactful projects that can bring meaningful change to people’s lives. He added, “We want to focus on initiatives that improve the lives of our people in sustainable ways.”

Dawood praised the recently held BIDA Summit, describing it as “warm, welcoming, and purpose-driven.” The Chief Adviser concluded the meeting by inviting Dawood to visit again, stating, “Bangladesh has a lot to offer—not just to investors, but to the world.”

Teachers, students, and staff from Jahangirnagar University participated in a ‘March for Palestine’ to demand an end to Israel’s brutal killings in Palestine. During the march, they were briefly halted by law enforcement, but later returned to campus. Chanting slogans like ‘Palestine, Palestine,’ and ‘End the genocide in Palestine,’ a delegation led by Professor Dr. Mohammad Billal Hosain submitted a petition to the US and Saudi Arabian embassies in Dhaka and the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor.

Bangladesh’s Trade Advisor has downplayed concerns about India’s cancellation of transshipment, stating that it will not cause significant problems for Bangladesh. He mentioned that the focus should be on enhancing domestic capacity, and that India’s sudden decision would not affect Bangladesh’s trade severely. He emphasized efforts to address infrastructural issues and rising costs while working to increase commercial capabilities and overcome any obstacles.

A case has been filed against Sharmine Sheila, also known as Cream Upper, at Ashulia Police Station. The Sadar Upazila Women’s Affairs Officer accused her of subjecting her two-year-old child to cruel treatment for online income. The charges include forcing the child to perform actions against her will, such as forcing her to eat cake-like items, applying makeup, and enduring physical punishment while being filmed. Police have stated that legal actions are underway.