BNP leaders are scheduled to meet with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on April 16 to discuss the electoral roadmap and related matters.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We will clearly demand a roadmap for elections before December. This will help eliminate existing uncertainties.” He added that the Election Commission assured them of completing preparations by June, and the Chief Adviser previously committed to holding elections by December.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to visit Qatar on April 21 to participate as a speaker in the upcoming Earthna Summit in Doha from April 22–23.

Other key speakers at the summit include UN Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Thiaw, IRENA Deputy Director Gauri Singh, and IUCN Director General Dr. Grethel Aguilar. The summit will focus on climate adaptation strategies for arid and hot climate nations.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Bangladesh’s transshipment facility, granted in 2020 for exporting goods to third countries, has caused significant congestion at Indian airports. This has led to delays, increased costs, and shipment hold-ups for Indian exporters.

As a result, India has decided to withdraw the transshipment facility for Bangladesh. However, trade with Nepal and Bhutan via Bangladesh will remain unaffected.

BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu has called on Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to resign and lead a student political movement instead.

“Participate in the election—if the people vote for you, BNP will be the first to congratulate you,” said Dudu. He emphasized that over 500,000 BNP activists face lawsuits, and Khaleda Zia endured imprisonment without proper medical care. “No other party can take on challenges like BNP. Announce the election date before BNP takes to the streets,” he warned.

He added, “Shaheed Zia proved how dedicated one man can be to a nation. The party he founded is a threat to fascist Awami League. For BNP, democracy is the only priority.”

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar reaffirmed that the upcoming national parliamentary elections remain the primary focus of the Election Commission.

He mentioned that local elections could still be held if there is political consensus and a government decision. “We are targeting December for the national election. Voter list updates are nearing completion and will conclude by April 11,” he added.

He also stated that a party’s decision to participate in elections is entirely political, and the process for party registration will proceed as before. “It’s too early to finalize which symbols will appear on the ballot—time will determine that. Interestingly, this time female voters outnumber male voters.”

In a cabinet division notification, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative for Rohingya Affairs to the Chief Adviser, has been concurrently appointed as the National Security Adviser. His new title will be “National Security Adviser and High Representative on Rohingya Affairs.”

Reacting to his appointment, Dr. Rahman said, “I’m deeply grateful for the continued trust of the Honorable Chief Adviser. I fully understand the gravity of this responsibility and will do my utmost to uphold and advance our national interests.”

Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizers of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in the North and South regions, met with Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Abdul Momen. “We’ve come with some complaints and submitted them in writing,” Hasnat stated. When asked who the complaints were against, he responded, “That’s highly confidential. If we disclose it, the element of surprise is lost—and the culprits might take precautions.” Sarjis Alam added, “In the past, some used the ACC to build empires, while ordinary citizens were harassed without cause. We hope that won’t be repeated—and that’s why we’re here.”

On Wednesday, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, paid a courtesy call on Information Adviser Md Mahfuz Alam. During the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed interest in signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Pakistan Television (PTV), as well as between Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). The adviser also discussed the possibility of broadcasting Bangladeshi TV channels in Pakistan with government support.

Gano Adhikar Parishad has shared its feedback on the recommendations by various reform commissions with the National Consensus Commission (NCC), agreeing with about 85% of the proposals while partially agreeing or dissenting on the rest. The party proposed forming a national government based on broad political consensus to implement a reformed constitution through ordinances and conduct elections under it. It also called for limiting prime ministerial terms to two, separating party leadership from executive governance, and directly electing mayors in municipal elections. While agreeing to the formation of the NCC, the party opposed the inclusion of “pluralism” as a constitutional principle, suggesting “communal harmony” as an alternative. It also supported amending Article 70 of the Constitution.

Following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a court has ordered the freezing of Tk 161.25 million deposited in the name of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust, linked to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and sister Sheikh Rehana. The ACC stated in its plea that during the course of an investigation, evidence surfaced suggesting attempts to transfer or conceal these funds. To ensure a fair inquiry, the commission deemed it necessary to immediately freeze the related account.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur led a delegation to London from March 17 to 21 as part of a high-profile diplomatic initiative to recover laundered assets and participate in global workshops on financial inclusion and interconnectivity.

As head of the asset recovery task force, Governor Mansur was the keynote guest at a meeting held at Portcullis House, UK Parliament. The event was attended by UK MPs Jo Powell, Rupa Huq, Baroness Uddin, and former Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk.

During the meeting, Dr. Mansur called for stronger cooperation in recovering stolen wealth and urged the UK government to impose sanctions on those involved in money laundering. He also met with Catherine West, Minister for Asia at the UK Foreign Office, expressing gratitude for the UK’s support. The visit included engagements with legal professionals and media representatives to build momentum around the issue.

Six individuals were arrested by the army during a raid on a house in Adabor, Dhaka. The suspects—members of the ‘Kobji Kata Anwar’ gang—were found with two hand grenades, 16 machetes, two samurai swords, two Chinese axes, three knives, and a large cleaver. They allegedly gathered at a house in Shyamoli Housing before committing robberies and assaults.

Aman Azmi, son of former Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam, claimed that on January 18, 1970, two individuals were martyred while shielding his father during an attack by Chhatra League and Awami League members at a rally in Paltan. He said his father personally treated the wounded, who took shelter near their home. Azmi added that after Yahya Khan took power in 1969, Governor M.N. Huda offered his father a ministerial post, which he refused to retain his freedom to criticize the government.

In a joint meeting on Wednesday, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and the National Citizen Party (NCP) reached a consensus on several key issues. Both parties agreed that the Awami League should be tried for genocide and its registration as a political party must be revoked. They also demanded the swift withdrawal and resolution of politically motivated cases filed during the Awami League’s tenure. Additionally, they called for a suspension of all Awami League political and organizational activities until the trial is concluded. Both parties emphasized the importance of initiating this legal process before the next election and supported declaring the Awami League a terrorist organization prior to the polls.

BNP will organize nationwide protest and solidarity rallies on Thursday to condemn Israeli atrocities in Gaza and Rafah. The central rally will begin at 4 PM in front of BNP’s Naya Paltan office and proceed through Kakrail, Malibagh, and Moghbazar before ending at Banglamotor. The party has urged all members and the public to join.