Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman has stated that the recent transfer of Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Sarwar Alam had no connection with any shrine-related issue. He made the clarification on Tuesday during a regular press briefing at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room in the Secretariat, responding to a journalist’s question.

Dr. Rahman explained that some people online were trying to link the transfer with an incident involving a shrine, but such perceptions were unfounded. He emphasized that the government does not always provide explanations for every administrative decision, as certain matters fall under state confidentiality. He also noted that the Ministry of Public Administration had already issued a statement on the matter.

The adviser added that speculation often arises around government actions due to various interest groups on social media. He reiterated that the government’s official position remains unchanged and that there was no shrine-related issue. He further mentioned that the government supports ensuring transparency in the management of donations at shrines.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to form a special taskforce under the supervision of State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam to intensify field-level activities for preventing dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. The decision was taken on June 23, 2026, at the first meeting of the National Committee on the Prevention of Dengue and Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases, held at the Secretariat and chaired by Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The taskforce will oversee, coordinate, and implement urgent measures across relevant agencies.

The meeting emphasized coordinated action among government and non-government institutions, including city corporations, municipalities, and district councils. Several key decisions were adopted, such as distributing awareness materials, engaging schools and communities in prevention campaigns, strengthening cleanliness drives, monitoring mosquito control quality, and identifying and destroying breeding sites. Media and social media awareness efforts will also be expanded.

Participants stressed the need for immediate and coordinated preparations ahead of the monsoon season, highlighting the importance of accelerating field operations and ensuring adequate manpower to implement the committee’s decisions effectively.

A Project Implementation Officer (PIO) in Debiganj upazila of Panchagarh, Babul Chandra Roy, was withdrawn a day after a video showing him allegedly calculating bribes and commissions went viral. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief issued a circular on Tuesday stating that he was removed from Debiganj and attached to the Department of Disaster Management. The order instructed him to join his new post by June 24, warning that failure to do so would result in immediate release from his current duties. The circular did not specify the reason for his withdrawal.

The video, lasting about four minutes and forty-seven seconds, reportedly showed Babul Chandra Roy using a calculator to determine commission amounts for various projects under TR, Kabikha, and Kabita allocations. The footage spread widely across social media and news outlets, sparking extensive discussion in different circles.

The ministry’s action followed widespread media coverage of the alleged 15 percent commission demand linked to project allocations in Debiganj.

Bangladesh will no longer send workers to Malaysia through syndicates, according to Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury. He announced the decision after returning from Malaysia and said that Malaysia’s Human Resources Minister is scheduled to visit Dhaka in July. During that visit, both sides are expected to finalize a transparent and low-cost process for sending workers.

The minister stated that discussions between the two countries on labor recruitment were positive and that both governments share the same position on eliminating syndicates. The announcement follows Prime Minister Tarek Rahman’s two-day official visit to Malaysia, where he met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and senior business leaders.

During the visit, Bangladesh and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation and exchanged documents on counterterrorism research and investment collaboration. Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, labor, defense, energy, digital economy, and regional issues to elevate their longstanding bilateral relationship.

Bangladesh’s opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami has finalized its mayoral candidates for eight city corporations ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The decision was made at the party’s central executive council meeting held on Monday at its headquarters in Moghbazar, Dhaka, presided over by party chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. Party sources said the selected candidates have been instructed to begin groundwork, and the full list will be officially announced after the election schedule is released.

The finalized candidates include Selim Uddin for Dhaka North, Sadiq Kayem for Dhaka South, Muhammad Shamsuzzaman Helali for Chattogram, Muazzam Hossain Helal for Barishal, Mahfuzur Rahman for Khulna, ATM Azam Khan for Rangpur, Abdul Jabbar for Narayanganj, and Hafizur Rahman for Gazipur. The meeting also reviewed the party’s 2025 organizational report and discussed political, parliamentary, and local election issues.

According to a party statement, the council discussed national political and law-and-order issues, the proposed 2026–2027 budget, border concerns, and the 11-party alliance’s programs, adopting several policy decisions.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Malaysia was fruitful and that the labor market between the two countries is expected to reopen soon. He made the remarks at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, noting that local government elections could begin in September and all elections would be completed within a year.

According to the adviser, Bangladesh and Malaysia have signed a free trade agreement, which he described as significant. He added that Malaysia will assist Bangladesh in addressing the Rohingya crisis and in joining the ASEAN regional bloc. The adviser also commented on political matters, saying that decisions regarding the Awami League would be made by the International Crimes Tribunal.

The statements indicate that bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Malaysia is set to expand in trade and labor relations, with potential implications for Bangladesh’s foreign employment sector and regional engagement.

After years of global and domestic challenges, Chattogram’s shipbuilding industry is showing renewed momentum. Western Marine Shipyard, one of Bangladesh’s largest private shipbuilders, has overcome the pandemic and economic downturn to resume full-scale operations. Located on 34 acres along the Karnaphuli River in Patiya, the company is currently constructing 15 vessels for both domestic and international clients, including oil tankers, landing crafts, cargo ships, and fishing vessels.

Western Marine has exported 39 ships to countries such as Finland, Denmark, the UAE, and India, earning Bangladesh about 141 million US dollars in foreign exchange. The company employs around 1,000 workers and is listed on both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges. Industry representatives say the shipyard’s revival could strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the global market and stimulate local employment.

Stakeholders have urged the government to provide policy support and incentives for the sector in the 2026–2027 budget. They believe that with proper financing and modern technology, Bangladesh could further expand its shipbuilding exports and reduce import dependence.

Dhaka University has temporarily suspended four professors and one administrative officer following allegations of controversial actions during the July uprising. The decision was made on Monday at a syndicate meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, according to several members present at the meeting. The suspended professors are Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah from the Department of Public Administration, Dr. A. K. M. Jamal Uddin from Sociology, Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam from Banking and Insurance, and Dr. Mohammad Azmal Hossain Bhuiya from Botany. Officer Muhammad Lavlu Molla Shishir was also suspended under similar allegations.

The suspensions stem from accusations that the individuals played a controversial role during the July movement, including labeling protesting students as “razakars” and issuing threats. The university administration took the decision after reviewing the complaints and discussions held in the syndicate meeting.

The university has not yet announced the duration of the suspensions or any further disciplinary measures, leaving the next steps in the process unclear.

A sudden surge of water from upstream caused the Teesta embankment to collapse, flooding large areas across northern Bangladesh. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre issued a new alert on Monday, warning that within 72 hours, short-term flooding could occur in low-lying areas of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Sylhet, and Sunamganj districts, with temporary inundation possible in parts of Netrakona, Mymensingh, and Sherpur. Local residents and water experts attributed the flooding to heavy rainfall in India and uncoordinated water releases from upstream.

Abdullah Al Hadi, chairman of Lakshmitari Union in Rangpur’s Gangachara, said the sudden flood broke the Teesta embankment, submerging vast farmland and damaging crops of about 50,000 people. He blamed India’s unilateral water management for repeated losses in Teesta basin areas. The Water Development Board confirmed that the floods were caused by heavy rainfall in India’s upstream regions, not domestic rain, and warned that the situation could persist for five days.

Meteorologists forecast below-average rainfall in June but expect heavier rain in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet from June 27, which could worsen flooding in affected regions.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest statistics reveal that 4,899 large borrowers, each with loans exceeding Tk 50 crore, collectively hold Tk 5.75 trillion—over 32 percent of the country’s total bank loans. This concentration has grown from 27.6 percent in March 2024, indicating a rising dominance of large corporate clients in the banking sector. Each of these accounts now averages around Tk 117 crore in loans.

The report highlights that this growing concentration poses significant risks to the banking system, as defaults by a few large borrowers could directly affect banks’ capital, liquidity, and profitability. Despite existing exposure limits, many large industrial groups have exceeded them, and Bangladesh Bank has recently relaxed these limits further, allowing banks to lend up to 25 percent of their capital to a single client until June 2028.

Meanwhile, small borrowers remain largely excluded. Over 93 percent of loan accounts hold less than Tk 10 lakh, yet together they receive only 9.19 percent of total loans. State-owned banks face the highest risk, with nearly half their loans concentrated among about 1,000 clients.

Law enforcement agencies have taken strict security measures in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 area and its surroundings. From Tuesday morning, additional personnel from the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Detective Branch (DB), and other security units have been deployed to maintain order and prevent any acts of sabotage.

The heightened security comes in connection with the 77th founding anniversary of the banned Awami League. Authorities have set up barricades at entry points to Dhanmondi 32, with officers stationed nearby to monitor movement. Public access in the area has been restricted as part of the precautionary measures.

These steps are aimed at ensuring stability and preventing any disruption to law and order during the politically sensitive period.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has suspended the oral examination for clearing and forwarding (C&F) agent licenses, which was scheduled between June 21 and 24, 2026. The suspension came a day after the schedule was announced, citing unavoidable reasons. Earlier, the Customs, Excise and VAT Training Academy (CEVTA) conducted the first-ever written test for the licenses in Chattogram, where 2,521 candidates participated out of nearly 3,000 shortlisted applicants. Only 210 passed, and most politically affiliated candidates reportedly failed, leading to pressure on NBR.

Officials involved said the written test was part of the new C&F Agent Licensing Rules 2026, designed to ensure transparency in the licensing process. They alleged that political influence had previously dominated license distribution. After the results excluded most ruling party activists, discontent spread among political circles, and attempts were made to alter the results. A list of 110 candidates was reportedly sent to CEVTA for inclusion, but officials refused to comply.

The CEVTA director confirmed that the oral test was postponed following NBR’s directive but said he was unaware of the specific reasons. The NBR chairman did not respond to requests for comment.

The government of Bangladesh is moving toward implementing a new national pay scale for public servants after more than a decade, following the 2026–27 budget announcement. Although the pay scale is set to take effect on July 1, the full implementation strategy has not yet been finalized, leaving government employees both hopeful and anxious. A secretary-level committee led by the cabinet secretary has discussed recommendations from the National Pay Commission and other bodies, but no final decision has been reached. Another meeting is scheduled for June 24 to determine the next steps.

According to official sources, employees may not receive the increased salary until September or October due to administrative preparations such as regulation updates and software adjustments. Discussions are ongoing about whether to implement the pay scale in phases, with an initial 50 percent adjustment possible in the first year. Employee groups are demanding full implementation from July, citing rising living costs. The government has allocated Tk 89,836 crore for salaries and allowances in the new budget, with a significant portion reserved for pay scale implementation.

Analysts note that the main challenge for the government is balancing employee expectations with fiscal capacity amid inflationary pressures.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced that the banned Awami League’s alleged terrorist activities would be resisted with public support. He made the statement on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, after leading a protest march in front of the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka. The march was organized to protest what BNP described as provocative actions by Awami League members marking the party’s founding anniversary.

The procession, led by Rizvi, began in front of the BNP’s central office, circled the Nightingale intersection, and ended at the same location. In a brief address following the march, Rizvi said that fallen fascism would not be allowed to return to Bangladesh. He accused the Awami League of attempting to destabilize the country using laundered money and of depriving citizens of their rights and normal life during its rule.

Rizvi emphasized that BNP and its supporters would continue to resist any attempts to create unrest or revive authoritarian practices in the country.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a public notice prohibiting the carrying of weapons and the use of fireworks during the observance of the holy Ashura. The directive, signed by DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, was announced on Tuesday morning. It states that on Friday, June 26, Tazia processions will take place at various locations across Dhaka, and the ban will remain in effect throughout the duration of these events.

According to the notice, participants in previous processions have sometimes carried sharp or blunt weapons such as machetes, knives, scissors, spears, lances, swords, and sticks, which have occasionally led to unwanted incidents and caused fear among residents. The DMP emphasized that such actions pose a threat to public safety and disrupt the solemnity of the religious occasion.

The order, issued under sections 28 and 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance (Ordinance No. III/1976), also bans the lighting of fireworks and firecrackers during the Muharram period, as these are deemed inconsistent with the spiritual atmosphere of Ashura.