World leaders are being invited to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of the new government to be formed under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. According to the Prime Advisor’s Office, invitations have been extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other heads of government from SAARC member countries. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 17.

Beyond the SAARC region, invitations are also being sent to the heads of state and government of China, Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey. Officials from the Prime Advisor’s Office stated that the invitations are being issued on behalf of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in coordination with the BNP high command. The interim government will organize the event.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to form the new government after winning more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th parliamentary election, while Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to become the main opposition party.

Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, held on 12 February 2026 under the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, concluded peacefully and was widely described as the most transparent and orderly in the country’s history. The Election Commission announced results for 297 constituencies, confirming a landslide victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, who won 212 seats. Tarique Rahman is set to become the 13th Prime Minister, marking BNP’s return to power after two decades. The election saw a voter turnout of 59.44 percent, with a concurrent referendum yielding 68.1 percent “yes” votes.

International media including CNN, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Dawn, and NDTV praised the election’s fairness and its potential impact on South Asian politics. The armed forces were credited for maintaining order, and the interim government was commended for ensuring a violence-free process. However, post-election violence was reported in several districts, leaving one person dead and over a hundred injured.

Analysts noted that Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as the second-largest political force with 68 seats, while the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) gained six seats. Observers described Jamaat’s rise as a “yellow signal” for BNP’s future political dominance.

Newly elected Member of Parliament S M Jilani from Gopalganj-3 (Kotalipara-Tungipara) constituency has issued a strong message to his party members, declaring that he will neither commit nor tolerate any wrongdoing. Speaking on Saturday night at a gathering near Kazi Montu Filling Station in Kotalipara, he warned that anyone involved in criminal activities would face consequences, regardless of personal closeness.

Jilani, who represents the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), emphasized that the current democratic awakening was achieved through sacrifice and hardship. He reminded party activists that political power is not permanent and can change within hours, urging them to avoid misuse of power, oppression, or injustice. He further advised that actions harmful to personal life or the party should be avoided, stressing that no one is above the law.

During the event, Jilani also attended a Baul music performance at Bhatter Bagan in Unshia village and exchanged greetings with locals. Senior BNP leaders from Gopalganj district and local units were present. Jilani was elected MP on February 12, 2026, with a large margin.

The BNP-led alliance secured 212 out of 299 parliamentary seats in Bangladesh’s 13th national election, representing about 71 percent of the total. The Jamaat-led alliance won 77 seats, or 26 percent, while independent candidates captured seven seats and Islami Andolan Bangladesh won one. Voting in one constituency was postponed. Across 299 constituencies, a total of 75.9 million votes were cast, with the BNP alliance receiving about 38 million votes, or roughly 50 percent. The Jamaat alliance obtained 28.25 million votes, or 37 percent, and other parties and independents shared 9.65 million votes, about 13 percent.

According to the report, 50 political parties participated in the election, but candidates from 43 parties failed to win any seats. Within the BNP alliance, one candidate each from BJP, Gano Adhikar Parishad, and Ganosamhati Andolon won. Jamaat’s allies NCP, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, and Khelafat Majlish won six, two, and one seats respectively, while other smaller allied parties failed to secure any victories.

The final results may change slightly once the postponed constituency’s outcome is added, the report noted.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to begin the process of bringing back Shakib Al Hasan to the national team starting today, confirmed BCB director Asif Akbar. He said that Shakib’s legal and financial paperwork, including case documents, has been prepared by his lawyer and will be submitted to the government on Sunday. Although the exact date of Shakib’s return remains uncertain, Akbar confirmed that communication with the player is ongoing and the formal process is now underway.

Akbar added that the BCB has requested the government to consider Shakib’s case, emphasizing that if selectors deem him eligible, he will be allowed to play. Following the 13th national parliamentary election, a political government is set to assume office, but Akbar expressed confidence that this transition will not complicate Shakib’s return. He also noted that statements from BNP leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, indicate a flexible stance toward keeping politics out of sports and cultural activities.

The BCB’s latest board meeting had already discussed Shakib’s possible return, and today’s developments mark the formal start of that process.

Following the thirteenth parliamentary election, the BNP achieved a sweeping victory in Sylhet, winning 18 of the division’s 19 constituencies. Party chairman Tarique Rahman, who began his campaign in Sylhet on January 22 after visiting the shrines of two saints, is now preparing to form the new cabinet. Local political observers are closely watching who will be included, with widespread curiosity and discussion across social media.

Sylhet, known as both a BNP stronghold and the home district of Rahman’s in-laws, played a decisive role in the party’s success. Residents now expect significant ministerial representation from the region, including full ministers, state ministers, and technocrat appointments. Several newly elected MPs from Sylhet are already in Dhaka for discussions with the party high command.

Names under consideration reportedly include Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Reza Kibria, Kalim Uddin Ahmed Milon, and G.K. Gaus. Possible technocrat appointees include Maulana Ubaidullah Faruq, Humayun Kabir, and Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury. Final decisions will depend on the BNP chairman’s discretion.

Jamaat-e-Islami faced a significant setback in the 13th parliamentary elections across Sylhet, Chattogram, Barishal, and Mymensingh divisions, according to results announced by the Election Commission. The party failed to win any seat in Sylhet, where its ally Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish secured one. In Mymensingh, Jamaat won two seats while its ally won two more, with most other constituencies dominated by BNP. In Barishal, Jamaat won two out of 21 seats, while in Chattogram it managed three out of 58. In Dhaka division, the party performed relatively better in the capital, winning six of 15 city seats, but struggled in other districts.

In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami achieved strong results in Khulna and Rangpur divisions. The party and its allies won 39 of 69 seats across these two regions, including 25 of 36 seats in Khulna and 18 of 33 in Rangpur. Jamaat also secured 11 seats in Rajshahi division. The data shows a sharp regional divide in the party’s electoral performance, with dominance in the west and heavy losses in the east and south.

The Bangladesh Army has been widely praised for its neutral and professional role in maintaining law and order during the 13th parliamentary election. Deployed under the ‘In Aid to Civil Power’ framework, the army worked across the country to ensure a peaceful and fair voting environment. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), around 100,000 army personnel, along with members of the navy and air force, were stationed in 62 districts and 411 upazilas. The army is expected to return to barracks soon, pending government instruction.

Following the July revolution, the army had been assisting the civilian administration for about one and a half years to stabilize the country. Before the election, troops conducted operations to recover illegal weapons, arrest criminals, and prevent unrest. On election day, they coordinated with police and other law enforcement agencies to prevent ballot snatching, control crowds, and ensure voter safety. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited several districts to oversee operations and provide guidance.

ISPR sources reported that the army recovered over 10,000 weapons and detained more than 22,000 identified criminals since the uprising, contributing significantly to restoring public confidence in the electoral process.

Vegetable prices in Dhaka have surged sharply amid disruptions linked to the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum. Limited movement of goods-carrying trucks and the closure of most wholesale markets have reduced supply, pushing up prices of onions, garlic, and vegetables. On Saturday afternoon at Karwan Bazar, traders reported that prices of some vegetables had more than doubled, with bitter gourd selling for Tk 180–200 per kilogram, up from Tk 90–100. New onions rose to Tk 60 per kilogram, while local garlic reached Tk 140.

Across the capital’s markets, vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, green chili, eggplant, and beans were selling at Tk 10–20 higher per kilogram than before the election period. Broiler and Sonali chicken prices also increased by Tk 10–20 per kilogram. Traders attributed the rise to transport restrictions and higher freight costs, which have risen up to double. Many wholesale outlets remained closed, and retail sales were low due to fewer customers.

Vendors expressed hope that once transport operations and wholesale markets resume normal activity, supply will improve and prices will ease. Other grocery items such as oil, sugar, lentils, and eggs have remained stable.

Loan disbursement through agent banking services in Bangladesh grew by about 46 percent over the past year, according to the latest quarterly report from Bangladesh Bank. As of December 2025, total loans under agent banking stood at Tk 35,023 crore, up from Tk 24,028 crore a year earlier. Deposits also increased by 18.51 percent to Tk 49,720 crore, while remittance distribution rose by 15.48 percent. Brac Bank led loan disbursement with 72.12 percent of the total, followed by City Bank, Bank Asia, Islami Bank, and Dutch-Bangla Bank.

Industry sources attribute the growth to easier loan procedures, lower interest rates, and the convenience of accessing services locally without visiting bank branches. Agent banking allows third-party outlets to provide nearly all banking services, including account opening, deposits, withdrawals, bill payments, and remittance collection. These outlets operate mainly in rural areas, where 84 percent of agents are based.

Despite the growth in transactions, the number of agents and outlets declined in 2025. The total number of agents fell to 15,327 from 16,021 the previous year, while outlets decreased by 747, indicating consolidation within the expanding service network.

The sixth death anniversary of eminent modern Bangla poet Al Mahmud is being observed on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The poet, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 82 due to pneumonia in Dhaka, is remembered for his celebrated poetry collection 'Sonali Kabin'. His works drew inspiration from the Language Movement of 1952 through the Liberation War of 1971, inspiring generations with themes of national identity and freedom.

Born on July 11, 1936, in Mollarbari of Mourail, Brahmanbaria, Al Mahmud moved to Dhaka in 1954 to pursue journalism and literary writing. After the Liberation War, he edited the daily Ganakantha and was imprisoned for a year. His literary contributions earned him numerous honors, including the Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Literary Award, Humayun Kabir Memorial Award, Jibanananda Memorial Award, and Jasimuddin Award.

Marking the anniversary, the organization 'Kaler Kolosh' has arranged a commemorative event at the Al Mahmud Corner of Bangla Academy at 4 p.m., where noted cultural figures and admirers will discuss his life and works, alongside recitations and musical performances.

In the 13th parliamentary election, 20 out of 33 candidates in Sylhet district lost their security deposits across six constituencies. The unofficial results were announced on Thursday night by the district’s returning officer and Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam. According to the Election Commission’s circular, any candidate receiving less than one-eighth, or 12.5 percent, of total votes cast forfeits their deposit.

The results show that six candidates in Sylhet-1, three in Sylhet-2, four in Sylhet-3, three in Sylhet-4, one in Sylhet-5, and three in Sylhet-6 lost their deposits. In Sylhet-1, for example, 325,000 votes were cast, and candidates needed at least 40,692 votes to retain their deposits. Similar thresholds were applied in other constituencies, with several candidates from parties such as Ganadhikar Parishad, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Jatiya Party failing to meet the required vote share.

The forfeiture of deposits highlights the limited electoral support for smaller parties and independent candidates in Sylhet’s six constituencies during the 13th national polls.

Seven former presidents of Islami Chhatra Shibir have been elected as members of the National Parliament. They contested the February 12 election under the banner of Jamaat-e-Islami and won by a large margin. The newly elected MPs include Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Taher (Comilla-11), Central Executive Committee member Saiful Alam Khan Milon (Dhaka-12), Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan (Sirajganj-4), Central Executive Committee member and Dhaka South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul (Chapainawabganj-3), Central Working Committee member and Dhaka South Secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud (Patuakhali-2), Salahuddin Ayyubi (Gazipur-4), and Hafiz Rashedul Islam (Sherpur-1).

According to the report, nine other former Shibir presidents also participated in the election but were defeated. In total, Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 parliamentary seats in this election. The results highlight the continued political presence of former student leaders within the party’s national leadership structure.

The election outcome strengthens Jamaat-e-Islami’s representation in parliament and underscores the influence of its former student wing leaders in shaping the party’s political direction.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has called for immediate elections in all city corporations across Bangladesh. He made the appeal on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists after inaugurating the Spring Festival at Shaheed Wasim Smriti Park in Ambagan, Chattogram. Dr. Shahadat stated that following the July Revolution, all city mayors and councillors fled, and the interim government dissolved the corporations, appointing administrators instead. He regained his mayoral position through a court order but said the city’s 41 wards are operating without councillors, leaving residents deprived of adequate services.

According to city corporation regulations, a mayor serves for five years from the day of oath-taking, meaning Dr. Shahadat could remain in office for nearly four more years. However, he urged the new government to organize elections promptly in the interest of the public. He argued that bureaucrats currently running other city corporations cannot deliver effective services without elected representatives. Dr. Shahadat added that the recent parliamentary election proved that free and fair polls are possible and expressed confidence that upcoming local government elections would be peaceful and representative.

Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Dr. Reza Kibria have been unofficially elected as Members of Parliament in Bangladesh’s 13th National Election held on February 12. Muktadir, the BNP chairman’s adviser and party-nominated candidate, won the Sylhet-1 constituency with 176,936 votes, defeating Jamaat’s Maulana Habibur Rahman, who received 134,983 votes. Dr. Reza Kibria, who recently joined the BNP and contested from Habiganj-1, secured 111,999 votes, while his closest rival, Maulana Md. Sirajul Islam of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, obtained 56,132 votes.

Both Muktadir and Kibria are following in the political footsteps of their fathers. Muktadir is the son of Khandaker Abdul Malik, a BNP MP elected in 1991. Dr. Reza Kibria is the son of former finance minister and diplomat Shah AMS Kibria, who served as UN ESCAP secretary-general before joining the Awami League in 1992. Shah AMS Kibria was elected MP from Habiganj-3 in 2001 and was killed in a grenade attack at a public meeting in Habiganj on January 27, 2005.