Bangladesh’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Afroza Khanam (Rita), met with JICA’s Chief Representative in Bangladesh, Ichiguchi Tomohide, at the minister’s office on March 9, 2026. State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat was also present during the courtesy meeting. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan and sought JICA’s assistance in expediting the operational launch of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

During the meeting, the JICA representative assured continued support for the development initiatives of the current government. He also expressed JICA’s commitment to providing necessary cooperation for the advancement of Bangladesh’s tourism sector.

The meeting underscored the importance of Japan’s technical and financial collaboration in Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism infrastructure, signaling ongoing partnership efforts between the two nations.

The government has reinstated former Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) West Zone, Md. Kohinoor Mia, 15 years after his removal from service. A notification issued on Monday by the Discipline-1 Branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the previous dismissal order had been revoked. The order, signed by Senior Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury on behalf of the President, also directed that the period since his suspension be counted as part of his service tenure, entitling him to arrears and other benefits.

According to the notification, the decision followed a review of two departmental cases and the disposal of two related criminal cases in court. After these proceedings, Kohinoor Mia submitted a review petition seeking reconsideration of his dismissal. Upon evaluation, the President approved the cancellation of the earlier order, leading to the withdrawal of the 2011 suspension notification issued by the Home Ministry.

The reinstatement marks the conclusion of a long administrative process that began with his suspension in February 2011.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to explore ways to make Bangladesh’s zakat management system more effective and organized. The directive came during a meeting on zakat management held on Monday at the Cabinet Division, confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony. The meeting discussed how efficient zakat management could contribute to poverty alleviation and decided to restructure the Zakat Board.

A proposal was made to form a committee led by Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, including Baitul Mukarram Mosque’s Khatib Allama Mufti Abdul Malek, As Sunnah Foundation Chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah, and several Islamic economists and scholars. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will propose the full list of committee members within ten days. The committee will soon submit its recommendations to the Prime Minister regarding zakat management and board restructuring.

The meeting followed the Prime Minister’s remarks at an iftar event on March 7, where he emphasized that proper zakat management could play a vital role in eradicating poverty within 10 to 15 years.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the special 'Family Card' program for women-led households at an event in Banani’s T&T playground near Karail slum in Dhaka tomorrow. The announcement was made at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare in Dhaka on Monday. The program is being piloted in 15 wards across 13 districts, where data from 67,854 women-led families have been collected and verified through multi-level committees.

Based on a software-driven proxy means test, 37,567 families have been finalized as eligible beneficiaries. Each selected household will receive a contactless Family Card equipped with QR code and NFC technology. The beneficiaries will get a monthly allowance of Tk 2,500 through direct digital transfer to their mobile wallet or bank account. Families with government jobs, pensions, large businesses, or luxury assets are excluded from eligibility.

For the pilot phase, Tk 38.07 crore has been allocated, with Tk 25.15 crore for direct cash support and Tk 12.92 crore for data collection, system setup, and card preparation. The Family Card Implementation Guideline 2026 has been published on the ministry’s website.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government is taking steps to bring back two suspects in the murder of Inquilab Mancha leader Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The main accused, Faisal Masud, and his associate, Alamgir Hossain, were arrested in West Bengal, India. Speaking to reporters after a district law and order committee meeting in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, the minister confirmed that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure their return.

He explained that Bangladesh and India have a bilateral agreement on the extradition of accused persons, under which the two suspects can be repatriated soon. The Home Ministry has already initiated the necessary procedures in this regard. Responding to another question, the minister said it is wrong to label every incident as mob violence, adding that the government does not tolerate such acts and is working to prevent them.

Salahuddin Ahmed also announced that the government has decided to launch a nationwide anti-terror operation immediately after Ramadan, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to ensuring that no criminal operates outside the law.

Authorities in Chattogram closed the Bayezid–Faujdarhat Link Road early Monday ahead of a joint forces operation in Sitakunda’s Jungle Salimpur to arrest suspected criminals and recover weapons. Police set up checkpoints at both ends of the road, halting all civilian traffic from morning to evening except for administrative vehicles. The closure caused major inconvenience for university students and city-bound commuters who rely on the route for quick access to Chattogram.

Residents and students expressed frustration that the road was sealed without prior notice. Two private universities, Asian Women’s University and Southern University, were particularly affected as hundreds of students struggled to reach their campuses. Local businesses reported that shops and restaurants along the road were ordered to remain closed, while vehicles bound for other districts were forced to take longer routes through congested city areas.

Police officials said the restrictions were temporary and would be lifted once the operation concluded. They confirmed that Jungle Salimpur was now under full control, with two temporary camps established to prevent the return of armed groups.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has announced the indefinite suspension of its flights to Doha, Sharjah, Kuwait and Dammam due to the ongoing security crisis in the Middle East. The decision was confirmed in a press release signed by the airline’s General Manager of Public Relations, Bosra Islam, on Monday. The airline stated that these routes will remain closed until further notice.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, a total of 335 international flights have been cancelled from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport since February 28, 2026, following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. Several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan, have closed their airspace since that date, severely disrupting regional air travel.

Biman also announced that flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi will remain suspended until March 10, 2026, pending improvement in the situation and approval from relevant airport authorities. The airline said it is closely monitoring developments and will update passengers promptly through its call center.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman led the Bangladesh delegation at the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting held at Lancaster House in London on Sunday. Ministers from 56 member states discussed strengthening multilateral cooperation and preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for November 1–4 in Antigua and Barbuda.

According to a press release from the Bangladesh High Commission in London, the delegation included the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and senior government officials. The meeting focused on global challenges, the erosion of the rules-based international order, and the need to enhance collective prosperity through deeper cooperation among member countries.

Diplomatic sources indicated that the conference provided Bangladesh with an opportunity to seek international support for its candidacy for the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly for 2026–2027. The election will take place on June 2 in New York, where Bangladesh will compete with Cyprus for the position.

Bangladesh Bank has appointed observers to four private sector banks—National Bank, Premier Bank, IFIC Bank, and Al-Arafah Islami Bank. The central bank issued letters to the appointed observers on Monday, March 9, 2026, through its relevant department.

According to the information provided, Munir Ahmed Chowdhury, Director of Bank Supervision Department-12, has been appointed to National Bank; Mohammad Anisur Rahman, Director of Islamic Banking Regulations and Policy Department, to Al-Arafah Islami Bank; A N M Moinul Kabir, Director of Payment Systems Department, to Premier Bank; and A K M Kamruzzaman, Director of Forex Reserve and Treasury Management Department-1, to IFIC Bank. These officials will attend meetings of the banks’ boards of directors, executive committees, and risk management committees.

The appointments indicate Bangladesh Bank’s continued monitoring of private banks’ governance and risk management practices through direct participation in key decision-making forums.

The newly formed committee of the Dhaka University branch of Inqilab Manch officially began its activities on March 9, 2026, by paying tribute at the grave of Shaheed Osman Hadi. The committee members offered prayers for his soul before commencing their organizational journey. The event marked the formal start of the new committee’s work under the guidance of central and branch leaders.

Central committee member Md. Raihan Molla stated that the new committee was formed with members who prioritize the organization and are ideologically committed to its goals. He emphasized that the Dhaka University branch aims to become a strong intellectual platform through cultural and creative programs, regular study circles, research discussions, magazine publications, and at least two monthly seminars. He urged members to engage actively in research and writing to strengthen the organization’s intellectual foundation.

Committee convener Md. Fazle Rabbi Sarkar said the branch will work to promote national consciousness and cultural values among students. He added that responsibilities have been distributed among members to ensure effective implementation of the organization’s objectives.

A fire that broke out on Monday afternoon at the third floor of an 11-storey commercial building, LA Plaza, opposite the stadium in Mirpur-2, Dhaka, has been brought under control after about one and a half hours of effort by the Fire Service and Civil Defence. The blaze, reported at 1:52 p.m., was tackled by seven fire service units and fully controlled by 3:22 p.m. A total of 23 people, including 13 men and 10 women, were rescued from different floors of the building.

One woman suffering from breathing difficulties was sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital for treatment, while others received primary care and were reported to be in stable condition. Witnesses said smoke first appeared on the third floor before the fire spread quickly, causing panic among occupants. Firefighters used ladders and rescue equipment to bring people to safety.

Fire Service Inspector Anwarul Islam said the operation was conducted swiftly and in coordination. The exact cause and extent of damage are yet to be determined, though an electrical fault is suspected. A detailed investigation will follow once the building is fully secured.

The Ministry of Health of Bangladesh has decided to suspend all classes and examinations at both public and private medical colleges starting Tuesday. The decision was made on Monday during a meeting at the ministry, according to the Director General of the Directorate General of Medical Education, Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain. The suspension will remain in effect until after the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, when academic activities are expected to resume.

A formal notice has already been issued, confirmed the ministry’s public relations officer Mahmudul Hasan. The move follows a government directive aimed at conserving electricity and fuel nationwide in response to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has affected energy supplies. The Ministry of Education had earlier announced a similar suspension for all public and private universities across the country.

The coordinated closures reflect the government’s broader strategy to manage energy consumption during a period of heightened global uncertainty and domestic energy-saving measures.

The Local Government Division has appointed Additional Secretary Muhammad Moniruzzaman as the new Managing Director (MD) of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA). The appointment order was issued on Monday, granting him the position as an additional responsibility under existing government regulations. According to the official order, Moniruzzaman will receive an additional duty allowance as per the applicable rules.

Before this appointment, Moniruzzaman was serving as the Additional Secretary of the Water Supply Wing under the Local Government Division. The decision marks a continuation of his involvement in water management and local government administration. The Local Government Division issued the order as part of its administrative restructuring within the water supply sector.

The appointment is expected to ensure administrative continuity within Dhaka WASA, as Moniruzzaman brings direct experience from the water supply division of the same ministry.

Saimum Reza Talukder, a prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, has resigned citing personal reasons. His resignation marks the first departure of a prosecutor since the removal of former Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam. The development was confirmed on March 9, 2026.

On the same day, two new prosecutors were appointed to the tribunal. According to a notification from the Ministry of Law, Majina Raihan (Madina) and Mohammad Zahirul Amin have been named as the new prosecutors. The appointments aim to fill the vacancy created by Talukder’s resignation and strengthen the tribunal’s prosecutorial team.

The tribunal continues its work on ongoing cases, and the new appointments are expected to maintain continuity in its judicial proceedings.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir stated that the July uprising or movement does not belong to any individual but represents a collective struggle and right of the people. He said this during a press conference held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Police Headquarters Media Center on Abdul Gani Road in Dhaka. The IGP added that the police were also present on the streets during the movement and that the Ministry of Home Affairs is working on related matters.

The press conference was attended by several senior police officials, including Additional IGP (Administration) A.K.M. Awlad Hossain, Additional IGP (Finance) Md. Akram Hossain, Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Khondkar Rafiqul Islam, Additional IGP (Logistics and Asset Acquisition) Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, and Additional IGP (Development) Sardar Nurul Amin.

The remarks highlight the police leadership’s stance that the July movement was a collective national event rather than a personal or partisan cause, with ongoing administrative attention from the Home Ministry.