The Pay Commission is set to hold its final meeting on January 21 to finalize recommendations for Bangladesh’s ninth national pay scale. The decision to hold the conclusive session was made during a full commission meeting on Thursday. A commission member, speaking anonymously, confirmed that all aspects of the pay scale will be finalized at that meeting, though another full session may occur beforehand due to limited time.

According to a reliable commission source, the new pay ratio between the lowest and highest grades has been fixed at 1:8. This means if the lowest grade salary is 1 taka, the highest will be 8 taka. Three proposals have been submitted for the minimum salary—Tk 21,000, Tk 17,000, and Tk 16,000—with one expected to be finalized. The highest salary scale remains undecided as allowances such as housing and medical benefits are still under review.

Once finalized, the ninth pay scale is expected to bring significant changes to the salary structure of government employees, according to the report.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar said that voting is a sacred trust that must be given only to honest and capable individuals. Speaking on Friday, January 9, 2026, at several voter gatherings in Dumuria upazila under Khulna-5 constituency, he warned that entrusting votes to dishonest or corrupt people would make voters complicit in wrongdoing. He emphasized that every vote carries equal value, from a rickshaw puller to the president, and that this power should not be handed to those who misuse it for extortion or oppression.

Parwar stated that if more than half of the 300 parliamentary seats were filled by honest and God-fearing individuals, justice-based governance could be established nationwide. He said twelve political parties, including six Islamic and six patriotic groups, are jointly contesting the upcoming election. Addressing concerns from minority communities, he assured that Jamaat’s rise to power would not harm Hindu religious or cultural rights, claiming that Islamic governance would bring welfare to all citizens.

He urged voters to campaign door-to-door, encourage women’s participation, and reject parties that failed to ensure integrity over the past 54 years.

Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh’s central president, Muntasir Ahmad, stated that the brutal killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi was not an isolated incident but a reflection of ongoing impunity in the state. Speaking on Friday after Juma prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, he warned that if the killers were not brought to justice even after one month, the interim government and the state could not avoid responsibility.

Ahmad emphasized that the current state system stands on the sacrifices of July’s martyrs and fighters, and failure to ensure justice for Hadi would question the moral legitimacy of the state. He urged that if justice is denied, people would be compelled to return to the streets, and the state must bear that consequence.

He further linked the culture of impunity from Felani to Abrar to Osman Hadi, saying it has endangered national sovereignty and independence under foreign dominance. The event, an anti-hegemony march and rally, was led by Secretary General Sultan Mahmud, with several central leaders present.

The Election Commission (EC) has clarified that reports claiming the postponement of elections in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies due to boundary complications are incorrect. In a press note issued by the Press Information Department on Friday, January 9, the EC stated that no decision had been made to postpone the elections and requested the withdrawal or suspension of such reports.

According to the source, on January 5, the Appellate Division suspended parts of the EC’s December 24 revised notification concerning the reinstatement of previous boundaries for the two constituencies. Following this, several media outlets reported that the elections had been postponed, citing Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud. He clarified that the elections themselves were not postponed, but the electoral activities would remain suspended until further orders from the court.

The EC reiterated that the commission had not decided to postpone the elections and emphasized that only the court’s order temporarily halted related activities.

The Credit and Development Forum (CDF), a national network of microcredit organizations, has issued a statement defending the proposed Microcredit Bank Ordinance 2025 amid recent media debates. CDF described the ordinance as a positive and exemplary step, rejecting claims that it promotes profit-oriented banking or undermines microcredit principles. The organization said the proposed bank would operate as a social business, with investors barred from taking dividends beyond their initial capital.

According to CDF, the ordinance aims to strengthen the microfinance structure by focusing on poverty reduction, employment generation, and support for small enterprises and cottage industries. The bank’s operations would include loans, insurance, remittance services, and access to domestic and foreign grants and credit. CDF clarified that NGOs would not be forced to convert into banks, and dual regulation would not occur because the Bangladesh Bank and Microcredit Regulatory Authority would oversee separate parts of operations.

CDF also highlighted that 60 percent of the bank’s shares would be owned by poor members, ensuring empowerment and equitable benefit distribution. The group argued that the model represents a unique, socially driven approach compared to profit-based microcredit banks in Asia and Africa.

Bangladesh’s interim government foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held their second telephone conversation within three days, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry announced on Facebook on January 8, 2026, that the two leaders discussed bilateral matters and recent regional developments. They also praised the convening of the upcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers session scheduled for January 10, 2026, in Jeddah.

Earlier, on January 4, Ishaq Dar had called Touhid Hossain while attending the seventh Pakistan-China strategic dialogue in Beijing. During that conversation, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan. They also exchanged views on recent developments in Asia and the Middle East and agreed to maintain close communication between the two countries.

The repeated contact between the two officials highlights ongoing diplomatic engagement and mutual interest in strengthening bilateral ties and regional collaboration.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, met with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, on Friday afternoon. The meeting took place at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The BNP’s verified Facebook page shared a photo of the meeting, describing it as a courtesy call between the two figures.

According to the post, the meeting was held at the BNP’s Gulshan office, where the Pakistani envoy paid a courtesy visit to Tarique Rahman. The report did not specify the topics discussed or the duration of the meeting. The event was reported by the online edition of the newspaper “Amar Desh.”

No further details were provided about the content of the discussion or any official statements from either side following the meeting.

A severe shortage of LPG cylinders has hit Nilphamari district and its upazilas, with allegations that certain dealers and distributors have created an artificial crisis by ignoring government-set prices. Despite the official price for a 12-kg cylinder being set at Tk 1,306 for January, consumers report paying between Tk 1,800 and Tk 2,100. Many households, hotels, and small businesses have been forced to halt cooking and operations due to the scarcity.

Retailers claim they are unable to obtain sufficient supply from dealers even when offering higher prices. Some dealers are reportedly selling limited quantities without receipts and at inflated rates. Consumers and traders allege that the crisis intensified after rumors of a price hike spread, leading to hoarding and speculative selling. A distributor representative, however, attributed the higher prices to transport costs and denied wrongdoing.

Experts and consumers have urged immediate administrative action against hoarding, overpricing, and unrecorded sales, warning that the artificial shortage could worsen if enforcement delays continue.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that there is no possibility of announcing a new pay scale before the upcoming national election. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in a local hotel in Barishal on Thursday afternoon, he said the current interim government will not make any final decision on the matter, which he described as reasonable.

Dr. Mansur explained that the interim government might prepare a framework, but its implementation will depend entirely on the next elected government. With the election only a month away, he noted that the government’s focus is now centered on election-related activities. He expressed confidence that the next government will be able to take a comprehensive decision after reviewing previous work.

During the same event, the governor discussed the benefits of digital transactions, suggesting that mandatory QR codes for new trade licenses could boost cashless payments. He also described the country’s import policy as complex and said inefficiency among officials often delays imports, leading to price increases in the market.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Bogura has stirred significant excitement among local party leaders and activists. According to the schedule, he will leave Dhaka on the morning of January 11, traveling by road through Tangail and Sirajganj, and is expected to reach Bogura around 9 p.m. that night. He will stay overnight at the Naz Garden Hotel, a decision confirmed by district BNP president Rezaul Karim Badsha after earlier speculation about a stay at the newly established five-star Mom-Inn Hotel.

Hotel sources said preparations are underway to receive the BNP leader, while the district BNP is coordinating security and crowd management during his stay. On January 12 at 10:30 a.m., Tarique Rahman will attend a public prayer event at Bogura Central High School field, which was finalized after earlier consideration of Altafunnesa playground as a possible venue.

Following the event, he will travel to Rangpur to visit the grave of July War hero Shaheed Abu Sayeed, and then continue his tour through Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, and Kurigram before returning to Dhaka.

A joint operation by the army and police in the riverine char areas of Araihazar upazila in Narayanganj recovered a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, explosives, drugs, and cash early Friday. The raid, conducted from 5:30 a.m. across Khaliar Char, Madhyar Char, and Kadmir Char under Kalapaharia Union, led to the arrest of five local residents. Among the recovered items were a foreign-made pistol looted from Araihazar Police Station, magazines, bullets, shotgun cartridges, eight cocktails, local weapons, an electric shock device, a mobile phone, and over 1 million taka in cash.

According to a press briefing held at Jahanara High School field, the operation involved 140 army personnel and 10 police officers under the 45 MLRS Regiment Artillery of the 9th Infantry Division, deployed in Araihazar since August 2025 under the “In Aid to Civil Power” framework. The area, surrounded by the Meghna River, is described as geographically sensitive and crime-prone. Intelligence reports had indicated the presence of stolen and illegal arms and drugs.

Lieutenant Colonel Zubair, commanding officer of the 45 MLRS Regiment, said the operation is expected to significantly reduce criminal activity and that similar actions will continue to ensure security ahead of the upcoming national election.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company on Friday reported that a distribution pipeline under the Turag River in Dhaka’s Aminbazar area was damaged after being struck by the anchor of a cargo trawler. The incident caused extremely low gas pressure across the capital, disrupting supply in multiple neighborhoods.

According to the company, although the damaged pipeline has been repaired, water entered the line during the repair process. Combined with an overall shortage in gas supply to the city, this led to widespread low pressure in various parts of Dhaka. Titas Gas stated that technical and operational measures are ongoing to restore normal supply levels.

The company expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to customers and assured that efforts to resolve the issue are continuing.

Mufti Mushahid Munawar, a lyricist, preacher, and Islamic scholar, has released six Islamic nasheeds dedicated to martyr Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July Revolution and anti-imperialist movement. The songs, including 'Dilme Hadi', 'Ay Hadi Fire Ay', and 'Janau Interim', have gained wide popularity on YouTube and social media. Munawar confirmed that four more nasheeds on Osman Hadi are in progress. The compositions reflect themes of sacrifice, justice, and remembrance through restrained yet firm language.

'Dilme Hadi', voiced by Saynan Sayem, seeks to evoke the martyr’s memory with emotional restraint, while 'Ay Hadi Fire Ay', composed by Abu Ubaida and sung by Kazi Mashkure Elahi, expresses the pain of absence and longing. 'Janau Interim' stands out for its protest tone, calling for swift justice in Osman Hadi’s murder case and spreading rapidly among young audiences. Listeners have described the works as courageous and timely.

Munawar stated that his nasheeds are part of a broader cultural mission to preserve martyr memories beyond commemorative days. Cultural observers regard these works as significant additions to contemporary Islamic music and as cultural documents reflecting faith, social awareness, and historical responsibility.

Industrial Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan expressed optimism that the next elected government will take necessary initiatives to establish new industrial factories aimed at national industrial development and job creation. He made the remarks on Friday while visiting the Chhatak Cement Company Limited in Chhatak upazila of Sunamganj district.

During the visit, the adviser said that the company’s production activities would soon resume through conversion from the existing wet process to a dry process. The visit was attended by senior officials including Local Government Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman, BCIC Chairman Md. Fazlur Rahman, LGED Chief Engineer Kazi Golam Mostafa, and Chhatak Cement Company Managing Director Md. Abdur Rahman.

BCIC Chairman Md. Fazlur Rahman stated that production at the mill would start soon and that BCIC was actively working toward that goal.

Dhaka University is proceeding with steps to permanently expel four teachers reportedly aligned with the Awami League. The university’s highest policy-making body, the Syndicate, reached this decision during a meeting held on Thursday, January 8. The Syndicate resolved to issue show-cause notices asking the teachers why they should not be permanently dismissed from their positions.

The four teachers named are Professor Zinat Huda, Professor A K M Jamal Uddin, Professor Sadeka Halim, and Professor Moshior Rahman, all from the Department of Sociology. According to the university’s Proctor, Professor Dr. Saifuddin Ahmed, formal charges have been framed against them, and the show-cause notices will be issued accordingly.

The Syndicate’s decision marks a significant disciplinary move within Dhaka University, signaling a formal process toward permanent expulsion pending the teachers’ responses to the show-cause notices.