Prime Minister Tarique Rahman hosted an iftar gathering with orphans and Islamic scholars at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Saturday. During the event, he announced a government plan to make zakat management more effective and targeted to combat poverty. Rahman said that with structured and goal-oriented distribution, zakat could play a decisive role in eradicating poverty within 10 to 15 years.

He explained that while many wealthy individuals in Bangladesh already pay zakat privately or through the government’s Zakat Board, the lack of organized distribution limits its impact. Citing research estimates of annual zakat amounts exceeding Tk 20,000–25,000 crore, he emphasized that better planning could transform zakat into a powerful poverty alleviation tool. Rahman proposed identifying poor families and providing targeted zakat support to help them become self-reliant.

Rahman also urged Islamic scholars to raise awareness among the wealthy about responsible zakat distribution and suggested reorganizing the national Zakat Board under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. He expressed hope that Bangladesh could become a model for zakat-based poverty reduction in the Islamic world.

Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, chief coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said that no leader or activist of the organization will engage in unethical activities, nor will they allow such acts. He warned that any allegation of misconduct would result in immediate organizational action. He made these remarks on Saturday evening at a joint meeting of the party’s central, Dhaka North-South, and basic trade union units at the central office in Naya Paltan.

Shimul Biswas stated that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure smooth Eid travel, emphasizing that passenger harassment, extortion, and overcharging in the transport sector will be strictly curbed. He also noted that recruitment in industries and factories has been stagnant for a long time and urged that vacancies be filled to create employment opportunities. According to him, the current democratic government is committed to merit-based recruitment.

The meeting, chaired by Anwar Hossain and conducted by publicity secretary Manjurul Islam Manju, discussed ongoing organizational tours aimed at strengthening the Workers’ Party.

A local BNP leader, Md. Jibon Mia, has been accused of failing to pay for a donated cow he purchased in an open auction at the historic Pagla Mosque in Kishoreganj. The auction took place on February 9, 2025, where Jibon Mia bought the cow for Tk 55,000 but did not make the required immediate payment. Mosque officials said repeated attempts to collect the money were unsuccessful, and threats were allegedly made when payment was demanded.

Local sources said Jibon Mia claims to be a member of the Kishoreganj municipal BNP’s Ward No. 5 committee, though the committee has reportedly been dissolved, according to the municipal BNP president. Meanwhile, journalists covering the alleged irregularities in the auction were attacked on Thursday afternoon, reportedly led by Jibon Mia. Four journalists were injured and are receiving treatment at Kishoreganj 250-bed Modern Hospital.

Following the attack, journalist Fayzul Islam Bhuiya Pinku filed an attempted murder case against eight people. Police have arrested Jibon Mia and another suspect named Mona in connection with the case.

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami attended an iftar gathering organized by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. The event took place on Saturday evening at the Ruposhi Hall of Hotel InterContinental. It was attended by prominent politicians, diplomats from various foreign missions in Dhaka, and distinguished citizens. The information was confirmed through a press release issued by Jamaat’s central publicity department.

Representing Jamaat-e-Islami, central executive council members Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP and Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand were present at the event. The iftar was part of the Indian High Commission’s annual Ramadan engagement with political and diplomatic circles in Bangladesh, according to the press release.

The participation of Jamaat leaders in the Indian High Commission’s event highlights ongoing diplomatic and political interactions among diverse political groups and foreign missions in Dhaka during the Ramadan season.

Bangladesh Railway has started selling advance train tickets for March 18 today, Sunday, March 8, to ensure smooth travel for passengers heading home for Eid-ul-Fitr. According to railway authorities, all tickets are being sold entirely online this year. To reduce server pressure, the ticket sales have been divided by region and time, with western region tickets available from 8 a.m. and eastern region tickets from 2 p.m.

Tickets for March 13 to 17 trains were sold from March 3 to 7, while tickets for March 18 and 19 are being sold on March 8 and 9 respectively. For return journeys after Eid, advance ticket sales will begin on March 13, starting with tickets for March 23. Subsequent days will see sales for March 24 to 29 tickets.

The initiative aims to manage high passenger demand during the Eid travel rush and minimize technical disruptions by staggering online ticket sales across regions and dates.

A mobile court in Chuadanga’s Damurhuda upazila sealed Life Care Medical Center in Karpasdanga on Saturday for operating illegally and in an unhygienic environment. The court fined the center’s owner, Mamunur Rashid Shawon, Tk 200,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009. The operation took place from late morning to afternoon across Karpasdanga, Damurhuda Sadar Union, and Darshana municipality.

According to court sources, none of the individuals working as nurses at the clinic were registered, and untrained staff were administering injections and collecting test samples. Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shahin Alam stated that the clinic lacked a valid license, had unsafe surgical and post-operative practices, and maintained a hazardous environment. Damurhuda Upazila Health Officer Dr. Moshior Rahman said expired reagents and unclean facilities were also found.

Chuadanga Civil Surgeon Dr. Hadi Zia Uddin Ahmed confirmed that similar drives will continue under new directives from the Ministry of Health to ensure compliance among private healthcare providers.

Four Bangladeshi sailors have described their harrowing experience after surviving a missile attack on a Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker named ‘MKD VYOM’ about five nautical miles off Muscat, Oman. The incident occurred on March 1 in the Persian Gulf, when a powerful missile struck the ship’s engine room, causing a massive explosion and fire. The vessel was carrying 60,000 metric tons of gasoline, and 22 crew members were on board, including four Bangladeshis and mostly Indian nationals. One Indian sailor was killed despite desperate rescue efforts by the Bangladeshi crew.

According to a statement from the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association (BMMOA), the Bangladeshi sailors—Habibur Rahman, Monirul Alam Joy, Rifat Mahmud, and Mohammad Abu Naser—played key roles in firefighting and rescuing their colleagues under extreme danger. They battled flames and toxic smoke for hours, using buckets of seawater when extinguishers ran out. The ship’s captain later ordered evacuation due to explosion risks, and the crew were rescued by another vessel. The four Bangladeshis returned home safely on March 4 and reached their families by March 6.

BMMOA President Captain Md. Anam Chowdhury praised the sailors’ bravery, calling their actions a rare example of courage in maritime emergencies.

A violent clash broke out between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the Baitipara area of Gazipur on Saturday around 11:30 a.m. The confrontation, reportedly over disputes involving jhoot (garment waste) trading, led to attacks and the explosion of several crude bombs. A motorcycle was also set on fire during the incident, prompting authorities to deploy additional police forces in the area.

According to local residents, the conflict stemmed from a long-standing dispute between two BNP groups over jhoot materials from Manol Fashion Garments. The clash began when supporters of Kaushik Khan attempted to collect the materials and were obstructed by a group led by Jubo Dal leader Nazmul. Locals reported hearing multiple explosions during the altercation.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police’s Basan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Harunur Rashid stated that police visited the scene after receiving reports of unrest. He confirmed the existence of a dispute over jhoot materials but said no evidence of gunfire or crude bombs was found. Police remain deployed to maintain order in the industrial area.

Police arrested four members of the Awami League under an anti-terrorism case after they attempted to gather at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka on Saturday morning. The group, consisting of about 15 to 20 people, was marching from Dhanmondi-27 toward Dhanmondi-32 to place flowers when police intervened. The procession dispersed following police obstruction, and officers detained one man and three women from the scene.

Kolabagan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Fazle Ashiq confirmed that the four detainees were charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sent to court. The arrests followed a ban on the Awami League’s planned flower-laying activity at Dhanmondi-32. No further details about the charges or subsequent legal proceedings were provided in the report.

The incident highlights ongoing restrictions on political gatherings in Dhaka, though the report does not specify the broader context or official reasoning behind the prohibition.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has strengthened patrols across coastal and border regions to prevent the smuggling of fuel oil and essential commodities. The measure was confirmed on Saturday by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, who said the force is maintaining maximum alert to counter illegal cross-border activities.

According to the Coast Guard, concerns have risen over possible smuggling of fuel and daily necessities into Myanmar amid the ongoing global energy crisis. Continuous day and night patrols are being conducted along coastal zones, waterways, and border-adjacent areas to stop any illicit networks from transporting goods illegally.

The Coast Guard has also urged residents of coastal areas to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or information through its emergency hotline number 16111.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that Bangladesh is facing an intensified energy crisis due to the ongoing global war situation. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Saturday night, he warned that if the global situation continues, it could have negative effects on the country’s social and economic life.

He urged the government to identify alternative energy sources and take realistic measures on an urgent basis to address the crisis. He also called for strict action to prevent the formation of new syndicates during this period and emphasized the need for strong security to stop any possible smuggling of fuel from the country.

The statement reflects growing concern over the impact of international instability on Bangladesh’s energy supply and the need for immediate policy responses to safeguard the economy and public welfare.

A young man named Samad Ahmed, aged 22, was killed in a knife attack during an arbitration meeting in Sikandarpur village under Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet on Friday night. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. when a dispute over a local road between two groups escalated into violence. Police detained six individuals suspected of involvement in the attack.

According to police and eyewitnesses, Samad Ahmed was the son of Abdul Khalik of Sikandarpur village. The conflict had been ongoing between Samad’s family and those of Rahim Ullah’s son Abdus Sattar and Abdul Jabbar. The arbitration meeting was arranged to resolve the dispute, but tensions rose and Samad was stabbed by members of the opposing group. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Osmaninagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Murshedul Alam Bhuiyan confirmed the incident, stating that legal action will be taken against those involved. The body was sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has said that attempts are being made to rehabilitate the Awami League in the name of the Liberation War and the historic 7 March. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar and doa mahfil organized by NCP Faridpur at Ambika Memorial Hall on Saturday, he stated that the Liberation War is a glorious chapter for the nation, but the Awami League has tarnished that glory by legitimizing crimes such as enforced disappearances, killings, and money laundering in its name.

Nahid Islam accused the government of betraying the aspirations of July and the July Charter, claiming that while his party took two oaths under the implementation order, the ruling party violated one of them. Expressing willingness to work positively with the government, he demanded that the Reform Council take oath before the 12th session and that the first session remove what he called a fascist president. Otherwise, he warned, the eleven-party alliance would take to the streets.

Several NCP and affiliated organization leaders attended the event as special guests.

Bangladesh Bank has received a set of recommendations from leading economists to help the country withstand potential economic shocks stemming from rising tensions in the Middle East. At a meeting held on Saturday, chaired by newly appointed Governor Mostakur Rahman, eight prominent economists advised keeping the policy interest rate unchanged, preserving foreign exchange reserves, and seeking alternative energy sources outside the Middle East.

The economists warned that recent military tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States could disrupt global energy supplies and increase pressure on Bangladesh’s economy through higher fuel costs, reduced remittance inflows, and dollar shortages. They emphasized the need to avoid policies that could worsen inflation, which remains high, and urged proper implementation of social safety programs such as the Family Card initiative.

Additional recommendations included accelerating the release of foreign loans, exploring energy imports from Brunei and Singapore, and forming a crisis management committee to provide regular briefings and prevent public panic. The governor pledged integrity in his role and directed banks to act free from political influence.

A court has sought permission from the Ministry of Public Administration to file a case against Sylhet Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Md. Sarowar Alam for alleged non-cooperation in a murder investigation and violation of court orders. The case relates to the killing of a youth named Tajuddin during an anti-discrimination student movement in Sylhet on August 4, 2024. Tajuddin’s wife filed a murder case, and the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was assigned to investigate. Despite repeated requests, the DC allegedly failed to provide information about the executive magistrate on duty and the order under which shots were fired.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) submitted its report, but the district administration remained silent, stalling the investigation. On February 8, the court ordered the DC to explain within 15 working days why legal action should not be taken for obstructing justice. However, no response was received by March 1. Senior Judicial Magistrate Sudipta Talukdar observed that the DC’s conduct violated multiple sections of the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.

The ministry has been directed to obtain legal approval by April 15, 2026, and inform the court. The court’s strong stance has sparked wide discussion in Sylhet.