Professors Mohammad Abdur Rab and Muhammad Mohiuddin Sarkar argue that Bangladesh’s economy, despite its potential, remains constrained by corruption, debt, and policy short-sightedness. They emphasize that remittances and the ready-made garment sector currently drive the economy, but structural weaknesses such as rising non-performing loans, foreign debt, and low tax-to-GDP ratios threaten long-term stability. The authors call for redefining economic strategies after the July revolution, focusing on sustainable development rather than GDP illusions.

They identify corruption as the root of most crises, noting its deterrent effect on foreign investment and its role in capital flight. The article highlights the need for governance reforms, transparency, and accountability in public spending. It also warns that unplanned foreign borrowing and export dependency could destabilize the economy as Bangladesh transitions from LDC status.

The authors propose an “economy of justice,” where fairness, honesty, and balanced resource distribution guide all policies. They urge reforms in taxation, banking, and trade diversification to ensure inclusive growth and long-term economic resilience.

Bangladeshi writer Maskawath Ahsan, in a column published on February 7, 2026, argues that Indian media’s repeated questioning of Bangladesh’s secularism is hypocritical given India’s own religious politics. He cites examples of Indian outlets such as The Week and Al Jazeera journalists asking whether Bangladesh might become a religious state if certain political alliances come to power. The article also mentions Indian politician Harsh Vardhan Shringla’s claim that an NCP–Jamaat victory would indicate an unfair election.

Ahsan contrasts these concerns with India’s internal developments under the Hindu nationalist BJP government, including the revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy, anti-Muslim violence, and the construction of the Ram temple on the Babri Mosque site. He accuses Indian media and film industries of promoting Islamophobia through propaganda and selective narratives.

The author concludes that Bangladesh should focus on building an inclusive, humane state rooted in harmony among all religious and ethnic groups, while maintaining cultural sovereignty and resisting sectarian influence from India’s Hindutva politics.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a truck loaded with a large quantity of Indian cosmetics and medicines worth around Tk 20 million in Madhabpur, Habiganj. The operation was conducted early Friday by the 55 Habiganj Battalion following a tip-off. Acting on secret information, a special BGB team took strategic position near the Madhabpur Muktijoddha Chattar area on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway. Around 4 a.m., a suspicious truck arrived, but the driver fled after noticing the BGB patrol.

Upon searching the abandoned vehicle, BGB members discovered Indian cosmetics and a large quantity of Melanocyl medicine hidden under stones inside sacks. Lieutenant Colonel Tanzilur Rahman, commanding officer of the 55 Habiganj Battalion, confirmed that the truck and illegal goods brought for smuggling were immediately seized. The recovered items have been handed over to the customs authorities.

According to BGB, similar anti-smuggling operations will continue in the area to prevent illegal cross-border trade.

All shops, commercial establishments, and shopping malls across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, will remain closed on February 11 and 12, which fall on Wednesday and Thursday. The Bangladesh Business Association announced the decision on Saturday morning, citing the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum as the reason for the closure.

In addition to retail and commercial outlets, all scheduled banks operating in the country will also remain closed on the same dates. The directive for bank closures has been issued under the authority granted by Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991. The measure is intended to facilitate the smooth conduct of the election and referendum across the country.

These coordinated closures are expected to ensure that business and financial activities do not interfere with the national voting process and that citizens can participate in the election and referendum without disruption.

Political analyst Abdul Latif Masum argues that Bangladesh may need a national unity government following the 2026 election. He notes that both BNP leader Tarique Rahman and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman have publicly expressed support for forming a national government after the polls, regardless of which party wins. The proposal, he writes, aims to ensure political stability, economic recovery, and national security in a period of uncertainty and division.

The article recalls historical coalition experiences in Bangladesh, including the BNP–Jamaat partnership of the 1990s and early 2000s, and compares them with global examples such as wartime Britain, post-apartheid South Africa, and transitional Nepal. Masum argues that such governments succeed when parties prioritize national interest over ideology and operate within a defined timeframe.

He concludes that current political and economic conditions show signs that a national government could become essential. According to him, a unity administration involving all major parties could strengthen national security and foster consensus in a politically fragmented Bangladesh.

An election rally organized by the Habiganj district unit of Jamaat-e-Islami began on Saturday morning at the Newfield ground in Habiganj. The event started at 8:30 a.m., with local leaders delivering speeches under the chairmanship of district Jamaat chief Maulana Mukhlisur Rahman. Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to attend as the chief guest and deliver his address around 10 a.m.

The rally marks the formal start of Jamaat-e-Islami’s election campaign activities in the district. The gathering is being held as part of the party’s broader political mobilization ahead of upcoming polls. The report notes that the event is locally organized and attended by party leaders and supporters.

Further details about the rally’s agenda, attendance, or specific campaign messages were not provided in the source text.

The electoral contest in Comilla-7 (Chandina) constituency has become increasingly complex as internal divisions within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) threaten its traditional dominance. Dr. Redwan Ahmed, formerly the secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), joined the BNP and secured its nomination under the paddy sheaf symbol. However, his campaign faces serious challenges following the entry of expelled BNP leader Atikul Alam Shawon as an independent candidate, raising fears of a split in the BNP vote.

Local analysts note that grassroots dissatisfaction has strengthened Shawon’s position, particularly after the dissolution of the Chandina Upazila BNP committee for not supporting Redwan. Many BNP activists allege that Redwan has close ties with a section of the local Awami League and had been disconnected from party activities for 17 years, while Shawon remained active during periods of political repression. The constituency now sees a three-way race among Redwan, Shawon, and Solaiman Khan of the 11-party alliance, which includes Jamaat-e-Islami.

Observers suggest that the internal rift and multiple strong contenders have placed the BNP candidate under significant pressure ahead of the election.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is visiting three northern districts of Bangladesh today as part of the campaign for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. He is scheduled to attend an election rally at 11:30 a.m. at Thakurgaon Government Boys High School field. Following this, he will address a campaign gathering at 1:00 p.m. at Nilphamari Municipality’s large field and later join another rally at Birampur Government College field in Dinajpur.

The entire city of Thakurgaon has been prepared for his arrival, with heightened enthusiasm among party leaders and activists. Security measures have been tightened around the rally venues to ensure a smooth visit. The events mark a significant phase in the BNP’s election campaign in northern Bangladesh.

The rallies are expected to energize local supporters and strengthen the party’s organizational presence ahead of the upcoming national election.

Election campaigning has intensified across Bogura and northern Bangladesh ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and referendum. Following BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Bogura, local party activities have gained new momentum. Rahman, contesting from Bogura Sadar-6 constituency with the paddy sheaf symbol, addressed a rally at Altafunnesa Field after 19 years and later issued directives to strengthen grassroots outreach. BNP activists are now conducting door-to-door campaigns across the district to seek votes.

According to the Election Commission, Bogura’s 12 upazilas have seven parliamentary constituencies with a total of 2.956 million voters, including 1.467 million men and 1.488 million women. Local BNP units have appointed coordinators in unions, municipalities, and wards to organize campaign efforts. The party is promoting promises such as family, health, and farmer cards as part of its development agenda.

District BNP leaders said Rahman’s visit has energized activists and improved voter engagement. They expressed optimism about reclaiming Bogura’s seven constituencies, historically seen as a BNP stronghold.

In Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, large-scale filling of farmland, ponds, and natural drainage channels is taking place under the guise of industrialization. Despite repeated incidents, local administration has yet to take effective action, leaving residents fearful of environmental damage and future flooding. In Bashbaria Union’s Magpukur area, a company named Automation Engineering has reportedly begun filling a one-acre waterbody, blocking a key drainage route and alarming hundreds of nearby families.

Locals allege that unplanned and illegal landfilling is threatening food production and causing waterlogging even after light rainfall, endangering homes, mosques, schools, and roads. A former union member said he filed a written complaint two weeks earlier but no action followed, while company representatives allegedly filed false police cases against protesters. Experts say changing land use or filling wetlands without permission is illegal and call for coordinated action by environmental and land authorities, though such oversight appears absent in Sitakunda.

Officials stated that unauthorized filling will be halted if proven, while the accused company owner claimed ignorance about the need for permission and promised to obtain it if required.

Preparations for the upcoming election in Chattogram have reached their final stage, with 1,965 polling centers ready across 16 constituencies. According to the Election Commission, a total of 6,682,517 voters are expected to cast their ballots. Election officials are completing last-minute arrangements, while candidates continue their campaigns across the city and surrounding areas. Security forces have been placed on high alert to ensure a peaceful voting process.

Security sources report that the army will deploy with maximum readiness, conducting area domination from 48 hours before to 24 hours after voting. Patrols will cover key roads, industrial zones, hilly routes, and remote unions. Technology-based surveillance, including drone monitoring, mobile signal mapping, and night-vision teams, will support rapid response units. Army officers will coordinate directly with returning officers to handle any unrest.

The divisional commissioner and returning officer Dr. Md. Ziauddin are overseeing all preparations, ensuring coordination among administrative agencies. Police, RAB, and other forces have been assigned to maintain order, with at least one platoon of police at each center and permanent RAB camps in high-risk areas.

In Lalmonirhat’s Aditmari upazila, the fertilizer market has reportedly fallen under the control of a powerful syndicate. Government-allocated fertilizers are missing from authorized dealers’ warehouses but are being sold in retail shops at double the official price. Farmers allege that an artificial crisis has been created, forcing them to buy fertilizers such as TSP at inflated rates ranging from Tk 2,400 to Tk 3,200 per bag. The shortage has disrupted potato and other crop cultivation during the current Rabi season.

Farmers accuse local agriculture officials of negligence in monitoring the market. According to the report, sub-assistant agricultural officers often limit their duties to signing dealer registers without field inspections, allowing dishonest dealers to divert stock to the black market. Officials claim they cannot conduct raids without the assistant commissioner’s approval, leaving room for irregularities. Farmers describe the few raids conducted as superficial, with only minor fines imposed on small retailers.

The district’s Department of Agricultural Extension deputy director, Saikhul Arefin, denied any fertilizer shortage. However, locals question this claim, pointing to rising prices and the spread of adulterated fertilizers that threaten soil quality and future crop yields.

Students and members of Inquilab Mancha staged a road blockade in Lalmonirhat on Friday evening to protest a reported police attack on their leaders in Dhaka. The blockade began around 6 p.m. at Mission Mor and continued until 4 a.m., halting all vehicular movement. Participants included 15–20 students, among them Sajjadur Nabi, Al Nahirar Kabir, Sabbir Islam Sajib, Al Amin, and Emdadul Haque Naim.

Protesters demanded justice for the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi and a fair investigation into the police assault on Inquilab Mancha’s Abdullah Al Jaber, Fatima Tasnim Juma, and Salauddin Ammar. They expressed frustration that such incidents were occurring in post-2024 Bangladesh and criticized the lack of visible progress in Hadi’s murder case. The demonstrators vowed to continue the blockade until receiving instructions from their central leadership.

Earlier, a separate protest march was held in Rangpur city organized by Jatiya Chhatra-Shakti. The Lalmonirhat blockade disrupted road connectivity between the Burimari land port and the rest of the country.

The central committee of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has expelled nine leaders from its Hatia upazila unit in Noakhali. The decision was announced on Friday night through a press release signed by central office secretary Jahangir Alam. According to the statement, the expelled leaders were found to have violated the BNP’s directives by participating in election activities against the party’s nominated candidate who ran under the paddy sheaf symbol.

Those expelled include former Hatia upazila Chhatra Dal convener Arefin Ali, former joint convener Mirza Arif, former member Md. Mizan, former Hatia municipal joint convener Md. Robin, Azmir Hossain, former member secretary Shamsul Arefin Rustam, and several others. Additionally, Babor Ahmed, president of Hatia Dwip Government College Chhatra Dal, Md. Tarek, general secretary of Hatia Degree College Chhatra Dal, Md. Tarek of Sukhchar Azharul Ulum Fazil Madrasa, and Zahidul Islam Tarif of Tamraddi Ahmadia Fazil Madrasa were also expelled.

The press release stated that central president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir approved the decision and instructed all members to avoid any organizational contact with the expelled individuals.

The prosecution of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has formally filed charges against 99 accused in six cases related to killings during the July Revolution. According to the report, four cases involving 88 accused were submitted in January 2026, and two more cases with 11 accused followed in February. The tribunal accepted the charges and issued arrest warrants for fugitives. The accused include former ministers, senior police officials, and political leaders from various organizations.

In addition, the tribunal ordered the start of trials in four separate cases against 12 individuals, including Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Obaidul Quader. Trials have also begun in three other cases involving 32 defendants, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 25 current and former army officers, over enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s 15-year rule. Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim said investigations had taken over a year due to the new investigative team’s inexperience but are now progressing smoothly.

The tribunal continues to process multiple cases stemming from the July Revolution, with verdicts pending in the Abu Sayeed and Ashulia murder cases.