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.

Bangladesh has received a major relief as 15 cargo ships carrying fuel, gas, and industrial raw materials have begun arriving at Chattogram Port despite fears of disruption in the Hormuz Strait due to the ongoing Iran-Israel-US conflict. According to port authorities, 12 of the ships have already docked, while the remaining three are expected within the week. The shipments include liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and clinker for the cement industry.

The tension around the Hormuz Strait escalated after a joint US-Israel strike on Iran on February 28, followed by Tehran’s warnings. About 20 percent of global oil and LNG supplies pass through this route, making it crucial for Bangladesh, which imports from seven Gulf countries. Four LNG ships from Qatar crossed the strait before the conflict intensified, while one more remains inside awaiting passage.

Officials noted that while current shipments have arrived safely, continued instability could complicate future cargo movements through the strait, potentially affecting Bangladesh’s energy imports.

Twelve ships that departed through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman before the outbreak of war between Iran, the United States, and Israel have reached the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. Three more vessels are expected to arrive within the week. Among the arrivals, four are carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), two contain liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and nine are loaded with clinker, a raw material for the cement industry.

According to Khairul Alam Sujon, former director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, these ships left the Middle East before navigation through the Hormuz Strait was halted due to the conflict. He added that several other ships are still en route, while a few remain near or inside the strait.

Sujon stated that the government, shipping lines, vessel owners, cargo owners, and mariners are closely monitoring the war situation. If threats in the Hormuz Strait subside, normal maritime operations are expected to resume quickly.

A fire broke out at the BNP office in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah on Friday night after unidentified miscreants allegedly poured petrol and set the building ablaze. The incident occurred in Srirampur area of Mandarbaria Union, where two crude bombs exploded during the attack. The blaze destroyed chairs, tables, and other furniture inside the office before locals managed to bring the fire under control.

According to local accounts, the attack took place around 1 a.m. when several individuals targeted the ward-level BNP office. The flames quickly engulfed the office, burning all furniture and a portrait of the party’s chief. Police later visited the site to assess the damage.

Maheshpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan stated that authorities have inspected the scene and will take legal action following an investigation.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the government is giving the highest priority to primary education and taking steps to make the teaching profession more respected and appealing. He stated that primary education forms the foundation of a nation, and the goal is to turn the job of a primary school teacher into a desirable career that attracts talented individuals. He made these remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing a recognition and award ceremony at the Tangail Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall.

Tuku highlighted that temple-based education programs play a vital role at the grassroots level by nurturing students in morality, humanity, and social values while enhancing their educational skills. He also emphasized that in Bangladesh there should be no distinction between majority and minority communities, as all citizens are Bangladeshis who must work together for national progress. The government, he added, will provide full support to the Hindu community in all matters.

The event was chaired by Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque and attended by several local officials and education project representatives. Awards were presented to outstanding teachers, students, and sports competition winners.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on traders not to raise commodity prices through dishonest means during the holy month of Ramadan. He made the appeal on Saturday at an iftar gathering organized at the state guesthouse Jamuna in honor of orphans and Islamic scholars. Rahman described Ramadan as a month of sacrifice and restraint, urging businesspeople not to turn it into a period of greed and profit-seeking.

The Prime Minister also discussed the importance of zakat as one of the five pillars of Islam and shared his plan to make zakat management more effective and targeted. He noted that although wealthy individuals in Bangladesh contribute significant amounts in zakat each year, the lack of organized distribution limits its impact on poverty reduction. Rahman said the government is planning to strengthen zakat management to ensure it contributes more directly to alleviating poverty.

He added that due to global circumstances, this might be the last iftar event of the season, emphasizing austerity in government spending and the significance of supporting orphans and religious scholars during Ramadan.

Police in Sunamganj arrested six individuals from a gambling den in Shomadnagar village under Rangarchar Union early Friday morning. The raid was conducted around 4 a.m. by officers from the Sunamganj Sadar Model Police Station following a tip-off. The suspects were reportedly caught playing cards at the one-story brick house of Jamal Mia in the village.

According to police sources, the detainees include residents from Shomadnagar, Bongao, and Rampur villages. The arrested individuals were identified as Jamal Mia, Shamsul Haque, Mohammad Delwar Hossain, Md. Yasin, Shah Alam, and Rahim Ali. Police said preparations are underway to file a case against them under the gambling law.

The operation highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts in Sunamganj to curb illegal gambling activities in local communities.

A total of 266 flights bound for the Middle East have been canceled from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in recent days due to airspace closures and heightened security concerns across the region. On Saturday alone, 20 flights were canceled, including those operated by Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, and Emirates Airlines. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirmed the cancellations in an official statement.

The closures followed a regional security crisis that prompted Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan to shut their airspace. Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended all flights on six Middle Eastern routes until March 8, extending an earlier suspension that began on March 3. Travel agencies have been instructed to inform passengers of the changes.

Emirates Airlines has resumed limited operations after partial reopening of regional airspace and expects to fully restore its network in the coming days, depending on airspace availability and operational conditions.

Police in Noakhali’s Begumganj upazila arrested two armed suspects with a foreign-made pistol and two rounds of ammunition. The arrests took place around 1:05 a.m. on Friday night at Kanchihata Sardar Dighi Par Mor in Amanullapur Union. The operation was confirmed on Saturday afternoon by Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Abu Tayeb Md. Arif Hossain.

The detainees were identified as Forhad Islam Fahim, 20, and Tajul Islam Suman, 34, both residents of Amanullapur Union’s Ward No. 1. Police said the Begumganj team was on patrol for warrant execution and recovery of illegal arms and drugs when they spotted three suspicious men near a tea stall. Two were caught after a chase, and one escaped. A pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from Fahim’s possession.

Begumganj police confirmed that a case under the Arms Act has been filed against the two detainees and their absconding accomplice. The arrested men were sent to court on Saturday afternoon.

A sudden shortage of petrol has been reported across multiple filling stations in Rangpur Division, where customers claim a syndicate is deliberately withholding fuel to create an artificial crisis. Despite government instructions on fuel distribution limits, petrol has become unavailable at most pumps, forcing consumers to buy octane instead. In response, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the district administration launched joint drives, fining and warning pump owners for non-compliance.

On Saturday, long queues formed at petrol stations as motorcyclists and car owners struggled to refuel. Several customers accused pump owners of hoarding petrol to manipulate prices, while some station managers argued that supply disruptions were due to depot closures on Friday and Saturday. However, mobile courts found evidence of petrol being withheld despite available stock.

The mobile court fined the Shapla Uniq Petrol Pump Tk 10,000 and the City Petrol Pump Tk 20,000 for creating artificial shortages. Officials confirmed that sufficient fuel supply exists and urged the public not to panic or buy excessively. The inspection drives will continue across all pumps in Rangpur.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced that the government will assist expatriates whose visas are expiring because of flight cancellations. He said the ministry has launched a hotline to provide support and urged affected expatriates to contact the ministry for help. The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving any problems faced by expatriates. He made these remarks on Saturday morning in Sylhet after attending a Holi festival organized by the Academy for Manipuri Culture and Arts.

Responding to questions about Bangladeshis in Middle Eastern war zones, the minister said his ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Civil Aviation are working jointly. He added that the government informs the respective foreign authorities about any casualties and follows due procedures. The ministry and embassies are monitoring the situation regularly, and the Prime Minister is also overseeing developments. The government is providing full cooperation in this regard.

Addressing local law and order issues in Sylhet, the minister stated that those responsible for rising crime will not be spared and that the administration has been directed to take strict action.

A mobile court in Singra upazila of Natore fined a trader named Md. Rubel for illegally hoarding 10,000 liters of fuel to create an artificial shortage. The operation was conducted on Saturday afternoon in the Ningoin area of Singra municipality, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Abdullah Al Rifat. The court imposed a fine of Tk 5,000 on Rubel, owner of Satata Traders, after discovering the fuel stored underground in a water tank.

In separate drives at Sherkol and Hatianandah markets, District Executive Magistrate Mahmudul Hasan Dipu fined three other traders Tk 8,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act. Local authorities stated that some dishonest traders were attempting to manipulate the market by creating a false fuel crisis.

Officials confirmed that similar operations would continue to prevent artificial shortages and protect consumers from unfair pricing practices.

Bangladesh’s macroeconomic stability is under significant pressure, according to Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). Speaking on Saturday at a shadow parliament debate titled “Economic Stability to Meet Public Expectations” held at the FDC auditorium in Dhaka, she said the economy is at a stage that requires transformation. The event was organized by Debate for Democracy and chaired by its chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron.

Dr. Khatun highlighted multiple challenges including high inflation, limited fiscal space, stagnation in private investment, monetary risks, heavy debt burden, energy sector stress, political uncertainty, and both domestic and global pressures. She emphasized that macroeconomic discipline is essential to restore stability. The newly elected government, she noted, faces major tasks such as restoring stability, strengthening governance, rebuilding investor confidence, and creating employment.

She added that the government has outlined goals to reshape the economy, aiming for a one-trillion-dollar size by 2034, increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio, boosting investment, and expanding social protection through family and farmer cards. She stressed the need for coordinated monetary and fiscal policies to control demand pressures and stabilize inflation expectations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spent his holiday working at his office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, on March 7, 2026. According to Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony, this marked the third consecutive Saturday the prime minister has worked since taking office. Senior advisers and officials, including Public Administration Adviser Ismail Jobiullah, Economic Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, and Education and Expatriate Welfare Adviser Mahdi Amin, were also present.

During the day, Rahman met with Dr. Nargis Akhter, Director General of the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, to discuss expanding the use and market of jute-based products. Later, he held a meeting with Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku on reducing costs and improving efficiency in the energy sector.

The deputy press secretary added that the prime minister planned to attend an iftar event at the state guesthouse Jamuna, organized in honor of religious scholars and orphans.