BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s planned transfer abroad for advanced medical treatment has been delayed due to her current health condition, according to her personal physician and party standing committee member Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain. He stated that while an air ambulance remains on standby, the medical board has advised against immediate travel, emphasizing that her physical stability will determine the timing of her transfer.

Dr. Zahid added that Khaleda Zia’s family, including her son Tarique Rahman and daughter-in-law Zubaida Rahman, are closely coordinating with the medical team. He urged the public not to spread misinformation on social media, assuring that both the interim government and the Qatari authorities are providing full cooperation for her potential overseas treatment.

Khaleda Zia has been under treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for 13 days due to stomach complications. A recent endoscopy revealed minor bleeding, which was later controlled. The medical board, comprising local and foreign specialists, continues to monitor her condition and will decide on her travel when deemed safe.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob has called for the immediate withdrawal of the recently issued 'Police Commission Ordinance 2025' by Bangladesh’s interim government. In a statement released on December 6, Rob argued that the ordinance undermines the long-standing public demand for an independent and accountable police force grounded in democracy, human dignity, and the rule of law.

He criticized the ordinance as a politically motivated move that contradicts the reform pledges made after the July uprising, claiming it renews a system of repression that uses the police to protect power rather than citizens’ rights. Rob outlined five key demands: replacing the colonial-era Police Act of 1861, redefining police as guardians of constitutional rights, prioritizing human dignity in training, shifting from command-control to service-accountability, and ensuring a fully independent, politically neutral police commission with authority over recruitment, discipline, and citizen complaints.

Rob urged the government to repeal the ordinance and implement a humane, democratic, and constitutionally guided police reform framework.

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has announced a major reshuffle involving officers-in-charge (OCs) across all 16 police stations in the city ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections. According to an official order signed by CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz on December 6, the transfers were conducted internally among existing OCs through a lottery-based process.

Under the new arrangement, several key postings have been exchanged, including Abdul Karim from Kotwali to Panchlaish, Aftab Uddin from Bakalia to Kotwali, and Abdur Rahim from Sadarghat to Bandar. Other notable changes include Shahinur Alam moving from Khulshi to Karnaphuli and Babul Azad from Double Mooring to Chawkbazar. The reshuffle also affects stations such as Bayezid, Chandgaon, Halishahar, and Patenga.

Police officials said the move aims to ensure neutrality, operational readiness, and effective law enforcement during the election period. One OC, Shafiqul Islam of Chawkbazar, has been reassigned to the Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Unit (CTSB). The EPZ police station is expected to receive a new OC soon, pending appointment.

Bangladesh’s mobile phone traders have announced a blockade of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, starting Sunday morning. The protest follows earlier demonstrations demanding reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), the abolition of alleged syndicates, and the reopening of unrestricted mobile phone imports.

Traders argue that the NEIR system, set to take effect on December 16, will severely harm small businesses and raise handset prices due to increased taxes and limited supply. They claim that only a select group of importers will benefit from the new regulation. The BTRC and government officials, however, assert that NEIR is essential for national security and to prevent the use of unregistered or stolen phones.

The standoff highlights growing tension between regulators and small traders in Bangladesh’s telecom sector. If unresolved, the dispute could disrupt mobile phone distribution and raise consumer prices ahead of the NEIR rollout.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem declared that politics in Bangladesh should no longer be directed from abroad, specifically citing London, Delhi, and Rawalpindi. Speaking at a youth festival and election rally organized by the local Jamaat-e-Islami chapter in Pirganj, Thakurgaon, he emphasized that young people must take a leading role in ensuring safe and fair elections, referencing the July Movement as an example of youth activism.

Kayem criticized what he described as 16 years of authoritarian rule that, in his view, destroyed Bangladesh’s education, economic, and cultural systems. He urged voters to choose representatives of “Insaaf,” a platform he said stands for justice and integrity. He also accused India of long-term oppression in the region and called for local development, including reopening the Thakurgaon airport and improving education and healthcare services.

Other speakers, including Jamaat leaders, echoed anti-corruption sentiments and pledged to select candidates free from extortion and terrorism, signaling a broader push for reform-minded local leadership.

A formal petition has been submitted to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser seeking the dismissal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Baharul Alam after his name appeared in the National Independent Investigation Commission’s report on the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) massacre. The petition, sent by Supreme Court lawyer and National Lawyers Council chairman S.M. Zulfiqar Ali Junu, argues that the IGP’s continued service undermines public confidence and judicial transparency.

The 2009 BDR mutiny, one of the deadliest episodes in Bangladesh’s history, claimed the lives of 57 army officers and many others. The commission’s recent report has reignited debate over accountability and justice. The petition emphasizes that a top law enforcement official’s alleged involvement or negligence in such a national tragedy could obstruct impartial investigation and erode trust in state institutions.

Legal experts and civil society observers are urging the interim government to act on the commission’s recommendations to uphold rule of law and restore public confidence in the justice system.

The University of Dhaka successfully conducted the 2025–2026 academic year admission test for its Faculty of Business Studies undergraduate program on Saturday, December 6. The exam took place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. across multiple centers in Dhaka and four other divisional cities—Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Rangpur. A total of 34,062 candidates sat for the test, competing for 1,050 available seats.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, accompanied by senior university officials, visited the examination centers and expressed satisfaction over the smooth and disciplined conduct of the test. He noted that the competition was intense, with roughly 33 candidates vying for each seat. The Vice-Chancellor urged parents not to exert undue psychological pressure on their children, emphasizing that admission success is not the sole measure of capability.

Of the total seats, 930 were allocated for business studies students, 95 for science students, and 25 for humanities students. The results are expected to be announced after the evaluation process concludes.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that Tarique Rahman will soon return to Bangladesh and lead the party in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Speaking to journalists in Dhaka on Saturday, he said preparations are underway for Rahman’s return and for the party’s participation under his leadership.

Chowdhury also clarified that Dr. Zubaida Rahman’s political involvement remains her personal decision. Regarding BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s possible travel abroad for medical treatment, he said the final decision depends on her medical board. Adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury added that a royal air ambulance from Qatar is ready to transport her to London once doctors approve.

Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23 under a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder. The board includes Dr. Zubaida Rahman, who recently arrived in Dhaka to assist in her mother-in-law’s care and possible transfer abroad.

Bangladesh Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed has said that the establishment of dedicated commercial courts will mark a new era for the country’s economy and judicial system. Speaking at a seminar in Chattogram organized by the Supreme Court and UNDP, he noted that the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance 2025 has granted the judiciary full administrative and financial autonomy for the first time, enabling long-term judicial reforms.

The Chief Justice explained that the draft Commercial Courts Act—developed through consultations with BIDA, legal experts, and business stakeholders with EU technical support—has been approved in principle by the Cabinet. The law includes provisions for specialized courts, mandatory mediation, limited adjournments, transparent case statistics, and specialized training for judges and lawyers. These measures aim to ensure faster, more transparent commercial dispute resolution and enhance Bangladesh’s global competitiveness.

He emphasized that effective implementation will require infrastructure, human resource development, and digital capacity building. The Supreme Court is preparing practice directions to ensure smooth operation of the new courts, reflecting a national consensus for an independent and efficient judiciary.

More than 193,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile application, according to the Election Commission (EC). As of Saturday morning, the EC’s website reported 193,874 registered expatriate voters, including 174,909 men and 18,965 women. Saudi Arabia and the United States lead in registrations, with 38,269 and 19,271 voters respectively.

The EC urged expatriates to provide accurate and complete addresses during registration to ensure delivery of postal ballots. Registrants can correct address errors through the app’s edit menu until December 6. The registration deadline has been extended to December 25, allowing global participation from any location. EC officials also announced that an in-country postal voting system will be introduced for government employees, detainees, and voters stationed outside their constituencies.

The ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, launched on November 18, marks Bangladesh’s first large-scale digital initiative to include overseas citizens in national voting, signaling a significant step toward inclusive electoral participation.

A new assessment by Bangladeshi experts has raised grave concerns about Dhaka’s earthquake preparedness, warning that a 6.9-magnitude quake along the Madhupur fault could cause nearly 40% of the capital’s buildings—over 850,000 structures—to collapse. Fatalities could reach up to half a million, with hundreds of thousands more seriously injured. Despite these risks, implementation of earthquake-resilient land use planning and structural safety audits has been stalled for over a year.

The World Bank–funded Urban Resilience Project, worth around Tk 5.68 billion, remains inactive due to bureaucratic disputes and institutional inertia. Experts from BUET and RAJUK have urged immediate integration of seismic-resilient land use plans into Dhaka’s master plan and the activation of modern testing equipment already procured. RAJUK officials say a new trust is being formed to oversee building fitness audits and ensure compliance with seismic codes.

Analysts warn that further delays could make Dhaka’s dense urban landscape increasingly perilous. The government has pledged to approve necessary legislation soon, but experts stress that only sustained enforcement and public compliance can avert a catastrophic outcome.

Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), announced on social media that she will contest the upcoming Dhaka-9 parliamentary seat nomination while strictly adhering to the legal campaign spending limit of 2.5 million taka. In her post, she criticized the widespread practice of candidates underreporting expenses to the Election Commission and starting their political journey with dishonesty.

Jara declared that she would publicly disclose all campaign income and expenditures, promising to maintain complete transparency. She urged citizens and volunteers to contribute time and skills instead of money, forming a grassroots team to support her campaign. Her initiative aims to demonstrate that elections can be conducted honestly, without reliance on wealth or muscle power.

Political observers note that Jara’s stance could spark broader discussions on electoral integrity and campaign finance reform in Bangladesh, where high spending and opaque funding are long-standing concerns.

Bangladesh’s industrial and public works adviser Adilur Rahman Khan announced that sugar imports have been temporarily suspended until the unsold stock from domestic mills is cleared. Speaking after inspecting the Natore Sugar Mill and Uttara Gonobhaban on December 6, he said Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has already begun selling locally produced sugar to stabilize the market.

Adilur emphasized that state-owned sugar mills, many dating back to the British era, cannot operate sustainably on subsidies alone. He called for both local and foreign investment to modernize production and expand capacity. Discussions with potential investors are ongoing, and he expressed optimism about positive developments soon. He also mentioned plans to diversify into related production activities to improve profitability.

The adviser further noted that Uttara Gonobhaban has been renovated after years of neglect and could host cabinet meetings under the current government, following historical precedent. Local officials, including the Natore deputy commissioner and police superintendent, attended the visit.

BNP Standing Committee member and former state minister Salahuddin Ahmed has accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of never believing in Bangladesh’s independence and attempting to establish one-party rule through BAKSAL. Speaking at a women’s rally in Chakaria’s Islamnagar on December 6, he claimed that the people’s uprising had removed her from power and alleged that she served the interests of a neighboring country. The event was part of Ahmed’s campaign activities in Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency ahead of the upcoming national election.

During his speech, Ahmed asserted that the forthcoming election would be fair and internationally recognized, emphasizing that citizens are now more aware of their voting rights. He urged voters to support the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, and prayed for the recovery of party chairperson Khaleda Zia. Ahmed pledged that if BNP returns to power, it will restore democracy, rebuild the economy, and ensure justice and civil liberties. Thousands of supporters, including local BNP leaders, reportedly attended the rally.

Political analysts note that Ahmed’s remarks reflect BNP’s intensified campaign rhetoric as the election approaches, highlighting deep political polarization in Bangladesh.

An air ambulance from Qatar is on standby to transport BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to London for advanced medical treatment once her medical board grants approval. BNP adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury confirmed that the Royal authorities in Qatar have arranged the aircraft, which is reportedly sourced from Germany. He added that the party is maintaining constant communication with Qatari officials regarding the arrangements.

Khaleda Zia remains under intensive observation at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she has been receiving treatment since November 23. Doctors say she has not yet regained the physical stability required for air travel, delaying her transfer. The medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder and including Dr. Zubaida Rahman, has been meeting daily to review her condition and test results.

BNP sources indicate that once the board issues a ‘green signal,’ the air ambulance will immediately depart for Dhaka to carry her to London. The situation continues to be closely monitored by both medical and political stakeholders.