Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, a partner in the 11-party alliance, announced its manifesto for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election at its central office in Purana Paltan on Friday. Party chief Allama Mamunul Haque presented the manifesto, pledging to build a new Bangladesh based on justice, integrity, and humane Islamic governance. The manifesto outlines 22 commitments across six priority areas, including balanced development, good governance, national security, foreign policy, education reform, and youth employment.

The party emphasized ending the culture of enforced disappearances, killings, and corruption, calling for state reform grounded in truth, justice, and accountability. It proposed a welfare-oriented state ensuring citizens’ basic rights to food, shelter, healthcare, education, and justice. The manifesto also supports a professional defense system, an independent foreign policy, and a unified moral education framework. It promises employment guarantees for youth and equal rights for women across all sectors.

Mamunul Haque described the manifesto as a moral duty rather than a political promise, asserting that a state built on piety, justice, and humane governance would ensure peace, prosperity, and security for all citizens.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit three northern districts of Bangladesh on Saturday, beginning with Thakurgaon, followed by Nilphamari and Dinajpur. During the trip, he will attend election rallies and later visit the graves of his grandparents and aunt. The visit marks his first return to Thakurgaon in 23 years, and local BNP leaders and supporters are preparing for large gatherings at Thakurgaon Boys High School field, where the main rally will be held.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, whose constituency includes Thakurgaon, has urged party members and supporters to attend the event. Police have confirmed that security preparations are complete for the visit. Local residents and party activists have expressed excitement about seeing Tarique Rahman in person after nearly two decades, viewing his presence as significant for the region’s development.

Following the Thakurgaon rally, Tarique Rahman will travel to Nilphamari and then to Birampur in Dinajpur, an area connected to his mother’s memories. BNP Standing Committee member Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain said public attendance at the rallies will demonstrate the people’s affection for the Zia family and Tarique Rahman.

In East London’s Bangladeshi community, conversations about Bangladesh’s upcoming February 12 national election have intensified as expatriates gain the right to vote for the first time. The election follows the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which has banned Hasina’s Awami League from contesting. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, now led by Tarique Rahman, and the Jamaat-e-Islami in alliance with the National Citizen Party are among the main contenders. For many in Britain’s large Bangladeshi diaspora, the vote carries emotional and symbolic weight after decades of exclusion.

Despite new rights, participation remains limited. Only about 32,000 Bangladeshi citizens in the UK have registered to vote, compared with millions in Gulf countries. Complex registration procedures, lack of awareness, and technological barriers have discouraged many, particularly older voters. Younger British Bangladeshis often feel detached from politics in Bangladesh, focusing instead on life in the UK. Some, however, view the election as a chance for long-awaited change, while others question its legitimacy after the Awami League’s ban.

The diaspora’s mixed engagement underscores enduring ties to Bangladesh alongside evolving identities rooted in Britain.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has discovered a local firearm manufacturing factory in Sandwip, Chattogram, and arrested two craftsmen along with weapons and equipment. The detainees were identified as Md. Rashed, 40, from Amanullah Union, and Akbar, 43, from Rahmatpur Union. The operation was conducted jointly by the Coast Guard Station Sandwip and a Navy team on Wednesday night in the Amanullah embankment area. Officials recovered a single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, and various firearm-making tools during the raid.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, the raid was carried out based on information about suspicious activities in the area. Legal proceedings are underway against the arrested individuals, and the seized weapons and tools have been taken into custody.

Reports indicate that due to the remote coastal nature of the region, small-scale workshops have long been used to conceal illegal firearm production. However, regular law enforcement operations have significantly reduced such activities in recent years.

Bangladesh’s Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Sunil Karmakar, who played a significant role in promoting the songs of philosopher and poet Jalal Uddin Khan. In a condolence message issued on Friday, Farooki said that philosophy and art in Bangladesh have long evolved together, with the nation’s people expressing both worldly emotions and philosophical reflections through song. He noted that the country’s intellectual heritage is best found in its music, enriched by thinkers such as Lalon, Hasan, Jalal Khan, and Shah Karim.

Farooki described Sunil Karmakar as a distinguished musician and spiritual artist from the Jalal Khan tradition. He recalled being inspired by Karmakar’s rendition of Jalal Khan’s songs many years ago and praised his mastery of multiple instruments, including the violin and dotara. The adviser added that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs had promptly extended support upon learning of Karmakar’s illness.

Farooki said the news of Karmakar’s passing deeply saddened him personally and marked an irreparable loss for Bangladesh’s cultural community.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said his party would ensure equal justice for all if it came to power. Speaking at an election campaign rally on Friday morning at Patahat RC College field in Mehendiganj upazila of Barishal, he stated that the same law would apply to both ordinary citizens and the president. He emphasized that Jamaat seeks victory not for itself but for all 180 million people of Bangladesh, aiming to build a fair and inclusive nation.

Rahman pledged that under Jamaat’s rule, no extrajudicial killings would occur, referring to frequent incidents before August 5. He criticized the Awami League for alleged oppression and inequality after independence, claiming that despite changes in government, the nation’s fate had not improved. He described Jamaat as the most oppressed political group, yet committed to speaking for public interest.

He added that the 11-party alliance was determined to establish a humane, discrimination-free Bangladesh and eradicate corruption. Several senior Jamaat and allied leaders attended the event.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) announced that from 9 a.m. today, the country will experience mainly dry weather with partly cloudy skies for the next 24 hours. Mild cold waves are currently sweeping across Moulvibazar, Panchagarh, Rajshahi, and Pabna districts, and these conditions may persist for a few more days. Light to moderate fog may form in river basin areas during early morning hours.

According to the BMD, both day and night temperatures across the country are expected to remain largely unchanged. The highest temperature recorded today was 31.6 degrees Celsius in Teknaf, while the lowest was 8.4 degrees Celsius in Sreemangal. In Dhaka, winds are blowing from the west-northwest at speeds of 8 to 12 kilometers per hour, with relative humidity measured at 68 percent at 6 a.m.

The department also reported that sunset in Dhaka will occur at 5:48 p.m. today, and sunrise tomorrow will be at 6:37 a.m.

Government employees have begun marching toward the Chief Adviser’s residence at Jamuna, demanding immediate publication and implementation of the gazette for the 9th pay scale based on the Ninth National Pay Commission’s report. The march started around 11 a.m. on Friday when participants broke through a police barricade near Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka. Protesters declared they would not return home unless the gazette was issued within the day.

Earlier in the morning, government workers gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka before setting out for Jamuna. Participants included members of the Government Officers and Employees Welfare Association, as well as staff from various government, semi-government, and pay-scale-covered offices. Demonstrators alleged that although a pay commission was formed during the interim government, the failure to publish the gazette constituted an injustice.

The protest reflects growing frustration among public servants over delays in formalizing the new pay scale, with demands centered on immediate government action.

Political dynamics in the Comilla-5 (Burichang–Brahmanpara) constituency have become increasingly complex ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election. Two candidates from the 11-party alliance are contesting: Jamaat-e-Islami’s Advocate Mobarak Hossain, a former Islami Chhatra Shibir leader, and Barrister Zubair Ahmed, joint secretary general of Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party. Observers note that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate, Haji Jasim Uddin, appears to be in a comparatively favorable position.

Both alliance candidates are actively campaigning, but their simultaneous presence has reportedly confused voters. Political analysts believe this split may benefit the BNP contender. Jamaat and AB Party leaders confirmed that only two constituencies nationwide—Comilla-5 and Sunamganj-3—feature both parties’ candidates under a mutual understanding within the 11-party coalition. Jamaat’s candidate expects AB Party to withdraw soon, while AB’s Zubair Ahmed insists he is running independently and is confident of victory.

The 11-party alliance, announced on January 15 in Dhaka, allocated 179 seats to Jamaat and three to AB Party. Local leaders say the overlapping nominations in Comilla-5 are part of the coalition’s agreed flexibility.

A three-way contest is unfolding in the Jessore-5 (Monirampur) constituency ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election, with the main competition expected between BNP’s expelled rebel candidate Shahid Md. Iqbal Hossain and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Gazi Enamul Haque. The BNP-led alliance’s official nominee, former Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Rashid Ahmad, is reportedly trailing behind. Iqbal Hossain was initially nominated by the BNP but was later expelled after refusing to withdraw his candidacy when the seat was allocated to Jamiat as part of a joint anti-fascist movement arrangement.

Local reports indicate that most BNP activists in Monirampur are campaigning for Iqbal Hossain, while only a few support the official BNP symbol candidate. The constituency has about 375,000 voters, including roughly 100,000 religious minorities, many of whom are said to back Iqbal. His long-standing local presence and previous tenure as three-time mayor have strengthened his influence. Jamaat’s campaign, however, remains active, particularly among women voters.

Iqbal Hossain expressed full confidence in his victory, while Jamaat’s campaign committee stated they are on the path to success, identifying Iqbal as their main rival.

As the election date nears, campaigning in Barishal-2 constituency has become increasingly competitive, with candidates and supporters canvassing from morning to night. Voters say they prefer honest and capable candidates. Although eight contenders are running, the main contest appears to be between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami nominees, both striving to attract Awami League voters, whose support could determine the outcome.

BNP has nominated industrialist and education enthusiast S. Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu, but internal divisions have weakened his campaign. Several BNP leaders who were denied nomination have refrained from joining his campaign, and some have defected to Jamaat. This has created mixed reactions locally. Jamaat’s candidate, Master Abdul Mannan, is seen as honest though less popular, while BNP’s Santu remains widely known. Other strong candidates include JASAD’s Abul Kalam Azad Badol, a former local chairman.

Election officials report that law and order in Barishal-2 remains under control, with no incidents of political violence so far. The constituency, comprising Uzirpur and Banaripara upazilas, has 385,807 voters and 140 polling centers. Observers note that Awami League supporters’ voting direction could decide the final result.

Nasir Uddin Nasir, the central general secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, has called on voters in the Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency to elect Jasim Uddin, the Gano Adhikar Parishad candidate, who is contesting under the truck symbol. His appeal was made through a Facebook post on Thursday night, where he urged supporters of BNP, Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Krishak Dal, and Sramik Dal, as well as the general public, to create a mass wave in favor of the truck symbol.

In his post, Nasir mentioned that Hasnat Abdullah, the Jamaat-led alliance candidate, is also contesting in the same constituency and described him as a young leader who emerged from the July mass uprising. He emphasized that true leadership is proven through competitive elections rather than uncontested victories and expressed hope for a strong contest between Hasnat Abdullah and Jasim Uddin.

Nasir further described Jasim Uddin as an important participant in the anti-fascist joint movement and reiterated his call to voters to support him in the upcoming election.

Ahead of Ramadan, edible oil prices have unexpectedly increased in Bangladesh despite adequate imports. Retailers report that companies have reduced commissions, indirectly raising prices. Unscrupulous traders are accused of artificially inflating soybean and palm oil prices. In contrast, vegetable prices have declined due to increased supply, while chicken prices rose by Tk 10 per kilogram and egg prices fell by Tk 5 per dozen.

Industry sources indicate that Bangladesh’s annual edible oil demand is about 2.5 million tons, with imports exceeding seasonal needs. By December, over 2.4 million tons of palm oil had been imported, and additional shipments are awaiting unloading at Chattogram port. Refinery owners claim that global price hikes have not yet affected the domestic market, suggesting that local manipulation and weak monitoring may be driving the rise.

Despite the oil price surge, traders say the supply of essential goods such as lentils and sugar remains stable, and they expect no major price hikes during Ramadan if monitoring improves.

Multiple earthquakes struck India’s Himalayan state of Sikkim late Wednesday night, with tremors also felt across northern Bangladesh. According to India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS) and the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenters were located in Sikkim’s Namchi and Mangan areas. The first major quake, measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale, occurred at 1:39 a.m. Bangladesh time, followed by two more of magnitudes 4.4 and 4.0 at 2:50 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. respectively. Several smaller aftershocks were recorded until around 6 a.m., totaling eight to ten tremors overall.

The quakes were shallow, with depths between 5 and 10 kilometers, which made the shaking more intense. Residents in Bangladesh’s Rangpur division reported strong vibrations and fear during the night. A resident of Nilphamari described the experience as terrifying, saying it felt as though the room might collapse.

Geological experts noted that Sikkim and the adjoining Himalayan region lie on an active fault line, making aftershocks common following a major tremor. Earlier in the week, a 5.9-magnitude quake in Myanmar and another in Satkhira’s Kalaroa area had also been felt across Bangladesh.

The interim government has asked the Election Commission (EC) for clarification on three specific legal and regulatory issues related to campaigning in favor of the ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum linked to the July Charter. According to official sources, the move aims to prevent confusion or crisis among political parties, voters, and the EC ahead of the vote. The government’s questions concern the permissible duration of campaigning, the possibility of setting up separate campaign booths on polling day, and whether separate polling agents can be appointed for the referendum.

In response, EC officials said they have provided explanations based on the Referendum Ordinance 2025 and relevant election regulations. The EC confirmed that both the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum will be held on February 12, with all campaigning to stop 48 hours before polling begins, meaning after 7:30 a.m. on February 10. The EC also clarified that no separate booths will be set up by the commission, though the government may establish its own campaign booths without official assistance, and no separate polling agents may be appointed for the referendum.

Under the Referendum Ordinance 2025 and the Representation of the People Order 1972, public officials may raise awareness about the referendum but cannot campaign for or against any side, as such actions are legally punishable.