Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening Bangladesh’s bilateral and multilateral relations with countries around the world. Speaking at an iftar reception in honor of foreign diplomats in Dhaka on Friday, he said the government values partnerships founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and trust. The event was held at the state guesthouse Jamuna.

In his remarks before the iftar, Rahman emphasized that the gathering symbolized harmony among people of different nations, religions, and cultures. He reiterated his government’s stance on protecting independence, ensuring human rights, and combating corruption. The prime minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to maintain law and order, empower women, and support new entrepreneurs to build an inclusive economy.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman noted that Bangladesh prioritizes equality, mutual interest, and friendship in its bilateral relations. Diplomats from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and several other countries attended the event alongside cabinet members and senior officials.

Health and Family Welfare Ministry’s Health Services Division Secretary Mohammad Kamruzzaman Chowdhury announced that broker networks will be eradicated from hospital complexes to ensure uninterrupted medical services for the public. He made the statement on Friday during a visit to the 50-bed Begumganj Health Complex in Noakhali, emphasizing that government hospitals are the last resort for many citizens and that no broker activity will be tolerated.

The secretary said strict monitoring has already been increased around hospitals, and authorities have been instructed to take necessary actions against fraudulent brokers who mislead patients into private clinics or diagnostic centers. Coordinated efforts among the administration, police, and hospital authorities are underway to identify and remove such brokers. Measures include tightening security at hospital entrances, installing CCTV cameras, setting up information centers, and raising awareness so patients seek services directly from official counters.

He further warned that any hospital staff found involved with brokers will face strict administrative action, including possible dismissal. The ministry is implementing various steps to ensure transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption in the health sector, following directives from the Prime Minister.

State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that Bangladesh will introduce a rationing system for fuel sales starting Sunday to prevent long-term energy shortages. He said written instructions will be sent to petrol pumps, following his inspection of a station in Paribagh on Friday. The minister emphasized that the government has sufficient fuel reserves and urged the public not to panic.

Amit explained that public concern over fuel availability is understandable given the ongoing war situation, but assured that there is no reason for alarm. He noted that fuel supply had been increased several times in recent days and that consumers were purchasing more than usual. The government, he said, is working to minimize public hardship.

The minister added that global fuel prices have risen sharply, creating pressure on the domestic market. While the government will try to avoid price hikes, he said any unavoidable adjustments will be shared transparently with citizens, seeking their understanding and support.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on diplomats stationed in Dhaka to support Bangladesh’s candidate, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The appeal was made on Friday, March 6, during an iftar reception hosted at the state guesthouse Jamuna in honor of the diplomatic community.

During the event, the Prime Minister emphasized his government’s commitment to protecting human rights, ensuring freedom of expression, and fostering a culture of tolerance. He also stated that firm measures would be taken to combat corruption at all levels of government.

The iftar gathering was attended by the Prime Minister’s family members, including his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, who were seated beside him at the event.

The Comilla Education Board has suspended teaching and academic recognition for 13 educational institutions under its jurisdiction due to poor performance in the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination. The decision was confirmed through a letter signed by Exam Controller Professor Runa Nasrin on March 5, 2026. Board Chairman Professor Md. Shamsul Islam stated that the institutions failed to meet operational conditions and showed unsatisfactory results, prompting the suspension.

According to the board’s examination committee meeting held on January 7, 2026, institutions with pass rates between zero and five percent were deemed to have unsatisfactory outcomes. The suspended institutions include schools and colleges from Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, Comilla, and Chandpur districts. College Inspector Professor Md. Nurunnabi Alam said the suspension is temporary and that institutions may resume academic activities upon fulfilling required conditions.

The board emphasized that repeated poor performance and failure to improve despite prior warnings led to this action. Authorities also indicated that similar measures will be taken against other institutions if their results remain unsatisfactory.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has set daily fuel purchase limits for vehicles across the country following global energy supply disruptions caused by attacks in Iran. In a notice issued on March 6, 2026, BPC said the measure aims to prevent panic buying and ensure stable fuel distribution. Motorcycles can buy up to 2 liters of petrol or octane per day, private cars 10 liters, SUVs and microbuses 20–25 liters, pickups and local buses 70–80 liters, and long-distance buses and trucks 200–220 liters of diesel.

BPC explained that about 95 percent of Bangladesh’s fuel is imported, and recent global instability has delayed some shipments. Reports of hoarding and excessive withdrawals by dealers and consumers prompted the new restrictions. Filling stations must issue receipts showing quantity and price, and buyers must present previous bills for repeat purchases. Dealers are required to follow quotas and report depot stock and sales data.

BPC assured that fuel imports and nationwide distribution continue regularly and that sufficient buffer stocks will be built soon. It warned that selling fuel above government-fixed prices is a punishable offense.

Three young men were detained and handed over to police after being beaten by locals in Abhoynagar upazila of Jashore. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday night, March 5, in Gopinathpur village under Shubharara Union. Locals seized a foreign-made 9mm pistol, six rounds of ammunition, and an empty magazine from the suspects. Their motorcycle was also set on fire during the confrontation.

According to Abhoynagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge SM Nuruzzaman, the three detainees are Riaz Sardar alias Surjo Sardar (28), Shakil Sardar (25), and Robiul Molla (23), all residents of nearby villages. Locals said they were conducting a night patrol when they stopped the suspects’ motorcycle for a search. One of the men allegedly tried to flee after showing a pistol, prompting the mob to capture and beat them before handing them to police.

Police recovered the burned motorcycle from the scene and filed a case under the Arms Act against the three detainees.

A passenger bus carrying attendees to a Hindu wedding lost control and fell into a roadside ditch in Bagerhat on Friday afternoon. The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on the Barakpur–Polerhat road near Fakir Bari area, leaving several passengers injured.

According to local sources, the bus was traveling from Jashore to the Kalibari area when it veered off the road and plunged into the ditch. Worshippers from a nearby mosque and local residents rushed to the scene and rescued the trapped passengers. Locals said the quick response of the mosque-goers and residents prevented a potentially serious loss of life.

The incident caused brief panic in the area, but the situation was brought under control through prompt rescue efforts.

The Bangladesh government has issued new directives to regulate fuel purchases at filling stations as global energy markets face disruption due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The directives, released by the Energy Division on Friday, aim to control panic buying and manage limited supplies in Dhaka, where long queues and disputes have been reported at fuel stations.

According to the new rules, filling stations must provide receipts specifying fuel type, quantity, and price for each purchase, and consumers must present previous receipts when refueling again. Dealers are required to follow allocation limits and supply guidelines, while fuel marketing companies must verify stock and sales data before releasing new allocations. The directives also set limits on how much fuel stations can draw from depots and how much consumers can buy.

The measures are intended to stabilize domestic fuel distribution and prevent hoarding as Bangladesh experiences the ripple effects of the global energy shortage.

Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally in Dhaka on Friday after Juma prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, demanding interrogation of former advisers Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Dr. Khalilur Rahman over alleged election engineering. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar addressed the gathering as chief guest, calling for a judicial inquiry committee to identify those involved in manipulating the February 12 national election results.

Porwar alleged that while voting took place peacefully, irregularities occurred during vote counting and result announcements, altering the outcome against the Jamaat-led alliance. He cited remarks by Rizwana Hasan as self-admission of interference and accused Dr. Khalilur Rahman of conspiring with ruling party interests. He urged the government to analyze Rizwana’s statements and disclose others involved in the alleged manipulation.

Porwar emphasized that Jamaat rejects violence and seeks lawful protest. He called on the government to uphold the July reform referendum and warned against attempts to undermine it. The rally concluded with a procession through city streets.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division under Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has issued new directives urging immediate energy-saving measures across all sectors. The announcement, made on March 6, 2026, responds to potential disruptions in international energy supply chains caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The ministry emphasized the need for precautionary actions to ensure national energy security and optimal resource utilization.

The directives call on government offices, autonomous bodies, private organizations, commercial establishments, and citizens to adopt specific conservation practices. These include reducing unnecessary gas and fuel consumption, checking gas pipelines and burners for leaks, avoiding illegal gas use, promoting public transport and carpooling, and limiting non-essential travel. Institutions are instructed to implement energy-saving measures during and after office hours.

The ministry also urged all concerned parties to raise public awareness and cooperate in implementing the guidelines to safeguard national energy security.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the interim government did not hold any discussions with his party regarding agreements made with various countries during its tenure. He made the remarks in a verified Facebook post on Friday afternoon, expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of consultation.

In his post, Dr. Rahman wrote that the interim government had signed several agreements with foreign nations but failed to engage Jamaat-e-Islami in any dialogue about them. He added that his party had repeatedly demanded that, in the absence of a parliament, the government should consult political parties on major national and international matters, including such agreements. However, he said, the then government ignored those demands.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami’s position on the issue is clear and that there is no room for confusion about their stance.

Police have arrested Fazlur Rahman, the prime accused in the murder case of Asma Sadia Runa, chairperson and assistant professor of the Social Welfare Department at Islamic University. The arrest was confirmed on Friday, March 6, by the case’s investigating officer, Abdullah Al Mamun. Fazlur Rahman, a university employee, is currently under police guard at Kushtia General Hospital’s ICU, where he is receiving treatment for serious injuries. He has provided a written confession to police admitting responsibility for the killing, and doctors have stated that his condition is now stable.

The investigating officer said that police have begun their work following the filing of the murder case and are continuing efforts to arrest the remaining accused. Two of the other suspects are university teachers. The case was filed by the victim’s husband, Imtiaz Sultan, on Thursday morning under sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code, naming four individuals including Fazlur Rahman. The other accused are former deputy registrar Bishwajit Kumar Biswas, assistant professor Shyam Sundar Sarkar, and assistant professor Habibur Rahman.

Journalists in Kishoreganj formed a human chain on Friday, March 6, 2026, protesting a violent attack on two reporters who were covering news related to the auction at the historic Pagla Mosque. The demonstration took place at Akhra Bazar in the district town, where participants demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.

The injured journalists were Khairul Alam Faisal of Channel 24 and Faizul Islam Bhuiyan Pinku of Global Television. According to reports, a syndicate allegedly involved in buying mosque-donated items at low prices attacked the journalists when they went to gather information. The victims were rescued by mosque Ansar members and taken to hospital. Later, Pinku filed an attempted murder case naming eight individuals and several unidentified others.

Police confirmed that two suspects, Jibon and Mona, have been detained, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining accused. Authorities expressed optimism about bringing all perpetrators to justice soon.

The Islamic University (IU) administration has declared a one-day mourning on Saturday, March 7, following the killing of Asma Sadia Runa, chairperson and assistant professor of the Department of Social Welfare. According to an emergency notice signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Manjurul Haque on Thursday night, the decision was taken after Runa was stabbed to death in her office on Wednesday, March 4, allegedly by an employee of her department.

The notice stated that the university community is deeply shocked by the brutal killing of Asma Sadia Runa. All members of the university have been requested to wear black badges on the day of mourning as a mark of respect. In addition, the university administration organized a prayer session after Friday prayers at the central mosque for the salvation of the deceased teacher’s soul.

The university’s declaration of mourning reflects the institution’s collective grief and solidarity following the tragic incident within its campus.