The Prime Minister has decided to avoid holding lavish iftar gatherings this year, considering the country’s overall situation. According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, she will attend only two iftar events at the state guesthouse Jamuna—one on March 6 for diplomats and another on March 7 for orphans, Islamic scholars, and clerics.

Previously scheduled iftar events at Jamuna for politicians on March 8 and for journalists on March 10 have been cancelled due to the same considerations. The decision marks a departure from the usual state tradition of hosting multiple large-scale iftar receptions for various professional and social groups.

This year, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is observing iftar privately with his family at home, and no grand state-sponsored iftar events are being held.

Photographer Khaled Hossain Parag from Pabna has been appointed as the personal photographer to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The appointment was announced on Tuesday through a circular issued by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration. According to the circular, Parag will serve on a contractual basis, receiving salary and benefits under grade-9 of the national pay scale. His appointment will remain effective until the end of the Prime Minister’s tenure or until further notice.

As the Prime Minister’s photographer, Parag will be responsible for capturing, archiving, and documenting official activities, political programs, state visits, meetings, and other significant events. He will also oversee the visual documentation and archival preservation of the Prime Minister’s engagements.

Parag has been active in photojournalism and cultural-political activities for nearly three decades. He began his career at the daily Dinkal and currently serves as the convener of the Pabna district branch of JASAS, a BNP-affiliated cultural organization. He has founded several local cultural and youth organizations and is known for his long-standing voluntary documentation of BNP and Zia family events.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher MP, has alleged that former adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has become a key witness to what he described as election engineering during the February 12 polls. Speaking at a press briefing at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar on Thursday, he said Rizwana Hasan’s recent remarks confirmed the manipulation claims.

Dr. Taher questioned whether the then interim government or the current administration had colluded to prevent Jamaat-e-Islami from emerging as a major political force. He alleged that officials such as DCs, SPs, TNOs, OCs, and presiding officers were appointed to ensure a predetermined outcome. He urged the government to interrogate Rizwana Hasan to clarify the full situation and inform the nation.

He further mentioned that Jamaat had previously accused several advisers of involvement in election irregularities, naming Rizwana Hasan and Khalilur Rahman. Senior Jamaat leaders, including Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, were present at the briefing.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj have emphasized the need for quick resolution of teachers’ administrative problems across Bangladesh. Speaking on Thursday at a meeting with officials of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), the minister directed that matters such as salaries, pensions, leave, transfers, training, and higher education be settled within set timeframes to avoid unnecessary delays for teachers visiting offices.

He urged officials to ensure better coordination, open discussion, and mutual cooperation to create a more effective work environment. The minister encouraged staff to express opinions freely and logically, aiming to reduce internal distance within the administration. To ensure transparency and eliminate lobbying in transfers, he instructed the introduction of an artificial intelligence-based software system.

Dr. Milan also stressed the importance of automation and digital methods to make service delivery faster and more modern. He called for expanding online services and developing systems that allow service seekers to easily identify the relevant desk or officer for their issues.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam announced that closed state-owned jute mills will be reopened gradually under private management. He made the statement during a briefing at the Ministry of Textiles and Jute in Dhaka on Thursday, ahead of National Jute Day. According to the minister, seven mills are already being reopened in phases, while others will follow later under similar arrangements.

He noted that nine leased mills currently employ 7,200 workers, contributing positively to national production and employment. The minister also said that National Jute Day will be observed on March 6, inaugurated online by President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The main event will take place at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, alongside a nine-day fair on jute and diversified jute products at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy premises from March 6 to 14.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reviving the jute sector as part of its broader goal to transform Bangladesh into a modern, democratic, upper-middle-income country with a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034.

Bangladesh Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that disciplinary measures will be taken against government doctors found absent from their workplaces during official hours. He made the statement on Thursday afternoon during a press briefing at the Ministry of Health conference room.

The minister cited the recent dismissal of Dr. Rajesh Majumdar, a physician at the 250-bed Shariatpur District Hospital, who was terminated for signing the attendance register and then attending patients at a private clinic during office hours. The minister urged other doctors to learn from this example and warned that political affiliation would not be accepted as an excuse for absenteeism.

He further stated that any government doctor found absent during official hours in the future could face license suspension and other disciplinary actions, reinforcing the ministry’s stance on maintaining accountability within the public healthcare system.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has made it mandatory to use data from the ASYCUDA System’s Business Intelligence (BI) server for determining income tax based on actual information about imported goods and advance income tax payments at the import stage. The directive, issued on March 4 under the NBR’s Income Tax Wing, details procedures for tax officials to access and use the BI server. According to an NBR press release on March 5, the system will be used during tax audits, case reopenings, and corrections of faulty tax orders.

The order specifies that tax commissioners and range officers can log in to the BI server from pre-approved IP-bound computers to collect import-related data. Range officers must record the collected information in a designated register and inform relevant circle officers in writing. Initially, only range officers will have access to the BI server, not the assessing officers directly.

NBR stated that the initiative will enhance transparency, prevent tax evasion, expedite tax case resolution, and improve coordination between customs and income tax departments, marking a new phase in inter-departmental data sharing.

Depositors of five merged Shariah-based banks staged a sit-in in front of Bangladesh Bank on Thursday morning, demanding the return of their deposits and cancellation of a profit reduction decision. The demonstration began around 10 a.m. and included slogans and speeches criticizing the central bank’s previous policy. Law enforcement took strict positions around the area to maintain order.

Speakers at the human chain alleged that a former governor of Bangladesh Bank decided to cut profits on deposits from the past two years, offering only a 4 percent government concession instead. They described the move as inhumane and unfair, claiming many depositors have been unable to withdraw their principal or profits for two years, leaving families in severe financial distress.

Protesters demanded full repayment of deposits with profits for 2024 and 2025 and called for normal banking operations at the unified Islamic bank. They warned that if their demands are not met, they will besiege Bangladesh Bank on March 12.

After remaining closed for four years, the Shahjibazar 330-megawatt combined cycle power plant in Habiganj has resumed partial electricity production. The plant had been shut down since a fire on May 29, 2022, damaged its transformers. Due to a funding delay of about 4.5 crore taka, the government reportedly incurred losses of around 20,000 crore taka during the closure. Following approval of a 111.18 crore taka repair proposal in August 2025, Chinese firm Sepco-111 Electric Power Construction began restoration work and partially restarted one unit on February 27.

Currently, one unit with a capacity of 110 megawatts is supplying 40 megawatts to the national grid. Chief engineer Abdul Mannan stated that output could reach 165 megawatts within the month, potentially saving about 8 crore taka daily. The gas-based plant, inaugurated in 2017 after commercial operation began in 2016, had previously produced power at a significantly lower cost than furnace oil-based generation.

Officials expect the partial resumption to improve the national power supply situation after years of reduced capacity.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called for the cancellation of the appointment of Mostakur Rahman as the new governor of Bangladesh Bank. The organization made the demand at a press conference held on Thursday morning at its headquarters in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that the appointment of a businessman and controversial figure to such a key position has already drawn criticism from various quarters. TIB urged the government to revoke the appointment and select a qualified, non-controversial, and competent individual for the role.

During the same event, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman noted that the newly formed government has initiated several new measures but refrained from commenting on them at this stage. When asked about the recent resignation of the outgoing Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman, he said that the ACC’s structure and functions are defined by law and that the ruling party should appoint a neutral person to the chairmanship and other key positions.

Several senior TIB officials, including advisers and directors, were present at the press conference.

Several international flights from Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport were canceled on Thursday morning due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East, which has kept airfields in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Doha closed. Airport sources confirmed the cancellations, citing the continued impact of the regional conflict on flight operations.

In addition to the cancellations, a Salam Air flight (OB-401) arriving from Muscat was diverted to Dhaka earlier in the day because of fog. Once conditions improved, the aircraft departed Dhaka again and landed in Chattogram at 10:55 a.m. The same aircraft was scheduled to leave for Muscat as flight OB-402 at 11:55 a.m.

According to airport officials, since February 28, 2026, a total of 50 international flights have been canceled from Shah Amanat International Airport, including four new cancellations reported this morning. The information was confirmed by Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, an engineer in the airport’s public relations department.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has reduced half of the lighting and lowered the air conditioning level in his office at the Secretariat to encourage energy conservation. The decision was implemented on Thursday morning, as confirmed by his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman. Upon arriving at his office at 9:10 a.m., the Prime Minister turned off 50 percent of the lights and adjusted the air conditioning to 25.1 degrees to reduce electricity consumption.

He also instructed that half of the lights be turned off and the air conditioning level reduced in the Cabinet meeting room. Following his directive, all rooms in his office building immediately adopted the same measures. The Secretariat’s Building No. 1 houses the Prime Minister’s Office and several departments under his supervision.

The Prime Minister urged all ministries, government and private offices, shopping malls, and institutions across the country to use electricity efficiently. He advised people to rely more on natural sunlight during the day by opening curtains and windows instead of using artificial lighting.

The administrator of Cumilla City Corporation (CUSC), Md. Shah Alam, has been accused of frequently being absent from his office during official hours, reportedly spending most weekdays in Dhaka for official purposes. However, inquiries revealed that he was not present at the relevant ministries as claimed. His irregular attendance has allegedly led to delays in administrative decisions and increased difficulties for city residents seeking municipal services.

The issue arises despite Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s directive requiring all government officials to attend office on time. During a week-long inspection, Shah Alam was reportedly not found in his office on any of three working days. City residents and former officials expressed concern that such absenteeism undermines service delivery and public trust. The city’s chief executive officer confirmed the administrator was in Dhaka but could not provide further details.

Local Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury stated he would question Shah Alam about his irregular attendance. Citizens believe regular presence by the administrator could improve efficiency and responsiveness in civic services.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has decided to declare March 18, 2026, as a public holiday in connection with the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. With this decision, government officials and employees will enjoy a total of seven consecutive days off during the festival. The announcement was made on Thursday morning following a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat, according to State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj.

Depending on the sighting of the Arabic month of Shaban, Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on March 21. The government had earlier set March 19 to 23 as general holidays for Eid. Additionally, March 17 is already a holiday for Shab-e-Qadr, and the newly declared March 18 holiday bridges the gap, creating a continuous seven-day break.

The extended holiday period is expected to facilitate nationwide travel and family gatherings during the festival, according to the official announcement.

US-Bangla Airlines has repatriated 27 flight crew members of Biman Bangladesh Airlines who had been stranded in Dubai since February 28 due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The crew had been stuck in the United Arab Emirates for five days following the outbreak of hostilities and were brought back to Bangladesh under special arrangements.

The airline stated that it undertook the operation as part of its corporate responsibility, securing permission from Dubai Airport authorities to operate two special flights for stranded Bangladeshis. The first flight landed safely at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on March 5 with 378 passengers, including the Biman crew. The second flight is scheduled to arrive on March 6 morning. Both flights are being operated using Airbus A330-300 aircraft with 436 seats.

The return of the crew has eased the anxiety of their families, who had been deeply concerned during the uncertain period.