A special operation by the Bangladesh Army in Babuganj, Barishal, led to the arrest of notorious criminal and drug dealer Shahid Pyada, aged 49, along with eight of his associates early Wednesday, February 4. The raid took place in the Bir Sreshtho Jahangirnagar Union area, where the army recovered yaba tablets, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a large quantity of illegal cigarettes, and locally made weapons. Shahid Pyada was detained from his residence, while his associates were captured from his fish enclosure area.

The detainees, including Shahid Pyada, Shamim Sheikh, Shamim Mridha, Sirajul Islam, Shawon Sheikh, Faruk Sheikh, Washim Bepari, Mamun Khan, and Sultan, were handed over to Babuganj Police Station for legal action. The operation was conducted by a special team from the 62 East Bengal Regiment under the 6 Infantry Brigade of the 7 Infantry Division.

The arrests mark a significant step in the army’s ongoing efforts to curb organized crime and drug trafficking in the Barishal region, according to the report.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has pledged to ensure a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the Rohingya crisis with international cooperation if it comes to power. The announcement was made on Wednesday at a hotel in Banani, Dhaka, during the party’s election manifesto unveiling event. The party said it would work to guarantee the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees.

The manifesto outlines Jamaat’s foreign policy priorities, including enhancing the global standing of Bangladesh and its passport. It emphasizes maintaining friendly relations with neighboring countries such as India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Thailand based on mutual respect and fairness. The party also plans to strengthen ties with the Muslim world and build constructive relations with developed nations including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and Canada.

Jamaat further stated that Bangladesh would expand relations with Eastern Europe, Africa, and South America, and increase active participation in the United Nations, SAARC, and ASEAN. The manifesto also commits to continuing Bangladesh’s role in UN peacekeeping and supporting transparent migration management.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a 10-point plan aimed at eradicating unemployment if the party assumes power. The plan, published on February 4, 2026, focuses on creating employment for nearly 70 million able youth both domestically and abroad. It includes initiatives such as forming district-based human skill development zones under a ‘Dokkho’ project, diversifying the economy, and establishing a national workforce database to match skills with job opportunities.

The proposal also emphasizes supporting new entrepreneurs through seed capital funds and innovation incubators, promoting agricultural product processing industries, and training freelancers for outsourcing work. Additionally, it pledges to explore new overseas job markets, provide low-cost migration opportunities, and ensure safe working environments for women. Other measures include abolishing government job application fees, expediting recruitment processes, and revising minimum wages in consultation with business leaders.

According to the plan, these steps are intended to reduce the country’s double-digit unemployment rate to single digits and ensure dignified, secure employment for every capable citizen.

Police in Lakshmipur have filed a case and arrested businessman Sohel Rana after seizing six illegally prepared ballot seals from his printing shop, Mariam Printers, located on Old Court Road. Acting on a tip-off, officers also confiscated a computer and a mobile phone during the raid. Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Hossain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi confirmed the arrest on Wednesday and said Sohel’s statement would be recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The name of the second accused will be disclosed later for investigative reasons.

The incident sparked political tension as the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami held separate press conferences on Tuesday night, each blaming the other. BNP Joint Secretary General and Lakshmipur-3 candidate Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie alleged that Sohel was affiliated with Jamaat and that the group was involved in the seal incident. In response, Jamaat’s Lakshmipur-3 candidate and Dhaka North Secretary Rezaul Karim denied any link, asserting that Sohel was not connected to their party.

Police sources said Sohel claimed he made the seals on order but the client never collected them, adding that he had communicated with the client via WhatsApp voice messages.

The Women’s Wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in Natore organized a large election procession on Wednesday morning in support of the scale symbol in the Natore-2 (Sadar-Naldanga) constituency. The rally began at 10:30 a.m. from Madrasa Mor roundabout in Natore town, paraded through Kanai Khali, Nichabazar, and Alai Pur areas, and concluded with a brief gathering back at Madrasa Mor.

At the post-procession assembly, Rajshahi regional assistant director Mostajia Banu, district assistant secretary Shahnaz Shely, and district assistant secretary Zobaida Kakon Lipi addressed the participants. They stated that only Islam can ensure true dignity and respect for women and alleged that some groups are misleading women through misinterpretations. The speakers said women are now more aware, and the large turnout proved their consciousness.

They further emphasized that women have always played a role in upholding truth and justice in Islamic history and will continue to do so. The speakers urged women to support the scale symbol to help establish a welfare-oriented Islamic state.

At a discussion marking World Cancer Day on Wednesday at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in Dhaka, speakers revealed that around 167,000 people in Bangladesh are newly diagnosed with cancer each year, while approximately 116,500 die from the disease. Despite the high number of patients, the country has only about 30 cancer treatment centers, many of which lack full treatment facilities. Participants emphasized the urgent need for widespread awareness on cancer prevention and early detection.

The event, chaired by Dr. Md. Habibullah Talukder Raskin, founder of the Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum, highlighted the absence of a national cancer control strategy, action plan, and program in Bangladesh. Speakers called for expanding cancer treatment to divisional and district-level medical colleges and extending cancer screening services to upazila levels. The theme for this year’s observance, set by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for 2025–2027, is “United by Unique.”

Ten journalists were honored for their contributions to cancer awareness, with several pledging continued work under Dr. Raskin’s leadership to promote public understanding and prevention efforts.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami formally announced its new election manifesto on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at a hotel in Dhaka. The manifesto introduces a distinctive structure titled 'Five Yes' and 'Five No' to present the party’s political stance in a clear and unambiguous manner. The format aims to highlight the issues the party supports and those it firmly opposes.

According to the manifesto, the 'Yes' section emphasizes honesty, unity, justice, efficiency, and employment as key priorities. In contrast, the 'No' section underscores the party’s opposition to corruption, fascism, domination, unemployment, and extortion. The stage design and visual presentation at the event were also arranged to reflect this dual theme, reinforcing the symbolic and visual representation of the party’s core message.

Organizers believe this presentation style will make Jamaat-e-Islami’s political message more visible and distinctive, aligning the party’s communication strategy with its stated principles.

Bangladesh will observe National Library Day 2026 across the country on February 5 under the theme “Knowledge is Freedom, Foundation of the Future.” The day aims to highlight the importance of public and private libraries, encourage reading habits, and strengthen the role of libraries in building an enlightened society. The Directorate of Public Libraries will organize the main inauguration ceremony at the Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbag, Dhaka, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a special discussion on “Libraries and Knowledge Practice: Context of the 21st Century.”

The event will feature Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki as chief guest, with senior officials from the National Museum, Bangla Academy, and the Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute attending as special guests. Professor Dr. Kazi Mostak Gausul Haque of Dhaka University will serve as the keynote speaker, and the session will be chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Distinguished library professionals and officials will also participate.

In addition to the national program, district public libraries, universities, and cultural institutions across Bangladesh will host various activities to mark the day, coordinated by local administrations and library associations.

An 'Azadi March' was held in Sherpur, Bogura, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to promote the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum and support the scale symbol ahead of the 12th National Parliamentary Election. The event saw significant participation from local leaders and activists.

District Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary Maulana Mansurur Rahman, Upazila NCP Convener Abdul Alim, Upazila Jamaat Secretary Abdullah Al Mostafidh Nasim, NCP Joint Convener Rashed Sadat, Jamaat Publicity Secretary Iftekhar Alam, Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Rakibul Islam Robin, and several student and political leaders attended the march. Participants carried placards featuring the scale symbol and 'Yes' slogans as they moved through key roads and highways from Hamsayapur to Sheruabatatla, Mirzapur, and Dhunatmor.

Speakers at the event emphasized the need for unity to ensure people’s voting rights and a free, fair, and acceptable election. The march created a festive atmosphere in the area and drew notable public attention.

Bangladesh faces uncertainty over midfielder Dewan Hamza Chowdhury’s participation in the Asian Cup qualifying match against Singapore on March 31. The Leicester City player, who represents Bangladesh internationally, suffered a knee injury during an English Championship match against Charlton Athletic last Saturday and had to leave the field on crutches. The injury has raised concerns among Bangladeshi supporters about his availability for the crucial fixture.

Leicester City coach Andy King confirmed that Hamza sustained a serious knee injury and may need six to eight weeks of rehabilitation. He noted that Hamza was seen wearing a knee brace after the match, suggesting a slow recovery. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is maintaining regular contact with Hamza. National team manager Amer Khan said they are closely monitoring his condition but cannot yet confirm whether he will be fit to play.

Hamza has been a key figure for Bangladesh since joining the national team in March last year, leading them to notable success, including a victory over India in November.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced its 41-point election manifesto ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The manifesto, which prioritizes 26 key areas, was presented by the party’s Ameer, Shafiqur Rahman, on Wednesday evening at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka.

The announcement marks the party’s formal entry into the upcoming national election campaign. The manifesto outlines the party’s policy priorities and commitments across multiple sectors, though specific details were not disclosed in the source text. The event was organized as part of Jamaat’s broader effort to communicate its political agenda to voters.

The declaration signals Jamaat’s intent to participate actively in the electoral process, positioning itself among other political parties preparing for the 13th parliamentary polls.

Colonel Oli Ahmed, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former army officer, has responded to the social media debate surrounding comments made by Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh’s Ameer, Shafiqur Rahman. Speaking on Tuesday afternoon in Rangunia after an 11-party alliance rally, Oli said the Jamaat leader did not claim he was the declarer of independence but only stated that Oli was the first to revolt, which he accepted as accurate.

The controversy began after Shafiqur Rahman’s February 2 speech at a rally in Chittagong port, where he said the declaration of independence came from Chittagong and that Colonel Oli Ahmed was the first to revolt. However, video verification showed that Rahman did not identify Oli as the declarer of independence. Earlier that day, Oli had said at a Lohagara rally that he declared rebellion from Chittagong.

Addressing the issue in Rangunia, Oli Ahmed said the Jamaat chief’s statement was correct and not disrespectful. He criticized those spreading misinformation online, saying they were acting improperly.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami announced its election manifesto on February 4, 2026, at the Sheraton Hotel in Banani ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Party Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman presented the manifesto, which outlines 26 priority areas and 41 pledges divided into eight sections for the next five years of governance. Diplomats, political leaders, senior journalists, and business figures attended the event.

The manifesto emphasizes building a safe, humane, and just Bangladesh under the slogan “Uncompromising Bangladesh in National Interest.” It includes commitments to ensure good governance, women’s safety, youth empowerment, corruption-free administration, and a technology-driven smart society. Other priorities include strengthening democracy through proportional representation, reforming the economy and banking sector, expanding employment, and guaranteeing universal healthcare and education.

Jamaat-e-Islami described the document as a realistic and research-based roadmap for national reconstruction, focusing on achievable short-term goals and long-term institutional reforms to establish a prosperous welfare state grounded in transparency and justice.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, said that collective problems can be solved through proper planning. She made the remarks on Wednesday at a discussion meeting with professionals in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel, organized ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, where she attended as the chief guest.

In her speech, Zubaida Rahman emphasized that politics should be based on well-structured planning and collective responsibility. She stated that their political philosophy prioritizes the nation and the people before power, calling for equality, respect for labor, merit-based employment, and justice for all. She also highlighted the need to build a society where citizens come before leaders.

She urged everyone to work together for a knowledge-based and equality-driven state that values labor and fairness. Zubaida Rahman assured that her team would continue listening to people’s concerns to create a just and inclusive Bangladesh.

Masud Saeedi, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Pirojpur-1 constituency, alleged that opposition groups were intimidating both Jamaat and Hindu voters to prevent them from going to polling centers on February 12. He made the claim on Wednesday at a press conference held at a local restaurant in Pirojpur, organized to mark the visit of Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. Saeedi said that while he personally had not been threatened, voters were warned that their legs would be broken if they went to vote and that they would face consequences afterward.

During the same event, Saeedi also criticized a recent student rally in Pirojpur that allegedly chanted offensive slogans against him following the hacking of the Jamaat Ameer’s X account, calling it a breach of political decorum. Pirojpur district Jamaat Ameer Tafazzal Hossain Farid read a written statement announcing preparations for a large public rally on Friday at the local government boys’ school ground, where Dr. Rahman is expected to deliver guidance for the upcoming election.

The press conference was attended by local Jamaat and allied political leaders, including representatives from JAGPA and NCP.