Opposition Chief Whip and NCP convener Nahid Islam announced that he will raise questions in the national parliament regarding alleged politicization across six city corporations and various government offices. Speaking as the chief guest at the party’s divisional iftar gathering in Sylhet on March 4, he said the issue would be addressed firmly from a position of parliamentary accountability. He also urged party members to prepare for the upcoming local government elections, emphasizing the need for full organizational strength.

At the same event, NCP’s chief organizer Nasiruddin Patowary vowed not to compromise on justice for the murder of Hadi and called for an end to extortion, terrorism, and corruption. He also criticized partisan appointments in the administration and highlighted the poor condition of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway. Northern organizer Sarjis Alam stated that the party accepted the election results but warned against any manipulation in future local polls, threatening strong resistance if such attempts occur.

Central leaders added that if demands for implementing the “July Charter” ordinance and impeaching the president are not met, the party will take to the streets.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has returned to his residence in Gulshan after receiving medical care under close observation for four days. His personal assistant, Shahiduzzaman, confirmed on Wednesday that the minister was discharged from the hospital at noon and advised by doctors to take complete rest.

According to the assistant, the minister continues to handle urgent ministry files and official duties from home. During his hospital stay, he also managed essential administrative work from his hospital room. Amir Khosru had been admitted to United Hospital in Gulshan on March 1 after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Doctors have recommended that he remain on full rest while continuing limited official responsibilities from home as part of his recovery process.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Zahid Uddin Swapon, stated that journalists themselves should determine the boundaries of accountability necessary to ensure maximum media freedom. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event organized by the Chittagong Press Club at Chittagong Club on Wednesday evening, he emphasized that the government should not unilaterally set these limits, as doing so would mirror past administrations. He assured that the ministry is prepared to protect media independence from interference by intelligence agencies, state authorities, or external actors.

The minister added that the government currently lacks a clear policy for distributing advertisements or grants to media outlets, which has led to unregulated growth of publications. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing with journalist associations to create a joint roadmap for institutionalizing media freedom. Swapon also said the government would consider implementing the wage board in the future, treating compliant and non-compliant outlets differently.

At the same event, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists’ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury urged that journalists must remain independent and act as watchdogs to restore public trust.

City Bank PLC, one of Bangladesh’s leading sustainable banks, has signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), becoming a member of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). The announcement was made on March 4, 2026. Through this move, City Bank aims to align its operations with global standards for sustainable finance and responsible banking practices.

The PRB, developed by UNEP FI in collaboration with banks worldwide, provides a global framework for aligning banking strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Established in 1992, UNEP FI connects financial institutions with the United Nations to advance sustainable finance, currently working with over 550 banks and insurers globally.

As a PRB signatory, City Bank will integrate responsible banking principles into its business strategy, risk management, and decision-making processes. The bank will assess and disclose its environmental and social impacts, set measurable targets in key areas, and enhance transparency and accountability in line with international practices.

More than 4 million taxpayers have submitted online income tax returns for the 2025–26 fiscal year in Bangladesh, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Of them, 2.2 million, or about 55 percent, filed zero returns, declaring income below the taxable threshold. Among these, 1.44 million are male and 765,197 are female taxpayers. The NBR noted that while income up to 350,000 taka is tax-free for general taxpayers, the limit is higher for women, senior citizens, third gender individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Despite being below the taxable limit, many taxpayers are required to file returns to access 24 types of services. The NBR warned that some individuals intentionally underreport income to file zero returns and may face legal action. Historically, up to 70 percent of returns were zero, indicating a decline this year. The NBR also provided detailed breakdowns of income ranges and surcharge payments.

Online e-filing has been made mandatory this fiscal year, except for elderly, disabled, expatriate, and certain other taxpayers. The filing deadline, extended for the fourth time, is now set for March 31, 2026.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance across the country’s borders to prevent fuel smuggling, citing the ongoing global energy situation. In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, BGB said maximum precautionary measures have been implemented at various border points to stop illegal cross-border movement of petroleum products.

According to BGB headquarters, heightened alert has been declared in all frontier areas considering the current volatility in the international energy market. The force warned that any attempt to smuggle diesel, petrol, or other petroleum products across the border will be dealt with strictly under the law. Intelligence monitoring and regular patrols have also been reinforced to ensure tighter control over border activities.

The measures reflect Bangladesh’s effort to safeguard its energy resources and maintain stability in fuel supply amid global market uncertainty.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam has warned that contractors charging more than Tk 100 for household waste collection will face action. He made the statement while addressing a special cleanliness and mosquito control program at Shahidnagar cremation ground in Lalbagh, organized under DSCC’s month-long campaign. Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman Hamid attended as a special guest.

The program, held in Ward 24, involved around 200 DSCC workers from the waste management and health departments. They cleaned canals, drains, and footpaths and applied mosquito repellents. A public awareness rally was also held with local residents’ participation. Abdus Salam urged citizens to report any overcharging, promising contract cancellation if complaints are proven.

He also announced that burial and cremation registration fees at DSCC cemeteries and cremation grounds have been reduced from Tk 1,000 to Tk 500, following the Prime Minister’s directive. The administrator called on all political activists and residents to support efforts to make Dhaka cleaner and more livable under the “Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka” initiative.

Bangladesh Bank has postponed a scheduled meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) that was set for Wednesday at noon to discuss a possible reduction in the policy interest rate. The meeting was called by the new governor, Mostakur Rahman, who recently took office and had planned to lower the policy rate by 50 basis points in the first phase. The proposed cut was expected to bring down lending rates across the banking sector.

The seven-member MPC is chaired by Governor Rahman and includes Deputy Governor Md. Habibur Rahman, Chief Economist Md. Akhtar Hossain, BIDS Director General A.K. Enamul Haque, Dhaka University Economics Department Chair Ferdousi Nahar, and Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Mahmud Salahuddin Naser. The only board-nominated member, Sadiq Ahmed, has reportedly resigned from the committee.

The previous governor, Ahsan H. Mansur, announced the last monetary policy last month, keeping the policy rate unchanged at 10 percent, a level maintained since October 2024. Inflation, which peaked at 11.38 percent in November, eased to 8.58 percent by January.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher has warned that no leniency will be shown to those responsible for causing public suffering. Speaking at a meeting with officials of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Dhaka on Wednesday, he emphasized that the ministry would support honest and dedicated employees. He directed that no file should be unnecessarily delayed and that all tasks must be completed within the designated timeframe to prevent citizens from repeated visits to offices.

The minister acknowledged that RAJUK faces widespread public complaints, including bureaucratic delays, harassment, irregularities, and unnecessary complexities. He said these issues have damaged the organization’s image and must be addressed immediately. His remarks underscored the government’s focus on improving efficiency and accountability within public service institutions.

The directive signals a renewed push for administrative reform within RAJUK, aiming to restore public trust and ensure smoother service delivery to citizens.

US-Bangla Airlines has announced a special flight operation on the Dhaka–Chattogram–Abu Dhabi–Dhaka route to bring back Bangladeshi nationals stranded in the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing Middle East situation. The first flight is scheduled to depart from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, via Chattogram, and from Chattogram at 8:20 p.m. The return flight from Abu Dhabi will depart at 1:00 a.m. local time on March 5. The operation will use a 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft under flight numbers BS-349 and BS-350.

The Abu Dhabi Airport Authority has permitted US-Bangla Airlines, Etihad, and several other carriers to operate such special flights considering the current circumstances. Separately, US-Bangla has also arranged a special Dubai–Dhaka flight (BS-342) on March 4 to repatriate 28 Biman Bangladesh Airlines crew members stranded in the UAE since February 28 due to the conflict situation.

Priority will be given to Bangladeshi passengers whose visas have expired or are about to expire. Travelers are advised to contact US-Bangla sales centers or travel agencies in Bangladesh and the UAE for ticketing information.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized yaba tablets worth approximately Tk 7.5 crore in two separate operations in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, and arrested one drug trafficker. The operations were conducted early Wednesday, March 4, 2026, based on secret information. Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the Coast Guard’s media officer, confirmed the seizures and arrest.

According to the Coast Guard, the first operation took place around 4 a.m. near Zero Point Sea Beach Ghat, where 140,000 yaba tablets worth about Tk 7 crore were recovered in an abandoned state. No suspects were detained as the traffickers fled the scene. In the second operation, conducted around 5 a.m. near the Marine Drive area, officials searched a suspicious easybike and found 10,000 yaba tablets worth Tk 50 lakh, arresting one trafficker identified as Shahid Hossain, 40, from Teknaf Sadar Union.

Authorities stated that legal procedures are underway regarding the seized drugs, vehicle, and the detained suspect. The Coast Guard affirmed that similar anti-narcotics operations will continue in the future.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has released constituency-wise results of the 13th parliamentary election, twenty days after voting took place. The results were published on Wednesday on the EC’s official website. According to an EC official, the election was held on February 12 across 42,651 polling centers in 299 of the 300 constituencies. The gazette of elected members was issued on February 13, and the detailed results for 297 constituencies have now been made public.

Officials stated that results for Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4 remain suspended due to pending court orders related to loan default allegations. The election in Sherpur-3 was canceled following the death of a candidate, and voting in its 128 centers will be held on April 9. A by-election for Bogura-6, vacated by Tarique Rahman, is also scheduled for the same day.

According to the EC’s final tally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 of the 297 declared seats, returning to power after two decades.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has formed a 10-member taskforce to strengthen VAT collection and prevent tax evasion during the final four months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, from March to June. The taskforce will prepare and implement a time-bound short-term action plan aimed at achieving revenue targets. The order to form the taskforce was issued by NBR’s VAT Implementation and IT Wing on Wednesday.

According to the directive, the taskforce will focus on enhancing revenue mobilization through comprehensive monitoring, preparing specific and time-bound plans for the next 180 days, and aligning its actions with the government’s sustainable development goals. It will also work on expanding the tax net, converting loss-making sectors into profitable ones, ensuring recovery of outstanding dues, and expediting the resolution of pending cases and audits. The taskforce is led by Md. Shamsul Islam, Commissioner of Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (North), with Ruhul Amin as member secretary.

NBR is also forming separate taskforces for income tax and customs divisions to improve overall revenue performance. The move follows a shortfall of 600 billion taka in revenue collection during the first seven months of the fiscal year.

Bangladesh has sought assistance from the United States to address its ongoing energy crisis, according to Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon after a meeting at the Secretariat in Dhaka with Paul Kapur, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, who is currently visiting Bangladesh.

The minister said that Paul Kapur would discuss the matter with senior US officials before conveying Washington’s decision to Bangladesh. He added that the government plans to manage the situation using existing fuel reserves until normal supply resumes. Emphasizing conservation, he urged citizens to use available resources efficiently and noted that the ministry would soon issue a detailed directive to guide the public during the crisis.

The meeting reflects Bangladesh’s efforts to secure international cooperation amid supply constraints, with the government focusing on prudent resource management until external support or supply stabilization occurs.

A Dhaka court has issued an order prohibiting Mohammad Abu Noman, business partner of former finance minister A H M Mustafa Kamal and his daughter Nafisa Kamal, from leaving Bangladesh. The order was given on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision following a petition from Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Director Abul Hasnat seeking a travel ban.

According to the ACC petition, Kamal, his wife Kashmiri Kamal, and their daughters Kashfi Kamal and Nafisa Kamal allegedly earned money through irregularities including labor export syndicates to Malaysia and share manipulation, and laundered the funds abroad. The ACC is investigating allegations that Noman, a permanent resident of Canada and Dubai, laundered money and owned several medical checkup centers that may be subject to closure and state confiscation.

Investigators reported that Noman frequently travels abroad and may hold multiple citizenships. The ACC argued that he might flee the country, potentially obstructing the ongoing investigation, prompting the court to impose the travel restriction.