The National Pay Commission is set to propose a new pay scale for government employees, raising the maximum salary to Tk 160,000 and the minimum to Tk 20,000. The commission will submit its final report on the ninth national pay scale to the Chief Adviser on Wednesday afternoon at the State Guest House Jamuna. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., following a preparatory session held earlier in the day at the Secretariat.

According to commission sources, the proposed pay structure includes salary increases ranging from 100 to 147 percent, with proportionally higher raises for lower-grade employees. The commission has recommended partial implementation from January 1, 2026, and full execution from July 1, 2026, marking the start of the 2026–27 fiscal year. Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed noted that not all recommendations may be implemented exactly as proposed but expressed confidence that government employees would be satisfied.

The 21-member commission, led by former finance secretary and PKSF chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, was formed on July 27 of the previous year and tasked with submitting its report within six months.

The National Pay Commission, led by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, has finalized recommendations for a new salary structure for Bangladesh’s government employees. The proposal suggests increasing basic pay by 100 to 147 percent, raising the minimum salary in the 20th grade from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum in the 1st grade from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000. The report is scheduled to be formally submitted to Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to the proposal, the new structure would take effect partially from January 1 and fully from July 1. Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that after submission, several committees will review the report, a process expected to take three to four months. The recommendations also include major revisions to housing and transport allowances, with the Boishakhi allowance proposed to rise from 20 to 50 percent and transport benefits extended up to the 10th grade.

For pensioners, the commission proposed significant increases, including a 100 percent rise for those receiving less than Tk 20,000 per month and smaller increments for higher pension brackets.

Barrister Rumin Farhana, a rebel candidate from the BNP, has been allotted the 'Duck' election symbol to contest the Brahmanbaria–2 (Sarail–Ashuganj) constituency. The district commissioner and returning officer handed her the allocation letter on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. She is running against BNP-supported Jamiat candidate Junaid Al Habib.

After receiving the symbol, Rumin Farhana said she deeply values her voters and supporters, crediting them for her political journey. She mentioned that children in her constituency affectionately call her the 'Duck' candidate, describing the symbol as belonging not only to her but also to her voters. Referring to a past incident of her pet duck being stolen, she warned that any attempt to misuse her election symbol would face legal action.

Rumin Farhana emphasized that she represents the ordinary people of Brahmanbaria–2 and pledged to work for the area’s development according to the wishes of her voters if elected.

Popular Bangladeshi film actor and 'Nirapad Sarak Chai' founder Ilias Kanchan is undergoing cancer treatment in London. According to Liton Ershad, vice chairman of the organization, Kanchan is currently in his second round of chemotherapy, which will continue until May. Afterward, he is expected to receive a vaccine in Germany. If his condition improves, he may return to Bangladesh.

Several of his co-artists have expressed their hopes for his recovery. Actor Misha Sawdagor said they are eagerly waiting for Kanchan to return healthy, praising his kind nature and contributions to Bangladeshi cinema. Actress Champa prayed for his quick recovery and return to his family. Shabnaz described him as a pride of the film industry and a lifelong advocate for road safety. Actress Popy recalled his guidance and kindness, wishing for his battle with illness to end soon.

Ilias Kanchan debuted in the 1977 film 'Boshundhora' and has received multiple National Film Awards and the Ekushey Padak for his social contributions.

A Dhaka court has scheduled February 9 for further hearings on the formation of sedition charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. The case was filed over allegations that participants in a December 19, 2024, online meeting of the 'Joy Bangla Brigade' conspired to overthrow the interim government and engage in anti-state activities. The hearing took place on January 21, 2026, before Dhaka’s Special Judge Court No. 9, presided over by Judge Md. Abdus Salam. Prosecutors argued for framing charges, while defense lawyers for several detained accused sought exemption.

According to the case documents, 259 of the 286 accused are fugitives, while 27, including former MP Sabina Akter Tuhin, are in custody. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed the case on March 27, 2025, after obtaining approval from the Home Ministry, and later submitted a charge sheet on August 14, 2025. The allegations stem from a virtual meeting where participants reportedly pledged to restore Hasina to power through armed conflict.

The upcoming February hearing will determine whether the court proceeds with the formal framing of charges against all accused individuals.

Veteran Bangladeshi actor and dancer Ilias Javed, a popular figure from the golden era of cinema, passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 11 a.m. in a hospital in Uttara, Dhaka. The news was confirmed by Soni Rahman, an executive member of the Artists’ Association. His body will be taken to the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) for a final tribute, where his funeral prayer will be held after Asr. He will then be buried beside the mosque in Uttara Sector 12.

Javed had been battling cancer for a long time and also suffered from heart problems, having survived two previous heart attacks. His death has cast a shadow of grief over the film and cultural community. Born in 1944 in Peshawar, British India, he began his career as a dance director before becoming a leading actor in over 200 films. He debuted as a hero in the Urdu film “Nayi Zindegi” in 1964 and gained fame with “Payel” in 1966. He was best known for his role in the film “Nishan.”

In his personal life, Javed married actress Dolly Chowdhury in 1984.

Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila has completed extensive preparations to welcome BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who is scheduled to address a public rally at Kuttapara playground on Thursday, January 22, 2026. This will be his first rally in the district since becoming party chief, and local BNP leaders expect a large turnout. The event follows his visit to Sylhet, where he will begin the party’s campaign for the 13th national election.

District and upazila BNP units have built a large stage, installed modern sound systems, lighting, and CCTV cameras, and decorated the area with banners and festoons. Senior BNP leaders, including district president Khaled Hossain Mahbub and alliance candidate Maulana Junayed Al Habib, have repeatedly inspected the venue. Law enforcement officials, led by the district police superintendent, are overseeing security arrangements.

Local leaders anticipate that between five and six lakh people may attend the rally. BNP representatives described the event as a historic moment for Brahmanbaria politics and expect it to influence the upcoming national election.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to visit Sylhet tonight, marking his first trip there in two decades. He will depart for Sylhet by air around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday and begin his election campaign on Thursday morning. At 11:30 a.m., he is scheduled to address a public rally at the historic Government Alia Madrasa field in Sylhet city. Later in the day, he will attend a series of election rallies in Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, and Narayanganj before returning to Dhaka at 10 p.m.

Before joining the rallies, Tarique Rahman will visit the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R.) in Sylhet. The BNP is beginning its formal campaign for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from Sylhet, following its long-standing tradition. The city has taken on a festive atmosphere ahead of his arrival, with streets decorated with banners, festoons, and arches.

The visit signifies the official start of BNP’s nationwide election campaign, with Sylhet serving as the symbolic launch point for the party’s political activities.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is facing a major internal challenge as more than fifty rebel candidates continue to contest despite being expelled. According to the Election Commission’s schedule, Tuesday was the last day to withdraw nominations, but these expelled leaders did not withdraw. Party insiders fear the situation could significantly affect BNP’s unity and vote distribution across several constituencies.

Many long-time BNP leaders reportedly became frustrated after being denied party nominations. Some have chosen to run as independents, while others openly opposed party decisions. Most of these rebel candidates are locally popular figures, raising concerns about vote splits in key districts. The party expelled several leaders, including Saiful Alam (Dhaka-12), Rumin Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2), Hasan Mamun (Patuakhali-3), Saiful Islam Firoz (Jhenaidah-4), and others, for violating party discipline.

BNP had earlier left several constituencies for allied parties under a joint movement strategy, but expelled leaders refused to step aside. Observers believe this internal discord could complicate BNP’s electoral prospects in multiple regions.

Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member Mobarak Hossain stated that the party seeks a peaceful election and will not tolerate any attempts at disorder. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning at a post-protest rally held on 60 Feet Road in the Barak Molla area of Mirpur, Dhaka. The rally followed a protest march organized in response to alleged attacks on Jamaat-Shibir activists and harassment of female party workers in the Jamaat Amir’s electoral area.

Hossain emphasized that the people of the country want to see Jamaat in power and that the party is fully prepared to face both the upcoming election and any acts of violence. He described Pirerbag as a stronghold of Jamaat-Shibir and warned that no terrorism would be tolerated there, promising a counter-response to any future attacks.

According to the report, Jamaat Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Ibn Sina Hospital in Kallyanpur to see party activists injured in the Mirpur attack.

In Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail–Ashuganj) constituency, Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate Maulana Mobarak Hossain has withdrawn his nomination to support the National Citizen Party (NCP)-backed candidate. He made the announcement on Tuesday, expressing loyalty to the ten-party alliance’s collective decision ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election.

Alliance leaders described Brahmanbaria-2 as one of the constituencies with high potential for political change. The alliance’s nominated candidate and NCP central joint convener, Maulana Ashraf Uddin Mahdi, said he was inspired by his grandfather Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini, who had previously been elected from this area in alliance with Begum Khaleda Zia. Mahdi stated that he aims to complete his grandfather’s unfinished work and called for politics free from violence, muscle power, and black money.

According to Mahdi, residents of Sarail and Ashuganj have responded positively to Mobarak Hossain’s decision to withdraw his nomination in favor of the alliance candidate.

Jamalpur University of Science and Technology (Jabiprabi) has decided to hold a referendum to rename its only male student dormitory. The decision was made on Tuesday, January 20, during a meeting between students and the university administration, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Rokonuzzaman and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Mosharaf Hossain. The vote will take place on Thursday, January 22, with results to be announced the same night.

According to university sources, the dormitory was originally named after Mirza Azam, a former ruling party member of parliament. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024, after a mass uprising in July, students demanded the removal of names associated with the former regime. Disagreement arose among students over the new name, with some proposing “Bijoy ’24” to commemorate the uprising, while others suggested naming it after the local saint Hazrat Shah Jamal (R.).

Hall Provost Dr. Muhammad Farhad Ali stated that the election committee and voter list will be announced on Wednesday, and the name receiving the highest votes will be officially adopted.

Jagannath University (JNU) unit of Chhatra Dal has condemned remarks made by Ibrahim Khalil, the organizational secretary of the university’s Shibir unit, describing them as fascist and an attempt to destabilize the campus. In a press release issued on the night of January 20, signed by office secretary Mozammel Mamun Deni, the organization alleged that Khalil called for blocking rail, road, and waterways on January 22 to obstruct a rally of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman in Sylhet.

The statement said such provocative and irresponsible comments reflect undemocratic behavior and mirror the repressive political culture of the past. It accused Shibir of trying to destroy the university’s stable environment and warned that such actions threaten students’ education and coexistence. The Chhatra Dal rejected the remarks with contempt and labeled them as contrary to democratic and free-expression values.

The organization demanded immediate withdrawal of the statement and an unconditional apology from Shibir. It also urged the university administration and authorities to take necessary measures to protect a healthy and democratic campus environment, warning that they would bear full responsibility for any resulting unrest.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Dhaka College unit has relieved fifteen of its leaders from their organizational posts due to negligence in duties. According to a press release issued on Tuesday, January 20, and signed by JCD spokesperson Md. Jahangir Alam, the decision was approved by the unit’s president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.

Those removed include joint conveners Yamin Rahman and Hannan Mia, along with thirteen members: Bulbul Ahmed, Hasib Chowdhury, Ratikul Islam, Ariful Babu, Shawon Khondaker, Sajjid Hossain, Rashikul Islam Sahil, Manjurul Islam Sujon, Sajib Mia, Mohammad Riad Ahmed, Masud Rana Onik, Tanoy Sharif, and Ashraful Islam Ashru. The announcement emphasized that the action was taken specifically for organizational negligence.

The press release did not mention any replacement appointments or further disciplinary measures, leaving the future structure of the Dhaka College JCD unit unclear.

A bus conductor named Md. Ilias Hossain, aged 25, was killed after being crushed between two buses in Dhaka’s Gulistan area on Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. near Khaddar Market traffic signal when Ilias, who worked for Victoria Paribahan, stepped off his bus while it was stopped. As the signal turned green, an Azmiri Paribahan bus moved forward alongside, trapping him between the two vehicles and causing severe injuries.

He was rescued and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died at 12:20 a.m. while undergoing treatment. Inspector Md. Faruk of the hospital police outpost confirmed the incident, stating that the body was kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy and the concerned police station had been informed.

Ilias Hossain was from Charbishwas village in Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali district and lived in the Gazipura area. He is survived by his wife Hafiza Khatun and a daughter.