The Ministry of Finance has approved the Education Ministry’s plan to increase house rent allowance for teachers and staff listed under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) by 15 percent in two phases. From November 1, 2025, employees will receive 7.5 percent of their basic salary (minimum BDT 2,000), followed by an additional 7.5 percent from July 1, 2026. The approval comes with six conditions, including adjusting benefits in future pay scales, strict adherence to MPO rules for private schools, colleges, madrasas, and vocational institutions, ensuring no arrears, compliance with financial regulations, accountability for any future irregularities, and issuance of a Government Order to be recorded in the Finance Division. This marks a significant move to enhance the welfare of private educational staff while aligning with budget limitations.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized that the interim government must function as a true caretaker administration to ensure a free, fair, and meaningful national election. Speaking to journalists after a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna on Tuesday evening, he said that it is vital to convince the public that the administration will remain neutral before the election. Fakhrul demanded the removal of those in the bureaucracy who are identified as loyalists of the previous authoritarian regime, stressing that impartiality in government institutions is essential for credible polls. He urged the chief adviser to exclude politically affiliated individuals from government positions and ensure neutrality in police recruitment and promotions. The BNP delegation included senior leaders Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed.

Following a major fire at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Dhaka Custom House has issued a directive requiring all imported goods to be cleared within 24 to 48 hours. A delegation led by Faisal Samad, Director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), met with the Customs Commissioner on October 20 to discuss the crisis. An emergency meeting was also held with the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority and other stakeholders to coordinate the response. Importers and their agents have been urged to have all necessary documentation ready before goods arrive and, if possible, to receive deliveries on the same day. To assist with smooth clearance, focal officers from Dhaka Customs and Biman Bangladesh Airlines have been designated. BGMEA has requested its member organizations to actively participate and provide timely documents to ensure expedited handling of goods.

A massive fire broke out at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s import cargo village, with preliminary investigations indicating it may have started in the import courier section. Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique, chairman of the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, informed reporters at a press conference at the Kurmitola headquarters on Tuesday morning. A high-level investigation committee has been formed to determine the fire’s origin, assess the extent of damages, and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents. The Fire Service, police, and airport authorities are coordinating with the team. The fire erupted on October 18 around 2:15 PM and was brought under control after seven hours, with 37 Fire Service units deployed. Early estimates suggest hundreds of crores of taka worth of imported goods were destroyed. Multiple agencies are conducting separate investigations.

The final signature on the file concerning amendments to the 44th BCS repeat cadre rules has reportedly been delayed in the office of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, sparking criticism and public concern. Retired Additional Secretary Md. Mahbub Kabir Milon first highlighted the issue on social media. The post was later shared by Sargis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party in northern Bangladesh, who urged the Chief Adviser to release the file immediately. Alam expressed frustration that while the file has remained pending for a long time, the Chief Adviser has traveled abroad twice, yet the file has not moved. The amendments aim to allow candidates next in merit to be recommended instead of those already appointed in repeat cadre positions. The delay has caused uncertainty and anxiety among candidates whose future careers depend on timely decisions.

The Officers and Staff Welfare Association of the Finance Division has proposed a new salary structure called “Total Salary” or “Remuneration” to the National Pay Commission. Under this system, all existing financial and non-financial allowances, including housing, tiffin, and transport, would be merged into a single consolidated salary. The association suggested a minimum salary of BDT 25,000 and a maximum of BDT 150,000 under a 1:6 ratio, replacing the current 1:10 scale. The proposal also includes periodic grade promotions every four years, new allowances for secretariat staff, and reinstatement of select benefits such as health insurance and New Year allowance. Officials highlighted the insufficiency of current allowances for daily needs, emphasizing fair compensation and a unified pay system. The plan aligns with practices in many developed and developing countries.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has begun hearing four separate review petitions challenging the 2011 verdict that declared Bangladesh’s caretaker government system unconstitutional. The full seven-member bench, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, started proceedings on Tuesday morning. Petitioners include prominent citizens such as Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, along with leaders from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. The caretaker system, introduced through the 13th Amendment in 1996, was annulled by the 15th Amendment in 2011. Following the fall of the long-ruling Awami League government in August 2024, calls have resurfaced to restore the system to ensure neutral elections. During the hearing, the Chief Justice noted that the court seeks a sustainable solution for an election-time government, not a temporary fix, and questioned when any reinstated system might take effect.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 is holding the 14th day of witness hearings in the crimes against humanity case over the brutal killing of seven people, including the burning of six bodies, during the July–August movement in Ashulia. Former MP Saiful Islam and 15 others stand accused. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, is expected to hear two more witnesses today. So far, 18 witnesses have testified, including law enforcement officers and relatives of victims. The case details the horrific events of August 5 last year, when police allegedly shot six young men dead, placed their bodies in a van, and set them on fire—burning one victim alive. Eight of the accused, including senior police officers, are in custody, while Saiful Islam and seven others remain fugitives. The tribunal accepted formal charges in August, with evidence spanning hundreds of pages and multiple digital records.

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to increase the housing allowance for MPO-listed teachers and employees of private educational institutions by 15 percent in two phases, leading to the withdrawal of their ongoing protest. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, teachers will receive a 7.5 percent housing allowance (minimum Tk 2,000) starting from November 1, 2025, and an additional 7.5 percent from July 1, 2026. The Finance Ministry has already approved the proposal considering budgetary constraints. Following the announcement, the leaders of the Nationalization-Seeking Alliance of MPO Teachers declared the suspension of their movement and announced that classes would resume from Wednesday. The Education Ministry described the development as a “historic moment” and a joint victory for dialogue and mutual respect, urging teachers to return to classrooms and focus on improving the quality of education across the country.

Education Adviser Professor C R Abrar has described the day of approving a 15% house rent allowance for MPO-listed teachers and staff of private educational institutions as “historic” and expressed that he feels “fortunate” to be part of it. Following the Ministry of Finance’s approval on Tuesday (October 21), he issued a statement highlighting the government’s commitment to improving teachers’ living standards. Under the new arrangement, teachers will receive a 7.5% house rent allowance (minimum Tk 2,000) from November 1, 2025, with the rate increasing to 15% from July 2026. Abrar emphasized that achieving this decision was not easy, involving differences of opinion and debates, but it reflects collective success through dialogue and respect. He urged teachers to return to classrooms with renewed dedication, viewing this agreement as a foundation for mutual respect and quality education in Bangladesh.

Nearly three decades after the mysterious death of Bangladeshi film icon Salman Shah, a Dhaka court has ordered the filing of a murder case, naming 11 individuals including his former wife, Samira Haque. The case was lodged late Monday night (October 21) at Ramna Police Station, confirmed Assistant Commissioner Md. Mazharul Islam of the Ramna Zone. Among the accused are businessman Aziz Mohammad Bhai, Latifa Haque Lucy, and film actor Don, alongside several unidentified suspects. The order came following a revision petition by Salman Shah’s mother, Nila Chowdhury, who has long rejected previous investigations labeling the incident as suicide. Salman Shah was found hanging in his Eskaton residence on September 6, 1996. For 29 years, the case remained categorized as an unnatural death, until this recent legal development reopened the investigation into what many consider one of Bangladesh’s most debated celebrity deaths.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested six leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations for taking part in a sudden procession in the capital. The arrests were confirmed by DMP Deputy Director (Media) Mohammad Talebur Rahman on Tuesday, October 21. According to police sources, the group organized a flash procession violating the ongoing restrictions on political activities imposed on the Awami League and its associate bodies. Law enforcement officials intervened promptly and detained the participants from different areas of the city. Authorities stated that legal actions against the detainees are currently underway. The police have reiterated that any attempt to organize or join unauthorized political gatherings will be dealt with strictly under existing laws.

A devastating fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has raised serious concerns across Bangladesh, with many refusing to believe it was a mere accident. The blaze, which raged for 27 hours and required 37 fire service units to control, caused massive damage—estimated at Tk 12,000 crore. An intelligence report sent to top government officials suggests severe lapses in airport security and coordination after the suspension of the Airport Armed Police Battalion’s activities last August. The report alleges that inactive security personnel and delayed response worsened the disaster, and even claims that a police unit was denied permission to assist. The interim government has vowed firm action if sabotage is proven. Multiple investigation committees, including one led by the Fire Service, are probing the incident. The fire has disrupted international flights and reignited debate over security management in critical installations.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the recruitment of 4,000 new Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) under the Bangladesh Police to enhance the organization’s operational and administrative capacity. According to an official notification issued on Monday, October 20, by Abu Sayeed, Deputy Secretary of the Police-3 branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the posts will be created temporarily in the revenue sector as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen law enforcement. The circular specifies that the positions will be maintained annually based on reserved quotas and must be incorporated into the updated police organizational structure. It further states that all procedures must comply with the directives of the Cabinet Division and the Finance Division, as well as the 1943 Bengal Police Resolution. This large-scale recruitment aims to reinforce the efficiency, manpower, and nationwide presence of the Bangladesh Police.

The Bangladesh government has decided to grant free education to the children of families of the ‘July Martyrs’ in honor of their parents’ sacrifice during the historic July uprising. According to official sources, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has formally requested the Ministry of Education, including the Secondary and Higher Education Division, the Technical and Madrasa Education Division, and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, to ensure tuition-free education for these students in both public and private schools and colleges. Nusrat Jahan, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, confirmed that necessary directives were issued on September 21. Following this, on October 15, the Technical Education Department instructed the Directorate of Technical Education to take steps to implement free education for children of martyr families studying in technical institutions. This initiative recognizes the patriotism and sacrifice of those who laid down their lives during the July movement.