Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) in southern Bangladesh, criticized political opportunism on social media, saying his party is always the first to donate blood but disappears when power is at stake. On Saturday, October 18, Hasnat shared a photo on his verified Facebook account juxtaposing two moments: one from last year when Dr. Muhammad Yunus returned to Bangladesh and was welcomed by anti-discrimination student leaders, and another from Friday’s July Certificate signing ceremony at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. He remarked that these images reflect the only visible reform in the country. The first photo shows leaders including Nahid Islam, Hasnat Abdullah, Sarjis Alam, Asif Mahmud, and Umama Fatema greeting Dr. Yunus at the airport. The second shows political party leaders beside the chief adviser during the signing ceremony. NCP, however, did not participate in the event or sign the certificate.

After a 45-day recess, the Supreme Court will resume its regular judicial activities on Sunday, 19 October. Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed has reconstituted 66 benches, with urgent and important cases being prioritized during the recess. Among all pending matters, the case concerning the reinstatement of the caretaker government has drawn the most attention. The six-judge Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed, is scheduled to hear the case on 21 October. This follows the court’s earlier acceptance of a leave-to-appeal request after a review of the verdict that annulled the 13th amendment, which introduced the caretaker government system in 1996. During the recess, benches were formed to handle critical cases, and Justice Farah Mahbub was appointed to hear matters in the Appellate Division recess bench.

On 17 October, a group of protesters under the banner of “July Warriors” clashed with law enforcement on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, demanding the inclusion of their three demands in the upcoming July certificate. The confrontation escalated around 1:30 PM at Gate 12 of the Parliament, as protesters both inside and outside the premises threw bottles, chairs, bricks, and stones at police. Police responded with sound grenades and tear shells in an effort to disperse the crowd. Several vehicles were vandalized, fires were set on the streets, and a few people were reportedly injured during the clashes. Following the incident, four cases were filed at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station against approximately 800–900 unidentified individuals. So far, one person, Rimon Chandra Barman, has been arrested. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the violence.

Bangladesh has recorded a foreign exchange surplus of $480 million in the first two months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, more than double the surplus in the same period last year. According to Bangladesh Bank data, imports increased by nearly 10% to $10.88 billion, while exports rose 11% to $7.93 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $2.96 billion, slightly higher than last year’s $2.75 billion. Capital goods imports surged 24.5%, and intermediate goods imports grew by 8.2%. Officials attribute the improvement to reduced opportunities for illicit money transfers following recent government changes. Meanwhile, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have increased by $8 billion, surpassing $32 billion. Sustained growth in exports and remittances continues to support the positive trajectory of Bangladesh’s external sector.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam stated that the party will respond if the Unity Commission calls for discussions. Speaking at a press conference on 18 October at the NCP’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, he emphasized that the July Charter has no connection with the Note of Dissent. He criticized the July Charter as being symbolic and deceptive if it lacks legal validity. Nahid Islam expressed confidence that the NCP’s election symbol, the “Shapla” (water lily), will remain unchanged, and that the party intends to contest the upcoming national elections under it. He further accused beneficiaries of the previous fascist structures of conspiring to maintain the old order, stating that some political parties have compromised, but the NCP has remained independent. He also condemned BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed for labeling July fighters as “Awami Fascists” and called for a retraction and apology.

The signing of Bangladesh’s July National Charter 2025 has been hailed as a significant milestone in the country’s political transition, according to EU Ambassador Michael Miller. Speaking on the occasion, Miller emphasized that the charter reflects broad consensus among 25 political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, on key reforms and strengthens unity ahead of the 2026 elections. The ambassador described the event as evidence of Bangladesh’s commitment to moving forward in a cohesive and democratic manner. His presence also signals the European Union’s ongoing support for democratic governance and institutional reforms in the country. Over the years, the EU has worked closely with Bangladesh to enhance good governance and accountability, recently reaffirming its commitment to ensuring free, fair, and participatory elections. Technical assistance and potential election observation missions are part of the EU’s continued efforts to support sustainable development and democratic practices in Bangladesh.

Six political parties that participated in the National Consensus Commission’s dialogue — including the National Citizens Party (NCP), Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASAD), BASAD (Marxist), Bangladesh JASAD, and Gonoforum — have refused to sign the July National Charter 2025. The signing ceremony took place on Friday (October 17) at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, where 25 other parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, signed the document. The NCP announced earlier that it would not join, arguing the process lacked legal foundation and amounted to mere formality. Leftist parties also abstained, alleging that the proposals compromise the principles of the 1971 Liberation War and the 1972 Constitution. CPB President Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan and other left leaders reiterated that genuine national consensus requires adherence to constitutional ideals and legal legitimacy.

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now 78, is facing possible execution if found guilty of crimes against humanity, according to The Telegraph. Tried by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, Hasina is accused of ordering lethal force against anti-government demonstrators in 2024, resulting in around 1,400 deaths. Prosecutors allege that victims’ bodies were burned and the injured denied medical aid. The defense argues police acted in self-defense. Arrest warrants have been issued for Hasina and her former home minister, believed to be in India. Former police chief Abdullah Al-Mamun confessed to carrying out attacks under her orders. The final verdict is expected by mid-November, and her assets could be seized if convicted. Meanwhile, Hasina’s Awami League has been banned from elections as the BNP emerges as the favorite ahead of the February 2025 polls.

Power generation at the Barapukuria coal-based thermal power plant in Dinajpur has dropped sharply to just 50 megawatts due to mechanical failures. Out of three production units with a combined capacity of 525 MW, only one unit remains partially operational. Chief Engineer Md. Abu Bakkar Siddique said the 275 MW third unit was shut down Thursday night after turbine steam sensor valves failed. Repairs are underway, and the unit is expected to resume operations within a week. The second unit, with a capacity of 125 MW, has been offline since November 2020. The first unit, though functional, is generating only 50 MW instead of its full capacity. Established in 2006 and expanded in 2017, the plant has rarely achieved full production due to recurring technical issues. Currently, the adjacent coal yard holds about 440,000 tons of coal, raising storage concerns as mining continues.

A devastating fire broke out at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday around 2:15 p.m. The blaze originated in an area used to store imported goods, according to Fire Service duty officer Lima Khanom. Initially, firefighting units from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Bangladesh Air Force responded, followed by reinforcements from 28 fire service units. Personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force also joined the operation to contain the flames. Due to the intensity of the fire, airport authorities temporarily suspended all flight operations for safety reasons. Firefighters are working tirelessly to bring the situation under control. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage have not yet been determined. Authorities have urged everyone to remain calm and stay away from the affected area until further notice.

Following violent clashes with police at the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament, the protest group known as the “July Warriors” has announced a nationwide highway blockade. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse protesters after they broke through the gates and entered the Parliament area, setting fires and vandalizing property. Masud Rana Saurav, chief organizer of the July Warriors Council, declared a three-hour highway blockade in all districts from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 19. The protesters demand that the July martyrs be recognized as national heroes, that injured and disabled protesters receive constitutional recognition as heroes, and that a rehabilitation roadmap be announced for victims and their families. They also called for legal immunity and protection from harassment until allegations against them are proven. Security forces have since tightened control around the Parliament complex.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member-secretary Akhtar Hossain has said that if the unresolved aspects of the July Charter are not addressed, the party will make its next move in consultation with the people. Speaking to reporters on Friday, he explained that despite efforts to secure government assurances before signing, the roadmap for implementation remains unclear. As a result, the NCP chose not to participate in the Charter’s signing ceremony. Akhtar added that during the extended period granted to the Consensus Commission, the NCP expects clarification on implementation, resolution of disputes, a transparent draft order, and the inclusion of 2026 as a reference year for constitutional integration of political parties. He emphasized that if discussions fail to resolve these issues, the NCP will continue dialogue with the Commission while mobilizing people through political programs to ensure sustainable realization of the party’s reform goals.

After months of extensive discussions, the July Charter was officially signed on 17 October, a milestone hailed by Legal Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul. He expressed his satisfaction over the finalization of the charter’s content, calling the event “grand” and a significant achievement. However, the absence of student leaders from the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), who had led the July uprising, left him feeling regretful. Nazrul noted that while the leaders were not present, they had indicated that the Consensus Commission would continue functioning for another 15 days, during which they would consider additional matters, and could sign later if necessary. Emphasizing inclusivity, he added that the process would have been better if all stakeholders had participated together. The signing of the July Charter marks a historic moment in the ongoing political reconciliation process in the country.

On Friday, July freedom fighters staged a protest at the South Plaza of the National Parliament ahead of the scheduled signing ceremony of the July National Charter. They presented three demands: amend the charter, permanently incorporate it into the constitution, and officially recognize July fighters. Long before the ceremony began, they occupied the parliament premises, refusing to leave despite appeals. Dr. Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, announced that urgent amendments were being made to the charter’s fifth pledge to meet their demands, ensuring recognition, dignity, and protection for the fighters. He emphasized that political parties and the commission had agreed on these changes and stated that the commission would remain in effect until October 31 to monitor implementation. Law enforcement eventually escorted the protesters out, but the commission’s commitments mark a significant step toward addressing the July fighters’ longstanding concerns.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Bangladesh’s upcoming national election is creating a negative impact on the country’s economic prospects. Krishna Srinivasan, Director of IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, highlighted that political uncertainty and election-related factors are contributing to a slowdown in economic growth. The IMF cited three key reasons for the downward GDP revision: tighter monetary policies and financial sector weaknesses limiting credit flow, uncertainty due to additional U.S. tariffs, and political instability surrounding the election. Bangladesh’s GDP forecast for the fiscal year has been revised down to 4.9 percent from earlier projections of 6.5 percent in April and 5.4 percent in June. Inflation could reach 8.5 percent by year-end due to supply shortages. The IMF emphasized the need for continued financial reforms and improved revenue collection, and a mission will soon review the ongoing $5.5 billion loan program.