Bangladesh’s Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has stated that there are no legal restrictions preventing BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman from returning to the country. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Monday, Nazrul clarified that he is unaware of any legal obstacles to Rahman’s return and assured full cooperation if any such issues are identified. He also emphasized that the government would ensure Rahman’s safety upon his arrival. Nazrul added that the decision on the appropriate time for his return rests solely with Tarique Rahman himself. When asked why Rahman has not yet returned, the adviser declined to comment, calling such questions distasteful and referring to the matter as a personal issue involving Rahman and his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

BNP’s Assistant International Affairs Secretary Rumin Farhana has expressed skepticism about the likelihood of national elections taking place in Bangladesh anytime soon. Speaking on a private television talk show, she described acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman as a major obstacle for those who oppose an elected government and political stability. Farhana argued that Rahman’s political participation is crucial for the survival of Bangladesh’s progressive and democratic middle ground. She emphasized that his return to the country is not merely a personal matter but one deeply tied to the nation’s political direction and citizens’ fate. Questioning the government’s commitment to democratic transition, she noted the shifting election schedule and the lack of political enthusiasm usually seen before polls. Citing analysts, she said the chances of a February election are slim, adding that the current political atmosphere remains tense and uncertain.

Kazi Mohiuddin, the member secretary of the Sitakunda Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been expelled from all party positions following allegations of embezzling party funds and abusing his authority. The decision was made by a majority of the Upazila BNP convening committee members, with two-thirds signing the resolution, which has been sent to the central committee for confirmation. An emergency meeting held on November 22 at the party office in Faujdarhat formally adopted a no-confidence motion against Mohiuddin. He was accused of threatening grassroots activists, violating party discipline, making unilateral organizational decisions, and turning the party structure into a family-run entity. Local leaders also alleged that he dissolved the Bashbaria Union BNP committee without consultation and misused development funds. Copies of the expulsion documents have been forwarded to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders for official record.

A newly submitted report by the National Independent Investigation Commission on the 2009 BDR mutiny alleges that India threatened to attack Bangladesh if the army intervened during the uprising. The report, handed to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, claims the massacre was premeditated and politically coordinated, implicating members of the then-ruling Awami League, including former MP Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh. It also questions the role of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed, citing testimony that India warned against military action. The commission, led by retired Major General A L M Fazlur Rahman, stated that the mutiny stemmed from long-standing grievances within the BDR and external influence from a neighboring country. The 2009 Pilkhana tragedy left 57 army officers dead, including BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed. The report aims to uncover the masterminds behind the atrocity and bring clarity to one of Bangladesh’s darkest national tragedies.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and British MP Tulip Siddiq were convicted in a corruption case involving fraudulent plot allocations in Dhaka’s Purbachal New Town project. The Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 sentenced Hasina to five years, Rehana to seven years, and Siddiq to two years in prison, along with fines. Judge Robiul Alam clarified that Hasina was not eligible for state defense because the maximum punishment under Penal Code Section 409 is life imprisonment, not death, and state defense is only provided in cases where a death sentence is possible. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleged that Siddiq used her political influence in the UK to secure plots for her family members. Following the fall of the Awami League government, multiple corruption cases were filed against Hasina and her relatives. Siddiq resigned from her UK ministerial post earlier this year amid growing controversy over the allegations.

Bipin Jyoti Chakma, the chief coordinator of the Rangamati district coordination committee of the National Citizen Party (NCP), announced his resignation from the party through a Facebook post on Sunday night, November 30. In his post, he cited prolonged mental stress along with personal and family reasons for his decision to withdraw from all party activities effective immediately. He also mentioned that he would soon send his formal resignation letter to the party’s central leadership. Earlier, on November 14, Ujjal Chakma, the joint coordinator of the same district committee, had resigned for similar personal and family reasons. The Rangamati district committee, comprising 24 members, was formed only six months ago under a directive signed by NCP’s chief organizer for the southern region, Hasnat Abdullah, and member secretary Akhtar Hossain. The recent resignations indicate emerging internal divisions within the newly formed committee.

According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, remittance inflows to Bangladesh surged by 24.6 percent in the first 29 days of November 2024, reaching USD 2.681 billion. During the same period last year, remittance receipts stood at USD 2.152 billion. From July to November 29 of the current fiscal year, expatriate Bangladeshis sent a total of USD 12.83 billion, compared to USD 11.09 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year. The strong growth in remittance inflows reflects continued resilience among overseas workers and may help strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves amid ongoing economic challenges. Economists view this upward trend as a positive sign for Bangladesh’s balance of payments and domestic liquidity conditions.

A five-member team of Chinese medical specialists has arrived at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to assist in the treatment of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. According to hospital sources, the team entered the facility around 2:50 p.m. on Monday. Khaleda Zia’s personal physician, Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, stated that the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, is closely monitoring her treatment process. Her medical care is being coordinated among doctors from Bangladesh, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and China. Dr. Zahid added that a decision on taking Khaleda Zia abroad for further treatment will be made if her condition improves and the medical board recommends it. He also urged BNP leaders and supporters to avoid crowding the hospital premises to maintain a calm environment for all patients.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is not yet registered as a voter. Speaking to reporters at the EC office in Agargaon, Dhaka, Ahmed clarified that Rahman could still be eligible to vote and contest in the upcoming national elections if he applies and the commission approves his eligibility. When asked under what legal provisions such a decision could be made, the secretary referred journalists to the Voter List Registration Act, noting he did not recall the specific section. The statement comes amid ongoing political discussions about the participation of BNP leaders in the next parliamentary polls and the overall electoral environment in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has urged caution in disseminating information about the health condition of its chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. In an official statement, the party said that all verified updates regarding her medical status will be provided by Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, a member of the BNP Standing Committee and Khaleda Zia’s personal physician. The BNP requested the media to refrain from publishing unverified or misleading information and to rely only on statements from Dr. Zahid or senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The appeal follows public concern sparked by remarks from a BNP vice-chairman describing Khaleda Zia’s condition as critical. The party emphasized that medical professionals are solely responsible for her treatment decisions and urged the public and media to avoid speculation or politically motivated interpretations of her illness.

Bangladesh’s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved a third revision of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6 project, extending its completion deadline by three years to December 2028. The project, which originally aimed to finish by the end of 2025, will now cost Tk 32,718 crore—Tk 755 crore less than previously estimated. The cost reduction comes mainly from the cancellation of four planned station plazas at Uttara North, Uttara Center, Agargaon, and Motijheel, as well as savings in land acquisition, civil works, and consultancy services. The extension is needed to complete the 1.16-kilometer Motijheel–Kamalapur section. MRT Line-6, Bangladesh’s first metro rail system, currently operates from Uttara to Motijheel. The revised plan also includes increased expenses for salaries, consultancy, and foreign loan interest payments, which rose by Tk 270 crore.

A newly submitted report by the National Independent Investigation Commission has revealed that the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, carried out under the guise of a BDR mutiny, was a premeditated act involving direct foreign influence and complicity of the then ruling Awami League. The report, handed to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus by commission head Maj. Gen. (Retd.) A. L. M. Fazlur Rahman, accuses several political and military figures, including former MP and later Dhaka South Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, of coordinating the attack with the alleged approval of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The commission also cited failures by the army, police, and intelligence agencies to act during the crisis. Many involved reportedly fled abroad, and key evidence was destroyed. The findings aim to answer long-standing national questions about the tragedy, which claimed 57 army officers’ lives. The commission recommended measures to prevent similar incidents and ensure justice for victims.

Bangladeshi taxpayers can legally reduce their payable taxes by investing in specific sectors recognized for tax rebate eligibility. According to the National Board of Revenue guidelines, five major investment areas qualify for such benefits: life insurance, provident fund, savings certificates, deposit pension schemes (DPS), and treasury bonds or shares. Life insurance premiums paid under the policyholder’s name are considered eligible investments, while provident fund contributions by both employer and employee also qualify. Savings certificates, issued by the government, offer both high returns and maximum tax rebate opportunities. DPS accounts allow regular monthly deposits that accumulate into a lump sum, which is treated as an investment for tax purposes. Additionally, investments in government treasury bonds and listed company shares are eligible for tax rebates, with treasury bonds capped at BDT 500,000 and no upper limit for share investments. These options provide both financial security and tax-saving opportunities for individuals.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director Md. Faruk Ahmed confirmed that no physical displacement occurred in Dhaka’s metro rail infrastructure following the recent earthquake. Speaking at a press conference in Uttara on December 1, he said that passenger safety remains the top priority and that operations were temporarily halted for thorough inspections. Engineers physically examined all metro structures for four to five hours after the tremor, including bearing pads at Farmgate and Bijoy Sarani. Two test runs were conducted before resuming public service, causing a 27-minute delay. Ahmed also addressed misinformation circulating on social media, dismissing claims that metro structures had collapsed. He clarified that only minor cracks appeared on a wall, two tiles fell, and a few ceiling pads loosened, none of which indicated structural damage. The DMTCL reassured commuters that the metro system remains safe and fully operational.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Towhid Hossain expressed optimism that working relations between Bangladesh and India will soon return to normal following the political changes brought by the July uprising. Speaking at a Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) event in Dhaka, he noted that India is still adjusting to the new political situation in Bangladesh. Hossain also commented that the government has no official information about BNP leader Tarique Rahman’s status in London, and that it would be unusual for another country to prevent his return. Regarding former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Hossain said Delhi has not provided any official information about his stay in India. He added that Sheikh Hasina’s issue would not hinder Dhaka-Delhi relations, though Bangladesh expects her return as a convicted person. Hossain further criticized the previous government’s ‘warm’ ties with India, saying they benefited governments rather than citizens, and lamented the lack of progress on Teesta water sharing and border killings.