The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued an urgent directive to 30 major Hajj agencies to complete all visa processing for pilgrims by March 5. The letter, sent on Wednesday, instructed agencies to finalize health checks, vaccinations, and group formations for pilgrims. A total of 7,355 pilgrims under these agencies are still awaiting health examinations, with Bangladesh Overseas Services having the highest number pending at 1,306 and Ehsan Air Travels the lowest at 10.

According to the ministry, Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry requires all visa processing to be completed by March 20. Pilgrims must obtain fitness certificates and vaccinations before applying for visas. The process, including technical steps and group formation, typically takes five to ten days, though technical issues could cause delays.

The ministry also warned that offices in both Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will close around March 20 due to Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, urging agencies to complete all procedures well in advance to avoid disruptions.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a ten-day program to mark its first founding anniversary. The announcement was made on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in Dhaka by the party’s senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib during an anniversary event. Adib stated that the eleven-party alliance remains positive about raising a proposal for the president’s impeachment in the first parliamentary session. He also unveiled the detailed schedule of the anniversary activities.

Under the slogan “The country will move on a new path, fascism will not return,” the program includes an iftar gathering on February 28 at Abahani Club Field in Dhanmondi, featuring families of July martyrs, anti-fascist political leaders, media workers, activists, and district committee representatives. The event will also feature a documentary and art exhibition reviewing the past year’s activities. Additional divisional iftar gatherings will be held across major cities from March 2 to March 14.

The NCP’s anniversary events aim to highlight the party’s ideals of revolution, alternative politics, and reconstruction while engaging supporters nationwide through religious and cultural observances.

The funeral of Mujibur Rahman, a 50-year-old Jubo Dal activist killed by gunfire in Raozan, Chattogram, was completed on Thursday evening. He was buried at his family graveyard following prayers at a local madrasa field, attended by thousands including local BNP leaders. Mujibur was shot by several youths on Wednesday evening while sitting at a fruit shop in East Gujra Union’s Olimiyahat area. He sustained three bullet wounds and died from excessive bleeding, according to the local health complex.

Police confirmed that Mujibur’s wife filed a murder case naming three individuals and four unidentified suspects. Local residents and relatives linked the killing to a recent dispute over a village arbitration involving a young man who had been beaten, with whom Mujibur later argued. Police said investigations are underway but declined to provide further details.

Locals expressed anger over repeated killings in the area and alleged police inaction, noting that another Jubo Dal leader was shot dead nearby in January. Authorities said multiple teams are working to uncover the motive behind the latest murder.

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Jhenaidah-2, Ali Azam Md. Abubakar, declared that no form of extortion will be tolerated in his constituency. He made the statement on Thursday afternoon while addressing a reception event held at the hall room of Porahati Union Parishad in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila. The event was organized to honor him following his election victory.

During his speech, Ali Azam emphasized his commitment to building a just society and state, noting that Jamaat-e-Islami is dedicated to this goal. He also pledged to work in coordination with the administration to maintain law and order and warned that strict measures would be taken against extortionists, criminals, and drug dealers. The reception was attended by local Jamaat leaders, including Alomgir Hossain, Akidul Islam, and Torikul Islam.

The MP’s remarks signal an intention to strengthen governance and public safety in the constituency through cooperation with law enforcement and community leadership.

Bangladesh Bank announced that disciplinary action will be taken against officials involved in a mob incident that occurred at the central bank on Wednesday. The announcement was made by spokesperson and executive director Arif Hossain Khan during a press conference on Thursday afternoon. He stated that the new governor has pledged to establish good governance within the institution and that those linked to the mob culture will face measures under the bank’s HR policy.

Earlier in the day, the new governor formally joined the central bank and held a meeting with senior officials. The press conference was organized to share decisions from that meeting. During the meeting, the governor emphasized cooperation in reopening closed factories and promised policy support to promote economic growth and employment.

According to the report, the incident involved several officials who forced the governor’s adviser Ahsan Ullah out of the bank premises and compelled a deputy governor to sign transfer orders under pressure. The bank’s leadership has indicated that such behavior will not be tolerated.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for the 2025–26 fiscal year by one month. According to a notification signed by Md. Ekramul Haque, Second Secretary (Tax Law-1), taxpayers can now submit their returns without penalty until March 31, 2026. The decision was made under Section 334 of the Income Tax Act, 2023, with prior government approval and in the public interest.

Previously, the deadline for individual and Hindu Undivided Family taxpayers was February 28, 2026. The NBR had already extended the filing period three times earlier, each time by one month. Normally, the last date for submitting income tax returns in Bangladesh is November 30.

The latest extension aims to provide additional time for taxpayers to complete their filings and comply with the updated tax regulations for the current fiscal year.

A Dhaka court has granted a two-day remand for Masudur Rahman, who was detained in Malaysia on suspicion of militant involvement. The order was issued on Thursday, February 26, 2026, by Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana after hearing a remand petition filed by Sub-Inspector Md Aminul Islam of Airport Police Station. Malaysian police had handed Masudur over to Bangladeshi authorities the previous evening, after which he was arrested under Section 54 and produced before the court.

During the hearing, the prosecution argued that Masudur had posted content on Facebook related to groups such as Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and the Taliban while in Malaysia, prompting his detention there. The prosecution sought five days of remand to investigate his possible links, devices used, and any financial connections. The court, however, approved two days of remand.

Masudur reportedly admitted in court that he shared such posts from a religious perspective and claimed he did not realize they could harm Bangladesh’s image abroad.

Additional Police Commissioner (Supernumerary Additional IGP) Md. Sarwar has been assigned to perform the duties of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner until a new commissioner formally assumes the position. The decision was announced through an official notification signed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

According to the notification, Sarwar will continue to serve as acting DMP Commissioner until a new officer is appointed to the post. The announcement ensures continuity in the leadership of the DMP during the interim period. No further details were provided regarding the timeline for the appointment of a new commissioner.

The temporary assignment reflects an administrative measure to maintain operational stability within the Dhaka Metropolitan Police while the process of appointing a permanent commissioner is underway.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan has directed that all ongoing tender works under the city corporation be completed within the stipulated time. He announced that any irregularities in previous tender processes would be reviewed and properly investigated. The administrator made these remarks on Thursday, February 26, 2026, during an introductory and exchange meeting with officials and employees of DNCC’s regions 1, 6, 7, and 8 at Uttara Sector 6 Community Center.

In his address, Khan emphasized that mosquito control cannot rely solely on insecticides and called for greater social awareness and monitoring. He instructed mosquito control workers to perform their duties sincerely and on time, and warned that no unauthorized work would be allowed within the city corporation. He urged all officials to remain attentive to their responsibilities and maintain punctuality at workplaces.

Member of Parliament for Dhaka-18, S M Jahangir Hossain, attended as a special guest and urged swift action to resolve waterlogging in Dakshinkhan and to establish a DNCC office in Uttarkhan to ease public access to services.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has emphasized the crucial role of law enforcement agencies in protecting citizens and establishing a just society. Speaking as the chief guest at a meeting in Mirpur’s Grand Prince Convention Center on Thursday, he called for the forces to gain public trust and act in a more people-friendly and effective manner. He also urged all political and social organizations to work together beyond party lines for peace, discipline, and development.

The meeting, attended by Members of Parliament Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem of Dhaka-14 and Abdul Baten of Dhaka-16, along with senior law enforcement officials, discussed the overall law and order situation in the two constituencies. Topics included citizen safety, anti-drug and anti-terrorism efforts, prevention of juvenile gangs, and promotion of social harmony. The MPs stressed coordinated initiatives for crime prevention alongside development activities.

Law enforcement representatives sought public cooperation and briefed participants on ongoing special operations and awareness programs.

The new government has decided to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, for farmers engaged in crop, fishery, and livestock sectors. The decision was made on Thursday, February 26, 2026, during the first cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. Cabinet Secretary Md Nasimul Gani announced the decision to the media after the meeting.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, the initiative aims to ensure social security for poor farmers and strengthen the backbone of the agricultural sector. Data from Bangladesh Bank shows that as of February 25, 2026, government and private commercial banks, along with specialized banks, have outstanding agricultural loans totaling about Tk 1,550 crore, which will fall under this waiver. The measure is expected to directly benefit around 1.2 million farmers.

Officials stated that the waiver will help small and marginal farmers free themselves from debt, boost their motivation, and contribute to increased agricultural production across the country.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the brutal killing of a schoolgirl in Dhaka’s Rayerbazar area. In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of the central publicity and media department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, urged law enforcement agencies to arrest the real perpetrator immediately and ensure exemplary punishment through a speedy trial.

According to the statement, on the night of February 25, Shahriar Sharmin Binti, an eighth-grade student, was hacked to death in front of her home in Rayerbazar. The party described the incident as a reflection of the deteriorating law and order situation and growing insecurity in society. It extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the victim’s soul.

Jamaat-e-Islami emphasized that ensuring the safety of students and women is a constitutional duty of the state. The statement warned that failure to fulfill this responsibility could lead to chaos and further deterioration of law and order, urging the government to take strict and effective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to move into the state guesthouse 'Jamuna' on Hare Road in Dhaka as his official residence. The decision was made considering security and ease of travel to the Secretariat. The Government Housing Directorate has completed the allocation of residences for new ministers and state ministers. Currently, former interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus is staying at Jamuna and is expected to vacate it on February 27.

During the interim government, several locations including the National Parliament area and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar were inspected for the new prime minister’s residence, but those were not selected due to time constraints and other reasons. The Prime Minister, now residing in Gulshan, plans to host iftar and Eid greetings events at Jamuna once renovations are completed.

The previous official residence, Ganabhaban, was damaged during the August 2024 uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government and is being converted into the July Uprising Memorial Museum, making it unavailable for residential use.

Bangladesh Bank will assist in reopening factories that were shut down following recent political changes, according to the central bank’s new Governor, Md. Mostakur Rahman. The announcement was made at an emergency press conference on Thursday afternoon, where bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan conveyed the governor’s directives. Rahman had joined the central bank earlier that morning and held a meeting with top officials before the briefing.

During the meeting, the governor emphasized active cooperation in reviving closed industrial units and pledged policy support to boost economic growth and employment. He praised the previous interim government’s efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability and said he would build on that foundation to restore economic momentum. The governor also highlighted the need for policy incentives and stronger coordination within the banking sector to facilitate industrial recovery.

Rahman further prioritized controlling inflation and stabilizing commodity prices within consumers’ purchasing power. He indicated that high interest rates hindering investment would be reviewed, and institutional governance would be strengthened through rule-based, non-discriminatory decision-making and delegation of authority to accelerate operations.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the government currently has no plan to appoint political administrators in municipalities. He made the statement on Thursday, February 26, 2026, through a post on his verified Facebook page.

The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions and criticism regarding the government’s decision to appoint political administrators in city corporations. Out of 12 city corporations, only Chattogram City Corporation has an elected mayor in office under a court order, while the government has initiated the appointment of political administrators in the remaining 11. Notifications have already been issued for full-time administrators in six city corporations, including Dhaka North and South.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, elected representatives of various local government bodies were removed or fled, creating administrative gaps. To maintain continuity, government officials were temporarily assigned as administrators, but the prolonged interim arrangement has severely disrupted civic services.