The government has called upon the National Citizen Party (NCP) to sign the July Charter, a political framework aimed at ensuring stability and cooperation ahead of the upcoming elections. NCP Convener Nahid Islam revealed the government’s proposal after a meeting with the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, at his Jamuna residence. The NCP delegation included Nahid Islam, Chief Organizer for the northern region Sarjis Alam, Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin, and Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah. The government’s invitation marks a significant move to bring smaller political parties on board with the July Charter initiative. A day earlier, a BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also met Professor Yunus, urging the interim administration to act impartially and remove any partisan members from the interim setup to ensure fair and credible elections.

Job-seeking persons with disabilities once again staged a sit-in protest in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Wednesday (October 22), under the banner of the “Job-Seeking Disabled Graduates Council.” Their protest centered around five key demands: special recruitment under the Chief Adviser’s executive order based on disability type, implementation of a 2% quota in first and second-class jobs and 5% in third and fourth-class posts, policy updates ensuring independence in appointing scribes, guaranteed recruitment for visually impaired candidates, and extending the government job age limit to 35 years for disabled persons and 37 for general candidates. Around noon, the protesters began marching toward the Jamuna River but were stopped by police at Shahbagh intersection. A brief scuffle ensued before the police dispersed them. The protesters claimed they have been demanding inclusion and quota enforcement since 2018 without meaningful results.

Mizanur Rahman Bulu, the Kotalipara Upazila correspondent for Kaler Kantho and a digital reporter for NTV, was arrested on Monday night in Gopalganj on suspicion of involvement in violent incidents during a National Citizens’ Party (NCP) rally. Police apprehended him around 9:00 PM near Kotalipara police station. On Tuesday, he was presented before the Gopalganj Chief Judicial Magistrate, who ordered him to be sent to jail.
According to the investigating officer, Saddam Hossain Khan (Dipto), leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated groups staged a protest in the Wapdarhat area of Kotalipara Upazila on July 16, felling trees on roads and disrupting public movement, causing panic among residents. Bulu’s alleged involvement in the unrest prompted the arrest. The case lists 155 named individuals and 1,500 unidentified suspects, filed under the Special Powers Act at Kotalipara police station.

The International Crimes Tribunal has directed 15 military officers currently in custody to be sent to prison for their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and killings at the TFIC-JIC cell during the Awami League government. The officers appeared before the tribunal on Wednesday, 22 October, ahead of the formal hearing of charges, which will be conducted by Tribunal-1 under Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mazumder. All 15 officers had earlier applied for bail. The accused include senior military officials such as Brigadier General Md. Jahangir Alam, Major General Mostafa Sarwar, and others. A total of 30 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, are named in the two cases, with 17 accused in one case and 13 in the other. Security forces, including the army, police, BGB, and RAB, were deployed at multiple points around the tribunal in Dhaka to maintain order during the proceedings.

A gas line explosion during piling work for the Narayanganj–Muktarpur flyover triggered a fire on Tuesday afternoon in Fatullah’s Panchaboti area. The blaze damaged a nearby glass shop and left one pedestrian injured. Firefighters and Titas Gas officials quickly intervened, sealing the main gas line to prevent further leaks. As a result, gas supply to Narayanganj city, Fatullah, and surrounding areas was suspended, disrupting industrial production and daily life. Many factories in the BSCIC Industrial Area and Fatullah Industrial Zone, including garment and spinning mills, were forced to shut down operations. Titas Gas engineers are working to repair the damaged pipeline and expect to restore supply by night. Residents also reported severe gas shortages at home, compounding the disruption across the city.

The Pay Commission of Bangladesh has announced that its work on designing a fair and effective new salary structure for officers and employees of government and autonomous institutions is progressing as planned. According to a government press release issued on Tuesday (October 21), the Commission is currently analyzing and verifying opinions and recommendations collected through four online questionnaires. These inputs came from general citizens, government officials, autonomous bodies, and various associations during October 1–15. The Commission has also held meetings with several associations and organizations that have already submitted formal proposals. It expressed optimism about completing and submitting the final report to the government within the stipulated timeframe. The initiative aims to ensure an equitable pay system reflecting the cost of living and economic realities, bringing transparency and fairness to public sector remuneration.

The Bangladesh government has suspended a proposed Tk 1,268.80-crore project aimed at improving climate-resilient livelihoods in the haor (wetland) regions across eight districts, including Kishoreganj. The project, initiated by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, was placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval on October 21. However, the plan faced strong objections from Environment and Forest Affairs Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, who argued that large-scale infrastructure construction could severely damage the delicate haor ecosystem. Following her intervention, ECNEC decided not to approve the project in its current form and ordered a revision of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) by excluding infrastructure components. The project’s proposed funding sources included government allocations, a loan from IFAD, and a grant from Danida. Authorities are expected to resubmit a revised plan focusing on sustainable and environmentally friendly development initiatives.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has clarified that the recent social media claims stating that 10 agreements between India and Bangladesh have been canceled are inaccurate. Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, he confirmed that only one agreement—the tugboat supply deal with Indian defense company GRSE—has been officially canceled. The majority of the agreements listed on social media do not exist. The adviser also noted that various agreements with India are still under review. The claims originated from Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiya, who posted a list of canceled and under-consideration agreements, including railway projects, economic zone collaborations, water management initiatives, and pipeline expansions. The government emphasizes careful verification before making any official announcements regarding bilateral agreements.

To make up for instructional days lost during the recent teacher movement, MPO-listed teachers in Bangladesh have decided to hold classes on Saturdays until the upcoming annual examinations. Principal Delawar Hossain Azizi, president of the MPO-listed Education Nationalization Aspirants’ Alliance and general secretary of the Bangladesh Madrasah Teachers and Employees Forum, confirmed the decision. Teachers had been unable to attend classrooms for eight days due to the movement. The initiative aims to ensure students complete the full syllabus on time. The government recently announced a 15 percent increase in house rent allowance for MPO-listed teachers working in private institutions, fulfilling a key demand of the teachers’ movement. With the official notification received, teachers will now resume classes from tomorrow, compensating for the lost days and withdrawing their movement.

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.