Retired secretary ABM Abdus Sattar has been appointed as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister on a contractual basis. The appointment was made through an official notification signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Rafiqul Haque on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The notice stated that the appointment was made under Section 49 of the Government Service Act, 2018. According to the government circular, the decision formalizes Abdus Sattar’s return to service in a key administrative role after his retirement. The appointment follows the legal framework that allows contractual re-engagement of retired officials for specific high-level positions. The notification did not specify the duration or other terms of the contract, leaving details of the tenure and responsibilities to be clarified later.

India has extended congratulations to Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the newly appointed Leader of the Opposition in the 13th National Parliament. The message was conveyed during a courtesy meeting between India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Dr. Rahman on Tuesday in Dhaka, held on the sidelines of the new government’s oath-taking ceremony. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka confirmed the meeting in a verified Facebook post. During the discussion, Vikram Misri emphasized the people-centric nature of India-Bangladesh relations and reiterated India’s longstanding support for Bangladesh. He also congratulated Dr. Rahman on his new role. In response, Dr. Rahman highlighted the deep civilizational ties between the two nations and expressed optimism about building a stronger bilateral relationship. The exchange marks one of the first formal diplomatic interactions between India and Bangladesh’s new opposition leadership following the recent parliamentary transition.

The Khulna City Corporation (KCC) organized a public broadcast of the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament on Tuesday morning at Shaheed Hadis Park. The event was shown on a digital display screen, first featuring BNP lawmakers followed by those from Jamaat and NCP. KCC administrative officer Molla Maruf Rashid said the cabinet’s oath ceremony would also be aired live in the afternoon. The city authority arranged a canopy and about two hundred chairs for attendees. Alongside KCC officials, many local residents and passersby gathered to watch the ceremony with interest. Retired government employee Mofazzal Hossain, who came for a morning walk, stayed to witness the event and expressed hope for the new parliament’s success. Rickshaw puller Azizul, watching from his seat near the park gate, said that if the MPs uphold their oath, the country will prosper, but if they fail, hard times may return. He noted that all four constituencies in the district were won by Jamaat candidates. The event reflected public curiosity and cautious optimism about the new parliament’s ability to meet national expectations.

Newly appointed State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque lifted the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) restriction on journalist entry to the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The decision came on Tuesday night, immediately after he assumed office and held a press conference. During the briefing, Aminul Haque called BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury Sujon in front of reporters and instructed him to withdraw the ban, allowing journalists to resume their work freely from the next day. The BCB had imposed the restriction on January 31, citing security concerns, and had issued several new guidelines for sports journalists. According to a previous BCB press release, media personnel were allowed entry only on match days, for official press conferences, invitation-based events, or pre-announced training sessions. The minister’s directive effectively overturns those limitations and restores full media access to the stadium. The move signals a shift toward greater media freedom in sports coverage, following weeks of restricted access under the BCB’s earlier policy.

The government has officially appointed BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh. A gazette notification was issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday night confirming the appointment under Article 56(3) of the Constitution. The President made the appointment on Tuesday, February 17, following the outcome of the recent national election. According to the gazette, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formed the government on Tuesday afternoon after securing more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th parliamentary election. The new cabinet consists of 50 members, including 25 ministers and 24 state ministers. The Secretariat has reportedly prepared to welcome the new Prime Minister, and he is scheduled to pay tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial today. The appointment marks the formal beginning of a new BNP-led administration following its decisive electoral victory, as the government transitions under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

Following the announcement of the full cabinet of the new government, it was revealed that 25 districts across Bangladesh have no direct representation through ministers or state ministers. Despite the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) forming the government with an absolute majority in the 13th National Parliament, several regions were left without cabinet inclusion. Tarique Rahman took oath as Prime Minister on Tuesday before the President, leading a cabinet where more than one-third of the country’s districts remain unrepresented. Analysis of the party’s published list shows that northern districts such as Kurigram, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Chapainawabganj, Meherpur, Satkhira, and Chuadanga saw no BNP victories, leaving no scope for ministerial appointments. Even BNP strongholds like Noakhali and major districts like Khulna were excluded despite electoral wins. In Gopalganj, Madaripur, and Shariatpur, where BNP secured multiple seats, no ministers were chosen. However, Faridpur and Rajbari each received one state minister. In Dhaka, Sheikh Robiul Alam was appointed full minister for road, rail, and waterways, while four others became state ministers, including technocrat Aminul Haque. Yet, several Dhaka areas and nearby districts like Munshiganj, Narayanganj, and Gazipur remain without cabinet representation.

The White Panel, a group of teachers at Jagannath University who believe in Bangladeshi nationalism, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his newly formed cabinet. The message followed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) sweeping victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, where the party formed a government on its own. The congratulatory statement was issued on Tuesday by Professor Mostafa Hasan, vice-president of the panel, and Professor Md. Roich Uddin, its general secretary. According to the statement, the White Panel leaders praised the spontaneous participation of the Bangladeshi people in the election, held after 17 years, and viewed the result as a restoration of voting rights and freedom of expression. They expressed optimism that under the new prime minister’s leadership, the government would work for the welfare of the people, uphold national history and heritage, and foster new national unity. The leaders also expressed hope that Jagannath University, founded by the new prime minister’s mother, would see significant development under his leadership.

Barcelona suffered a 2-1 defeat to Girona on Monday night at Estadio Municipal de Montilivi, losing their top position in the Spanish La Liga standings. The Catalan club, previously one point ahead, dropped to second place with 58 points from 24 matches, while Real Madrid moved two points clear at the top with 60 points. Despite taking an early lead and attempting 26 shots, coach Hansi Flick’s side could not avoid defeat. Girona matched Barcelona’s intensity throughout the match, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia making several crucial saves to deny at least seven clear scoring chances. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal missed a penalty in first-half injury time, hitting the post, which could have secured at least one point for the visitors. The loss marked Barcelona’s first league defeat after leading a match since December 21, 2014, when they lost 2-1 to Atlético Madrid. The result leaves Barcelona under pressure in the title race, as Real Madrid’s earlier 4-1 win over Real Sociedad ensured their return to the top of the table.

Former national football captain Aminul Haque has officially taken charge as Bangladesh’s State Minister for Youth and Sports. After being sworn in at the National Parliament on February 17, 2026, he held a press conference at his Mirpur residence, announcing his goal to build a sports-friendly Bangladesh. He emphasized collaboration among sports journalists, athletes, organizers, and the public to promote a culture of sports across the nation. Aminul outlined plans to make sports compulsory from the fourth grade, incorporating five events including cricket and football, while prioritizing three other disciplines with potential for success in the Asian Games and Olympics. He also discussed the future of cricketers Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, describing them as legendary players and expressing hope for a state-level resolution to facilitate their return to the country. The new minister said he would soon meet with all sports federations and journalists to develop coordinated plans and assign responsibilities for implementing his sports development agenda.

A Jamaat supporter named Abbas Uddin, aged 55, died on Tuesday afternoon while undergoing treatment at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Dhaka, five days after being severely burned in an arson attack at his fish farm in Lakshmipur. The incident occurred last Wednesday night at Jitu Agro Fish Farm in Char Ramani Mohan Union of Sadar upazila, where unidentified assailants allegedly set fire to the house on the farm. Abbas’s wife and other family members escaped, but he was trapped inside and sustained serious burns before being taken to Dhaka for advanced treatment. According to his son, Elahi Prince, Abbas was a member of Jamaat in Lakshmipur Municipality’s Ward 6, while his wife, Sultana Razia Lucky, serves as the local women’s wing president. Prince claimed his father was targeted for his political affiliation and described him as a martyr. Lakshmipur Jamaat city leader Abul Farah Nishan said the attack occurred on the eve of the election and confirmed Abbas’s political involvement. Police said they were aware of the incident but had not yet received a formal complaint. Authorities stated that legal action would follow once a written complaint is filed.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has issued a gazette announcing the dissolution of the current interim government. The order, signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani on behalf of the President, was published on the division’s website on Tuesday night. According to the gazette, the President has appointed Tarique Rahman, a member of parliament who commands the confidence of the majority in the 13th National Parliament, as the new Prime Minister under Article 56(3) of the Constitution. The gazette further states that with the formation of the new government under Rahman’s leadership, the advisory council of the interim administration will be considered dissolved. A separate gazette has also been issued confirming Rahman’s appointment as Prime Minister. Following the announcement, preparations were reported underway at the Secretariat to welcome the new Prime Minister, while his official Facebook page of the Chief Adviser’s Office was declared closed.

Fourteen legendary former Test cricket captains have written to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging that former captain, cricket icon, and ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan be provided with proper medical treatment and minimum human dignity. The letter, sent on February 17, 2026, expresses growing concern over Khan’s deteriorating health, particularly reports of worsening eyesight during his imprisonment over the past two and a half years. In their letter, the captains highlighted Imran Khan’s immense contribution to cricket, recalling his leadership in guiding Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup. They described that triumph as a symbol of skill, leadership, patience, and sportsmanship that continues to inspire generations. The signatories also noted his service as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, acknowledging his democratic election and leadership during challenging times. The letter was signed by Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Mike Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Sunil Gavaskar, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Steve Waugh, and John Wright.

The English Premier League has announced that it will again allow short in-game breaks during matches throughout the holy month of Ramadan to enable Muslim players and officials to break their fast. The arrangement will begin this week as Ramadan starts and continue for the entire month. Team captains and match officials will jointly decide before each game whether a break is needed and at what point it should occur. The designated time for iftar will not be treated as a tactical timeout or a regular water break. Matches will not be stopped mid-play, but a short pause will be allowed at the first natural stoppage, such as a goal kick, free kick, or throw-in, near sunset. In the United Kingdom, sunset during Ramadan is expected between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. GMT, so matches starting around 4:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. will include this brief pause. This practice was first introduced in 2021, when Leicester City and Crystal Palace players were allowed to break their fast during a match, marking the beginning of this inclusive initiative.

Dr. Atiq Mujahid, Member of Parliament for Kurigram-2 and Joint Convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), visited the grave of martyr Osman Hadi on Tuesday night, February 17, 2026, after taking his parliamentary oath. Standing beside the grave around 9 p.m., he offered prayers and became emotional during the visit. During the prayer, Dr. Mujahid asked for divine guidance to embody the ideals, honesty, courage, and competence of martyr Osman Hadi. He expressed hope that he and others could contribute effectively to building a just, humane, and prosperous Bangladesh inspired by Hadi’s vision. He also prayed for the emergence of qualified and dedicated representatives across all 300 constituencies who would serve the nation with integrity and commitment to truth and justice. Several NCP leaders, including Joint Convener Nizam Uddin, Joint Member Secretary Zainal Abedin Shishir, Joint Chief Coordinator Mahabub Alam, and member Konok, were present during the visit.

Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has appointed his Personal Secretary-1, Assistant Personal Secretary-1, and Protocol Officer-1. The Ministry of Public Administration issued three separate notifications on Tuesday announcing the appointments. Joint Secretary Miah Muhammad Ashraf Reza Faridi has been named as Personal Secretary-1, Senior Assistant Secretary Mohammad Mamun Shibli as Assistant Personal Secretary-1, and Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Uzzal Hossain as Protocol Officer-1. Each appointment will remain effective as long as the Prime Minister holds office or wishes to retain them in their respective positions. The appointments come on the same day the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formed a new government after winning more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th parliamentary election. The new cabinet consists of 50 members, including 25 ministers and 24 state ministers. This marks the BNP’s fourth term in government and the first time its chairperson, Tarique Rahman, has assumed the role of Prime Minister. The administrative appointments signal the beginning of the new Prime Minister’s office operations following the formation of the BNP-led government.