In response to NCP’s protest, Election Commissioner Md. Sanaullah reiterated that the EC does not comment on political activities. He stated, “The sequencing of elections is a government decision, not ours.” On the allegation of bias, he said, “The Commission is and will remain fully neutral.” Regarding Ishraq Hossain’s legal challenge, he clarified that EC has no provision in the law to become a party in such cases, though they are often included upon request.

NCP’s Dhaka North unit has announced that its protest will continue until Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin and four other commissioners resign. At a rally demanding EC restructuring and local government elections, Saiful Islam said, “This commission was hastily and controversially formed. It must go.” Al Amin Tutul added, “Brother Ishraq should not cause public suffering by locking the city building. We are not protesting to validate an illegal election. They threaten to drown us in urine, but where were they for the past 16 years? They couldn’t even move a single sand truck.”

The court has postponed its decision on a writ petition seeking to prevent BNP’s Ishraq Hossain from taking oath as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. The ruling is now scheduled for Thursday. Advocate Mohammad Hossain represented the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Mahfuzur Rahman Milon argued for the state. Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister Kaiser Kamal represented Ishraq.

Amir Hamza, a top leader of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been hospitalized in Lahore under ISI protection after sustaining serious injuries in an attack at his residence. The identity of the attackers and the motive behind the incident remain unclear. Hamza hails from Gujranwala in Punjab province and is known to have close ties with Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed and Abdul Rehman Makki.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has questioned Tuhin Farabi, former personal aide to a health advisor, and Dr. Mahmudul Hasan regarding corruption allegations. Gazi Salauddin Tanvir, recently granted temporary release from his post as NCP Joint Secretary, was also summoned and interrogated. Although Tuhin and Dr. Mahmudul were expected to appear the previous day, they attended the ACC’s Dhaka headquarters on Wednesday. Interrogation is currently ongoing.

The Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP) staged a protest on Wednesday at 11:45 AM in front of the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Agargaon, demanding the reformation of the EC and the immediate holding of local government elections. Tight five-layer security was deployed in the area. NCP convenor Md. Nahid Islam accused the current EC of bias, stating, “We no longer have faith in this commission. It must be restructured immediately.” He also called for the announcement of dates for both constituent assembly and national elections.

BNP leader Ishraq Hossain has urged advisors Asif Mahmud and Mahfuz Alam to resign from all government roles, citing democratic principles and political decorum. In a public statement, Ishraq said, "Since you are affiliated with political parties and may be directly involved in future elections, it is only logical to step down." He encouraged them to follow the example of Nahid Islam, who resigned to avoid conflict of interest. Referring to others like Sarjees Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, he said, "They could have accepted ministerial roles but chose politics instead." Ishraq added, “If you cling to power, you’ll be expected to provide undue advantages to your party members. You’ll break the jackfruit, but others will enjoy the fruit.”

Despite a 10 AM ultimatum on Wednesday for Ishraq Hossain to be sworn in as DSCC Mayor, no action was taken. Following threats to lock down Dhaka, supporters took positions in key areas including Matsya Bhaban, Kakrail, and near the Secretariat. Protests also continue for the seventh consecutive day inside and outside the City Corporation office. Meanwhile, a court hearing on a writ petition to block Ishraq’s swearing-in concluded this morning, with a verdict expected by noon.

Heavy rains and upstream runoff have raised water levels in the Teesta River, submerging croplands in Ulipur and Rajarhat of Kurigram. Farmers have suffered crop losses worth several crores as paddy, peanuts, and other crops remain underwater. Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu stated that although crops worth thousands of crores are grown annually on Teesta’s banks, authorities remain indifferent to repeated seasonal damages due to riverbed siltation.

More than 51,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia for Hajj—4,583 under government management and 47,364 through private agencies. Tragically, nine pilgrims (eight men and one woman) have died so far, with four passing away in Mecca and five in Medina.

In India, voicing opinions on Kashmir increasingly results in state persecution under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ultra-nationalist government. Writers, academics, and cultural activists are being silenced with sedition charges. Recently, academic Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested, while British-Kashmiri author Nitasha Kaul has been barred from her homeland. Even singing works by Pakistani poet Faiz has led to punitive actions.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed the Israeli Ambassador that due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israeli obstruction of aid, the UK is suspending all new free trade discussions with Israel. Lammy described the starvation of millions in Gaza as “horrific and heartbreaking” and warned that continued blockades would prompt the UK to take even stronger measures.

Following India’s sudden import ban on six Bangladeshi goods, local exporters have temporarily halted fish exports through Akhaura land port, citing personal reasons. Md. Faruk Mia, General Secretary of the Fish Exporters’ Association, noted that exports may resume as early as tomorrow. According to port officials, 40–50 trucks were usually involved in daily exports. Post-ban, only fish, cement, and dried fish are being exported.

According to Bangladesh Bank, looters have depleted nearly Tk 2 trillion in capital from 20 banks over the past 15 years. Beyond hostile takeovers, massive loans were misappropriated. As of Q4 2024 (Oct–Dec), capital shortfalls in these banks reached Tk 1.72 trillion, up from Tk 532.53 billion in Q3. Despite some banks having surplus capital, the net sector-wide deficit now stands at Tk 1.18 trillion. Additionally, total non-performing loans (NPLs) have risen to Tk 3.46 trillion by the end of December 2024.

The National Coordination Platform (NCP) has served a show-cause notice to Abdul Hannan Masud, accusing him of facilitating the release of three individuals detained for allegedly creating unrest in Dhanmondi under the guise of being ‘coordinators’. One of the detainees had been previously expelled from BOIBC for moral misconduct. In response, Hannan Masud claimed he intervened at the request of the DMP Commissioner and mediated the matter upon administrative appeal since no formal complaint had been filed.