Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced his plan to transform northern Bangladesh into the capital of agro-based industries during a series of election rallies on Friday, January 23, 2026. Speaking at a large gathering in Panchagarh’s sugar mill field, he said closed sugar mills would be reopened and workers reinstated. The event marked his first election rally outside Dhaka, followed by similar meetings in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Rangpur, which drew enthusiastic participation from party supporters. Dr. Rahman accused successive governments of deliberately keeping northern Bangladesh impoverished and pledged to change the region’s economic landscape within five years. He promised to establish specialized hospitals in every district, recover embezzled funds allegedly laundered abroad, and eliminate corruption and extortion. In Dinajpur, he vowed to build agro-industries and storage facilities for potatoes and lychees, while in Thakurgaon he promised to upgrade Saidpur Airport to international standards and ensure fair prices for farmers. In Rangpur, Dr. Rahman said his alliance would implement the Teesta Master Plan and create employment instead of unemployment benefits. He urged voters to support the ten-party alliance and mark “yes” in the upcoming referendum.

Iran has warned that any attack against it will be treated as an all-out war. The statement came from a senior Iranian official in response to the movement of a large US naval fleet toward the Gulf region. The unnamed official said Iran is fully prepared for any situation and remains on maximum alert. The warning followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who told reporters aboard Air Force One that a massive naval fleet was advancing toward the Gulf to monitor Iran. The Iranian official expressed hope that the deployment was not intended to provoke conflict but emphasized that the Iranian military was ready for the worst-case scenario. The official added that any violation of Iran’s sovereignty or territorial integrity by the United States would be met with a strong response. He declined to specify what form that response might take but said Iran would use maximum force to repel any attack.

Former state minister for education and BNP candidate for Chandpur-1 constituency, Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon, has accused a rival political party of deceiving the public by claiming that voting for them would guarantee entry to heaven. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at the inauguration of his election campaign in Nayakandi village under Sacher Union of Kachua, Chandpur. Milon said that if people could attain heaven simply by voting, they would abandon religious practices. Highlighting his previous tenure as state minister, he claimed to have made examinations free from cheating, stopped the killing of juvenile hilsa fish, and relocated the Chandpur launch terminal to reduce passenger suffering and accidents. He pledged that, if re-elected in the February 12 election, he would transform Kachua into the country's leading education hub. The event was chaired by Kachua Upazila Jubo Dal president Md. Mohiuddin Majumdar and attended by local BNP and affiliated organization leaders, including members of the Bangladesh Olama Dal.

Candidates and supporters from various political parties have become increasingly active in campaigning for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. Despite a festive atmosphere, concerns over safety have intensified following incidents including the shooting of a BNP leader and the arrest of two armed suspects from a Jamaat candidate’s rally. Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have alleged an attempted murder of their Dhaka-7 candidate, Hafez Enayet Ullah, and demanded stronger government and Election Commission action to ensure a fear-free vote. Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair emphasized that maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the administration and law enforcement agencies. Party leaders accused the government of ignoring repeated calls to recover illegal weapons and prosecute past political killings. The National Citizens Party and BNP also expressed alarm, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemning recent attacks and warning of conspiracies to derail the election. Opposition parties have urged immediate and effective measures from the government and Election Commission to restore public confidence and prevent further violence during the campaign period.

Patients at the 50-bed Sreebardi Upazila Health Complex in Sherpur are being deprived of essential medical care due to an acute shortage of doctors and staff. Despite having modern medical equipment, the hospital cannot provide adequate services. Out of 21 sanctioned doctor positions, only six are filled, with two on deputation, leaving just four doctors to serve patients. Among 163 total posts, 88 remain vacant, forcing the facility to operate with only 71 employees. The hospital serves around 300,000 residents across 10 unions and one municipality, as well as patients from neighboring Jhenaigati. Each day, 300 to 350 patients visit the emergency and outpatient departments, overwhelming the few available doctors. Key departments such as anesthesia, surgery, gynecology, and medicine have no specialists, leaving many patients—especially women—without treatment. Locals say they are compelled to seek costly private care, burdening low-income families. Health officials stated that the shortage has been reported to higher authorities, but no action has yet been taken to resolve the crisis.

At least eight people were killed and two others injured in a road accident near Hyderabad, Pakistan, according to Geo News. Rescue teams reached the site and transferred the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment. The incident occurred on Saturday, and police confirmed that among the dead were five children and one woman, whose identities have not yet been released. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Jamshoro stated that the truck driver involved in the crash has been detained and is being questioned. A case has been filed, and police have launched an investigation into the incident. Road accidents are frequent in Pakistan, often attributed to poor road conditions, inadequate vehicle maintenance, and driver negligence. In a separate accident on Thursday near Mellowal village in Valwal, a truck carrying animal feed overturned, killing at least four people and injuring eight others. Rescue 1122 reported that the truck lost balance and overturned, trapping several workers underneath. The exact cause of that accident remains unknown.

Healthcare services at Matlab North Upazila Health Complex in Chandpur have collapsed due to an acute shortage of doctors. Despite being a modern facility upgraded from 31 to 50 beds, only four doctors are currently serving nearly 500,000 residents across one municipality and 14 unions. The hospital has lacked key specialists, including gynecology, surgery, pediatrics, and anesthesia consultants, for years. Cesarean operations have remained suspended for 14 of the hospital’s 16 years, forcing expectant mothers to seek costly private care. The hospital’s infrastructure, including an X-ray machine and laboratory, remains underutilized due to the absence of technicians and adequate staff. Several doctors are on deputation or absent without cause, further worsening the crisis. Local anti-corruption committee president Matiur Rahman Chowdhury said poor residents depend solely on the hospital, yet essential maternal services have been unavailable for most of its existence. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Mahbubur Rahman stated that despite the hospital’s upgrade, the lack of manpower and technical staff severely limits service delivery. The ongoing shortage has forced many patients to travel to Chandpur or Dhaka for treatment, increasing both costs and health risks.

Road widening and four-lane development work on the Shariatpur–Dhaka highway is continuing despite eight electric poles remaining in the middle of the road. The situation has raised serious safety concerns among drivers, passengers, and local residents, who fear major accidents could occur at any time. The project, approved in 2020 to improve connectivity between Shariatpur and Dhaka via the Padma Bridge, covers 27 kilometers and costs Tk 1,682 crore. Work has progressed slowly over seven years due to various complications. According to the district Roads and Highways Department, the Rural Electrification Board was formally requested a month ago to remove the poles, followed by several verbal reminders. However, no visible action has been taken, forcing road authorities to proceed with construction. Local residents and drivers have criticized the lack of safety measures, calling the situation dangerous. Officials said the poles were supposed to be removed by contractors who have since absconded, and a new contractor has been appointed to complete the task. Authorities stated that pole removal work is now in process, but until completed, the highway remains at risk of accidents.

Independent candidate Barrister Rumin Farhana formally began her election campaign for the Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail–Ashuganj and part of Bijoynagar) constituency on Friday evening with a large rally at the remote village of Parmanandpur in Pakshimul Union. Speaking as the chief guest, she declared that she would no longer tolerate the neglect of the area and pledged to ensure its development regardless of which party holds power. She emphasized that development should not be the monopoly of any political group. Farhana described the severe communication problems in the region, recounting her own difficult journey to reach the rally site by car, boat, and autorickshaw through sandy roads. She announced plans to build a bridge on the Bhuiashwar–Parmanandpur road and to pave roads across the area as part of her election commitments. She also promised to work for the improvement of schools, colleges, madrasas, mosques, and temples using both government and personal initiatives. The rally, attended by a large number of local voters and BNP-affiliated leaders, marked the official start of her campaign under the ‘duck’ symbol.

Election Commissioner Md. Abdur Rahmanel Machud stated that the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum will be completely free, fair, credible, and conducted with integrity. He made the remarks on Friday, January 23, during a meeting with polling officials at Sitakunda Degree College in Chattogram, emphasizing that the election will not be a mockery or whimsical process. The commissioner said that past elections had been turned into a farce, which was undesirable, and stressed that the country should not be a place for such mockery. He assured that the forthcoming election would be fair, accurate, and trusted by the people. He also noted that blaming the patriotic police force for the actions of a few individuals was unjust and that such situations would not be allowed to recur. The meeting, organized by the Sitakunda Upazila Administration and Election Office, was chaired by Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia and attended by senior officials, including the Divisional Commissioner, Regional Election Officer, and Superintendent of Police.

At least 27 people were killed in separate airstrikes carried out by Myanmar’s military junta on a wedding gathering and a funeral, according to a report by local outlet The Irrawaddy on Thursday. The attacks occurred in Kachin State’s Hpakant Township and Magway Region’s Aunglan Township, leaving many others injured, including women and children. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) stated that 22 civilians died and at least 28 were injured when the junta bombed Kaung Zar village in Hpakant during a funeral. The village, home to displaced families, lies near the Irrawaddy River close to Hpakant town. KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu said there were no KIA members in the area and accused the junta of deliberately targeting civilians. Earlier the same day, another airstrike on a wedding preparation in Magway’s Tat Kone village killed at least five people, including a child. Days earlier, the junta also bombed a prison run by the Arakan Army in Rakhine State, killing 21 detained soldiers and relatives and injuring 30 others.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to establishing justice in Bangladesh. Speaking on Saturday morning in Rangpur after visiting the grave of Abu Saeed, he said the party is moving forward inspired by Abu Saeed’s sacrifice. He pledged that Jamaat would never compromise the country’s dignity and would resist injustice at any cost. Dr. Rahman stated that Abu Saeed and others entrusted the nation’s honor to them through their sacrifices, and Jamaat would protect that trust. He emphasized the party’s goal of building a corruption-free and discrimination-free Bangladesh based on justice, aligning its vision with that of the martyrs. He also assured supporters that the party would remain with them through all crises. After the grave visit, Dr. Rahman met Abu Saeed’s family and prayed for the martyr’s forgiveness. He is scheduled to address a series of election rallies throughout the day in Gaibandha, Bogura, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Ullapara, and Pabna.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman visited the grave of martyr Abu Saeed in Pirganj, Rangpur, on Saturday morning. After offering prayers, he met Abu Saeed’s father and elder brother at their home. During the visit, he prayed for the forgiveness of Abu Saeed and sought divine help for the nation to resist domination and follow the path of the martyrs. The Jamaat leader was accompanied by party assistant secretary Maulana Abdul Halim, NCP central member secretary Akhtar Hossain, and Shibir central secretary Sibgatullah Sibga. Following the visit, Dr. Rahman was scheduled to address election rallies throughout the day in several districts, including Gaibandha, Bogura, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Ullapara, and Pabna. The visit and subsequent rallies mark part of Jamaat-e-Islami’s ongoing political activities ahead of upcoming elections, as the party leadership continues outreach across northern Bangladesh.

Cricket analyst Yasef Imroz Ifaz has alleged that India has turned cricket into a political tool to advance regional agendas, claiming the sport is experiencing one of its darkest periods. He argued that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dominates nearly every aspect of the game, while many key branches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) are controlled by individuals of Indian origin, compromising the organization’s neutrality. Ifaz praised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for prioritizing national interest and resisting what he described as unfair pressure from the ICC to play in India despite security concerns. The commentary links the current dispute to India’s initial security objections involving Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman, which later reversed when Bangladesh raised similar concerns. Ifaz cited past incidents, including umpiring controversies and hostile fan behavior, as evidence of bias favoring India. He warned that India’s approach risks damaging long-standing Bangladesh–India relations and called for mutual respect between the two nations. Ifaz suggested that Bangladesh’s recent political changes have led it to assert its sovereignty more strongly, urging India to adapt to this new reality.

Pakistani security and geopolitical analyst Ikram Sehgal has said that Bangladesh now holds a strategically vital position in South Asia and that India is in a more vulnerable security situation. Speaking in Islamabad at a meeting with a visiting Bangladeshi media delegation, he asserted that if Bangladesh strengthens its military capacity, India would think twice before taking any aggressive stance. Sehgal emphasized that Pakistan is ready to provide comprehensive assistance to Bangladesh, including military cooperation and training exchanges. He proposed that future Dhaka-Islamabad relations could be built on the concept of “two countries, one nation,” though he acknowledged this would be challenging. Sehgal also highlighted the need to remove visa barriers, promote duty-free trade, and resolve pending bilateral issues. He expressed support for Bangladesh’s upcoming election and urged a return to democratic processes. Additionally, he criticized India’s role in obstructing SAARC’s effectiveness and called for renewed regional cooperation. Separately, Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) offered technical assistance to Bangladesh to enhance and secure its national database systems, citing concerns over data breaches and the importance of protecting sensitive information.