Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar dismissed allegations that the party distributed cash to influence voters as baseless. “There is not a single piece of evidence showing money was handed out to woo voters. Why would we do that? These are groundless claims,” he said, responding to accusations that certain village committees (VCs) belong to Jamaat. Parwar challenged critics to publish names if they insist 16 VCs are Jamaat’s, asking who controls the remaining VCs — pointing out that they belong to other parties. On recent organizational changes in Chattogram — including the removal of metropolitan amir Shajahan Chowdhury and others — Parwar said leadership changes were made for organizational reasons, not due to irregularities. “For organizational needs, we appointed a new acting amir there,” he said, noting that no one is above discipline and the party acts when misconduct is discovered.

Environmental adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan urged stronger institutional capacity, transparency and accountability in pollution control and law enforcement, saying erroneous environmental clearances are unacceptable. “Law enforcement is not simply about fines,” she said, adding that transparency, alternative measures and public participation must accompany enforcement. Rizwana called for priority action against major polluters such as dyeing factories, cement plants and brick kilns, and urged authorities to identify the worst offenders and take planned, budgeted measures against them. “Publish the names of polluters. If information is open, the public will help resist political pressure,” she said. She strongly criticized grants of clearance to establish waste-disposal centres in flood-flow zones or environmentally sensitive areas, calling such permits illegal and irresponsible. “Even under political pressure, objections must be raised. If you cannot perform your duties, be transferred — but never compromise the environment,” she said, citing an instance where a polluting ceramic factory received a national award as an example of misplaced rewards. “Polluters should be punished, not rewarded.”

The four-day South Asia Trade Fair 2025 in Dhaka features participants from SAARC countries, offering visitors a variety of products under one roof. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka have brought items ranging from textiles, fashion, and electronics to processed foods, jewelry, home appliances, and kitchenware. The event highlights regional trade opportunities, cultural diversity, and business potential while attracting buyers and promoting both local and international market growth. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Sunday.

Three police officers have been withdrawn from their posts following allegations that they failed to perform field duties — opting instead to eat and rest — while deployed to stop a march by the activity-banned Awami League. The officers are: Assistant Commissioner (Mohammadpur) Mehedi Hasan, Inspector Abdul Alim, and Duty Officer SI Masudur Rahman. The decision followed an inspection by DMP Additional Commissioner Nazrul Islam on Friday, who recommended administrative action. DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali signed the withdrawal order. According to police sources, prior intelligence had warned of the Awami League’s programme across the city and officers were instructed to remain on duty. Inspectors later found four to five police vehicles parked at a station, with officers absent from their posts — some away for lunch and others reportedly resting. DMP spokesman Talebur Rahman said, for administrative reasons, the assistant commissioner has been transferred to DMP headquarters while the inspector and duty officer have been attached to the Central Reserve Office.

Heavy rainfall upstream and flash floods have caused water levels in the Jamuna River and other internal rivers, including Baral, Hurasagar, Fuljor, Kartoa, and Ichamoti, to rise in Sirajganj. Low-lying riverine areas and wetlands are inundated, putting winter vegetable crops at risk. Over the past six days, water levels have increased significantly but remain below danger levels. Authorities have assured there is no immediate flood risk, though water levels may continue rising for the next few days.

The U.S. Department of State has provided eight key recommendations aimed at improving financial transparency in Bangladesh. According to its financial transparency report, the current Bangladeshi government largely follows the budget framework set by its predecessor, though it has taken some important reform measures to enhance economic transparency. The recommendations include: Publishing year-end financial statements within a reasonable timeframe. Preparing budget documents in line with international standards. Separately presenting executive office expenditures. Providing a comprehensive picture of government revenue and spending in the budget. Ensuring the independence of the supreme audit authority according to international norms. Granting the audit office full access to budgetary information. Timely publication of audit reports with detailed proposals and explanations. Disclosing key information on natural resource contracts and government procurement. The report also noted that while the previous government made budget proposals and approved budgets publicly available online, they were not published within a reasonable timeframe. Although the information was generally reliable, it did not fully comply with international standards, such as disclosing the government’s debt levels in the budget.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam has said that those who opposed the July uprising and its symbolic graffiti will never return to power. Visiting a graffiti mural at the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge, Jahangir emphasized that the sacrifices made during the uprising would not be forgotten. “Future governments will honor the July sacrifices in their governance,” he said. According to him, the murals—“July Heroism” and “July Sacrifice”—aim to remind the younger generation of how students and ordinary citizens gave their lives for democracy and justice. “The uprising was not just a movement, but a struggle for truth against injustice,” he added. After inspecting the mural, the adviser observed a minute’s silence in memory of those who were killed during the July student-led mass movement.

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman has declared that Islami Chhatra Shibir’s victory in both Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections will have far-reaching political implications. Speaking to supporters, he said the results had left many “astonished” and predicted that the win would influence the upcoming national elections. “With those who love us and whom we love, we aim to contest all 300 seats in the next election,” Rahman stated. He praised party leaders for enduring imprisonment, repression, and even sacrificing their lives under the previous government. According to him, their sacrifices paved the way for today’s “free and independent political environment.” Referring to the mass uprising of July–August 2024, Rahman called it a turning point that ushered in a “new Bangladesh,” achieved through sacrifice and struggle.

A controversy has arisen at Jahangirnagar University after a newly published dormitory list mistakenly placed a female student in a male dorm room. As the academic year 2024–25 begins on Sunday, the university released class rolls, registration numbers, and hall seat allocations. In one list for Dormitory No. 10, the name of a female student was included alongside three male students in room 138. The university clarified through an official notice that the student in question had in fact been allocated a room in Begum Khaleda Zia Hall. Professor Mohammad Rezaul Rakib acknowledged the error, calling it accidental. However, Deputy Registrar (Education) Mohammad Ali Reza stated that the official website contains no mistakes, blaming the discrepancy on internal mismanagement within the hall administration.

Jamuna Television has been honored with the prestigious Superbrands Award in the news-based television category. Jamuna’s leadership said the recognition will serve as an inspiration to work even harder. “This achievement comes from our courage to call black ‘black’ and white ‘white,’” a senior executive noted. This year, Superbrands recognized 49 leading brands across multiple categories for the next two years. The award celebrates excellence in product quality, customer service, and brand commitment. Superbrands is a London-based global organization that identifies and honors outstanding brands worldwide.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to significantly expand global trade over the next 15 years. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), AI could lower business costs and increase productivity, potentially raising trade in goods and services between countries by 34–37%. WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill described AI as a “bright opportunity” for global commerce but cautioned that without proper policies, it may worsen economic inequality worldwide.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to depart Dhaka late Sunday night for New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to Senior Assistant Press Secretary Fayez Ahmed, Yunus will arrive in New York on September 22 and deliver his address to the General Assembly on September 26. He is expected to return to Dhaka on October 2. Accompanying him on this trip are four political leaders: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Akhtar Hossain, and Humayun Kabir. Additionally, on September 30, Yunus will join a high-level meeting titled “High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar”, chaired by the President of the UN General Assembly.

The Bangladesh Railway has announced that four pairs of special trains will operate on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka-Chattogram routes to manage the surge in passengers during the Durga Puja festival. The special services will run from September 30 to October 4, 2025. Among these, three pairs of “Puja Special” trains will run on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route, and one pair will operate on the Dhaka-Chattogram route. Each special train will have 18 coaches, offering 834 seats for daytime trains and 789 seats for nighttime services. Ticket prices will align with those of regular services such as Subarna Express, Sonar Bangla Express, and Cox’s Bazar Express. However, passengers will need to pay an additional 30% for AC seats and 20% for non-AC seats during this period. The railway authority urged passengers to book tickets in advance to ensure smooth travel during the festive rush.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie stated that the party will ensure the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ election symbol remains prominent in the upcoming elections under Tarique Rahman’s leadership. Annie stressed the need to strengthen Tarique Rahman’s leadership through unity and to support party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. “We must focus on the next elections. A strong leadership will emerge from the upcoming conference, which will help us reach every household,” he said. He added, “Following Tarique Rahman’s guidance, we will mobilize our team to reach the younger generation and honor the sacrifices of mothers and sisters who participated in past movements. At the local level, councilors, delegates, and ward leaders will unite to strengthen the party. Today, we stand together with no divisions, as we successfully built a bond of unity in Ramganj.”

A scuffle broke out between students and faculty at Rajshahi University on Saturday afternoon over the “pet quota” issue, leaving several injured including former coordinator Salahuddin Ammar and Al Shahriar Shuvo, general secretary of the Student Rights Council (RU branch). Students reportedly besieged the residences of the university’s two pro-vice-chancellors, locking the gates. Unable to enter one residence at midday, pro-vice-chancellor Prof. Main Uddin and proctor Mahbubur Rahman returned. As they moved toward Zuberi Hall, students followed, chanting slogans. A faculty member and a printing-press official tried to restrain the students on the Zuberi Hall verandah, and a physical confrontation began. Pro-vice-chancellor Main was later confined on the second-floor verandah of Zuberi Hall by students. University officials said around 10 staff members — including the pro-vice-chancellor, the registrar, the proctor and the public relations administrator — were temporarily surrounded. Several students and activists sustained injuries in the clashes.