Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, announced that strict legal action will be taken against extortionists, regardless of their political affiliation. He made the statement on Saturday during a meeting in his constituency, Sirajganj, emphasizing that the government will not tolerate extortion or drug trafficking. The meeting was held at the Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner’s conference room with officials from the district administration, police, and various energy sector agencies including Palli Bidyut, PDB, Petrobangla, NESCO, Nowapjeco, and PGCB. The minister urged officials to perform their duties with honesty, efficiency, and dedication, noting that citizens expect tangible results rather than promises. He stated that the government has launched a 180-day program aimed at bringing visible changes for the people. Mahmud added that the administration seeks to move beyond traditional practices and build a truly development-oriented society, calling on all stakeholders to contribute actively. The remarks reflect the government’s commitment to accountability and its focus on curbing corruption and criminal activities within all political circles.

Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Food Minister Amin-ur-Rashid Yasin announced that he will not accept any government salary or allowances during his tenure. Speaking at a press briefing at Comilla Circuit House on Saturday, February 21, 2026, he stated that since becoming minister, he has been using his own car and personally purchased fuel, avoiding the use of government vehicles and related expenses. Yasin highlighted his role in establishing Comilla’s first export-oriented factory and credited local encouragement for sparking an industrial transformation in the region. He also emphasized Comilla’s pioneering role in modern agriculture, referencing Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan’s irrigation projects and the internationally recognized “Comilla Model.” Yasin described himself as a farmer and pledged to prioritize agricultural development across the country. The minister further announced plans to build cold storage facilities to help Comilla’s farmers preserve their crops and expressed his commitment to maintaining the city’s historic reputation as the “city of tanks and banks.”

Members of the banned student organization Chhatra League entered the central Shaheed Minar of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) on Saturday afternoon, carrying floral wreaths and chanting slogans. Among them were two women wearing burqas. The group placed flowers at the monument while singing a song associated with February 21. Police later arrived at the scene but did not detain anyone. A video posted by a Chhatra League leader named Khalid Hossain Antor showed 15–20 activists walking toward the CVASU Shaheed Minar with a wreath labeled “Pushpastabok Concert from Metropolitan Chhatra League.” In a separate incident, some Chhatra League members attempted to pay tribute at the central Shaheed Minar near the city’s public library, but police reportedly prevented them because their wreaths lacked name tags. Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam said he inspected the CVASU site but found no flowers from the group, suggesting they might have left earlier. He confirmed that an investigation is underway.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament ATM Azharul Islam stated that the government’s disregard for the July Charter will be discussed in parliament once the session begins. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists at Saidpur Airport after receiving a floral reception from party activists. Azharul Islam said that during the referendum following the July movement, the public had supported the charter with a ‘yes’ vote, and several political parties had pledged to implement it. He warned that if any party in power denies that commitment, necessary measures will be taken through parliamentary discussion. He argued that without the July movement, many people would not have enjoyed freedom of expression in the current political context. Rejecting the July Charter, he said, would mean rejecting the election itself. Azharul Islam also expressed gratitude to his supporters in Badarganj and Taraganj and pledged to work for local development without discrimination. He emphasized that government officials must remain neutral and serve all citizens equally, while the administration should act firmly against drugs. He further stated that he represents both voters and non-voters alike and vowed not to exert any undue pressure on the administration.

Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim, a central executive council member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said that rejecting the referendum would raise questions about the current government's legitimacy. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a Ramadan food pack distribution event held at Char Monsa Government Primary School field in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila, where he was the chief guest. Rezaul Karim claimed that the July movement led to Tarique Rahman becoming prime minister and Dr. Shafiqur Rahman becoming the opposition leader, with many others returning to the country. He stated that 70 percent of voters supported the referendum, yet the government has not taken an oath to amend the constitution or formed the upper house as promised. He urged the government to implement the people's verdict from the July charter referendum without delay. He warned that if the referendum outcome is ignored, the 70 percent of people who participated in the July movement might take to the streets, though he expressed hope in the government’s assurances.

The 13th National Parliament of Bangladesh is scheduled to convene its first session on March 12 or a few days earlier, according to Salah Uddin Ahmed, Home Minister and member of the BNP Standing Committee. He made the announcement on Saturday night, confirming that the session will include the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Salah Uddin Ahmed stated that ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government will be presented in this session, along with condolence motions. The 13th Parliament has already seen the election of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman as the Leader of the House and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman as the Leader of the Opposition. The upcoming session marks the formal beginning of the 13th Parliament’s activities, setting the stage for legislative and administrative proceedings under the new political alignment.

The Bangladesh Government Employees Demand Implementation Alliance has announced new programs and issued an ultimatum to the government for the implementation of the ninth pay scale. According to a press release signed by Member Secretary Md. Mahmudul Hasan and Chief Coordinator Md. Warez Ali, if the demand is not met by March 15, the organization will announce further programs on March 28. The plan includes submitting memorandums to the Prime Minister through local MPs and ministers, holding representative assemblies, and organizing activities in divisional cities during Ramadan. The statement said that since the introduction of the eighth pay scale in 2015, employees in grades 11–20 have faced discrimination, and repeated appeals to successive governments have gone unanswered. The alliance noted that despite the formation of the eighth pay commission in 2025 and its report submission, the interim government did not implement the promised pay scale. It emphasized that rising living costs have made it difficult for employees to support their families. If no visible government action is taken by March 15, the alliance will announce its next steps at a press conference on March 28, after Eid-ul-Fitr.

The United States Supreme Court has declared President Donald Trump’s ‘Universal Baseline Tariff’ unconstitutional, ruling that it violated the US Constitution. The verdict, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, invalidates tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which the court said were used as economic coercion rather than for national security. The decision has global implications, particularly for countries like Bangladesh that recently signed trade agreements under Trump’s tariff regime. Following the ruling, Trump swiftly announced a new 10 percent tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, replacing Bangladesh’s previous 19 percent rate. While this appears to ease pressure, economists warn that the new law allows tariffs to rise up to 50 percent after a 150-day review of labor and environmental conditions. Bangladeshi economists and business leaders have criticized the earlier trade deal as unequal and coercive, noting that the US gained more benefits. Experts suggest Bangladesh should avoid immediate renegotiation and instead focus on improving domestic compliance and preparedness as the US reviews trade practices under the new tariff framework.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit has called on government officials in Jessore to perform their duties without political bias or fear. Speaking at a meeting with district department heads on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Jessore Deputy Commissioner’s Office, he emphasized that no official should seek special favors through political identity and urged them to focus on solving public problems through direct engagement with citizens. During the meeting, the minister reminded officials that the current government was elected by popular vote and must remain accountable to the people. He also advised humane consideration while removing illegal structures, particularly during Ramadan, suggesting alternative solutions for affected street vendors. Amit further stressed the importance of freeing local rivers from illegal occupation, expressing concern over encroachment on the Mukteshwari River. He assured officials that no political leader would interfere with their work and urged them to report any obstacles directly to him. The minister also instructed police to maintain law and order and reiterated his commitment to building a crime- and drug-free Jessore. In a separate session, he directed municipal authorities to identify and resolve drainage and waterlogging issues promptly.

Three leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Fulchhari upazila of Gaibandha district have been expelled for violating party discipline and taking a stance against the organization. The decision was announced on Saturday through a press release signed by the upazila BNP’s general secretary and organizing secretary. The expelled leaders are Abdur Rashid Sarkar Madhu, vice-president of Udakhali Union BNP; Anarul Islam, joint general secretary; and Saiful Islam Safiullah, organizing secretary of Erendabari Union BNP. Fulchhari upazila BNP general secretary Abdus Salam Sarkar confirmed the expulsion, stating that the three were removed from all party positions, including their primary memberships, due to organizational misconduct. The announcement underscores the BNP’s internal enforcement of discipline at the local level, as the party leadership moves to address activities deemed harmful to organizational unity.

Electricity, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said that celebrating Language Day with only cultural programs is not enough. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion, cultural event, and award ceremony organized by the Sirajganj district administration on Saturday morning, he emphasized that to truly uphold Bangla as the mother tongue, people must reject foreign slogans and attitudes that do not align with the spirit of the language. The minister stated that Bangla has a rare and proud history compared to many other languages and urged everyone to love their own language, culture, and country. He criticized the growing use of certain foreign expressions among the youth, saying such trends are disconnected from Bangla’s heritage and those who once tried to suppress it. The event was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Md. Aminul Islam and attended by local officials, political leaders, and freedom fighters. Tuku added that true patriotism requires purification of thought and action, which he said is essential for protecting the Bangla language.

Dhaka-14 constituency’s elected Member of Parliament Barrister Arman declared that he and his supporters are ready to sacrifice their lives but will not accept 'July', during a visit to his father’s grave in Harirampur, Manikganj, on Saturday, February 21, 2026. He also demanded that justice for Shaheed Osman Hadi and Shaheed Abu Sayeed must be delivered on Bangladeshi soil. Arman, son of Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali, said he was abducted by what he called fascist forces shortly before his father’s execution and was unaware of his father’s fate. He described his survival as a second life granted by divine mercy and pledged to dedicate himself to ensuring that no one in Bangladesh faces such oppression again. He sought prayers to fulfill his parliamentary duty of representing people’s rights and to uphold his father’s Islamic ideals. Several Jamaat and student leaders, including former central Chhatra Shibir president Zahidur Rahman and local Jamaat leaders from Manikganj, were present during the visit.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a meeting on February 21, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, focusing on making the education system more enjoyable and employment-oriented, expanding job opportunities, and improving sports infrastructure and training facilities. The meeting was attended by relevant ministers, state ministers, and senior officials. According to Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh, this was the first time Prime Minister Tarique Rahman worked from the Tejgaon office since assuming office. It marked his third working day as head of government. After taking the oath as prime minister, he had worked at the Secretariat on the previous Wednesday and Thursday. The meeting reflected the new administration’s early focus on aligning education with employment and strengthening youth and sports development initiatives.

Bangladesh’s Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that significant visible progress will be achieved within the next six months in the modernization and ongoing development projects of Mongla Port, the country’s second-largest seaport. He made the statement during a press briefing at the Mongla Port Authority jetty on Saturday afternoon. The minister said Mongla Port’s role in the economic growth, industrialization, and foreign trade of the southwestern region is expanding. Redirecting more import-export operations to Mongla could ease pressure on Dhaka and Chattogram, reduce transport costs, and save time. Under the government’s priority plans, infrastructure upgrades, addition of modern equipment, and digital transformation of services are underway. He emphasized coordinated efforts to make Mongla a modern, efficient regional trade hub contributing more to the national economy. Alam also highlighted the importance of the newly launched rail link to the port and said integrated management of rail and maritime transport will make cargo movement more dynamic. About 15 integrated development plans have been undertaken to transform Mongla into a competitive seaport modeled after Chattogram Port.

At a discussion meeting in Dhaka on Saturday marking International Mother Language and Martyrs’ Day, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament Professor Mujibur Rahman said that a government had been formed against the people’s verdict by not taking the oath of the Constitutional Reform Council. He urged both the government and opposition to work together to implement the people’s mandate peacefully, warning that failure to do so could lead to public uprising. Rahman stated that no government in the country’s history had remained in power by defying public opinion and that Jamaat-e-Islami was prepared for a final struggle to establish people’s rights while also ready to cooperate with the government as an opposition party. He called for ensuring the use of the Bangla language in all sectors and for rewriting what he described as distorted historical narratives to present the truth to the younger generation. Other speakers, including Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, emphasized the need to implement the July Charter to strengthen democracy and warned against authoritarian tendencies.