The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has demanded visible improvements in law and order and a complete end to extortion to keep Bangladesh’s trade and economy functional. At a press conference on February 23 in Motijheel, DCCI President Taskin Ahmed warned that business leaders might shut down operations if the government fails to act. He described widespread extortion affecting factories and transport, saying the situation has become increasingly complex and burdensome for businesses. DCCI highlighted that corruption and informal transactions have sharply raised business costs and discouraged new investment. The organization presented four key demands: effective improvement of law enforcement, elimination of extortion, corruption-free public institutions, and investment-friendly financial policies. It also called for refinancing non-willful loan defaulters and lowering bank interest rates. Ahmed urged reform of the tax system through automation and separation of the National Board of Revenue, and emphasized activating the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s single-window system to ease business processes. The chamber expressed concern over unemployment affecting about 2.6 million people and stressed technical education to strengthen the private sector. It also urged review of a recent U.S.-aligned trade agreement and prioritized development of 30 sectors, including leather and light engineering, to boost export diversification.

Ishraq Hossain has announced his intention to contest in the upcoming Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral election. The announcement came on Monday through a verified Facebook post, where he stated his plan to run for the position. This declaration follows his recent success in the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12, 2026. Ishraq Hossain was elected as a Member of Parliament from Dhaka-6 constituency for the first time and has since been appointed as the State Minister for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs in the new cabinet. His decision to run for the city corporation election marks a continuation of his growing political engagement following his parliamentary debut. The announcement positions Ishraq as a notable young politician expanding his political footprint from national to local governance, though further details about his campaign or party endorsement were not mentioned in the source.

President Md. Shahabuddin has called the first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament to begin on March 12, 2026, at 11 a.m. The announcement was made through a press release issued by the Public Relations Department of the National Parliament Secretariat on Monday. The session has been convened under the authority granted by Article 72(1) of the Constitution, according to a letter signed by Md. Emadul Haque, Director of Public Relations at the Secretariat. As per parliamentary tradition and law, the first day of the new parliament will include the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Following these elections, the newly elected Speaker will preside over the formal commencement of the 13th Parliament’s proceedings. At the beginning of the session, the President is scheduled to deliver an important address outlining the government’s ongoing development activities and its future administrative and economic plans. After the President’s address, members of parliament will have the opportunity to participate in a general discussion on a motion of thanks, marking the start of the new parliamentary term.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that Bangladesh’s market situation remains satisfactory and that positive changes in market management will be visible soon. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon after an unannounced visit to Mohammadpur Town Hall kitchen market in Dhaka, where he inspected product prices and supply conditions. The minister stated that there is adequate supply of goods and that legal action will be taken against those manipulating prices ahead of Ramadan. Muktadir emphasized that several plans have been adopted to make the market stable and consumer-friendly, though implementation will take time. He noted that ten monitoring teams from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection are working regularly, as it is not feasible to deploy inspection teams simultaneously across all markets in Dhaka. The minister urged media cooperation and reminded traders to act ethically during Ramadan, avoiding excessive profit-taking. He added that the ministry’s efforts through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh have kept import-dependent markets stable, with some product prices even lower than last year. A recent assault on a consumer rights official has led to a filed case, and legal proceedings are underway.

Nine writers have been selected for the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025, according to a press release signed by Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, on Monday. The awards will be formally presented by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the inauguration ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair organized by the academy on February 26. The recipients are Mohan Raihan for poetry, Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children's literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammadi for science, and Moeedul Hasan for Liberation War literature. The academy’s executive council approved the awards based on recommendations from the proposal and award committees. Traditionally, the Prime Minister presents the awards at the opening of the month-long book fair each year. However, this year the fair did not begin on February 1 due to the 13th national parliamentary election, leading to the rescheduled inauguration on February 26.

Al-Azhar University in Egypt has organized daily iftar gatherings for 6,000 to 7,000 international students during Ramadan, including around 4,000 Bangladeshis studying there. The event takes place at the historic Al-Azhar Mosque, where students enter through the east gate using tokens issued after verifying their university identity. The arrangements are supervised by Dr. Muhammad Al-Duwaini, the university’s undersecretary, with staff preparing the meals well before sunset. The mosque’s serene interior, surrounded by tall minarets, accommodates both male and female students in separate sections. The iftar begins with dates and water at the call to prayer, followed by traditional Egyptian dishes such as rice, local bread, chicken fry, kofta, vegetables, and desserts. A recitation from the Qur’an precedes the meal, adding to the spiritual atmosphere. Bangladeshi student Abu Sawban Akand expressed that sharing iftar with thousands from different countries creates a unique sense of unity and gratitude toward the university. The initiative has become a symbol of brotherhood, compassion, and spiritual connection among students from around the world.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that a new commission will be formed to thoroughly review the BDR killings and ensure justice based on the commission’s recommendations. He made the statement on Monday at the Secretariat after a meeting with heads of various departments. The minister said the initiative aligns with the government’s election manifesto and emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear chain of command within law enforcement agencies. Salahuddin criticized the previous lottery-based appointment process for police officers, saying it lacked transparency and did not consider service records. He warned that any illegal interference in police work, whether political or social, would face immediate action. The minister also stated that police operations would be monitored to prevent public inconvenience. He added that the government is working to reform the police and restore morale after what he described as institutional damage during a previous authoritarian period. Salahuddin said he plans to visit different divisions to motivate officials and guide them toward forward-looking governance.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman stated that foreign representatives have expressed deep confidence in Bangladesh’s new government and a strong willingness to work together. He made the remarks on Monday, February 23, 2026, while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following meetings with U.S. Ambassador Brent Christensen and European Union ambassadors in Dhaka. Dr. Rahman said he had met several foreign ambassadors, including those from Saudi Arabia, China, India, Pakistan, the United States, and the European Union. During these meetings, he outlined Bangladesh’s foreign policy priorities, emphasizing the principle of “Bangladesh First.” He reaffirmed that the government’s activities would be guided by independence, sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and national dignity, aiming to build mutually beneficial relations with all countries. The minister added that Bangladesh seeks to resolve bilateral issues through mutual respect and dignity to ensure the protection of all parties’ interests.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on Abul Kalam Azad, former principal secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office and former Member of Parliament for Jamalpur-5. The order was issued on Monday, 23 February 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision. According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) petition, Azad is under investigation for alleged irregularities and corruption. The ACC stated that credible sources indicated he might attempt to flee abroad to evade the inquiry. To ensure a fair and uninterrupted investigation, the commission requested the court to restrict his foreign travel. After the hearing, the judge granted the ACC’s request. The court’s order prevents Azad from leaving Bangladesh while the corruption investigation continues, reflecting ongoing judicial measures to support the ACC’s inquiries.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that 2,701 constables will be recruited urgently to fill vacancies in the police force. He made the statement on Monday after a meeting with heads of law enforcement agencies at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka. The minister said the recruitment process will begin soon to address manpower shortages across all levels of the police. Ahmed emphasized that the government’s main objective is to manage law enforcement agencies in line with public expectations. He also stated that firearm licenses issued during the previous fascist government will be reverified to ensure they were granted through proper procedures. Licenses given for political purposes will be canceled, and the associated weapons’ permissions will also be revoked. The home minister expressed hope that both the recruitment and verification processes could be completed within a short period, aiming to strengthen law enforcement capacity and accountability.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that no one will be allowed to interfere in police work and that immediate action will be taken against anyone obstructing law enforcement. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon after a meeting with heads of law enforcement agencies at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The minister emphasized that neither political nor social actors can hinder legitimate police duties and that police operations should avoid causing public suffering. Responding to questions, he said the government has begun efforts to make the police truly a friend of the people. He noted that during the previous fascist regime, political interference had damaged many institutions, including the police, and that reforms are now underway to rebuild morale and restore effectiveness. Salahuddin added that the country is recovering from institutional damage caused during that period and must now work in line with public expectations following the mass uprising. He said he will visit different divisions to motivate officers and guide them toward forward-looking goals.

The upcoming Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 has been postponed by one day and will now begin on February 26, continuing until March 15. The decision was made at a meeting held Sunday night at the Shahid Munir Chowdhury Auditorium of Bangla Academy, attended by State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyum, Secretary Md. Mofidur Rahman, Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, Secretary Dr. Md. Selim Reza, and representatives of various publishing houses. The organizers also decided that there will be no pavilions at this year’s fair. According to Dr. Selim Reza, publishers who had previously been allotted pavilions have agreed to remove them with the support of BAPUS leaders. Earlier, on February 18, the fair committee decided to waive stall rental fees for all participating publishers. Meanwhile, the publishers’ association ‘Prokashok Oikko’, which had earlier withdrawn from the fair over unresolved demands, announced its participation at a press conference held Monday at the National Press Club in Dhaka. Representatives of several major publishing houses attended the press conference, where they said the government had responded positively to several of their conditions, prompting their decision to rejoin the fair.

In Mymensingh’s Valuka upazila, the previously banned Awami League office of Mallikbari Union No. 7 was reopened as local leaders raised the national flag and displayed photos of top party figures. The reopening was accompanied by chants of 'Joy Bangla' and celebrations, with videos of the event circulating on social media. Reports indicate that other union and upazila offices are also preparing to reopen. Local sources said the reopening occurred soon after the national election. Business owners noted that following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 during a mass uprising, local activists reopened the office without obstruction. A local Awami League leader, requesting anonymity, stated that they had supported the BNP candidate in the election and maintained good relations with BNP members, facing no resistance after reopening. Police said they visited the site after the video spread online but found the office locked. Authorities are attempting to identify those involved and have pledged legal action once they are located.

Aminul Islam, the newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, pledged to assist the tribunal’s ongoing and upcoming trials in line with the aspirations of the July martyrs. He made the statement on Monday during a press briefing at the tribunal premises after formally assuming his new role. Islam emphasized that those who have not committed any wrongdoing will not face harassment from the prosecution, while genuine offenders will receive due punishment. Responding to a question from journalists about whether the tribunal’s pace might slow under the new government, Islam expressed optimism that the trials would proceed even faster under an elected administration. Earlier in the day, he officially took charge at the Chief Prosecutor’s office, where outgoing Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam welcomed him with flowers. His remarks underscored a commitment to fairness and efficiency in the tribunal’s judicial process, signaling continuity and renewed momentum in the prosecution of war crimes cases.

Advocate Talukder Md. Yunus, general secretary of Barishal District Awami League, has been granted bail in a case over the vandalism of BNP’s district and metropolitan offices and the assault of its activists. The bail was approved on Monday afternoon by Judge Sarafatullah of the Barishal Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The case was filed after political changes in August 2024, concerning an attack that took place on January 5, 2017, during protests against an allegedly illegal election. The case, filed by BNP leader Sarowar Alam, named Sadiq Abdullah as the prime accused and listed 213 individuals. Most of the accused remain absconding, though several Awami League leaders, including former MP Jebunnesa Afroz and others, have already received bail. Assistant Public Prosecutor Hafiz Ahmed Bablu expressed shock and anger at the repeated bail approvals, questioning how Yunus obtained bail despite multiple ongoing political cases. Yunus’s lawyer, Advocate Kaiyum Hossain, stated that the court granted bail considering his client’s illness and the nature of the case, allowing him to remain free until trial.