Jamaat-e-Islami faced a significant setback in the 13th parliamentary elections across Sylhet, Chattogram, Barishal, and Mymensingh divisions, according to results announced by the Election Commission. The party failed to win any seat in Sylhet, where its ally Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish secured one. In Mymensingh, Jamaat won two seats while its ally won two more, with most other constituencies dominated by BNP. In Barishal, Jamaat won two out of 21 seats, while in Chattogram it managed three out of 58. In Dhaka division, the party performed relatively better in the capital, winning six of 15 city seats, but struggled in other districts. In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami achieved strong results in Khulna and Rangpur divisions. The party and its allies won 39 of 69 seats across these two regions, including 25 of 36 seats in Khulna and 18 of 33 in Rangpur. Jamaat also secured 11 seats in Rajshahi division. The data shows a sharp regional divide in the party’s electoral performance, with dominance in the west and heavy losses in the east and south.

The Bangladesh Army has been widely praised for its neutral and professional role in maintaining law and order during the 13th parliamentary election. Deployed under the ‘In Aid to Civil Power’ framework, the army worked across the country to ensure a peaceful and fair voting environment. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), around 100,000 army personnel, along with members of the navy and air force, were stationed in 62 districts and 411 upazilas. The army is expected to return to barracks soon, pending government instruction. Following the July revolution, the army had been assisting the civilian administration for about one and a half years to stabilize the country. Before the election, troops conducted operations to recover illegal weapons, arrest criminals, and prevent unrest. On election day, they coordinated with police and other law enforcement agencies to prevent ballot snatching, control crowds, and ensure voter safety. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited several districts to oversee operations and provide guidance. ISPR sources reported that the army recovered over 10,000 weapons and detained more than 22,000 identified criminals since the uprising, contributing significantly to restoring public confidence in the electoral process.

Vegetable prices in Dhaka have surged sharply amid disruptions linked to the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum. Limited movement of goods-carrying trucks and the closure of most wholesale markets have reduced supply, pushing up prices of onions, garlic, and vegetables. On Saturday afternoon at Karwan Bazar, traders reported that prices of some vegetables had more than doubled, with bitter gourd selling for Tk 180–200 per kilogram, up from Tk 90–100. New onions rose to Tk 60 per kilogram, while local garlic reached Tk 140. Across the capital’s markets, vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, green chili, eggplant, and beans were selling at Tk 10–20 higher per kilogram than before the election period. Broiler and Sonali chicken prices also increased by Tk 10–20 per kilogram. Traders attributed the rise to transport restrictions and higher freight costs, which have risen up to double. Many wholesale outlets remained closed, and retail sales were low due to fewer customers. Vendors expressed hope that once transport operations and wholesale markets resume normal activity, supply will improve and prices will ease. Other grocery items such as oil, sugar, lentils, and eggs have remained stable.

Loan disbursement through agent banking services in Bangladesh grew by about 46 percent over the past year, according to the latest quarterly report from Bangladesh Bank. As of December 2025, total loans under agent banking stood at Tk 35,023 crore, up from Tk 24,028 crore a year earlier. Deposits also increased by 18.51 percent to Tk 49,720 crore, while remittance distribution rose by 15.48 percent. Brac Bank led loan disbursement with 72.12 percent of the total, followed by City Bank, Bank Asia, Islami Bank, and Dutch-Bangla Bank. Industry sources attribute the growth to easier loan procedures, lower interest rates, and the convenience of accessing services locally without visiting bank branches. Agent banking allows third-party outlets to provide nearly all banking services, including account opening, deposits, withdrawals, bill payments, and remittance collection. These outlets operate mainly in rural areas, where 84 percent of agents are based. Despite the growth in transactions, the number of agents and outlets declined in 2025. The total number of agents fell to 15,327 from 16,021 the previous year, while outlets decreased by 747, indicating consolidation within the expanding service network.

The sixth death anniversary of eminent modern Bangla poet Al Mahmud is being observed on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The poet, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 82 due to pneumonia in Dhaka, is remembered for his celebrated poetry collection 'Sonali Kabin'. His works drew inspiration from the Language Movement of 1952 through the Liberation War of 1971, inspiring generations with themes of national identity and freedom. Born on July 11, 1936, in Mollarbari of Mourail, Brahmanbaria, Al Mahmud moved to Dhaka in 1954 to pursue journalism and literary writing. After the Liberation War, he edited the daily Ganakantha and was imprisoned for a year. His literary contributions earned him numerous honors, including the Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Literary Award, Humayun Kabir Memorial Award, Jibanananda Memorial Award, and Jasimuddin Award. Marking the anniversary, the organization 'Kaler Kolosh' has arranged a commemorative event at the Al Mahmud Corner of Bangla Academy at 4 p.m., where noted cultural figures and admirers will discuss his life and works, alongside recitations and musical performances.

In the 13th parliamentary election, 20 out of 33 candidates in Sylhet district lost their security deposits across six constituencies. The unofficial results were announced on Thursday night by the district’s returning officer and Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam. According to the Election Commission’s circular, any candidate receiving less than one-eighth, or 12.5 percent, of total votes cast forfeits their deposit. The results show that six candidates in Sylhet-1, three in Sylhet-2, four in Sylhet-3, three in Sylhet-4, one in Sylhet-5, and three in Sylhet-6 lost their deposits. In Sylhet-1, for example, 325,000 votes were cast, and candidates needed at least 40,692 votes to retain their deposits. Similar thresholds were applied in other constituencies, with several candidates from parties such as Ganadhikar Parishad, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Jatiya Party failing to meet the required vote share. The forfeiture of deposits highlights the limited electoral support for smaller parties and independent candidates in Sylhet’s six constituencies during the 13th national polls.

Seven former presidents of Islami Chhatra Shibir have been elected as members of the National Parliament. They contested the February 12 election under the banner of Jamaat-e-Islami and won by a large margin. The newly elected MPs include Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Taher (Comilla-11), Central Executive Committee member Saiful Alam Khan Milon (Dhaka-12), Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan (Sirajganj-4), Central Executive Committee member and Dhaka South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul (Chapainawabganj-3), Central Working Committee member and Dhaka South Secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud (Patuakhali-2), Salahuddin Ayyubi (Gazipur-4), and Hafiz Rashedul Islam (Sherpur-1). According to the report, nine other former Shibir presidents also participated in the election but were defeated. In total, Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 parliamentary seats in this election. The results highlight the continued political presence of former student leaders within the party’s national leadership structure. The election outcome strengthens Jamaat-e-Islami’s representation in parliament and underscores the influence of its former student wing leaders in shaping the party’s political direction.

Booker Prize–winning Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy has declined an invitation to the Berlin International Film Festival after expressing outrage at comments made by jury members regarding the situation in Gaza. In a statement on Friday, Roy said she was deeply hurt and disturbed by remarks from jury president Wim Wenders and others during a Thursday press conference, where they suggested filmmakers should stay away from politics. The controversy arose when a journalist asked the jury about the German government's support for Israel and its stance on human rights. Wenders responded that filmmakers should not engage in politics, emphasizing that their work is for the public, not politicians. Roy condemned these comments as “conscience-less,” describing the Gaza situation as genocide by Israel against Palestinians. She argued that artists and filmmakers have a moral duty to speak out against such atrocities. Roy’s 1989 film “In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones” was scheduled to be screened in the festival’s classics section from February 12 to 22, but she has now withdrawn her participation.

Ahead of the upcoming match against India, Pakistan’s spin attack is being viewed as the team’s strongest weapon. The dry pitch conditions in Colombo are expected to favor spinners, particularly Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub, who both rely heavily on back-spin deliveries. Their carrom balls are likely to skid on the surface, increasing chances of dismissals through bowled and leg-before-wicket. The analysis highlights that variation will be crucial in T20 bowling, as batsmen tend to play quick shots and struggle to adjust if they misread the carrom ball. Both Abrar and Saim possess strong variations, which could make them effective in the format. Abrar has reportedly refined his use of the carrom ball, while Saim has added side-spin to his repertoire, similar to India’s Varun Chakravarthy. Usman Tariq’s unorthodox bowling action is also mentioned as a potential surprise factor. With these spin options and the dry surface at the Premadasa Stadium, Pakistan’s bowling lineup could gain a tactical edge in the high-stakes encounter against India.

The London High Court has ruled that the UK government’s decision to ban the pro-Palestinian organization Palestine Action Group as a terrorist group was unlawful. The verdict, delivered on Friday, followed a legal challenge by the group’s co-founder Huda Ammori, who described the ruling as a major victory for the organization. The group had been banned in July of the previous year for taking direct action against Israel-linked defense companies, including blocking entrances and spraying red paint on facilities. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment with the court’s decision, saying she disagreed with the view that the ban was disproportionate. The British government announced it would appeal the ruling. The court stated that the ban would remain in effect until the appeal process is completed, noting that the prohibition represented a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression and assembly. London police confirmed that despite the court’s ruling, the ban remains in force, and supporting the group’s activities continues to be a criminal offense. A hearing on whether the government can proceed with its appeal is scheduled for February 20.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has called for immediate elections in all city corporations across Bangladesh. He made the appeal on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists after inaugurating the Spring Festival at Shaheed Wasim Smriti Park in Ambagan, Chattogram. Dr. Shahadat stated that following the July Revolution, all city mayors and councillors fled, and the interim government dissolved the corporations, appointing administrators instead. He regained his mayoral position through a court order but said the city’s 41 wards are operating without councillors, leaving residents deprived of adequate services. According to city corporation regulations, a mayor serves for five years from the day of oath-taking, meaning Dr. Shahadat could remain in office for nearly four more years. However, he urged the new government to organize elections promptly in the interest of the public. He argued that bureaucrats currently running other city corporations cannot deliver effective services without elected representatives. Dr. Shahadat added that the recent parliamentary election proved that free and fair polls are possible and expressed confidence that upcoming local government elections would be peaceful and representative.

An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has pleaded guilty in the Southern District Federal Court of New York to attempting to assassinate US citizen and Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The 54-year-old admitted before Judge Sarah Netburn that he hired a hitman in 2023 to kill Pannun, who resides in New York. Gupta told the court he paid $15,000 to someone he believed was a contract killer, who was actually linked to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Pannun leads the US-based group Sikhs for Justice, which campaigns for an independent Khalistan state in India’s Punjab region. According to the US Attorney’s Office, Gupta was arrested in June 2023 at Prague Airport in the Czech Republic and extradited to the United States. He has been convicted of conspiring to murder Pannun, with sentencing scheduled for May 29. Under US law, he faces 20 to 24 years in prison. FBI officials said Pannun was targeted for exercising his freedom of expression. The FBI also alleged Gupta worked with Indian intelligence officer Vikas Yadav, who remains at large. The case has strained relations between Washington, Ottawa, and New Delhi, as the US and Canada accuse India of targeting their citizens of Indian origin. Indian officials deny the allegations, calling such actions contrary to national policy.

Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Dr. Reza Kibria have been unofficially elected as Members of Parliament in Bangladesh’s 13th National Election held on February 12. Muktadir, the BNP chairman’s adviser and party-nominated candidate, won the Sylhet-1 constituency with 176,936 votes, defeating Jamaat’s Maulana Habibur Rahman, who received 134,983 votes. Dr. Reza Kibria, who recently joined the BNP and contested from Habiganj-1, secured 111,999 votes, while his closest rival, Maulana Md. Sirajul Islam of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, obtained 56,132 votes. Both Muktadir and Kibria are following in the political footsteps of their fathers. Muktadir is the son of Khandaker Abdul Malik, a BNP MP elected in 1991. Dr. Reza Kibria is the son of former finance minister and diplomat Shah AMS Kibria, who served as UN ESCAP secretary-general before joining the Awami League in 1992. Shah AMS Kibria was elected MP from Habiganj-3 in 2001 and was killed in a grenade attack at a public meeting in Habiganj on January 27, 2005.

In Rajshahi-3 (Paba-Mohonpur) constituency, the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates exchanged greetings following the 13th parliamentary election. The event took place on Saturday at noon at the residence of Jamaat candidate Professor Abul Kalam Azad in Adariapara, Horogram Union, where he congratulated BNP’s winning candidate Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon with flowers. Both leaders shared sweets and engaged in a brief, cordial discussion, marking a gesture of democratic goodwill after a competitive election. Local political figures described the exchange as a positive example of political harmony and a reflection of evolving democratic culture in the region. They expressed hope that mutual respect and cooperation would open new avenues for sustainable development in Rajshahi-3. Professor Azad pledged full cooperation for the constituency’s progress, while Milon emphasized working together for public welfare despite political differences. According to the official results, Milon won with 176,318 votes under the BNP’s symbol, while Azad received 137,927 votes under Jamaat’s symbol. Observers viewed the gesture as a message of unity and constructive politics in post-election Bangladesh.

Nineteen candidates in six parliamentary constituencies of Barishal lost their deposits in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, according to results announced late Thursday night by Barishal District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Khairul Alam Suman. Under Election Commission rules, a candidate must secure at least one-eighth (12.5%) of total votes to retain the deposit; otherwise, the Tk 50,000 deposit is forfeited to the state treasury. The forfeited deposits from these 19 candidates will amount to Tk 950,000. In Barishal-1, two of five candidates lost deposits; in Barishal-2, six of eight; in Barishal-3, three of six; in Barishal-4, two of five; in Barishal-5, three of six; and in Barishal-6, three of six. The affected candidates represented parties including the Jatiya Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, JASAD, Ganadhikar Parishad, NPP, Bangladesh Muslim League, and others. The results highlight the limited electoral performance of several smaller political parties and independent contenders across Barishal’s constituencies, with their combined forfeited deposits contributing to the national treasury.