Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the country may launch an operation against armed groups based in Afghanistan before the start of Ramadan. Speaking to ARY News on Wednesday, he said the action would be taken if cross-border attacks continue to threaten Pakistan’s internal security. Although he did not specify an exact date, Asif indicated that the operation could begin soon, stressing that delays in responding to security threats have already cost Pakistan heavily. Pakistan accuses banned militant organizations, including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of operating from across the Afghan border and carrying out attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. Over recent months, cross-border assaults have increased, heightening security concerns in border regions. A recent suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad killed 31 people and injured more than 160, followed by multiple attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Asif warned that if Afghan authorities fail to curb these groups, responsibility for the consequences will rest with them.

Islamic Front candidate Md. Giasuddin Taheri, contesting from the Habiganj-4 constituency with the candle symbol, cannot cast his own vote. According to his election affidavit, Taheri is a registered voter of Daudkandi upazila in Cumilla, not of Habiganj-4. As a result, whether he votes directly or by postal ballot, his vote will not count toward his own candidacy. The Habiganj-4 constituency has a total of 545,272 registered voters, including 240,090 men, 271,180 women, and two third-gender voters. There are 183 permanent polling centers, 1,016 permanent booths, and 41 temporary booths. The district has about 125,000 tea workers, with nearly 100,000 residing in Chunarughat and Madhabpur. Discussions have emerged about possible shifts in voter preferences, as tea workers who once favored the boat symbol are now reportedly considering supporting industrialist S.M. Faisal, a candidate with the paddy sheaf symbol.

Journalist Zahed Chowdhury described his voting experience on February 12, 2026, at the Cambrian School and College polling center in Dhaka-18, located near Bashundhara Residential Area. Arriving shortly after 7 a.m., he observed orderly queues of male and female voters. The main gate opened a few minutes late, and initial confusion arose when a police officer objected to photography inside the premises. The issue was later resolved after clarification that photos could be taken with the presiding officer’s permission. Inside, voting proceeded slowly as only one voter was allowed per room at a time, with each taking about three to four minutes. Chowdhury noted that the Election Commission’s Smart Election Management BD app made it easy to find voter serial numbers using national ID information. He completed his vote without obstruction and appreciated the verification process by polling agents. The journalist expressed satisfaction at being able to vote freely after many years. He concluded that the overall environment appeared calm nationwide, raising hopes for a peaceful democratic transition following the day’s voting.

From early Thursday morning, polling centers across Dhaka-11 constituency witnessed long queues of voters in a festive atmosphere as the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum took place. The presence of women voters was particularly notable at centers such as Uttara Badda Islamia Kamil Madrasa and A.K.M. Rahmat Ullah University College, where many expressed enthusiasm about exercising their voting rights. Voters like Taslima Jahan and Muslima Begum described the experience as joyful and free from the fear that once surrounded election days. They emphasized the sense of community and excitement among participants. Dhaka-11 constituency, comprising wards 21, 22, 23, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 under Dhaka North City Corporation, has a total of 439,078 registered voters, including 222,877 men, 216,198 women, and three third-gender voters. The main contest in Dhaka-11 is between Md. Nahid Islam of the National Citizen Party (NCP), nominated by the 11-party alliance, and M.A. Kaiyum of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with eight other candidates also competing.

BNP National Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-01 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed cast his vote on Thursday morning. He voted at 8:20 a.m. at Pekua Government Model GMC Institution, located in his electoral area. His elder son, Ibrahim Ahmed, accompanied him during the voting process. According to Salahuddin Ahmed’s media cell, the BNP candidate exercised his voting rights by standing in line with other voters. After casting his vote, he was scheduled to visit several polling centers across Pekua and Chakaria upazilas to observe the ongoing election activities. The report highlights his participation in the voting process as part of the election day proceedings in Cox’s Bazar-01, where he is contesting under the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol.

European Union Election Observation Mission Chief Ivers Ijabss described Thursday as a significant and historic day for Bangladesh during a briefing at Siddheswari Girls College in Dhaka. He and his team arrived at the polling center around 7 a.m. to observe the voting process. Following the inspection, Ijabss expressed hope that the ongoing national election would be free, fair, and participatory. He added that 200 EU observers would monitor polling activities across the country. The EU mission, which includes members of the European Parliament, is conducting an independent, long-term, and data-based assessment of the election process. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Observer Group Chair and former Ghanaian President H.E. Nana Akufo Addo said that everything was running smoothly and hoped the situation would remain consistent throughout the day. His 23-member team visited the Viqarunnisa Noon School polling center in Dhaka early in the morning to observe the proceedings. Both international observer groups plan to continue monitoring polling centers throughout the day as Bangladesh holds its much-anticipated national election and referendum.

Voting began in Rajshahi on the morning of February 12, 2026, in a festive and peaceful environment. From 7 a.m., voters started lining up at polling centers, and no untoward incidents or complaints had been reported so far. At the Rajshahi University School and College center under the Rajshahi-2 constituency, hundreds of people were seen waiting cheerfully to cast their votes. Former Vice-Chancellor of International Islamic University Chittagong and Emeritus Professor of Physics at Rajshahi University, Dr. Md. Azharul Islam, expressed satisfaction after voting, describing the process as fair and well-organized. He urged everyone to avoid rumors and violence during the election. Another voter, Fahmida Chowdhury, said she was pleased with the improved environment compared to previous elections and hoped the voting would conclude smoothly. The overall atmosphere in Rajshahi remained calm and celebratory as citizens exercised their voting rights without disruption, reflecting optimism about a peaceful electoral process.

Democratic lawmakers sharply questioned United States Attorney General Pam Bondi during a House Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Oversight of the US Department of Justice,” focusing on her handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Representative Jamie Raskin accused Bondi of siding with perpetrators and running a cover-up, while Representative Pramila Jayapal demanded an apology to Epstein’s victims. Survivors of Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking ring attended the hearing, raising concerns about heavy redactions in the released documents. The hearing followed the passage of the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act in November, which requires the Justice Department to release all six million pages of Epstein-related evidence. Democrats argued that Bondi’s department had released only half of the required materials and had redacted names of powerful figures. Bondi defended her record on fighting sexual abuse and rejected accusations of shielding abusers, calling the criticism politically motivated. She also dismissed calls to investigate former President Donald Trump’s links to Epstein, accusing Democrats of deflection. The dispute underscored broader tensions over transparency and alleged politicization within the Justice Department, as Democrats pressed for full disclosure and accountability under the new law.

Voting began peacefully across three constituencies in Manikganj at 7:30 a.m. on February 12, 2026. Reports indicated a good voter turnout from the start of polling. In Manikganj-3, BNP candidate and chairman’s adviser Afroza Khanam Rita cast her vote with family members at Giland Government Primary School in Sadar upazila. Candidates from BNP-Jamaat and other parties in Manikganj-1 and Manikganj-2 also voted at their respective centers. No incidents of unrest were reported in any of the constituencies as of the latest updates. District Commissioner and Returning Officer Nazmun Nahar Sultana stated that all necessary preparations had been made to ensure a fair and acceptable election. A total of 20 candidates are contesting across the three constituencies, with 1,320,751 registered voters. Out of 515 polling centers, 228 have been identified as vulnerable, and 9,600 law enforcement personnel have been deployed to maintain security. The smooth start and strong security presence suggest a well-organized election process in Manikganj so far.

The much-anticipated 13th parliamentary election and referendum began across Bangladesh, with voting taking place in Dhaka-4 constituency on Thursday morning. Ninety-seven-year-old Md. Abu Bakkar Siddique cast his vote at 8 a.m. at Donia A.K. High School’s 100th polling center. He expressed satisfaction with the improved voting system and peaceful environment. Presiding officer Md. Shah Alam reported that the center has 2,222 registered male voters and that voting was proceeding smoothly with moderate turnout expected to rise later in the day. Dhaka-4 constituency, comprising Kadamtali and Shyampur under Dhaka South City Corporation, includes nine wards—47, 51, 52, 53, 54, 58, 59, 60, and 61. The area has 115 polling centers and a total of 362,506 voters, an increase of 107,929 from the previous 12th national election. Among them are 186,467 men, 176,034 women, and five third-gender voters. Eight candidates are contesting in the constituency, including Tanvir Ahmed Robin from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Syed Zainul Abedin from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

Bangladesh is holding its first National Assembly election since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a student-led uprising in 2024. The vote, taking place across the country, marks the first time in decades that neither Hasina nor her longtime rival Khaleda Zia is participating. With the Awami League banned pending tribunal proceedings, the main contest is between the centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party. Polls opened in the morning and will close at 16:30 local time, with results expected tomorrow. The election coincides with a constitutional referendum on the July Charter, a reform package proposing term limits for the prime minister, a bicameral parliament, and greater female representation. More than 120 million voters are eligible to cast two ballots—one for parliamentary candidates and another for the referendum. Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Shafiqur Rahman, has allied with the National Citizen Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, while the BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, has pledged to strengthen welfare, education, and infrastructure. This vote is widely viewed as a test of Bangladesh’s democratic recovery after years of political turmoil and authoritarian rule under Hasina, who remains in exile in India following her conviction for crimes against humanity.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate of the 11-party alliance for the Comilla-4 constituency, cast his vote on Thursday morning at 7:40 a.m. at Gopalnagar High School center in Comilla. The event took place as part of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. Across the country, voters have been turning out in large numbers to cast their ballots for the first time in 17 years, creating a festive atmosphere at polling centers. From early morning, citizens began arriving at polling stations, and the crowds continued to grow as the day progressed. Law enforcement agencies have been deployed at centers nationwide to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain order. The nationwide participation marks a significant return to electoral engagement after a long gap, with authorities emphasizing security and voter enthusiasm throughout the day.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman cast his vote on Thursday morning at the 60 Feet Manipur Boys High School polling center in Dhaka-15 constituency. He is contesting the 13th National Parliamentary Election from this seat under the balance scale symbol. Dr. Rahman also serves as the head of his party and the leader of an 11-party electoral alliance. Voting for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the national referendum began at 7:30 a.m. and will continue until 4:30 p.m. Dr. Rahman, through a post on his verified Facebook account, urged citizens to overcome fear and hesitation, come to the polling centers, and vote in a festive atmosphere for honest, competent, and patriotic candidates of their choice. The report highlights his participation in the election process and his public call for voter turnout, reflecting Jamaat-e-Islami’s engagement in the ongoing national polls.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will cast his vote at Gulshan Model High School and College in Dhaka. The polling center is located on Road 86, Block 1/D, Gulshan-2. In the current election, Tarique Rahman is contesting from two constituencies, Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6, after submitting nominations for both seats. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will vote at Manipur Boys High School on 60 Feet Road in Dhaka. He is running as a candidate from the Dhaka-15 constituency in this election. The report highlights the voting centers of both political leaders as part of the ongoing national election process.

Voting in the Dhaka-8 constituency began peacefully on Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. and will continue until 4:00 p.m. Among the early voters was 95-year-old Abdul Barek, who cast his ballot at Mirza Abba Mohila College center. He expressed satisfaction with the calm environment, saying he had never experienced such a positive atmosphere in previous elections. Other voters also reported long queues forming before polls opened, with many describing the experience as joyful. Dhaka-8, part of Dhaka South City Corporation, includes the Motijheel, Shahbagh, Ramna, Paltan, and Shahjahanpur police stations. The constituency is considered politically and administratively significant, often drawing heavyweight candidates from major political parties. During the campaign for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the seat drew attention due to exchanges between National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwari and BNP candidate Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed. The constituency has 266,497 registered voters, including 145,845 men, 120,651 women, and one third-gender voter. A total of 108 polling centers and 527 booths have been set up, while 8,982 expatriates registered to vote via the Postal Vote BD app.