The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to auction $10 billion through a three-year currency swap to address the banking sector’s liquidity crisis. This initiative, starting February 28, aims to inject approximately 870 billion rupees into the system. Analysts suggest it may also signal a shift in RBI’s forex policy. Despite a recent repo rate cut, cash shortages persist. The RBI has already infused 3.6 trillion rupees into banks, but further measures are needed as the liquidity deficit reaches 1.7 trillion rupees.

Mahmudur Rahman has urged Begum Rokeya University to initiate research on Martyr Abu Sayeed and all other revolutionaries. He emphasized that Abu Sayeed’s iconic defiance has deeply moved the people of Bangladesh. On July 16, Abu Sayeed fearlessly confronted police and the assassin Hasina, leading students in the streets against tyranny. The resistance led to the downfall of Hasina’s fascism and India’s hegemony, ultimately forcing them to flee the country. Sharif Osman Hadi added that every revolutionary in the movement was a mastermind in their own right. He warned that any party or individual attempting to suppress the masterminds of the movement would face the same fate as Mujibism—forced to flee!

At a seminar hosted by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Saturday, top business leaders and economists emphasized the need to restore investor confidence by increasing private sector credit flow to double-digit levels. They also called for enhanced oversight to reduce non-performing loans, ensure financial sector governance, and lower lending interest rates. Additionally, they urged stricter market controls to curb inflation. Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, pointed out that collecting only $40 billion in revenue from a $500 billion economy is insufficient. He suggested that proper implementation of logistics policies and trade facilitation could reduce overall trade costs by 10–15%.

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman urged judges to reconsider judgments based solely on pre-August 5th theories. Referring to the case of martyr Mughda, he stated that post-mortem could not be conducted as no hospital agreed to accept the body. He added that if judges base their decisions on this information, it would not support the accusation of murder in a post-mortem report. He respectfully called on the judiciary to adopt progressive interpretations of the law, emphasizing that judgments should not be based on outdated notions. “A new era of history is upon us,” he stated, highlighting the difference between past and present policing, and stressing the need to dismantle all syndicates. The Attorney General also urged strong measures to suppress any revolutionary forces.

The political party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has alleged that authorities are blocking their leader’s access to meetings. PTI leader Junaid Akbar has described this as a violation of rules and has filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court seeking permission for the meeting. PTI leaders expressed concerns that this move would escalate provincial tensions and further alienate Imran Khan from state institutions. They are also contemplating approaching the Chief Justice of Pakistan. In response, the Punjab government denied the allegations, stating that Imran Khan’s family, party members, and legal representatives have been meeting him regularly. It was also emphasized that a prison is not an entertainment park, implying that visits are subject to regulations.

A new organization named “July 24 Martyrs’ Family” has emerged, with its leaders calling for justice for those who gave their lives for the country’s independence. They criticized the lack of justice for the victims of the 1971 genocide, despite the nation’s freedom being built on their blood. The group has demanded swift trials for genocide before any elections are held. Expressing disappointment in the interim government, they stated that many helmeted police officers have yet to be arrested. The group also accused one faction of forming a political party to seize power, while another is desperate to hold elections as quickly as possible. The mother of a martyr revealed that seven months have passed since her son was burned alive, yet the killers have not been brought to justice.

The AB Party has called for the establishment of a special tribunal to ensure women’s rightful share of inheritance and expedite property-related legal disputes. The party also proposed setting up Women’s Property Protection Centers at the union and village levels. At a press conference, AB Party’s Joint Secretary General Nasrin Sultana Mili outlined several measures for women’s safety and security, including CCTV monitoring, GPS tracking in public transport, night bus services, safe stops, local watchdog groups, and an online task force for digital protection.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has declared that incidents of voter suppression and violence at polling stations will no longer be tolerated. Seeking the nation’s support for a fair election, he urged citizens to play an active role in ensuring their voting rights. Speaking at an annual sports event, he emphasized the need for a nationwide movement to establish free and fair elections. He also encouraged voters to safeguard polling stations as if they were their own homes. Expressing hope for an election filled with the spirit of festivity, much like Eid celebrations, he wished for capable and deserving candidates to be elected.

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman has called on the youth to join in building a new Bangladesh, declaring, “O young men, step forward! I stand with you, even with my gray hair, beard, and eyebrows.” Addressing a gathering in Lakshmipur on Saturday morning, he saluted the youth and praised their sacrifices, saying, “It is because you risked your lives in the struggle that Allah has granted us freedom.” He recalled the words of young fighters, who once said, “A storm rages in our hearts, shoot us if you must!” He described this storm as a fight against corruption and tyranny. Emphasizing the Quran as the foundation for a prosperous Bangladesh, he spoke of Lakshmipur’s struggles and called on mothers and sisters to join in shaping a nation guided by Islamic principles.

LDP President Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram claimed that he had warned Sheikh Hasina three years ago. “If she had listened to me, she wouldn’t have had to flee to India like this,” he said. He also warned that no one would be allowed to act as an agent for India. “We are not against India, and as per Islamic teachings, we are grateful to those who have supported us. However, too much interference will not end well,” he cautioned. He also accused local-level Awami League leaders of being involved in multimillion-dollar corruption schemes, urging opposition political parties to take note.

The perpetrators behind the violent attack at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) on February 18 remain at large. During the clash, armed outsiders reportedly fired at general students near Khan Jahan Ali Hall. Eyewitnesses captured footage of a man in a black helmet shooting towards the KUET campus from an alleyway. Several activists from Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal have been identified as participants in the attack. On Saturday, general students continued their six-point movement, marking the fourth day of protests. They held a demonstration across the campus, met with journalists at the Shaheed Minar, and put up posters displaying images of the attackers. Expressing their frustration, the students condemned the authorities for failing to arrest the culprits even after several days.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has stated that the government has been given sufficient time to release imprisoned party leader ATM Azharul Islam. He pointed out that while others have been released, Azhar remains behind bars, calling it an act of oppression. He further declared that he cannot remain free while his leader is jailed and announced his voluntary surrender to the court on the 25th. Rahman urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Law to intervene. Addressing a gathering, he also called for collective efforts to eliminate extortion and land grabbing.

Two Awami League leaders have been arrested in Tungipara, Gopalganj, in connection with an attack on police and vandalism of vehicles. The incident occurred when party members allegedly attempted to snatch a detained individual suspected of being an Awami League activist. The arrested leaders have been identified as Imdadul Haque Dulu and Mithu Molla. Tungipara police station’s Officer-in-Charge, Khorshed Alam, confirmed the arrests, stating that they were involved in the attack. He also mentioned that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects linked to the incident.

Police have solved the mystery behind the murder of Rajib Talukder (38) in Netrakona. According to the police, Rajib had repeatedly raped the wife of his friend, Deep Bhowmik (35). Seeking revenge, Deep hacked him to death. On Saturday evening, Deep confessed to the crime before the court under Section 164. Police recovered Rajib’s bloodied body on Friday near the road adjacent to Gobindapur Government Primary School. Shortly afterward, Deep was detained on suspicion of involvement. Later, Rajib’s wife, Mina Rani Talukder, filed a case, in which Deep was officially shown as arrested.

Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain stated that 17 years of chaos, mismanagement, and disorder cannot be undone in just 15 months. He emphasized that the previous government left the state system in disarray before fleeing, and restoring order will take time. He assured that efforts are being made to improve law and order. With Ramadan approaching, he urged everyone to cooperate with the administration in breaking the price syndicate, stating that commodity prices are now largely under control. During his visit, he listened to local grievances and remarked that Nijhum Dwip has significant potential to boost the country’s tourism sector.