The Express Tribune reports that Indian journalist Archana Tiwari’s investigation highlighted inconsistencies in the official narrative of the Pahalgam incident. Tiwari questioned whether the alleged attack on a newlywed couple and the husband’s reported death were fabricated. A Kashmiri driver confirmed, “Yes, it’s all false. The husband is alive—it was all staged.” She further asked if videos of the widow and a traumatized child were also fake. The driver replied, “Yes, it's all political theater. How could terrorists firing from 10 kilometers away ask about the victims’ religion?”

The Indian government has imposed an immediate ban on all imports, direct or indirect, from Pakistan. Pakistani vessels are also prohibited from docking at Indian ports. A Commerce Ministry notice stated the ban was enacted in the interest of national security and public policy. The Wagah-Attari trade route was shut down after the Pahalgam attack, though limited indirect trade continued until now. The trade volume, however, was minimal.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is scheduled to return to Bangladesh from London on Monday via a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. However, cabin crew Al Kubrun Nahar Cosmic and Md. Kamrul Islam Bipan were removed from duty late at night. Intelligence reports indicate Cosmic frequently served on Sheikh Rehana's flights and allegedly used political ties to secure government benefits. She received 18 show-cause notices and was grounded multiple times. Kamrul Islam is also reportedly linked to various ruling party activities.

At a mass rally, Hefazat-e-Islam presented a 12-point demand list, which includes banning the Awami League. Other demands include dissolving the Women Reform Commission, forming a new commission with religious and female scholars, removing pluralism from the Constitution, ensuring faith in Allah, expediting tribunals for the Shapla and July massacres, and banning Awami League's activities. The group also demanded justice for the murder of Saiful in Chattogram, withdrawal of all political cases filed during the Hasina regime, justice for disappearances and killings, mandatory Islamic education at all levels, revoking the humanitarian corridor policy, halting foreign activities in the hill tracts, and officially declaring Qadianis as non-Muslims. The rally also commemorated 84 "martyrs" of Shapla Square.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad recounted his investigation for Human Rights Watch into the Shapla Square killings, saying, “Every time Hefazat holds a rally, I remember the atrocities of that night.” Journalist Azad Mazumder added, “We concluded that at least 58 people, including seven members of the security forces, were killed over two days of violence.” Azad said he lived in constant fear during the two-week investigation. “I could never take credit publicly due to security concerns, but seeing fellow journalists reference my work gives me great satisfaction.”

Fariduzzaman Farhad, Chairman of the Nationalist Unity Alliance, stated that prolonged governance by unelected authorities leads to various problems in the country. Addressing Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, he urged, “Please arrange such an election where people can say, after 15 long years, they have witnessed a true vote. A vote where no one could coerce or buy my choice.” Farhad warned that a long-standing unelected government creates multifaceted issues. He added that his party, NPP, agrees with 112 out of the 166 proposals of the National Consensus Commission, disagrees with 26, and partially agrees with 28.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has warned that those opposed to the July movement are preparing to retaliate. “July is not just a month—it marks the frontier of a struggle we must defend every day,” he wrote. Recalling his transition from AAFP to government service, he acknowledged the looming threats from opposing forces who haven’t disappeared but are regrouping for a possible strike.

In mid-February, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman met with a US trade representative at the White House, who urged increased cotton imports from the US. Following the meeting, he was escorted to another room where he met Elon Musk. Musk discussed ongoing regulatory talks concerning Starlink in Bangladesh. Neither the Bangladeshi nor US side publicly disclosed the visit or meeting, but the details surfaced in a Matbai column.

The High Court has released its full 131-page verdict upholding the trial court’s sentences in the murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad—20 death sentences and 5 life sentences. Justices AKM Asaduzzaman and Syed Enayetur Rahman issued the ruling on March 16. Abrar's brother, Abrar Faiyaz, expressed satisfaction with the verdict and called for swift implementation.

Speaking ahead of dialogue with the 12-party alliance, Ali Riaz stated the aim is to form a national charter through consensus within a specified timeframe. “Different parties have voiced varying ideological stances, but we hope all sides will make compromises in the national interest to rebuild democratic governance,” he said. As Vice President of the National Consensus Commission, Riaz emphasized that the commission is not a rival to any political entity, but rather a facilitator for unity and reform.

At a Hefazat-e-Islam rally in Suhrawardy Udyan, Hasnat Abdullah declared, “We will continue our movement with our last drop of blood until Sheikh Hasina is executed.” He claimed the Awami League has politically died in Bangladesh and is now buried in India. Calling the party undemocratic, he accused Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of stifling democracy by establishing BAKSAL and killing 30,000 JASAD members. He warned against rehabilitating those responsible for violence against Hefazat supporters and claimed the decision for Awami League to participate in the next election rests with the opposition. “Dr. Yunus, don’t forget—it was us who brought you to power,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has claimed that 26 trillion BDT was laundered during the Awami League regime. “A white paper should be published on how the wealth was stolen and by whom since independence,” he said. Rahman proposed two ideal timeframes for the next election: before Ramadan in February or by April. He cautioned against delaying reforms and judicial transparency beyond April due to the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha and potential weather disruptions.

During a mass rally demanding the abolition of the Women's Reform Commission, Hefazat-e-Islam announced a nationwide protest for May 23. Joint Secretary General Azizul Haque Islamabadi warned that delayed case withdrawals could be exploited by future governments. The group issued four demands: 1) dissolve the Women’s Reform Commission and its report, 2) restore full trust in Allah in the Constitution by removing pluralism, 3) withdraw all cases against Hefazat members and ensure justice for alleged mass killings including Shapla Chattar, and 4) urge government action to stop Muslim persecution in Palestine and India.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the US is not dismissing the possibility of a second phase of sanctions against Russia. “We are not lifting any existing sanctions. The President supports a diplomatic approach to each step,” she stated. However, she acknowledged that global attention must also focus on other regions. President Trump had earlier said that he would provide a detailed response about tougher sanctions a week after his April 24 announcement.

Allama Sultan Zawq Nadvi, Chief Adviser to Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and founding director of Jamiya Darul Ma’arif Al-Islamia in Chattogram, has passed away. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. He died at Chattogram’s Evercare Hospital at midnight on Friday. His funeral prayer will be held at 4 PM on Saturday at the institution’s premises.