Tamim Iqbal visited the National Sports Council (NSC) in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon along with several well-known cricket organizers to file a written complaint regarding alleged irregularities in last year’s Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election. He claimed that the BCB had manipulated the councilor selection process by appointing preferred individuals outside the board’s constitution. The election, which Tamim initially intended to contest but later boycotted, resulted in Aminul Islam’s single panel winning unopposed.

Nearly four and a half months after the election, Tamim and other boycotting organizers formally lodged their complaint with the government. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tamim said they had requested the NSC to form an independent investigation committee. According to him, 50 out of 76 cricket clubs in Dhaka supported the allegation that the election was not conducted properly, which he said substantiates their claim.

Cricket organizers Rafiqul Islam Babu, Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, Masuduzzaman, and Fahim Sinha accompanied Tamim during the submission of the complaint.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that a nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation program will begin on March 16. The initiative includes fish farming in the excavated canals and planting forest, fruit, and medicinal trees along the canal banks. He made the announcement on Sunday during a meeting with ministry officials at the Secretariat.

The minister said the program aims to make local areas more visually appealing while helping meet nutritional and protein needs of communities. He urged ministry employees to implement the initiative with sincerity and dedication. The plan is part of the BNP government’s five-year mandate to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals and conduct extensive tree planting across the country.

The meeting was also attended by Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan, who delivered remarks during the session.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) has called on people to pray for an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He made the appeal on Sunday evening while addressing an iftar gathering at Gulshan Central Mosque in Dhaka, hosted by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman.

During his speech, the minister urged everyone to pray for the protection of Bangladesh and for divine help in resolving the nation’s problems. He also requested prayers for protection from conspiracies by adversaries. Additionally, he sought prayers for the souls of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, as well as for the well-being of Prime Minister Tareq Rahman.

The event concluded with a special prayer for peace, prosperity, and progress of the country, the nation, and the Muslim Ummah. The Director General of the Islamic Foundation, A. Salam Khan, mosque committee leaders, and around 10,000 fasting participants attended the gathering.

Bangladesh’s national emergency service 999 delivered immediate assistance to 32,386 callers in 2025, according to its chief and Additional DIG Mahiul Islam. The announcement, made on Sunday, highlighted that the service prioritizes incidents involving violence against women and children, ensuring swift coordination with local police stations to provide timely help.

Under the National Emergency Service 999 Policy 2020, cases of violence, harassment, defamation, and eve-teasing against women and children are treated as emergencies. The service connects victims directly with police and ensures prompt intervention. Officials noted that growing public trust in 999 has led to an increase in calls related to gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

Data from the service show a rising trend in emergency responses: 26,798 callers received assistance in 2023, 23,033 in 2024, and 32,386 in 2025, reflecting expanding reliance on the national helpline for urgent protection and support.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the lack of transparency in state decision-making and the continued ineffectiveness of the Information Commission. At a press conference organized by the Right to Information Forum in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi on Sunday, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that even during the interim government, there was a lack of goodwill in ensuring the right to information, and many government decisions were made in secrecy.

He stated that despite the existence of the Right to Information Act, the commission had been rendered ineffective during the 16 years of the Awami League government, and the same situation persisted under the interim administration. He added that the failure to form the commission for one and a half years, despite legal obligations, was embarrassing and reflected a disregard for public trust.

The Right to Information Forum presented several demands to improve access to information, including forming a politically neutral commission, incorporating proposed amendments before presenting the ordinance to parliament, and ensuring public consultation before finalizing any legal changes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that military cooperation between Iran and Russia remains ongoing and is not a new development. In an interview with NBC, he described the relationship as a long-standing strategic partnership, emphasizing that it has existed for many years and continues to this day.

When asked whether Iran is receiving assistance from Russia, Araghchi said the two countries have maintained military ties for a long time. He added that while he does not have detailed military information about whether Russia is helping Iran identify U.S. targets, the relationship between the two nations is very strong.

Araghchi reiterated that the cooperation is not secret and will continue into the future, underscoring the enduring nature of Iran-Russia strategic relations.

National Citizens Party (NCP) member secretary and parliamentarian Akhtar Hossain has accused BNP lawmakers of violating the July Charter implementation order on the day of their oath-taking. Speaking at a discussion titled “Constitutional Recognition of July: Citizen Expectations from the Government and New Parliament” at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, he urged BNP MPs not to fall into conspiracies and instead participate in the nation-building process.

Hossain stated that under Article 8 of the July Charter order, MPs were required to take an oath both as members of parliament and as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, which BNP MPs failed to do. He said this omission disrespected the people’s sovereign will. He also criticized BNP for shifting its stance on the referendum and attempting to challenge its outcome in court.

Hossain called on BNP MPs to take the Constitutional Reform Council oath before the next parliamentary session on March 12. He emphasized that NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami members had already taken their oaths and were committed to fulfilling their public responsibilities.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to condemn Iran’s recent attacks, according to a statement from the Emir’s office. During the call, Macron expressed France’s full solidarity with Qatar and praised the effective role of Qatar’s armed forces in protecting residents, including French nationals, within the country.

The statement added that both leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring the stability of energy supplies and freedom of navigation through key maritime routes. They also called for prioritizing dialogue and diplomatic initiatives to de-escalate tensions and resolve the situation peacefully.

The conversation reflects ongoing international concern over regional security and the need for cooperative measures to maintain stability in the Gulf area.

Allegations of irregularities and obstruction in nomination paper distribution have surfaced surrounding the Barishal District Lawyers Association executive council election. Former secretary and senior lawyer Kazi Munirul Hasan raised the complaints at a press conference held on Sunday afternoon at the Barishal Press Club. He claimed that despite approaching the chief election officer twice on March 5 to collect nomination papers for the president post, he was denied the forms both times, prompting anger among attending lawyers.

In his written statement, Hasan described the 146-year-old Barishal District Lawyers Association as a non-political professional organization representing lawyers from diverse backgrounds. He expressed concern that attempts were being made to turn the upcoming election into a one-sided process, contrasting it with the recently held national election, which he said was conducted in a free and democratic environment.

Hasan urged the authorities to announce a new election schedule to ensure a fair and acceptable process. Several pro-Awami League lawyers, including Delwar Hossain Dilu and Anwar Hossain Mizan, were present at the press conference.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman extended heartfelt greetings to women in Bangladesh and around the world on International Women’s Day. In a Facebook post on Sunday, he acknowledged women’s indispensable contributions to family, society, economy, and nation-building.

Dr. Rahman emphasized the need for a Bangladesh where women have fair opportunities in education, employment, and leadership, and where workplace and wage discrimination are eliminated. He urged the state and society to stand firmly against violence, harassment, and humiliation of women, and called for collective efforts to increase female participation in science, technology, education, and innovation.

He added that a just society built on morality, humanity, and family values can ensure women’s true dignity, stressing that every woman, regardless of religion or community, deserves respect and cooperation. He concluded by expressing hope for a Bangladesh where every woman can live safely and move toward a promising future.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has issued a show-cause notice to Ashraful Islam, president of the party’s Ramna Thana unit, for filing a case against Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief organizer of the National Coordination Platform (NCP). The notice, signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, was issued on Sunday. It stated that Ashraful Islam filed the case without party approval, violating organizational discipline, and was instructed to submit a written explanation to the party’s central office in Naya Paltan within 48 hours.

Earlier that morning, Ashraful Islam had filed a case with the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Hasan Shahadat’s court against Nasiruddin Patwari, accusing him of criminal intimidation and defamation of Mirza Abbas, the Prime Minister’s political adviser and a BNP Standing Committee member.

The BNP leadership’s action underscores its emphasis on maintaining internal discipline and centralized decision-making in handling legal or political disputes involving party members.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has called on citizens to refrain from creating unrest and to allow the current government to function. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar gathering organized by the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in Kakrail, Dhaka, on Sunday evening, he emphasized the need for stability and patience among those seeking the government’s downfall. Abbas cautioned against provocative actions and urged people to prioritize national stability.

He stated that a democratic government has come to power after 18 years and should be given the opportunity to work until the next election, when the public can decide its fate. Abbas also criticized attempts to blame the current administration for the failures of previous governments and rejected efforts to hold the BNP responsible for past governance issues. He said the BNP is working to revive the nation and expressed hope that acting chairman Tarique Rahman would continue the legacy of past BNP leaders in rebuilding Bangladesh.

Abbas concluded by urging those attempting to topple the government to put the country’s stability first.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has alleged that the ruling party came to power through engineered election results and has forgotten the spirit of the July Revolution. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion and iftar gathering organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Barishal Metropolitan on Sunday, he said the people are preparing for the future and that Jamaat will participate in all upcoming local government elections, including district, upazila, and union council polls.

During his speech, Parwar emphasized that the Quran, revealed in the month of Ramadan, is a complete code of life and a guide for justice. He said that establishing a Quran-based society requires pious individuals in every sphere of the state, from police officers to ministers. Advocate Muazzam Hossain Helal, speaking as a special guest, claimed that votes cast in favor of Islam were taken away, citing a former adviser’s statement as evidence.

The event was presided over by Jamaat central working committee member and Barishal city chief Maulana Zahir Uddin Muhammad Babar, with several other local leaders also addressing the gathering.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has questioned why the BNP opposes implementing the July Charter, which was endorsed by a national referendum. Speaking at an iftar event in Dhaka’s Kakrail on Sunday, he urged the BNP to honor its earlier commitment to the people, noting that 69 percent of voters supported the reform agenda. He warned that ignoring this mandate would mean disregarding the entire July framework that underpins national unity and governance.

Dr. Rahman said Jamaat accepted the election results despite grievances, emphasizing that acceptance does not mean tolerating injustice. He alleged that the election outcome was manipulated, depriving many of their rights, and vowed to continue the struggle through legal, political, and parliamentary means. He also condemned attacks on Iran’s sovereignty as violations of international law and called on the United Nations to act to preserve global peace.

Speakers at the event reiterated their commitment to implementing the July Charter and ensuring justice for past killings, warning that any deviation from the July spirit could trigger renewed public protests.

Police in Sylhet Metropolitan area have arrested 140 individuals, including muggers, drug dealers, users, smugglers, and suspects, during a coordinated crackdown aimed at curbing rising crime ahead of Eid. The operation, conducted under the directives of two government ministers, covered six police stations and was confirmed by Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) sources on Sunday afternoon.

According to police, the 32-hour operation involved both local police and the Detective Branch (DB). Among those detained were eight muggers, ten drug dealers, five drug users, twenty-six smugglers, and nineteen suspects. Authorities also seized 77 yaba tablets, ten packets of marijuana, and illegal Indian goods valued at approximately 3.9 million taka. Police Commissioner Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury stated that the raids will continue to ensure public safety.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Labour, Expatriates’ Welfare and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury instructed law enforcement agencies to take swift action following recent incidents of mugging in Sylhet.