Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is set to make his first foreign trip since assuming office, traveling to Saudi Arabia this week. He is scheduled to depart early Wednesday to attend a ministerial-level meeting. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s adviser Humayun Kabir is also expected to accompany him on the visit.

According to the report, the meeting will take place at the Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah on Thursday. The session is described as an emergency meeting of the OIC Executive Committee, with participation from foreign ministers of member states.

The visit marks Rahman’s first international engagement as foreign minister and will involve discussions among OIC member countries on issues of mutual concern, as indicated by the meeting’s agenda.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque announced that national footballers, including Dewan Hamza Chowdhury, Shamit Som, and Jamal Bhuiyan, will be brought under a government salary structure. The decision came after a meeting between the minister and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officials led by President Tabith Awal. The government will also transfer three major stadiums—Kamalapur, Sylhet, and Chattogram—to the BFF under formal agreements to address long-standing infrastructure and accommodation challenges.

Aminul Haque, himself a former national goalkeeper, emphasized that both male and female national players will receive monthly government contracts under a permanent pay system. He praised the consistent performance of the women’s team and said male players would also receive incentives. The meeting also discussed creating an annual calendar for age-based football tournaments to ensure regular competitions at the district level.

The minister added that the formal process for stadium handovers would begin soon, and the government aims to make inter-district leagues a permanent fixture across the country.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman stated that the final decision on transferring the mobile financial service provider Nagad to the private sector depends on the new government’s policy direction. He made the remarks on Tuesday after a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. Arman said the governor informed him that the government has not yet finalized its stance on Nagad, and investment procedures will begin only if the government decides to allow private investors to take over, as the interim administration had considered.

Arman explained that discussions on bringing foreign investment into Nagad began during the interim government period, and his meeting with the governor continued that dialogue. He clarified that he is working as a professional lawyer and local representative for foreign investors, not in his capacity as a member of parliament. He also noted that potential investors are interested in Bangladesh’s digital banking sector and have expressed willingness to conduct an audit to assess Nagad’s profitability.

Addressing concerns about conflict of interest, Arman said his legal work does not conflict with his political role, emphasizing that his political activities are for public service while his legal practice supports his livelihood.

Law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh have launched a joint operation in the Sundarbans to curb renewed pirate activity. Beginning on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, the Bangladesh Navy, Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and police initiated a coordinated campaign that will continue until the forest is declared free of bandit groups. The move follows reports that armed pirates have recently abducted fishermen and extorted ransom payments in rivers and canals of the world’s largest mangrove forest.

Authorities said surveillance has been intensified across key waterways including Dublar Char, Shibsha, Pashur, Aarpangashia, and Chandpai ranges. Fast patrol boats, speedboats, and commando teams have been deployed, while intelligence operations are underway to locate suspects. The Navy and Coast Guard confirmed strengthened river checkpoints and searches of suspicious vessels, and RAB and police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward armed groups.

Local officials noted that although the Sundarbans had previously been declared free of piracy after mass surrenders, some small groups have recently reemerged. Experts emphasized that sustained patrols, intelligence monitoring, and alternative livelihoods for forest-dependent communities are essential for lasting security.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called on the public and media users to refrain from spreading false and misleading information regarding its potential nominees for the reserved women’s seats in the National Parliament. The appeal was made on Tuesday through a press statement issued by Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its Central Publicity and Media Department.

In the statement, Zubair said that several social media posts had circulated fake names claiming that wives or close relatives of senior Jamaat leaders were being nominated for the reserved seats. He dismissed these claims as completely baseless and intended to create public confusion. He emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami operates as an Islamic, systematic, and democratic organization, where all major decisions, including nominations for reserved seats, are made according to its constitution.

Zubair further clarified that the nomination process for women members would be conducted in a fully constitutional manner and in consultation with the party’s women’s division. He urged everyone to avoid spreading misinformation and called on citizens not to be misled by such propaganda.

The newly appointed administrators of Dhaka North and South City Corporations have announced their commitment to make the capital free from terrorism. They made the declaration on Tuesday afternoon after paying tribute at the graves of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. Alongside this pledge, they also expressed hope to resolve long-standing civic problems in the city.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam stated that tackling corruption and extortion to ensure an active administration is now a major challenge. The administrators emphasized their intention to restore order and address the issues that have affected city governance for years.

Their statements signal an administrative focus on improving governance and public safety in Dhaka, though specific plans or timelines for implementation were not detailed in the announcement.

Noakhali-3 Member of Parliament Barkatullah Bulu stated that prices of essential commodities have begun to decline since the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) came to power. He made the remarks on Monday night in Begumganj while distributing iftar items among underprivileged people. According to Bulu, the price of LPG gas, which had risen to 2,200–2,300 taka, has now dropped to around 1,280 taka.

Bulu said that all commodity prices would gradually come under control, citing BNP’s past experience in state governance. He added that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would lead the country based on that experience. During the event, Bulu announced plans to distribute iftar items worth 3.2 million taka among 5,000 marginalized people across Begumganj and later distribute Eid items.

He urged wealthy residents of Begumganj to support the poor during Ramadan so that everyone could break their fast comfortably. Several local BNP leaders and activists were present at the event.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has transferred 27 of its officials and employees, including deputy directors, assistant directors, deputy assistant directors, and assistant inspectors. The transfers were made through separate orders signed by ACC Director (Administration and Human Resources) Mohammad Nazmul Hasan on Monday. According to the orders, 13 officials were transferred under one directive and 14 under another.

The officials have been reassigned to various regional offices, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, Noakhali, Tangail, Gopalganj, and Cox’s Bazar. The commission did not specify the reasons for the transfers or the duration of the new postings.

The move reflects an administrative reshuffle within the ACC, aimed at redistributing personnel across key divisions to support its ongoing operations against corruption nationwide.

China has proposed to assist Bangladesh in the Teesta project, according to Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He said the proposal came from China’s own initiative, but details would be shared once the government makes a policy decision. The minister made the remarks on Tuesday, February 24, after a courtesy meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

Ministry sources said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and covered several bilateral issues of mutual interest. Local Government Division Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi was also present. Discussions included strengthening Bangladesh-China bilateral relations, cooperation in trade, investment, and development partnerships, as well as collaboration in waste management, waste-to-energy projects, and improving city corporation capacities.

Mirza Fakhrul described China as a major development partner of Bangladesh and expressed hope that the historic and strategic friendship between the two countries would deepen further in the future.

The Ministry of Social Welfare has issued a special warning regarding the government’s Family Card program. The announcement was made on Tuesday through an official press release from the ministry. According to the statement, the Family Card is one of the government’s priority initiatives, and the administration is committed to its full implementation. The card will be issued in the name of the female head of each family, regardless of religion, caste, or ethnicity, and will be provided free of charge under government supervision.

The ministry emphasized that any financial transactions or dealings through brokers to obtain the Family Card are illegal. Citizens have been urged to report anyone involved in such unlawful activities to law enforcement agencies. The warning aims to ensure transparency and prevent exploitation in the distribution process.

The directive reinforces the government’s stance on maintaining fairness and accountability in delivering social welfare benefits to all eligible families.

State Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare Nurul Haque Nur said the government’s top priority over the next three months is to reopen two or more closed labor markets and set fixed migration costs for certain countries. Speaking to reporters at his office in Eskaton, Dhaka, he added that recruiting agencies accused of fraud will have their licenses suspended and accountability among registered agencies will be strengthened.

He explained that Bangladesh is working to reopen labor markets in countries such as Bahrain, Oman, and Malaysia, where restrictions remain. The government has already sent a list of compliant agencies to Malaysia to meet its ten conditions. Nur also highlighted Japan as a promising destination, with an agreement to send 100,000 workers over five years, supported by language training and potential financial aid. The ministry is also considering expanding low-interest loans for skilled workers unable to afford migration costs.

The minister emphasized reducing excessive migration expenses, improving expatriate welfare, and reinstating state-funded repatriation of deceased workers’ bodies to Bangladesh.

The Department of Environment has fined Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Tk 960,000 for illegally cutting a hill in the Joypahar residential area of Jamal Khan, Chattogram. The order was issued on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following a hearing at the department’s Chattogram Metropolitan Office, presided over by Director Sonia Sultana.

Assistant Director Muktadir Hasan confirmed that an on-site inspection and document verification found evidence of hill cutting at the listed location. The inspection report stated that approximately 9,600 cubic feet of hill had been cut, measuring about 150 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. Under Section 6(b) of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010), the act was deemed an offense, and an environmental damage assessment was conducted under Section 7, setting compensation at Tk 100 per cubic foot.

BPC representatives, including DGM S.M. Zobayer Hossain and LDA Md. Shihab Uddin, attended the hearing, while Inspector Muhammad Ashfaqur Rahman and Senior Technician Md. Omar Faruk represented the prosecution.

On 23 February, the Bangladesh Probashi Kalyan Parishad (BPKP) organized an iftar and discussion meeting at the Kacchi Dine Event Hall in East London. The event called for establishing a migrant-friendly, accountable, and justice-based state system to ensure the fair rights of Bangladeshi expatriates. The chief guest, Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury, addressed the gathering via teleconference and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting expatriates’ rights and welfare.

BPKP leaders presented six major demands, including the creation of a fast-track NRB tribunal for land and civil disputes, free repatriation of deceased expatriates’ bodies, full open-sky facilities at Sylhet Osmani International Airport, a national NRB pension scheme, one-stop skills promotion services at foreign missions, and parliamentary representation for expatriates. Messages containing these demands were sent to the prime minister, opposition leader, and the expatriates’ welfare ministry.

Speakers emphasized that expatriates are a key driving force of Bangladesh’s economy and urged effective institutional measures for their protection and support. The organization reiterated its pledge to work constructively with the government for expatriate welfare.

Retired secretary Sarwar Alam has been reappointed as the press secretary to President Md. Shahabuddin. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Tuesday confirming his appointment on a one-year contractual basis. The appointment will take effect from the date he assumes office.

According to the ministry’s notification, the appointment was made under Section 49 of the Government Service Act, 2018, requiring him to relinquish any professional or organizational affiliations with government, semi-government, or private entities. Sarwar Alam previously served in the same position but was removed during the interim government period.

Before this, on December 23, 2024, he had been appointed for a two-year term as the President’s press secretary with the rank of secretary. The new order reinstates him to the same role under the current administration.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard detained 18 alleged traffickers and seized 1,600 sacks of cement during two separate operations near St. Martin’s Island in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The operations took place early Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following secret intelligence reports. The Coast Guard ship ‘Kamruzzaman,’ under Operation Samudra Prohori, intercepted a fishing boat around 1 a.m., recovering 1,000 sacks of cement worth about 500,000 taka and arresting 10 suspects. Later, at 3 a.m., another vessel, ‘Apurbo Bangla,’ under Operation Coral Dwip, seized 600 sacks valued at 300,000 taka and detained eight more individuals.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the seized cement, boats, and detainees are under legal processing. He confirmed that the Coast Guard will continue such operations to prevent smuggling and illegal trade in the maritime areas.

The coordinated actions highlight ongoing efforts by Bangladesh’s maritime forces to curb cross-border smuggling activities along the Teknaf–St. Martin’s route.