United News of Bangladesh

The most notable achievement of the recent parliamentary election was that voters were able to cast their ballots freely and that political parties accepted the results, said Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), on Wednesday. “Despite various questions surrounding the election, the most important point is that people were able to vote and exercise their franchise without obstruction and political parties accepted the outcome,” he said at a programme titled “Presentation of a research-based evaluation of the 13th Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026,” organised by SHUJAN. Shujan accuses EC of hurriedly publishing election gazette He said allegations of some isolated irregularities have surfaced and should be examined through proper investigation. SHUJAN central committee member Ekram Hossain read out the written paper. Badiul Alam said that although the overall environment allowed voters to exercise their franchise without major obstacles, there were allegations of isolated irregularities which need to be examined through proper investigation. “If the legal framework is inadequate, the possibility of a fair election also diminishes.Elections held under party governments in the past failed to create a conducive environment for credible polls. He warned that similar questions would persist if existing legal provisions related to elections are not fully and strictly followed.” Nearly 35% of election candidates have no income tax Records: SHUJAN  He said the Election System Reform Commission had earlier placed several reform proposals. Had those recommendations been incorporated into law, controversies surrounding loan defaulters, dual citizenship and the eligibility of independent candidates could have been avoided, he said. On loan defaulters, he said the commission proposed that loans must be regularised at least six months before an election and that habitual defaulters should not be allowed to contest at all. The failure to implement these recommendations has once again led to debate. Regarding independent candidates, he said the commission had proposed collecting signatures from a fixed number of voters—500—instead of one percent of the electorate, which could have reduced allegations of collusion.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday formally adorned the rank badge on newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir at his office in the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Home Secretary Monjur Morshed Chowdhury were present at the ceremony, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister congratulated the new police chief and wished him success in carrying out his responsibilities. Earlier on Tuesday, the government appointed Additional Inspector General of Police and chief of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Md Ali Hossain Fakir as the new IGP. Ali, a member of the 15th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Police) cadre, replaced Baharul Alam, who had been serving as IGP on a contractual basis since November 20, 2024.  

The government on Wednesday appointed Md Mostaqur Rahman as the new Governor of Bangladesh Bank for a four-year term, cancelling the remaining tenure of Dr Ahsan H Mansur with immediate effect. According to separate notifications issued by the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance, the appointment has been made under Article 10(5) of the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972 (President’s Order No. 127 of 1972). The notification said Mostaqur Rahman will serve as Governor of Bangladesh Bank for four years from the date of his joining, subject to relinquishing all employment relationships with other institutions and organisations. New govt to continue reforms in banking sector: Bangladesh Bank governor During his tenure, he will draw salary, allowances and other benefits from Bangladesh Bank in accordance with the terms of a contract to be signed with the government. Other conditions of his appointment will also be determined by the contract, the notification added. The order appointing Mostaqur Rahman took immediate effect. Mostaqur Rahman, a fellow member of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (FCMA),  holds a B.Com (Hons) and Masters Degree from the Department of  Accounting, University of Dhaka. Mostaqur Rahman is a member of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Real Estate and Housing Associations of Bangladesh (REHAB), Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) and Dhaka Chamber and Commerce and Industries (DCCI). Bangladesh Bank buys $123 million from 8 banks to bolster reserves Mostaqur Rahman is an entrepreneur and businessman, and a senior financial governance specialist with over 30 years of leadership experience in corporate finance, export economics, institutional governance, and financial systems management, according to Bangladesh Bank. In a separate notification, the Financial Institutions Division said the remaining tenure of Dr Ahsan H Mansur as Governor of Bangladesh Bank has been cancelled. Dr Mansur had earlier been appointed as Governor through a notification issued on 13 August 2024. The cancellation order has also been issued in the public interest and came into force immediately, the notification said.

Kaniz Fatima, wife of BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farroque, member of the party Chairman’s Advisory Council, passed away at a hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday. She was 73. Khaniz Fatema, a social worker, breathed her last around 10:40am while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, family members said. She left behind husband Zainul Abedin Farroque, daughter Tamanna Farroque and other relatives to mourn her death. According to the family, she was admitted to Evercare Hospital on February 17 due to illness and had been on life support in the ICU since February 20. The first namaz-e-janaza of Kaniz Fatema was held after Zuhr prayers in front of her residence in Nikunja of the capital. The second janaza will take place at 11am on Thursday at her village home in Senbagh upazila of Noakhali district. She will be buried at the family graveyard. LGRD Minsiter and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep shock over the demise of Kaniz Fatema. He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.  

The government has initiated the process to remove Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur and appoint a new chief of the central bank, according to officials at the Ministry of Finance. They said a proposal has already been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office seeking approval for the appointment of a new governor. According to the sources, a faculty member from a US university is being considered for the post. The proposal is currently awaiting the final clearance, and the officials indicated that the appointment could be finalised later in the day once the formalities are completed. Meanwhile, Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek met the Finance Minister at his office at around 1:45pm, fuelling the speculation over the impending change in leadership at the central bank. New govt to continue reforms in banking sector: Bangladesh Bank governor When approached by reporters after the meeting, Nazma Mobarek declined to comment on the matter. “Please wait. I do not want to say anything right now. You will know if there is anything,” she said. There was no official statement from the Ministry of Finance or Bangladesh Bank regarding the development at the time of filing this report. Further details about the prospective appointee, including the individual’s identity and professional background, were not immediately available. Any change in the leadership of Bangladesh Bank is considered significant, given the central bank’s role in framing and implementing monetary policy, regulating banks and financial institutions, managing foreign exchange reserves and ensuring financial stability. While talking to an Adviser to the Prime Minister over telephone, he declined to comment on the matter, but he hinted that a change is imminent.

Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali has submitted his resignation, citing family reasons. According to police sources, Sajjat Ali signed an application seeking release from his duties at around 12:30 on Wednesday and forwarded it to the Police Headquarters. Confirming the development, DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman said the commissioner had sought release from his post on family grounds and had already sent the signed application to the authorities concerned. Sajjat Ali is serving on a contractual appointment that was due to run until November 21 this year. He, however, wants to step down before completing his tenure. There was no immediate indication from the government on whether the resignation had been accepted. His decision comes amid expectations of wider changes in law enforcement following the formation of a government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Multiple sources have suggested that major reshuffles could take place across key agencies, including the police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Ali Hossain Fakir takes charge as IGP Speculation over changes at the top of the police hierarchy intensified after the conclusion of the 13th national election. On February 15, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam submitted his resignation. He was subsequently replaced by Additional Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir, who was appointed as the new IGP on Tuesday and has since taken charge. Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali assumed office as the 38th DMP Commissioner on November 21, 2024. He took charge at a time when law and order in the capital was described by officials as fragile, following the events of 5 August 2024. During his tenure, he was credited by colleagues with helping restore stability in Dhaka through what they described as professional and firm leadership. No successor to the post of DMP Commissioner has yet been announced.

Police on Wednesday said there is no threat of mob violence at this year’s Amar Ekushey Book Fair, as extensive security measures remain in place to prevent any untoward incidents. Speaking at a press briefing at Suhrawardy Udyan, Additional Commissioner (Admin) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Md Sarwar said law enforcement agencies were fully prepared in this regard. “There is no apprehension of mob violence at the fair. However, police preparedness is in place,” he said. The annual book fair, organised by the Bangla Academy, is being held at Suhrawardy Udyan and adjacent areas of the university campus. Responding to a question about the possible display of religion-defaming or provocative books, Sarwar said intelligence agencies would maintain strict surveillance to ensure that no such publications entered the fair premises. He said the Dhaka Metropolitan Police had adopted multilayered security arrangements in and around the venue, including the Bangla Academy and nearby locations. Uniformed officers have been deployed alongside plainclothes personnel to ensure visitors’ safety and prevent unwanted incidents. A police control room has been set up inside the fairgrounds to monitor the area around the clock. Approximately 300 CCTV cameras have been installed in and around the venue to maintain constant surveillance. All entry gates are equipped with metal detectors and archways, while dog squads are conducting regular sweeping operations. Specialised units of the DMP, including SWAT, the Bomb Disposal Unit, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit and the Detective Branch (DB), will remain on standby throughout the event. Additional measures will be enforced at weekends, when larger crowds are expected. Bangla Academy assures inclusive, safe Amar Ekushey Book Fair Sarwar said special arrangements had also been made to ensure the safety of women and children. Facilities at the fair include a lost-and-found centre, breastfeeding corners, childcare centres, primary medical services and ambulances. On traffic management, he said the traffic division had implemented diversion plans to ease congestion in the University of Dhaka area during the fair. Heavy vehicles will not be permitted to enter the area. The road from TSC to Doel Chattar may be opened or closed temporarily depending on crowd pressure. Visitors have been advised not to wait for transport directly outside the fair gates, but instead to disembark a short distance away and walk to the venue to help reduce congestion. Police have also issued strict instructions against parking vehicles in unauthorised locations. Meanwhile, Bangla Academy assured that this year’s Amar Ekushey Book Fair will be held in a more organised, inclusive and secure manner from February 26, despite various challenges, with the participation of the highest number of publishers. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the book fair at 2pm on Thursday.

The government has fixed the minimum Fitra at Tk 110 per person while the maximum Fitra at Tk 2,805. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Fitra Determination Committee held on Wednesday morning at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque conference hall, said a press release on Wednesday. Committee’s president and khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek presided over the meeting. The committee unanimously decided that according to Islamic Shariah, Fitra can be paid using any of the staple items including wheat, barley, raisins, dates, or cheese. The rates were determined based on market prices of these items collected from all divisions of the country. Fitra is an obligatory charity distributed to the poor at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Fitra is paid to the poor before the jamaat (congregation) of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the government will not form a new probe commission over the Pilkhana carnage, as a national independent commission is already in place. Proper justice will be served for the Pilkhana carnage and necessary steps will be taken to make sure such an incident is never witnessed in future, he told reporters after paying homage to the victims of Pilkhana BDR carnage at Banani Military Graveyard in the capital. “During the tenure of the interim government, an independent national investigation commission was formed and its report is now before us. During the interim government, the report was already in hand but little action was taken for its implementation,” Salahuddin said. The minister said, “From what I have seen at a glance, it contains around 70 recommendations. I will study it in more detail. Many of these recommendations are currently being implemented. The judicial process will be completed. The remaining recommendations will be implemented gradually.” He said the previous government had formed two committees on the Pilkhana carnage but their reports were never made public. Salahuddin Ahmed said Pilkhana carnage was a threat to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty aimed at weakening the nation’s armed forces. “Such motives can only come from those who do not believe in Bangladesh’s sovereignty or who want to see the country as weak,” he added.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has suspended its online VAT services due to technical maintenance work. All services of the eVAT system will remain closed from 1:30pm to 8:00pm on February 25 to facilitate the migration of the Next Generation Firewall, said an official notice on Wednesday. The move is part of efforts to upgrade the security infrastructure of the VAT system used for revenue collection. During the scheduled period, users will not be able to access any operational services under the VAT system. The revenue authority said the services will resume as usual after 8:00pm on the same day once the migration work is completed. NBR forms committee to prepare budget for 2026-27 fiscal The NBR has requested VAT-registered businesses and stakeholders to complete their necessary online activities outside the scheduled downtime to avoid inconvenience. The eVAT system introduced by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) marks a significant step in Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to modernise tax administration and enhance transparency. Designed to automate Value Added Tax processes, the electronic VAT platform aims to simplify compliance, reduce human intervention and curb revenue leakage. The system enables businesses to complete VAT registration, return submission, payment and record-keeping online.