United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman is set to pay a courtesy call on Pir and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim on Monday evening. “The BNP chairman is scheduled to visit the IAB Ameer’s house at 7 pm today,” said Tarique’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly. Earlier,  on Sunday, Tarique Rahman paid courtesy calls on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam. He met the two leaders just two days before forming the next government following his party’s massive victory in Thursday’s national election. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khanaccompanied Tarique. Jamaat hails Tarique’s visit to Ameer's residence, highlights joint fight against fascism BNP is set to form the next government after securing a landslide victory with 209 seats in Thursday’s national election.  In the election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while the National Citizen Party secured six and Islami Andolan Bangladesh one seat.  

A madrasha student was stabbed to death by some unidentified people in the capital’s Jatrabari area on Sunday night. The deceased was Mahim Mia, 15, a resident of Kajla area in Jatrabari and son of Din Islam from Kishoreganj Sadar. He studied in the hifz section of a local madrasha, according to his family. His brother-in-law Md Rafi said several youths stabbed Mahim indiscriminately at Kajla school lane area around 10 pm. Sixth grader found dead in Jatrabari Family members rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead around 11:30 pm. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp of DMCH, said the body has been kept in the hospital morgue for postmortem and Jatrabari police have been informed of the incident.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for submitting online VAT returns through its e-VAT system until February 22, 2026, citing public interest and recent technical disruptions. According to an official order, the extension was granted due to a prolonged spell of government holidays surrounding Shab-e-Barat and the national election which limited business operations and affected compliance activities. In addition, taxpayers faced further difficulties on February 15 when the OTP server of the e-Challan system experienced downtime, preventing many from completing their return submissions on time, it added. In view of these circumstances, the revenue authority exercised its legal powers under Section 64 (1A) of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, to allow additional time for filing returns. The decision aims to ensure that businesses and VAT-registered entities are not penalised for delays caused by factors beyond their control. Many businesses had reported difficulties in accessing the system and generating necessary documents due to the server problem, particularly on the final days leading up to the original deadline. The NBR urged all VAT-registered entities to use the extended period responsibly and submit their January 2026 returns within the new timeframe to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with tax regulations. It also assured taxpayers that necessary measures are being taken to maintain system stability and prevent similar technical setbacks in the future. The e-VAT system has been a key component of the country’s efforts to modernise tax administration and improve transparency in revenue collection.  

The contractual appointment of Faisal Mahmud, who was serving as Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, has been cancelled. The Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday issued a notification saying the remaining tenure of his contractual appointment has been cancelled. Faisal was appointed for two years in September 2024. BNP, which is set to form the new government on February 17 following its landslide victory in the Feb 12 elections, is likely to finalise a series of new appointments soon. Faisal has reported on Bangladesh for several international outlets, including Al Jazeera, Nikkei Asia and Anadolu Agency. He is also the editor of an online news portal Bangla Outlook (English).

Bangladesh Police Headquarters (PHQ) on Sunday dismissed reports claiming that Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam has resigned from his post. “The news regarding the IGP’s resignation is not correct. Everyone is requested to refrain from spreading such misinformation,” PHQ said in a statement issued at night. Speculation about the resignation began circulating two days after the 13th national parliamentary election, ahead of the swearing-in of newly elected MPs and cabinet members scheduled for Tuesday.

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) on Sunday observed the 57th death anniversary of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque with due solemnity. Marking the day, a Milad Mahfil was held after Fajr prayers at the central mosque of Bangladesh Air Force Base Zahurul Haque in Chattogram, seeking divine blessings for the departed soul and continued peace and prosperity of the country. Air Officer Commanding of BAF Base Zahurul Haque, Air Vice Marshal Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, along with senior officers, airmen and other members of the base, attended the programme.\ BAF marks 55th death anniversary of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque: ISPR On this day in 1969, Sergeant Zahurul Haque, a Bengali member of the then Pakistan Air Force and an accused in the Agartala Conspiracy Case, was shot dead by a Pakistani soldier while in detention at Dhaka Cantonment. He had been arrested in December 1967 in connection with the case filed by the Pakistan government and was initially kept at Dhaka Central Jail, according to an ISPR media release. He was later taken into custody under the Air Force Act and held at Dhaka Cantonment. Amid the mass uprising of 1969, the then Pakistani ruler Ayub Khan withdrew the Agartala Conspiracy Case. However, Sergeant Zahurul Haque was killed on February 15, 1969, while still in detention. BAF observes 54th death anniversary of Sergeant Zahurul Haque In recognition of his contribution to the country’s liberation struggle, a residential hall of Dhaka University was named Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, and Bangladesh Air Force Base Zahurul Haque in Chattogram was named in his honour in 1982. He was posthumously awarded the Swadhinata Padak in 2018.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Sunday said the Army will return to barracks once the newly elected government assumes office. He, however, said a portion of the Army will remain deployed in the field to assist in maintaining law and order until the police regain full control of the situation. British High Commissioner meets Army Chief  The Army Chief made the remarks while addressing members of all ranks of the Bangladesh Army at the CAS Darbar on Sunday morning. Members deployed in United Nations peacekeeping missions were also joined in the address virtually. At the event, the Army chief expressed gratitude to Army personnel for their ‘excellent sense of responsibility’ and professionalism in carrying out election duties.  Referring to the Army’s role in stabilising the country’s volatile political environment, General Waker-Uz-Zaman said, “The country and its people will remember this service of the Army.” In his speech, he also quoted a verse from the Holy Quran, saying, “Indeed, Allah rewards those who are patient.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday expressed his sincere appreciation to the members of the Council of Advisers, describing the recently concluded national election as both historic and highly successful. “We are lucky people who got the opportunity to serve the nation,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted Prof Yunus as saying at the last meeting of the Council of Advisers. Describing the election a ‘massive success’, Prof Yunus extended his gratitude to all those involved in ensuring its smooth conduct, particularly the law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces for their active and professional roles. Prof Yunus calls upon all to work together to fulfill people’s expectations Press Secretary Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy following the meeting. Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad and Assistant Press Secretary Shuchismita Tithi were also present. Alam said the Council adopted a formal resolution expressing deep appreciation to all stakeholders for their outstanding contributions towards organising what it termed a successful, historic and festive national election. The Council conveyed special thanks to Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for his ministry’s leadership, noting that Bangladesh may not have previously witnessed an election of such high standard. The Council extended gratitude to all agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs, including the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Ansar, and the Armed Forces, for their commendable performance in ensuring a peaceful electoral process. The Council approved a vote of thanks to immediate past Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid for effectively coordinating the administration and contributing to the conduct of a free, fair, peaceful and festive election. It feels like Eid, creating a new Bangladesh: Prof Yunus Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan moved the motion of thanks, which was unanimously adopted. A key point highlighted during the meeting was the anticipated emergence of a strong opposition in Parliament, comprising individuals who had been victims of enforced disappearance and killings, as well as those who were at the forefront of the July Revolution, reflecting broader representation across Bangladesh society. The Council also underscored that individuals from similar backgrounds would be represented on the treasury bench, marking what it described as a new and inclusive chapter in the country’s parliamentary history.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday described the advisers of the interim government as ‘proud citizens of the country’ and confirmed that they are there  in Bangladesh, stating that they will also participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on February 17. “They are still in the country. They are proud citizens of the country, and they will put in their best efforts to take the country forward in the future,” Alam told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. Shafiqul Alam says his properties unchanged, bank deposit up slightly The Press Secretary said the advisers will attend the oath-taking ceremony, arriving in flag-carrying vehicles. Once the ceremony concludes, the vehicles will take them back to their respective residences, but without the flags, he said. The Press Secretary made the remarks amid questions and social media speculation that some advisers were leaving the country, similar to Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the former special assistant to the Chief Adviser on ICT and telecommunications, who has already left the country. When asked about Taiyeb’s departure, Alam said he had no additional comments beyond the former assistant’s own statement. The newly elected MPs are scheduled to take oath at approximately 10am, followed by the incoming Prime Minister and cabinet around 4pm. Quoting Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Alam said the Foreign Ministers from Qatar and SAARC member states have been invited to attend the ceremony. Smooth power handover after Feb-12 election: Shafiqul Alam Meanwhile, referring to discussion at the last meeting of the Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, the Press Secretary said it was unfortunate to see that in the previous elections, minorities have been subjected to post-election violence. “So far, this is the first time that we have not heard of any attack on any of our religious minority brothers and sisters after the election. Many of them, as you have seen, have happily cast their votes in a festive mode at the polling stations,” Alam said.

Hassan O. Rashid, managing director and chief executive officer of Prime Bank, has resigned from his position. Prime Bank’s board of directors accepted Rashid’s resignation at a meeting on February 10. The decision was disclosed on Sunday through the website of Dhaka Stock Exchange. According to the official filing, Rashid’s resignation will take effect on March 31, 2026, subject to final approval from the Bangladesh Bank. To ensure continuity in leadership, Prime Bank has appointed its Additional Managing Director Faisal Rahman as acting CEO, effective from April 1, 2026.