Commerce, Industries, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir spoke as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting with leaders of the Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities at the conference room of the Sylhet Circuit House. Photo : PIDSYLHET, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - Commerce, Industries, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said that the government will continue working relentlessly to uphold religious harmony and ensure social protection in Sylhet. “To further strengthen the bond of harmony, we must work with greater unity in thoughts, spirit and practice, with sincerity and dedication,” he said. The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting with leaders of the Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities at the conference room of the Sylhet Circuit House yesterday night. The Minister also announced a plan to construct seven playgrounds in seven unions of Sylhet Sadar upazila to promote sports development.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman -File photoDHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS)- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to distribute the ‘Ekushey Padak-2026’ at a function in the capital on February 26. A cultural ministry press release said, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will hand over the ‘Ekushey Padak-2026’ at Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 11:00 am on February 26. The government has already announced the names of nine eminent citizens and one music band for awarding the country's second highest civilian award Ekushey Padak-2026 in recognition of their outstanding contribution in various fields. The recipients are: Farida Akhtar Babita (Film), Professor Md Abdus Sattar (Fine Arts), Marina Tabassum (Architecture), Ayub Bachchu (Music), Arthy Ahmed (Dance), Islam Uddin Palakar (Palagan), Shafik Rehman (Journalism), Professor Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar (Education), Tejosh Haldar Josh (Sculpture) and Warfaze (Music Band).

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that some changes will be made at the top levels of the police administration. In response to a question about whether major changes in the police’s top leadership would take place soon or be delayed, the minister said, ‘Yes, some changes will definitely come.’He made the remarks on Sunday while speaking to journalists after a meeting held at the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The minister also said that discussions were held on Sunday regarding when Parliament might sit. The summary will go from the National Parliament Secretariat to the Prime Minister’s Office and then to the President. Upon approval, the President will convene the session in consultation with the Prime Minister.

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Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus returned to his institution on Sunday after serving as head of the interim government for 18 months. He was welcomed by colleagues upon arriving at the Yunus Centre office at Telecom Bhaban in Mirpur. After resuming his duties, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner attended a meeting with the centre’s managing director and advisers. He also exchanged views with representatives of several rural organisations, including Grameen Bank. Sources said he is expected to return to his residence in Gulshan, Dhaka, by the end of the month.

DHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - The government today appointed Dr Shah Aman Ullah, medical officer of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), as senior medical officer to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Dr ANM Monowarul Kadir (Bitu) as assistant personal physician to the prime minister. The public administration ministry issued two separate gazette notifications in these regard signed by deputy secretary Mohammad Noor-e-Alam. The orders issued for public interest will come into effect immediately, the notifications said.

Bangladesh Bank has made loan restructuring facility easier for affected borrowers. A notification issued on Sunday (February 22) said that banks have been given additional flexibility in collecting down payments in the case of loan restructuring or exit facilities. In addition, in cases where policy support has already been approved but could not be implemented within the stipulated time due to logical reasons, an additional three months have been allowed for loan restructuring. Analysts say that this policy support is timely in the context of recent economic stress, global market uncertainty and internal liquidity crisis. The central bank said that this directive has been issued based on the approval of higher authorities.

Youths aged 16 or above will be able to avail the national identity (NID) services and card from now on, according to a decision taken by the Election Commission. The EC on Sunday issued a notification, directing its field-level officials to extend the NID services to the Bangladeshi citizens aged 16 and 17 as well. Bangladeshi citizens aged at least 18 have been entitled to avail of the NID services and cards since the introduction of NID registration in 2008. Initially, the EC issued laminated NID cards to Bangladeshi citizens aged at least 18 and then started the distribution of smart NID cards in 2016. The NID cards are needed to avail various government and private services like opening bank accounts, obtaining passports and driving licenses, registering SIM cards and getting land-related services.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to distribute the "Ekushey Padak-2026" at a function in the capital on Thursday. A cultural ministry press release said, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will hand over the "Ekushey Padak-2026" at Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 11am on Thursday. The government has already announced the names of nine eminent citizens and one music band for awarding the country's second highest civilian award Ekushey Padak-2026 in recognition of their outstanding contribution in various fields. The recipients are: Farida Akhtar Babita (Film), Professor Md Abdus Sattar (Fine Arts), Marina Tabassum (Architecture), Ayub Bachchu (Music), Arthy Ahmed (Dance), Islam Uddin Palakar (Palagan), Shafik Rehman (Journalism), Professor Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar (Education), Tejosh Haldar Josh (Sculpture) and Warfaze (Music Band).

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said that approval has been given to withdraw 1,006 cases filed against opposition party leaders and activists during the 17 years of the previous fascist government. According to the minister, the cases were politically motivated and were used to harass opposition figures and suppress dissent. A review process was conducted before the decision was finalized, he said. The withdrawal process will now proceed in accordance with legal procedures, with relevant authorities instructed to take necessary steps. The government stated that the move aims to ensure justice and restore democratic practices.

A decision has been taken to re-verify the list of genuine freedom fighters and to preserve the accurate history of the Liberation War. The meeting was chaired by Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. He added that many among the new generation remain unaware of the immense sacrifices and endurance through which the freedom fighters secured Bangladesh’s independence. He emphasized that the Liberation War remains the very foundation of the birth of the state.

The newly-formed BNP government has moved to withdraw more than a thousand cases it says were politically motivated during the 17‑year tenure of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina. In a statement issued Sunday, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said approval had been given to withdraw 1,006 cases filed against opposition leaders and activists, describing them as attempts to harass political opponents under the previous “fascist” administration. The ministry did not specify the total number of political cases filed during that period, or how many have been withdrawn so far. The decision to withdraw more than a thousand cases comes within five days of the formation of the new government. The decision comes within five days of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party taking office after winning a majority in the Feb 12 general election, which the Bangladesh Awami League did not contest.

No third party can sway Dhaka-Beijing ties: EnvoyThe Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, spoke to reporters after a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the foreign ministry today. The envoy made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the foreign ministry here today. Responding to a question about possible external pressure aimed at reducing China’s influence in Bangladesh, Yao said no outside force could affect Dhaka-Beijing ties. The ambassador reaffirmed China’s support for Bangladesh in safeguarding its unity, stability, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. He also said China would continue cooperation in job creation, investment, education and healthcare to support Bangladesh’s self-reliant and democratic development.