Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman, elder son of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, today formed the government with a 49-member cabinet as he took oath as the prime minister for his first time. The cabinet members include 25 ministers and 24 state ministers. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to Tarique Rahman and his new ministers at the open space of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex at 4:00 pm. After the swearing-in, Tarique Rahman signed the oath of office and oath of secrecy.

The 25 ministers are: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khoshru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, Abu Jafar Md Zahid Hossain, Dr Khalilur Rahman (Technocrat), Abdul Awal Mintoo, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Zahir Uddin Swapon, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid (Technocrat), Afroza Khanam Rita, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Asadul Habib Dulu, Md Asaduzzaman, Zakaria Taher, Dipen Dewan, ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Sarder Md Sakhawat Hossain, Fakir Mahbub Anam, and Sheikh Rabiul Alam.

The 24 state ministers are-M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Anindya Islam Amit, Md Shariful Alam, Shama Obaed Islam, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Farhad Hossain Azad, Md Aminul Haq (technocrat), Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Habibur Rashid, Md Rajib Ahsan, Md Abdul Bari, Mir Shahe Alam, Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, widely known as Zonayed Saki, Ishraque Hossain, Farzana Sharmin, Shaikh Faridul Islam, Nurul Haque Nur, Yasser Khan Chowdhury, M Iqbal Hossain, MA Muhith, Ahammad Sohel Manjur, Bobby Hajjaj and Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam.

Breaking with a long-standing tradition in the Bangladesh history, the swearing-in ceremony of the new government was held at the South Plaza of the Parliament Complex instead of Bangabhaban, the Presidential palace.

Diplomatic sources said the leaders of different countries including President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Indian Lok Sabha (parliament) Speaker Om Birla, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, among others, attended the ceremony.

Besides, guests present at the jam-packed glittering South Plaza of Bangladesh Parliament Complex included: Chief Justice, outgoing Chief adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and his council of advisers of the interim government, Chief Election Commissioner, Judges of the Supreme Court, MPs, political leaders, chiefs of the three services, members of diplomatic corps, senior journalists, and high civil and military officials.

Tarique Rahman’s spouse Dr. Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman and other family members were present at the function.

Clad in black-suit with stripe and white shirt Tarique Rahman was looking very confident and lively at the South Plaza gathering. The historic venue was overflowing with about 1200 invited guests, while many of them were seen standing there also.

New Prime Minister as the Head of the Government was given a standing ovation when he entered the place of oath-taking ceremony.

Minutes later President Shahabuddin entered the venue where the Prime Minister took oath at 4.00 pm.
The ceremony began with the recitation from the holy Quran.

Tarique Rahman took oath first pledging to preserve, protect and defend the national constitution and the state sovereignty.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Gani conducted the oath-taking ceremony.

On February 12, the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) polls coincided with the referendum was held in 299 seats. The BNP attained a resounding victory bagging 209 seats with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.

Their one-time ally Jamaat-e-Islami will now play their role as the main opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad with 68 seats.

Other parties and independent candidates have won the remaining seats.

Earlier, people had assembled in processions from different parts of the capital, chanting slogans hailing Tarique Rahman, the leader of the young.

Tanvir Hasan: After securing a sweeping majority in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is preparing to form the new government. The government has already published the official gazette listing the elected members of parliament. According to Article 148 of the Constitution, elected representatives must take oath within three days of the publication of the official results. The elected members of the 13th National Parliamentary Election will take their oaths on Tuesday, and the cabinet will also take their oaths later that day. Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the schedule at a press briefing on Saturday.

Party sources say Tarique Rahman is set to assume office as Prime Minister after the government is formed. Alongside experienced politicians, the party plans to assign key responsibilities to younger and highly educated leaders. A blend of senior and new leadership is expected in important ministries such as Home Affairs, Law, Finance, and Foreign Affairs.

Several BNP policymakers have indicated that the cabinet will not be overly large. It is expected to consist of between 32 and 42 members. BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has already begun consultations with senior leaders regarding the formation of the cabinet. However, the allocation of specific ministries will be known only after the oath ceremony.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the nation will need to wait a little longer to see the final shape of the cabinet.

For the post of Foreign Minister, BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir is being discussed, given his active role in strengthening the party’s international relations. Dr Reza Kibria is being considered for the position of Finance Minister. He previously served as a senior economist at the International Monetary Fund.

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury is being considered for the Commerce Ministry, a position he held in the past. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is being discussed for the Local Government Ministry. He previously served as State Minister for Agriculture and later for Civil Aviation and Tourism.

Former Attorney General and senior Supreme Court lawyer Md Asaduzzaman is being mentioned for the Law Ministry. Salahuddin Ahmed is also in discussion for the Home Ministry, while Mirza Abbas is being considered for the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.

Dr AZM Zahid Hossain is likely to take charge of the Health Ministry, and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi is being discussed for the Information Ministry. Other names reportedly under consideration include Nazrul Islam Khan, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Selima Rahman, Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Mizanur Rahman Minu and Shama Obayed, among others.

There is also speculation that the presidency may see a change after the new government is formed. Senior Standing Committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain is being discussed for the post. However, if Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is nominated for president, a major reshuffle in the cabinet could follow.

Other figures being discussed include Ashrafuddin Nizam, Zonayed Saki, Ishraq Hossain, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, Anindya Islam Amit, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Osman Faruque, Bobby Hajjaj, Hummam Quader Chowdhury, Nayab Yusuf, Zahir Uddin Swapan, Barrister Farzana Sharmeen Putul, Nurul Haq Nur, Naoshad Zamir, Mir Helal, Asadul Habib Dulu, Ali Asghar Lobby, Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, and Md Shariful Alam.

Ultimately, the final composition of the cabinet will depend on the decision of the party’s Standing Committee and Chairperson Tarique Rahman. As Prime Minister, he may revise the final list at any time, according to party insiders. The newly elected MPs will be sworn in Tuesday morning by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, while President Md Sahabuddin will administer the oath to the cabinet members in the afternoon.

Under the Constitution, the President will appoint as Prime Minister the parliamentary leader of the party that secures a majority in the National Parliament. As per convention, after the elected members are sworn in at the Parliament Secretariat, both the ruling party and the opposition will hold separate meetings to elect their parliamentary leaders.

The elected parliamentary leader of the majority party or alliance will then pay a courtesy call on the President at Bangabhaban. During that meeting, the President will formally invite the leader to form the government.

Following this invitation, the Prime Minister-designate will submit the names of ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers to the President. The President will immediately forward the list to the Cabinet Division, which will complete preparations for the oath ceremony at the earliest possible time.

The Cabinet Secretary will personally call each designated cabinet member, inviting them to attend the oath ceremony at Bangabhaban. Official vehicles will also be sent to their residences. Sources said the Cabinet Division has already collected the names and personal phone numbers of the newly elected MPs. New folders and flags have been procured for the oath ceremony, and official vehicles have been made ready for the incoming cabinet members.

Washington, DC, February 11, 2026: The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and HinduAction convened a congressional briefing presenting urgent testimony on the escalating persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, ahead of a deeply contested national election scheduled for February 12. The briefing amplified voices from the ground—journalists, human rights advocates, survivors, and young Bangladeshi Hindus in the diaspora—who described a deepening climate of fear, institutional collapse, and impunity.

“We need to listen to victim voices”, said CoHNA board member Sudha Jagannathan, emphasizing the depth of state failure in Bangladesh. “Silence is not an option and the congressional briefing is one important way to draw attention to the pogrom underway.”

A broad variety of speakers presented data and urged Congress and the State Department to 1) publicly condemn the violence in Bangladesh, and hold congressional hearings, 2) designate Bangladesh as a Country of Particular Concern, 3) designate the Jamaat-e-Islami as a foreign terrorist organization, and 4) apply Magnitsky sanctions on Muhammad Yunus.

Michael Rubin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, who delivered the keynote address, led the call for sanctions against Yunus under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act—which allows the U.S. to freeze assets and ban entry of foreign human rights violators. He also compared the Islamist crisis in Bangladesh with those in Turkey and Iran, and warned that the U.S. is repeating with Yunus the mistake made with Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar—embracing a Nobel laureate whose commitment to liberal principles was “a complete fabrication.”

Congressional Engagement

Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI), a former U.S. Army officer with 22 years of service, noted that while major battlefronts have wound down, extremist threats have not disappeared. “I know that’s a big reason why you’re here today. I encourage you to continue to advocate, and I appreciate the awareness that you’re raising to bring about a shift in policy,” he said.

Reacting to expert testimony presented at the event, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) wondered if the February 12 elections will be “truly free and fair” as they will proceed without representation from one of the largest mainstream political parties—Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, which has been banned since May 2025 and its student wing declared a “terrorist organization” since October 2024.

In a recorded message, Samuel Brownback, former U.S. Senator and co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Summit, highlighted the deep impacts of state-sanctioned violence against minorities on population stability and economic prosperity. “If Bangladesh goes in the wrong direction, you’re going to see them drive out most of their religious minorities,” he said.

The briefing drew over 70 attendees including staffers from the offices of Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), and Rep. David Min (D-CA), alongside diplomatic officials, underscoring broad legislative and diplomatic concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh.

Witnesses Testify: “Hindus Will Not Survive Another Decade in Bangladesh”

SriRam, speaking under an alias for safety, and human rights advocate Shubho Roy shared harrowing firsthand accounts of being Hindu in Bangladesh—especially during December 2025, when both witnessed the intensifying crisis on the ground.

In a video testimony, SriRam described coordinated violence and institutional takeover by Islamist groups. He recounted his mother being surrounded by neighbors who chanted that Hindus were traitors and should be expelled from the country. His brother, a doctor, saw his family hospital taken over by Islamist groups and now faces constant threat of attack due to his religious identity. He also noted that December 16—Victory Day, commemorating Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971—passed without celebrations, unlike previous years.

Roy, who was also in Dhaka during the same period, testified: “I witnessed it, I went through the trauma. From 1971 till today—we are facing the same. They are going after Hindus. They’re targeting minorities.” Both witnesses warned of imminent erasure. “Hindus will not survive another decade in Bangladesh,” SriRam said. “We will be erased from our homeland.”

The atmosphere of terror in Bangladesh now traumatizes even Hindus living in North America. Gita Sikanji, associate professor at the University of California, Irvine, described organizing rallies in 25 American cities to raise awareness. When she invited an ISKCON leader in California to participate, he began crying and declined. “If I come to the rally and my face is seen in the video, in Bangladesh they will increase the violence on my people,” he told her. “Even American Hindus here are traumatized by this series of events,” Sikanji testified.

Diaspora Youth Mobilizes: Documenting Violence, Demanding Action

Some of the most powerful testimony came from young Hindus raised in America yet deeply moved by events in Bangladesh.

Ritvik Hari, policy analyst at CoHNA, urged Congress to publicly condemn the violence, hold hearings, and designate Bangladesh as a Country of Particular Concern. Puja Debi, Stony Brook University student and co-founder of Bengali Hindus of New York City, described how she has been documenting attacks after realizing mainstream coverage was absent. Pramit Acharjee, senior at Bronx High School of Science, warned that, “minority families are being forced to vote a certain way, and they are killed or displaced if they do not comply.” Swastika Biswas, a Queens high school student, spoke about how language enables violence. “When words strip people of their humanity, violence follows.” Sayan Shil, a young engineer from New York, described the collapse of “psychological safety” for minorities in Bangladesh.

Experts Warn: Bangladesh Risks Becoming a Terrorism Hub

Multiple speakers also documented the systematic breakdown of state institutions and the complicity of security forces in violence against minorities.

Priya Saha, from South Asian Minorities Collective, cited the cases of Hindu police officer Santosh Chowdhury, who was handed over by the Bangladesh army to a mob that lynched and burned him, garment worker Deepu Chandra Das, who was similarly killed after being handed over by factory management, and the violent crackdown in Hazari Goli, where police and military beat and arrested over 80 peaceful Hindu protesters—all of which pointed to direct state involvement, she said. Arifa Rahman Ruma, associate professor at Bangladesh Open University, documented how Islamist militants have been released from prison with full indemnity. National Press Club of Dhaka president Farida Yasmin described the systematic dismantling of a free press with mobs torching major newspaper offices in December 2025.

Rana Hassan Mahmud from the Center for U.S.–Bangladesh Relations warned that Bangladesh is heading toward “a sham election with predetermined results.” He cautioned that by allowing Muhammad Yunus to remain in power, “we are enabling the creation of a new hub of terrorism whose repercussions will extend far beyond Bangladesh’s borders.” Utsav Chakrabarti of HinduAction framed the crisis in stark historical terms, warning that “the ongoing pogrom risks escalating into a full-scale repeat of the 1971 genocide—wherein, over the course of 10 months, millions of Hindus were systematically targeted and slaughtered in an orgy of state-backed violence.” He called for the U.S. to hold Jamaat-e-Islami accountable, noting that it is “the very party that collaborated with the Pakistan Army in perpetrating the 1971 genocide, and its return to influence poses a grave threat to regional stability.”

The briefing was part of CoHNA’s sustained grassroots campaign across North America to mobilize attention and defend Hindus in Bangladesh. As the speakers emphasized, the cost of silence extends beyond Bangladesh’s borders—threatening regional stability, emboldening transnational extremism, and undermining American leadership on human rights and religious freedom.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin today said the 13th national election is one of the good elections in the country’s history in any standard. He made the remarks at an official briefing from the Central Results Collection and Presentation Centre at Election Commission (EC) here.

The CEC said, “If you judge, it can be considered a pretty good election. I am feeling good. We promised to present an election in a festive atmosphere. We promised to present a completely neutral and credible election to the nation and we do believe we have achieved it. Everyone is recognising this.”

Expressing his gratitude to media and the country’s people, he said, “We are grateful to journalists, people, voters and political leaders.”

“With the overall cooperation of all, we have been able to present an acceptable election,” he said.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today said that the people of the country are now free from today. He said that pro-democracy people of the country have once again made the BNP victorious; and described this victory as a win for Bangladesh and for democracy, pledging to build a safe, humane, and democratic Bangladesh in the days ahead.

“Alhamdulillah, this victory belongs to Bangladesh. This victory belongs to democracy. This victory belongs to the people who yearn for democracy. From today, we are all free.”

Tarique Rahman made the remarks at a post-election press conference held in the Ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel in the city today. BNP Chairman said the people have paved the way for establishing democracy in the country by overcoming all obstacles. However, he noted that their journey must begin amidst a fragile economy left behind by fascism, dysfunctional constitutional and statutory institutions, and a weak law and order situation.

“After more than one and a half decades, a parliament and government accountable to the people are set to be established through direct voting. Everyone to remain united so that no anti-democratic force can re-establish fascism in the country or turn Bangladesh into a subservient state,” he said.

Tarique Rahman extended heartfelt congratulations to the 51 political parties that participated in the election, including Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Ganadhikar Parishad.

“In a democratic state and politics, political parties are essentially the lighthouses of democracy. If the government and the opposition each play a responsible role from their respective positions, democracy will undoubtedly become institutionalized,” he said.

Calling upon every democratic political party that participated in the election to share their ideas for nation-building, he stated, “Our paths and opinions may be different, but we are all united for the sake of the country. I believe national unity is our strength, and division is our weakness.”

He specially thanked the interim government and the Election Commission for successfully holding a peaceful, free, fair, and impartial election, dispelling all public doubts. Tarique Rahman also praised the role of all election-related officials, the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and domestic and international media and observers.

Tarique Rahman expressed deep respect for those who were martyred or injured in the movement to establish democracy over this long period from the Liberation War of 1971 to the war to protect the freedom of the country and its people in 2024. He prayed for salvation of their departed souls. He also mentioned that the absence of the uncompromising leader and former Prime Miniter Begum Khaleda Zia weighs heavily on the party during this joyous moment.

He said, “In anticipation of such a democratic time for establishing people’s rights in the state and politics, she fought uncompromisingly against fascism. She never compromised with autocracy or fascism.”

Referring to BNP’s 31 point ‘roadmap for state repair’, he said, through consultations with other parties and the public, BNP has formulated its election manifesto. Highlighting BNP’s signature to the July Charter, Tarique Rahman assured that every commitment made to the people will be implemented in phases. BNP chairman said his party didn’t bring out any victory processions even after an absolute victory to maintain peace and order, but celebrating the triumph by offering gratitude to Allah.

He asserted, “My statement is clear: peace and order must be maintained at any cost. No injustice or illegal activities will be tolerated.”

He further said, “Regardless of party, opinion, religion, or caste, attacks by the powerful on the weak will not be accepted under any pretext. Justice will be the ideal. If the rule of law is not established, all our efforts will go in vain.”

He urged everyone to be cautious so that any misunderstandings arising from electoral competition do not turn into revenge or retaliation. While appealing to the pro-democracy people, the BNP Chairman said, “Just as we played role in the struggle to establish democracy, let us now each to play our part from our respective positions to build Bangladesh as a safe and humane state by controlling corruption, maintaining law and order, and ensuring accountability to the people.”

Concluding his speech, the BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman once again congratulated and thanked all democratic forces, expatriate Bangladeshis, and the freedom-loving people across the country for the victory.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Dr Khandakar Mosarrof Hossain, Nazrul Islam Khan, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Selima Rahman, Salahuddin Ahmed, Sultan Salauddin Mahmud Tuku,among others were present during the press conference.

Journalists from the local and foreign media joined the press conference. After concluding the written speech Tarique Rahman answered different questions from the journalists.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clinched a landslide victory with over two-thirds majority in the 13th general elections held on Thursday amid festivity allowing the BNP-led alliance to form the next government. The massive victory has paved the way for BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman to lead the government as the Prime Minister for the first time.

The Election Commission (EC) announced the unofficial results of 297 parliamentary seats out of the 299 where elections were held in a free and fair manner. It, however, postponed announcement of results in two seats – Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4. However, voting in Sherpur-3 constituency was postponed due to death of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate. According to the unofficial results, the BNP bagged 209 seats alone while its alliance partners Gano Odhikar Parishad one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) one and Gano Sanghati Andalon one.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats alone emerging as the main opposition party while its alliance partners National Citizen Party (NCP) won six seats, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis two and Khelafat Majlish one. Islami Andolon Bangladesh bagged one seat and independent candidates won in seven constituencies. Meanwhile, the United States of America (USA), China, India and Pakistan congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman for the party’s historic landslide victory in the 13th National Parliament Election.

According to the Election Commission, the voter turnout in the parliamentary polls was recorded 59.44 percent while it was 60.26 in the referendum. The referendum witnessed 4,80,74,429 ‘Yes’ votes and 2,25,65,627 ‘No’ votes. Foreign observers and independent polls monitoring groups said the election was held in a free, fair and peaceful manner, maintaining the world standard.

Earlier, voting began at 7:30 am across 42,779 polling centres in 299 constituencies nationwide. A total of 12,77,11,793 voters were registered to cast their ballots, including 6,48,25,361 males, 6,28,85,200 females, and 1,232 from the third gender. A total of 50 political parties contested the polls with 2,028 candidates including 273 independent, while BNP fielded the highest number of candidates of 291. Besides, a total of 83 female candidates contested the polls.

According to the EC, some 800,000 officials, apart from those involved in maintaining security and law and order, were on election duties. They included 69 returning officers, 598 assistant returning officers, 42,779 presiding officers, 247,482 assistant presiding officers and 4,95,964 polling officers. Besides, About 15,000 officials are engaged in postal voting duties.

EC officials earlier said that of the security personnel deployed, 103,000 were army troops, 8,500 navy sailors and airmen, alongside 37,453 paramilitary BGB soldiers and 3,585 paramilitary Coast Guard members. The number of policemen on poll duty was 187,603, while RAB personnel number was 9,349. The highest number of law enforcement personnel was drawn from Ansar, with personnel numbering 5,67,868.

Some 55,454 observers from 81 local organizations monitored the elections while the number of foreign poll monitors was 394. Nearly 200 foreign journalists arrived in Bangladesh to observe the elections and the referendum. Of the international observers, 80 represent various international organizations, while the rest come from different countries, including independent European observers.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday criticised Jamaat-e-Islami over its role during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, saying the party must clarify its position on the country’s independence.

“Jamaat leaders are currently making statements in television talk shows, online platforms and newspapers, but they should first explain their position during the country’s struggle for independence,” said Fakhrul while addressing a rally at Farabari High School ground in Thakurgaon.

“Where were you in 1971? Whose side were you on?” the BNP leader asked. He also alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami had assisted the Pakistani occupation forces during the Liberation War and attempted to obstruct Bangladesh’s independence.

There is no scope to forget about 1971 and just as the people would not forget 2024, when the country regained its democratic system, he added. The country achieved independence through the Liberation War and that history must never be erased, said the BNP leader. After 15 long years, the country now has a real opportunity to hold a fair, free and credible election, he said.

The interim government currently in charge and those who are elected through votes will form the government—that is their objective, he said. If people participate spontaneously and cast their votes, the election would become historic and widely acceptable, he hoped.

Referring to his political future, Fakhrul said this might be his last election, and pledged to establish an airport and a medical college in Thakurgaon, if elected, along with creating employment opportunities to reduce unemployment.

He also said the female voters of the district will be given training under the guidance of Tarique Rahman so that they can earn from home. “We must train our women and youth and create jobs by making them skilled and educated.”

Bangladesh has announced plans to release its maiden artificial intelligence (AI) policy in February at the opening day of the 5th General Assembly of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) in Kuwait.

“We are working on the AI policy, and hopefully this will be in place within the month of February,” said Shish Haider Chowdhury, secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Division, on Wednesday.

He noted Bangladesh’s progress in AI, saying the country began its digital transformation journey 15 years ago and has already prepared an AI strategy. The two‑day assembly, hosted by Kuwait, brought together representatives from 16 member states across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia, alongside guest countries. Participants called for responsible and inclusive adoption of AI to mitigate risks and ensure equal access to benefits.

Discussions covered billion‑dollar investments, regulatory frameworks, AI universities, data centres and ethical concerns. The participants said AI technology is already shaping economies, societies, and potentially the perceptions of the next generation. They also highlighted AI’s potential use in social engineering, threatening social and political stability if the technology is not embraced ethically. Omar Saud Al-Omar, Kuwait’s minister of state for communication affairs, chaired the discussion.

“Digital transformation makes governments responsible for delivering seamless services to citizens, businesses, and companies,” he said.

AI technology will gradually engulf the world, the participating countries noted, calling for mature use of the technology, drawing on experiences of others who employed it in education, agriculture, science, public service, and even government purchases. DCO Secretary‑General Deemah Al Yahya stressed the need for cross‑border cooperation to counter “real‑time misinformation and disinformation”, warning that failure to act could widen the digital divide.

“The opportunity is clear, but so are the risks. If we fail to act with urgency and coordination, the digital divide will widen,” she added.

The International Digital Cooperation Forum (IDCF), the DCO’s multi-stakeholder platform, also hosted plenary dialogues and side events on artificial intelligence, digital skills mobility, tech safety, and inclusive growth. Speakers stressed that AI risks transcend borders and that the technology is advancing faster than governments’ collective capacity to regulate it.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, addressing the assembly in a brief recorded video message, said at a time of rising geopolitical fragmentation, evidence-based digital cooperation is more important than ever.

Speakers, however, pointed out that national AI regulatory frameworks, often relying on voluntary commitments, are far from being enough to deal with the issues at hand. They warned that AI-driven social engineering could undermine democratic institutions and public trust.

Jordan showcased its national AI ecosystem, noting that over 90 percent of startups in the country specialise in AI, with 27 universities offering AI degrees and more than 11,000 students enrolled by 2025. The country has established a National Council for Future Technologies, chaired by the prime minister and adopted a national AI code of ethics.

“Trust is at the heart of AI adoption,” said a delegate from Pakistan, which is due to take on the DCO presidency next year. Saudi Arabia called for frameworks to govern cross-border data flows, while Bahrain and several other member states urged an inclusive international AI treaty. Azerbaijan highlighted its paperless government system. Initiatives taken by the country have produced more than 1,000 AI engineers and product managers.

Speakers also stressed human-centred AI governance, with pilot projects underway in health, education, and public services. Morocco boasted a 50 MW data centre, opening a window of tests and trials of AI. Delegates also highlighted AI’s potential role in climate resilience, calling for international support to deploy AI in environmental monitoring and adaptation.

The assembly concluded with the agreement that while AI is no longer a future technology, governance, trust, and inclusion must advance at the same pace as innovation if the digital economy is to benefit all. The Palestinian representative reminded the participating countries that their digital infrastructure had faced total destruction in many places, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank.

He said the Palestinians face the “worst-case scenario” of digital disconnection. He called for the protection of digital infrastructure as a “global humanitarian need” so that no nation is left in the “digital blind spot”.

“Let us not let AI erase our narrative,” he said.

Founded in 2020, the DCO is headquartered in Saudi Arabia and represents 16 member states with a combined population of nearly 800 million and GDP of $3.5 trillion. The theme of this year’s assembly was “Inclusive prosperity in the age of AI”.

Bangladesh’s latest attempt to move its T20 World Cup games from India to Sri Lanka has failed at the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), the Press Trust of India reports. On Jan 21, Bangladesh lost by a 14–2 margin in a vote at the ICC, leaving them with no option but to travel to India to play in next month’s showcase event. PTI said Bangladesh then approached the DRC to overturn that decision.

However, under clause 1.3 of its own rules, the DRC has no authority to act as an appellate body against decisions taken by the ICC or any ICC-approved committee. As a result, the DRC rejected Bangladesh’s application, saying ICC regulations placed the matter outside its jurisdiction.

PTI added that an announcement on which country will get the slot instead of Bangladesh could come on Saturday.

Sheikh Hasina has launched a stinging political broadside against the interim government, accusing Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus of replacing constitutional rule with what she calls “authoritarianism dressed up as transition” by sidelining her party Awami League ahead of the Feb 12 general elections.

In a wide-ranging written interview with ThePrint, the former prime minister said the suspension of the Awami League from political activity has hollowed out the electoral process, leaving tens of millions of voters effectively “disenfranchised”.

“You cannot ban the country’s oldest and most popular political party and then claim democratic legitimacy. That is not reform; it is authoritarianism dressed up as transition,” Hasina told ThePrint.

Although Yunus has insisted the Awami League has not been banned but merely “suspended from political activities”, Hasina dismissed the distinction as hollow.

“That is a distinction without meaning,” she said, arguing that a party that “can not campaign, organise or contest elections” is, in effect, barred from political life.

Bangladesh is scheduled to vote on Feb 12, but Hasina said the exclusion of her party has already poisoned the process.

“Elections held under such conditions cannot be considered free, fair or legitimate,” she wrote to ThePrint.

“Voters must be free to elect the party of their choosing and not be excluded from participating or coerced by door-to-door activists into voting for the BNP or [Jamaat-e-Islami] under threats of violence or destruction,” ThePrint quoted her as adding. She accused the interim government of deliberately clearing the field because it feared defeat.

“The interim government knows that if we were allowed to contest these elections, we would command overwhelming support. That is why we have been banned,” Hasina said.

“Let us not forget that Yunus himself has never received a single vote from the people of Bangladesh, and yet he has rewritten our country’s legal framework to legitimise his unlawful actions,” she was quoted in the report. The Awami League governed Bangladesh from 2009 until Hasina’s removal in August 2024, shaping nearly a decade and a half of the country’s political life. Now, as the February vote approaches, Bangladesh is heading into an election without the party that led the 1971 independence struggle and dominated post-independence politics.

Violence engulfed Bangladesh in mid-2024, when student-led protests over public sector job quotas spiralled into a nationwide revolt against her government. According to the interim authorities, roughly 1,400 people were killed as unrest spread across the country. Hasina told ThePrint she “regrets” every life lost but rejected claims that her government had provoked the bloodshed.

“We welcomed the legitimate protests led by the students and allowed them to proceed peacefully. We listened to their demands, and we addressed these, overturning the public sector job quotas that were the source of their frustration,” she wrote. She claimed the turning point came when the demonstrations were overtaken by forces working to bring her down.

“What we could not have foreseen was the turning point when extremist elements hijacked the protests. This was no longer a spontaneous and peaceful student movement, but a violent mob organised and directed by Yunus that sought violence, attacked police stations and destroyed state infrastructure,” Hasina told ThePrint.

“Like any legitimate government, our actions were guided by the instinct to protect our country’s institutions and prevent any loss of life,” she added.

On Aug 5, 2024, as violence intensified in Dhaka, Hasina fled her official residence, Ganabhaban, ending her 15 years in power. She has remained in India since then, a fact that has become a sensitive fault line in India-Bangladesh relations.

ThePrint reported that one of Hasina’s sharpest accusations against Yunus centres on the judicial inquiry she had set up to investigate the deaths during the protests — and which was scrapped almost immediately after the interim government took power.

“My principal frustration is that Yunus dissolved that inquiry immediately upon taking power, no doubt because he knew that it would expose the meticulous plan he orchestrated,” she wrote to ThePrint.

“That decision alone raises serious questions as to the motivations behind the protests and his seizure of power, including the matter of foreign involvement. Those questions deserve impartial investigation.”

Since her removal, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sentenced Hasina and her home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity, citing her government’s attempts to suppress the 2024 unrest. Under Yunus, the Awami League’s organisational backbone has also been dismantled. Its student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, was banned under anti-terrorism legislation — a law originally enacted under Hasina’s government in 2009 and amended in 2025 before being used against her party.

Hasina told ThePrint that Bangladesh is now sliding into chaos under an unelected administration that lacks the authority or will to control violence.

“Law and order cannot be maintained through fear or selective enforcement,” she wrote, calling for a swift return to “constitutional governance” and elections “held with the participation of all parties”.

Her warning comes after two days of unrest in December, triggered by the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a prospective candidate for parliament who was shot in Dhaka on Dec 12 and later died on Dec 18 while under treatment in Singapore. Protests spiralled into riots that saw the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star set ablaze.

“The violence we are witnessing is the direct result of an unelected administration that lacks any popular mandate and has allowed our politics to be usurped by extremist factions,” Hasina told ThePrint.

“Instead of delivering ‘reform’, the interim government has elevated radical groups to positions of power, established rule by mob justice, and suppressed legitimate political voices,” she was quoted as saying.

“In Bangladesh today, there is no semblance of law and order,” she added.

“The Yunus government has routinely failed to act decisively against violence. Indeed, it has actively emboldened extremists who seek to spread their hardline ideology through daily acts of brutality, repressing any trace of pluralism in our society and dismissing any diversity of thought by labelling any dissenting voice as a political enemy,” she said according to ThePrint.

The December unrest included the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man in Mymensingh, sparking protests in India and renewed concern over the safety of Bangladesh’s minorities. Hindus account for about 8 percent of the population. India has repeatedly urged Dhaka to do more to protect minorities since Hasina’s fall.

Yunus has argued the violence is largely political or criminal rather than communal, saying only 71 of 645 incidents against minorities in 2025 had communal elements, according to ThePrint. Hasina, however, sees a deeper ideological shift.

“Bangladesh was founded on secularism, pluralism and democratic values. The rehabilitation of Jamaat-e-Islami and other extremist factions threatens the very fabric of our nation,” she wrote to ThePrint.

“When radical groups are allowed back into mainstream politics, they do not moderate the state. They seek to reshape it in their own image and remove any trace of pluralism,” she added. Jamaat has re-entered mainstream politics since Yunus lifted the ban on its activities, while its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir has won university elections across several campuses.

Hasina also accused the interim government of tolerating what she called a systematic attempt to rewrite Bangladesh’s past — including the vandalism and demolition of her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic home at Dhanmondi 32.

“What we are seeing today is the deliberate erosion of historical truth,” she wrote to ThePrint. “Extremist and revisionist forces have tried hard to dilute the reality of our hard-won independence from Pakistan in 1971, blurring the distinction between victim and aggressor.”

“This truth may be inconvenient to the interim government, which wishes to paint the Awami League as enemies of the state, but it is a truth nonetheless,” she added.

“A nation that forgets the price of its freedom becomes vulnerable to those who once denied it. Preserving the truth of our Liberation War is not about politics. It is about safeguarding our identity and sovereignty.”

As Bangladesh moves towards its most uncertain election in decades, February now looms as a reckoning — not only over who governs, but over what kind of state the country is becoming.