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BANGLADESH: Bangladesh&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman called for intensified global efforts to combat slavery and all forms of oppression at a UN General Assembly commemorative meeting.&nbsp; He made the call while speaking at a meeting marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday, Bangladeshi media reported on Thursday. &nbsp; The foreign minister paid solemn tribute to the millions of victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade and honored the courage and resilience of those who resisted it.&nbsp; Reaffirming Bangladesh&rsquo;s firm stance against injustice, Rahman said the country remains opposed to slavery, apartheid, genocide, and all forms of oppression. He highlighted that Bangladesh&rsquo;s Constitution rejects imperialism, colonialism, racism, and discrimination, and reiterated the nation&rsquo;s solidarity with oppressed people worldwide. The minister reflected on key historical milestones, including the centenary of the 1926 Slavery Convention and nearly 80 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite these landmark achievements, he warned that the legacy of slavery continues to shape modern society, economy, and politics, with various forms of exploitation persisting globally. Rahman emphasized that remembrance alone is not enough. He called for concrete action, including stronger efforts to combat human trafficking, enhanced international cooperation in digital forensics, and greater investment in education and dialogue about the human and civilizational costs of slavery. Concluding his remarks, he urged the international community to work collectively toward building a world free from slavery and oppression.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. (File Photo: BSS)

Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman urged global action at the United Nations to combat modern slavery and oppression beyond remembrance.

Bangladesh urges global action against slavery, oppression worldwide

DHAKA: Khalilur Rahman, foreign minister of Bangladesh, left Dhaka on Saturday for the United States to take part in a series of engagements aimed at boosting the country&rsquo;s campaign for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency reported. On his way to New York City, the minister will make a brief stopover in Turkiye, where he is scheduled to hold several meetings and engagements as part of Bangladesh&rsquo;s diplomatic outreach in support of its UNGA presidency bid, a foreign ministry official said to BSS.&nbsp; During the visit, Dr Rahman is expected to meet diplomats and other stakeholders to strengthen support for Bangladesh&rsquo;s candidature for the upcoming UNGA session.

FM Khalilur Rahman left Dhaka for the United States to rally support for Bangladesh’s bid for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Bangladesh foreign minister leaves for US, Turkiye on UNGA campaign

DHAKA: Bangladesh has implemented emergency fuel rationing as escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupts global energy supplies, leading to panic buying, long lines at gas stations, and public anger nationwide.&nbsp; The move comes after recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran&rsquo;s retaliatory attacks across the Gulf raised fears of major disruptions in oil shipments. Bangladesh, a nation of about 170 million people that imports nearly 95% of its oil and gas, has been particularly vulnerable to the resulting energy shock.&nbsp; In response, the state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) announced restrictions on fuel sales for certain vehicle types to curb hoarding and ensure wider distribution. Motorcyclists, for example, are now limited to purchasing up to two liters of fuel per visit.&nbsp; &quot;Consumers tend to buy more than they usually purchase&quot; during times of crisis, BPC said in a statement. One man was killed on Saturday night in the southern district of Jhenaidah after an altercation with filling station staff over refueling, triggering unrest.&nbsp; Following the death of Nirob Hossain, 25, angry crowds torched three buses and vandalized a filling station, police officer Md Mahfuz Afzal said. As soon as the restrictions took effect on Sunday, long lines of vehicles formed outside numerous gas stations in the capital, Dhaka. &nbsp;&quot;I waited for more than an hour to get two liters,&quot; said motorcyclist Md Al-Amin, 45. &quot;My tank holds eight liters, and I usually fill up once a week, so now I&#39;ll have to come back the day after tomorrow.&quot;&nbsp; AKM Ruhul Amin, a paediatrician, had just filled his sedan car but said it was not enough. &quot;I already waited yesterday, and they closed the station just one car ahead of me,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;I was only able to buy 10 liters today; the government could at least allow us to fill up completely.&quot;&nbsp; Ahmad Rush, an official with the distributor Meghna Petroleum Ltd., estimated that the number of customers had almost doubled.&nbsp; &quot;We opened at 7:30 this morning and were able to refuel 300 vehicles in three and a half hours,&quot; he said. BPC said that fuel deliveries were expected soon. Meanwhile, the energy crisis is beginning to affect other sectors of the economy. Five of Bangladesh&rsquo;s six fertilizer factories have been temporarily shut down until March 18 due to the current supply pressures, an official with the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation, Ahsan Quddus Kuntal, told AFP.&nbsp; The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation said additional fuel shipments are expected soon, but authorities remain concerned that ongoing geopolitical tensions could further strain supplies in the coming weeks.

People wait in a queue to refuel their vehicles near a fuel station in Dhaka on March 8, 2026

The move comes after recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks across the Gulf raised fears of major disruptions in oil shipments. Bangladesh, a nation of about 170 million people that imports nearly 95% of its oil and gas, is particularly vulnerable to the resulting energy shock.

Bangladesh rations fuel as Mideast war deepens energy crunch

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&nbsp;Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday called for an immediate halt to military escalation in order to prevent the conflict from spilling over. The call came during a telephonic conversation between&nbsp;Bangladesh PM and the UAE president, said the former&#39;s Press secretary Saleh Shibli.&nbsp; Rahman also thanked the UAE leadership for the care and support extended to Bangladeshi nationals living and working in the UAE, the PM&#39;s Press secretary added.&nbsp; He said President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan accepted PM Rahman&#39;s invitation to visit Bangladesh. Both leaders emphasized the need for an immediate halt to military escalation in order to prevent the conflict from widening and threatening regional and global security, he added. They also reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomatic engagement to resolve disputes and achieve a peaceful solution to the crisis, Shibly added.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council amid the current regional tensions.

Bangladesh PM, UAE President seek end to escalation in region

ISLAMABAD: Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will actively campaign worldwide in support of Bangladesh&rsquo;s candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said on Saturday. Speaking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from Saudi Arabia, Dr Rahman said Bangladesh has received &ldquo;full and unequivocal backing&rdquo; from OIC member states for its bid, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency reported. &ldquo;The candidate has been changed following the change in government. One of our key challenges is that Cyprus has been campaigning throughout the year, whereas we have barely three months, or even less, in hand,&rdquo; he said. Dr Rahman said extensive discussions were held with OIC partners to assess the overall situation and devise strategies to secure Bangladesh&rsquo;s victory in the election. &ldquo;We have received their full and unequivocal support,&rdquo; he said, adding that OIC countries assured not only their votes but also active campaigning in favour of Dhaka&rsquo;s candidature across the world. He noted that Palestine had withdrawn its candidature a few days ago as anticipated, clearing the way for Bangladesh to contest the 2026&ndash;2027 term against Cyprus. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir described the response from OIC countries as highly encouraging. &ldquo;We have received very positive feedback. We will conduct a detailed assessment at an appropriate stage, but the support so far has been strong. The visit was both fruitful and productive,&rdquo; he said. Earlier, the interim government had nominated former Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain as Bangladesh&rsquo;s candidate. Following the change in government, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman nominated Dr Rahman for the position. The election for the president of the 81st session of the UNGA is scheduled to be held on June 2 at the UN Headquarters in New York in accordance with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure. Under the established regional rotation system, the president for the 81st session will be elected from the Asia-Pacific Group. The 81st session of the UNGA will open on Sept. 8, 2026, while the high-level General Debate will begin on Sept. 22. Bangladesh last held the position in 1986&ndash;87, when then foreign minister Humayun Rashid Chowdhury was elected President of the 41st General Assembly. On regional issues, the foreign minister expressed concern over escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying war would bring no benefit to anyone. Describing the situation between the two SAARC member states as &ldquo;very sad,&rdquo; he said Bangladesh is approaching the matter cautiously and refraining from making any public statement for now. &ldquo;We are trying, in our own way, to help our friends understand that such conflicts do not serve anyone&rsquo;s interests,&rdquo; he said. Dr Rahman also reiterated Bangladesh&rsquo;s firm and unchanged position on Palestine, stating that the country&rsquo;s stance on the Palestinian issue remains unequivocal. Leaders attending the recent OIC executive meeting expressed confidence that Bangladesh would achieve political stability and accelerated development under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, while reiterating their full support for Dhaka&rsquo;s UNGA candidature.

Bangladesh FM Dr Khalil ur Rahman (Photo: BSS)

Speaking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Saturday upon his return from Saudi Arabia, Dr Rahman said Bangladesh has received 'full and unequivocal backing' from OIC member states for its bid.

OIC to campaign for Bangladesh's UNGA bid: FM Rahman 

ISLAMABAD: The inaugural edition of the Women&rsquo;s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL) T20 is set to commence on April 4, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) approved the dates during a Board of Directors meeting, according to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency.&nbsp; The first edition of the tournament will run from April 4 to April 14, with matches scheduled to be played in Dhaka and Chattogram.&nbsp; The WBPL will mark Bangladesh&rsquo;s first-ever franchise-based Twenty20 competition exclusively for women, signaling a significant step forward in the development of women&rsquo;s cricket in the country. The opening edition will feature three franchise teams, bringing together some of the nation&rsquo;s leading cricketers alongside promising emerging talents. Local players will be selected through a structured player draft system, aimed at ensuring competitive balance among the teams. In addition to domestic stars, franchises will be allowed to recruit overseas professional players. The inclusion of international cricketers is expected to enhance the tournament&rsquo;s global appeal, provide valuable exposure for local players, and raise the overall competitive standard of the league. The WBPL Governing Council will be chaired by Rubaba Dowla, BCB Director and Chairperson of the BCB Women&rsquo;s Wing. The Council will oversee all organizational and operational matters related to the tournament. The launch of the WBPL represents a landmark moment for women&rsquo;s cricket in Bangladesh, reflecting the BCB&rsquo;s continued commitment to expanding opportunities and strengthening the domestic structure for female cricketers.

Cricket

According to the board, the first edition of the tournament will run from April 4 to April 14, with matches scheduled to be played in Dhaka and Chattogram. 


Inaugural Women's Bangladesh Premier League to begin April 4 

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">Bangladesh&rsquo;s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday announced that the government has approved the withdrawal of 1,202 additional cases described as politically motivated, filed against opposition leaders and activists during the 17-year rule of the Awami League, state media reported.<br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">According to state-run <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-leads-rmg-exports-to-eu-for-five-straight-years-report" style="color:#0073e6;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">Bangladesh</a><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;"> Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), an official message circulated to the media said the decision came after a review process examining allegations that the cases had been lodged to harass opposition figures and suppress dissent.<br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">Earlier, the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/govt-aims-to-launch-family-card-scheme-before-eid-bangladeshi-relief-minister" style="color:#0073e6;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">government</a><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;"> had approved the withdrawal of 1,006 similar cases. With the latest decision, the total number of cases cleared for withdrawal has risen to 2,208, BSS reported.<br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">Sources at the Home Ministry said the withdrawal process would proceed in line with existing legal procedures. Relevant authorities have been directed to take necessary steps to implement the decision.<br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">The government said the initiative aims to ensure justice, reinforce democratic values, and restore public confidence in the country&rsquo;s legal system, according to BSS.

Salahuddin Ahmed from giving his speech at Nagorik Coalition Event 

According to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, an official message circulated to the media said the decision came after a review process examining allegations that the cases had been lodged to harass opposition figures and suppress dissent.



Bangladesh withdraws 1,202 more ‘politically motivated’ cases filed during Awami League rule

NEW DELHI: Cricket&#39;s governing body said Wednesday it had rejected Bangladesh&#39;s request to shift their T20 World Cup matches out of India, casting doubt on their participation in next month&#39;s tournament.&nbsp;The T20 World Cup begins in a little over two weeks on February 7, with Bangladesh&#39;s four group matches scheduled to be played in Kolkata and Mumbai.&nbsp;The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has repeatedly refused to play its games in India, and the Dhaka government said on Tuesday that they would not be pressured into changing their stance.&nbsp;The International Cricket Council said in a statement that in the &quot;absence of any independent security findings that... compromise the safety of the Bangladesh team&quot;, the ICC will not relocate the match.&nbsp;The row between the neighbouring nations erupted on January 3, when the Indian cricket board (BCCI) ordered the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.&nbsp;The BCB asked to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/jay-shahled-icc-tells-bangladesh-play-in-india-or-miss-t20-wc" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">move</a> their matches to World Cup co-hosts Sri Lanka. There was no immediate confirmation of whether Bangladesh would buckle to the ICC&#39;s decision.&nbsp;The ICC said it had &quot;engaged with the BCB in sustained and constructive dialogue&quot; to ensure Bangladesh could participate in the tournament, but added that those efforts had been &quot;rebuffed.&quot;&nbsp;The ICC said in a statement that &quot;independent security assessments, comprehensive venue-level security plans and formal assurances from the host authorities&quot; found there was &quot;no credible or verifiable <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/no-conducive-environment-to-play-t20-world-cup-in-india-bangladesh-adviser" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">threat</a> to the safety&quot; of the Bangladesh team.&nbsp;The council said, despite efforts, that the BCB had maintained its position citing: &quot;a single, isolated and unrelated development concerning one of its player&#39;s involvement in a domestic league.&quot;&nbsp;Youth and Sports Adviser in Dhaka&#39;s interim government Asif Nazrul told the state-run BSS news agency late Tuesday that Bangladesh &quot;cannot be forced to play in India.&quot;&nbsp;Bangladesh captain Litton Das, speaking to reporters after a domestic match on Tuesday, said he had no idea if the team would take part.&nbsp;&quot;From where I stand, I&#39;m uncertain, everyone is uncertain,&quot; Das said, asking back: &quot;Are you sure we will play the World Cup?&quot;&nbsp;&quot;I think at this moment, the whole of Bangladesh is uncertain,&quot; he added in comments reported by Dhaka&#39;s Prothom Alo newspaper.&nbsp;Sources in Colombo told AFP Sri Lanka had not been contacted about hosting Bangladesh&#39;s matches.&nbsp;Earlier, ICC sources told AFP that Bangladesh could be replaced by Scotland, who are the highest-ranked team that did not qualify for the World Cup.&nbsp;During the World Cup, Bangladesh will hold its first elections since a mass uprising in 2024 toppled then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi.&nbsp;Political relations between India and Bangladesh have soured since.

ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to move T20 World Cup matches from India, citing no security threat. Bangladesh may boycott amid political tensions, uncertainty over participation, and disputes after an IPL-related incident involving a Bangladeshi player.

ICC rejects Bangladesh's plea to play T20 World Cup matches outside India

DHAKA: Bangladesh has requested their matches at next month&#39;s T20 World Cup be played in Sri Lanka, after India forced a Bangladeshi player to quit the Indian Premier League. Political relations between India and Bangladesh soured after a mass uprising in Dhaka in 2024 toppled then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), after an emergency meeting on Sunday, said it had &quot;formally requested&quot; the International Cricket Council (ICC) shift their games to Sri Lanka. &quot;The Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,&quot; a BCB statement read. It said its decision was made due to &quot;growing concerns regarding the safety and security&quot; of its players, and based on its government&#39;s advice. Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was on Saturday released by the Kolkata Knight Riders after the IPL team were &quot;advised&quot; by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to do so, following tensions between the neighbouring nations. Earlier, Asif Nazrul, Youth and Sports Adviser in the interim government, said that Dhaka &quot;will not accept any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and Bangladesh under any circumstances.&quot; &quot;The days of slavery are over,&quot; he added, in a statement carried by the state-run BSS news agency on Sunday. &quot;Where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladeshi cricket team cannot feel safe going to play in the World Cup,&quot; he wrote.&nbsp;Dignity and securityThe T20 World Cup begins on February 7, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh are scheduled to play their four group matches in India. Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, part of a deal that allows both India and Pakistan to play at neutral venues in multi-nation tournaments. India&#39;s foreign ministry last month condemned what it called &quot;unremitting hostility against minorities&quot; in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Bangladesh&#39;s interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, has accused India of exaggerating the scale of the violence. BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul earlier said that &quot;the dignity and security of our cricketers are our top priorities&quot;. Mustafizur, who has previously played in the IPL for other teams, was snapped up at auction in December by Kolkata for more than $1 million. But BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that &quot;considering recent developments&quot; Kolkata had been &quot;advised to release&quot; the 30-year-old. The 2026 IPL season begins on March 26. Nazrul said he would also ask that the IPL be blocked by Bangladeshi broadcasters. &quot;I have requested the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to stop the broadcasting of the IPL tournament in Bangladesh,&quot; he said. Kolkata, majority-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, subsequently said that Mustafizur&#39;s &quot;release has been carried out following due process and consultations&quot;. The cricket row comes only days after tensions between the nations had appeared to have eased. India&#39;s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Bangladesh last week, the most senior visit by an Indian official since the overthrow of Hasina. On Friday, the BCB announced that India would go to Bangladesh for six white-ball matches in September. Bangladesh will hold its first elections since the uprising on February 12.

Bangladesh asked for their T20 World Cup games to be moved to Sri Lanka after India forced Mustafizur Rahman out of the IPL, saying their players’ safety and respect are at risk because of political tensions.

Bangladesh say will not play T20 World Cup matches if in India

ISLAMABAD: The killing of a Bangladeshi activist known for his outspoken criticism of India has sparked nationwide protests across Bangladesh and heightened political tensions, as authorities launched a manhunt for those responsible, according to Indian media reports. Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, was a vocal opponent of India, where Bangladesh&rsquo;s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge since fleeing Dhaka following the 2024 uprising. His death has triggered unrest across Bangladesh, with demonstrators demanding swift arrests and accountability. Iqbal Hossain Saikot, a government employee who traveled to the capital to attend Hadi&rsquo;s funeral, said he believed the killing was linked to Hadi&rsquo;s political stance. &ldquo;The millions of Bangladeshi people who love the land and its sovereign territory will carry on Hadi&rsquo;s legacy,&rdquo; Saikot said. Police in Bangladesh said they had launched a manhunt for the attackers but had not reported any breakthroughs by Tuesday. In neighboring India,&nbsp;counterprotests were held&nbsp;over the alleged mob lynching of a Hindu worker in Dhaka.&nbsp; On Monday, leaders from Indian opposition parties and members of the Congress party staged demonstrations outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and outside its High Commission in New Delhi. The report said Hindutva organizations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal, called the demonstrations. Protesters clashed with police after being barred from entering the diplomatic mission. Effigies of Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser to Bangladesh&rsquo;s interim government, were burned on the road during the unrest, according to Indian media reports. Ties between neighbors Bangladesh and India have deteriorated since the uprising, with Dhaka demanding New Delhi extradite Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in absentia after being charged with crimes against humanity.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and religious activists with posters of Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government shout slogans during a protest near the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh office in Kolkata on December 22, 2025.

Asia

The killing of a Bangladeshi activist known for his outspoken criticism of India has sparked nationwide protests in Bangladesh and heightened political tensions, as authorities launched a manhunt for those responsible.

Articles tagged with "BANGLADESH"