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ISLAMABAD: A new government cash assistance program is raising hopes among low-income families in several Dhaka slums, with women saying the pilot scheme could ease the burden of buying food, medicine and other essentials, Bangladeshi media reported. Under the initiative, announced by the new Tarique Rahman-led government, &nbsp;at least 40,000 families will receive &ldquo;Family Cards&rdquo; during a four-month pilot phase at a cost of about Tk 390 million. The program is expected to provide Tk 2,500 per month to selected households, with women heading families prioritized for the support. Local media also reported on the Korail slum, where elderly resident Hasen Banu, now over 80, said the news has brought her some relief.&nbsp; Living on rotation between the homes of her three sons and daughter, she said even buying medicine regularly has become difficult at her age.&nbsp; With the monthly assistance, she hopes to purchase medicines consistently and, at times, buy milk, eggs and fruit.&nbsp; She also said she looks forward to being able to treat her grandchildren occasionally. Similar optimism was seen in other settlements, including Sattala, where Shiuli Akter, a 30-year-old single mother of three, said the money would help her buy better food for her children.&nbsp; Shiuli, who works in several households from morning until night to make ends meet, said the prospect of improved meals alone made her happy. Residents and local organisers said the registration process stood out for its transparency.&nbsp; Loudspeaker announcements were made, volunteers and officials went door to door, and applicants received help filling out the six-page forms.&nbsp; Many said it was rare to see a government process in which no money was demanded and no political influence appeared to play a role. Teachers, community workers and Social Welfare Department staff spent days helping applicants complete and correct forms, especially women-led households.&nbsp; The selected pilot areas include Korail, Sattala and Bhashantek under Banani, as well as Oli Miar Tek and Baganbari in Mirpur/Shah Ali. The program is set to be inaugurated on March 10 by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.&nbsp; According to official guidelines, the government ultimately aims to bring twenty million families under monthly cash assistance nationwide.

Bangladesh

A new Family Card pilot will give Tk 2,500 monthly to 40,000 poor families, offering women in Dhaka slums relief for food and medicine despite documentation barriers.

Pilot 'Family Card' cash aid brings hope to women in Dhaka slums

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh on Sunday voiced concern over the safety of its nationals in Iran following recent attacks, urging all sides to exercise restraint and return to diplomacy to prevent further escalation in the region. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, the government said it remained &ldquo;deeply concerned&rdquo; about the security of Bangladeshi citizens residing in Iran in the wake of the attacks. According to state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Dhaka warned that any continuation of hostilities could further undermine regional peace and stability while putting civilian populations at greater risk. The government called upon all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint and stressed the need to return to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences and ensure lasting peace. The statement also condemned what it described as violations of the sovereignty of several Gulf and regional countries, naming Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh expressed hope that calm would prevail at the earliest and that peace, security, and stability would soon be restored across the region.

Activists and supporters of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party hold posters of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during an anti-US and Israel protest at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka on March 1, 2026. (AFP)

Bangladesh expresses deep concern over the safety of its citizens in Iran after recent attacks, urging restraint and diplomacy while condemning violations of sovereignty in several Gulf states and warning against further regional escalation and instability.

Bangladesh concerned for nationals’ safety in Iran, condemns Gulf sovereignty violations

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of passengers were stranded at Dhaka&rsquo;s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after multiple airlines halted or disrupted flights to the Middle East amid a sudden regional airspace squeeze, Bangladeshi media reported on Sunday.&nbsp; Services from Bangladesh to several Middle Eastern destinations were suspended from Saturday afternoon after some countries temporarily closed their airspace following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran&rsquo;s retaliation.&nbsp;As news of the suspensions spread, crowds, dominated by migrant workers, alongside business travellers, Umrah pilgrims, and transit passengers, began gathering at the airport, with many of them left waiting for hours with limited clarity on next steps.&nbsp;Airport authorities said Bahrain, Kuwait, Dubai, and Qatar were among the locations affected by temporary airspace restrictions, leading to cancellations, delays, and rescheduling. They instructed airlines to notify passengers in advance via SMS, email, and call centers, ensure staff presence at the terminal, and provide coordinated updates to reduce hardship.&nbsp; Passengers were advised to contact airlines or travel agents to confirm flight status before coming to the airport, with Bangladesh&rsquo;s civil aviation regulator issuing similar guidance, the report said.&nbsp;Bangladeshi carriers Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines suspended Middle East-bound flights, with airline officials urging passengers not to travel to the airport without prior confirmation and providing hotline details for updates, Bangladeshi media added.&nbsp;The disruption is expected to ripple beyond Gulf routes: airport officials noted that some long-haul flights from Dhaka, such as to London and Toronto, often pass through Middle Eastern airspace and may need rerouting, potentially increasing flight time and operating costs.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Bangladesh missions in several Gulf states issued safety advisories to expatriates, while the expatriates&rsquo; welfare ministry said stranded travellers would be assisted with overnight accommodation at the airport.

Chaos at Dhaka’s airport followed after multiple airlines halted or disrupted Middle East flights due to regional airspace restrictions, leaving passengers stranded and prompting advisories, hotline updates, and rerouting concerns

Middle East airspace disruption strands passengers at Dhaka airport

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh on Thursday approved a waiver of agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including accrued interest, for an estimated 1.2 million farmers nationwide, the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported. According to BSS, the decision was taken at a cabinet meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshi-pm-vows-to-establish-rule-of-law-equal-rights" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tarique Rahman</a>, following his directive to provide relief to small and marginal farmers. Under the measure, both the principal amount and the full accrued interest on such loans will be written off.&nbsp; Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, briefing reporters after the meeting, said the waiver covers loans taken in the grain, crop, fisheries, and livestock sectors and fulfills a pledge made in the government&#39;s election manifesto. &quot;The main objective of this initiative is to ensure social security for poor and marginal farmers and strengthen the backbone of the country&#39;s agricultural sector,&quot; Ghani said. He added that funds previously allocated for loan repayments could now be used to purchase quality seeds or adopt modern irrigation technologies, enabling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-to-distribute-05m-farmer-cards-in-180-days" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">farmers</a>&nbsp;to begin the next cultivation season with renewed confidence. The Cabinet Secretary said that the waiver could ease rural inflationary pressures and help curb rural-to-urban migration in the near term, BSS reported. It is also expected to improve beneficiary farmers&#39; credit records, enhancing their ability to access fresh agricultural loans from banks at lower interest rates and reducing their dependence on high-interest informal moneylenders. According to Bangladesh Bank data cited by BSS, farmers owed approximately Tk 15,500 million in outstanding loans and interest to public, specialized, and private commercial banks as of Feb 25.&nbsp;

At the prime minister’s directive, authorities will write off up to Tk 10,000 in outstanding agricultural debt and accrued interest, aiming to ease rural hardship, improve credit access, and support production nationwide, BSS reported.

Bangladesh approves farm loan relief for 1.2 million farmers

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to revitalizing the South Asian regional cooperation process, indicating renewed momentum for the long-stalled South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Foreign Ministry said.&nbsp;Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman conveyed Dhaka&rsquo;s &ldquo;unwavering support&rdquo; during a meeting on Feb. 24, with SAARC Secretary-General Md. Golam Sarwar. He expressed readiness to take proactive steps to revitalize the bloc.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2026257831289377231&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d9de6d2732cd3795fc9a78059af0dc9350b4e0de&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Rahman reiterated Bangladesh&rsquo;s commitment to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshs-incoming-government-signals-regional-reset-pushes-saarc-revival" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">SAARC Charter principles</a>, including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference and mutual benefit.&nbsp;He recalled that the idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first proposed in the early 1980s by then president Ziaur Rahman. A founding member, Bangladesh hosted SAARC&rsquo;s first summit in 1985, and later in 1993 and 2005.&nbsp;The renewed push comes amid calls to restore regular summit-level engagement and revive SAARC&rsquo;s institutional mechanisms.

Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), meets Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka on Feb. 24, 2026.

Foreign Minister Rahman reiterates Bangladesh’s commitment to the SAARC Charter principles, including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference and mutual benefit.

Bangladesh signals push to revitalize SAARC

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&rsquo;s Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu on Friday said the government is working to launch the &ldquo;Family Card&rdquo; scheme ahead of Eid-ul-fitr as part of its 180-day priority action plan, according to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency. The minister made these remarks while exchanging greetings with people at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-vows-to-reform-policies-attract-foreign-investment-in-jute-sector" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lalmonirhat Sadar</a>. &nbsp; Dulu stated that the government was committed to fulfilling its election manifesto, explaining that a 180-day&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshi-pm-vows-to-establish-rule-of-law-equal-rights" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">&ldquo;special package&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;had been adopted and four cabinet meetings have already reviewed its implementation progress. For &lsquo;genuine ultra-poor&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;We want to introduce the &lsquo;Family Card&rsquo; before Eid on a priority basis.&nbsp;The process of identifying the genuine ultra-poor is underway and eligible families will be brought under the program in phases,&rdquo; he said, adding that the scheme will initially be launched as a pilot project in eight upazilas. Dulu also outlined government initiatives to dredge canals and protect the environment during the dry season, aiming to improve inland waterways and irrigation systems. Keeping prices stable&nbsp;He said canal identification was currently under way, and the Ministry of Water Resources, LGED, and the disaster management and relief ministry would work together to ensure its success. The minister said steps have also been taken to keep prices stable, maintain law and order, ensure uninterrupted power supply during iftar and sehri, and facilitate smooth Eid travel.

Minister Asadul Habib Dulu states the Bangladeshi government is committed to fulfilling its election manifesto, explaining that a 180-day ‘special package’ has been adopted and four cabinet meetings have already reviewed its implementation progress.

Govt aims to launch ‘Family Card’ scheme before Eid: Bangladeshi relief minister 

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textiles, and Jute Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir said national policies would be reformed to increase foreign investment in the country&rsquo;s jute sector, Bangladesh local media reported on Wednesday. Speaking with officials at the secretariat in Dhaka, the minister said, &ldquo;People are now increasingly interested in natural and biodegradable products.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;policies will be reformed to increase foreign investment in jute sector.&rdquo; The minister said jute has had a historical connection with the country&rsquo;s heritage. &ldquo;We must highlight our competitive mindset, capacity, and advantages globally to attract foreign investors,&rdquo; the State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam said on the occasion.&nbsp; &ldquo;Everyone must work in unity in accordance with the government&#39;s directives,&rdquo; he added. Bangladesh local media reported that he stressed the need for coordinated efforts to position Bangladesh&rsquo;s jute industry more effectively in international markets. Earlier, textiles and jute secretary Bilquis Jahan Rimi presented an overview of the ministry&rsquo;s overall activities, Bangladeshi media reported. Additional secretaries Arifur Rahman Khan, Subrata Shikdar, Raina Ahmed, along with senior officials and employees of the ministry and heads of its subordinate departments and agencies, were present on the occasion. The ministers represent Tarique Rahman&rsquo;s new cabinet following the Bangladesh nationalist party&#39;s victory in the recent elections. &nbsp; According to local media, both Abdul Muktadir and Shariful Alam have extensive experience in their respective industries and have been associated with politics, business, and trade sectors for a long time.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir announces planned policy reforms to boost foreign investment in the country’s jute sector, citing rising global demand for biodegradable products and urging coordinated efforts to strengthen international competitiveness under the new cabinet.

Bangladesh plans to attract foreign investment in jute sector

ISLAMABAD: Three days after members of the BJP Yuva Morcha&nbsp;(youth wing)&nbsp;vandalised a Bangladeshi food stall at an international food festival held at MIT World Peace University&nbsp;(MIT-WPU), the Kothrud Police Station has still not registered an FIR against the accused.&nbsp;The institute had submitted a police complaint on February 11, but opposition leaders and activists say the Pune police are dragging their feet, especially as the accused has posted videos of the vandalism online.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2022315538194784350&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=0bed99bd90766b07f2a109e6e3f0cf489d5d1cff&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Speaking to The Indian Express,&nbsp;DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police)&nbsp;Sambhaji Kadam said, &ldquo;Submitting a written application is different&hellip; the college should &nbsp;provide additional details.&rdquo; Lawyer-activist Asim Sarode argued that since the incident is clearly visible on video, police should take suo motu cognizance. When asked why an FIR was not being registered despite the footage, Kadam said police are &ldquo;investigating&rdquo; and would act afterward.&nbsp; Akshay Jain of the Maharashtra Youth Congress alleged selective enforcement, saying small protests by his side quickly attract cases, while &quot;trespass and vandalism caught on video have seen no immediate FIR.&quot;&nbsp; Anish Gawande of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) said Bangladeshi students have studied in Pune for decades and urged intervention against hate crimes by the Maharashtra CM, who also holds the home portfolio.&nbsp; Meanwhile,&nbsp;Siddhant Jambhulkar&nbsp;of NSUI (National Students Union of India) called the incident &ldquo;condemnable&rdquo; and warned it could shake international students&rsquo; confidence. This development comes as a &ldquo;secular&rdquo; India experiences a Government aided rise in xenophobia and hate crimes.

India

Police have not registered FIR despite videos of the assault; opposition denounces the incident amid rising hate crimes across India under the Modi government.

BJP youth wing vandalises Bangladeshi food stall in Pune

ISLAMABAD: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared a continued &quot;war&quot; against illegal immigrants, following the removal of 0.24 million names from the state&#39;s voter rolls. In the Indian state of Assam, the&nbsp;Election Commission&#39;s special revision of voter rolls has resulted in&nbsp;a significant reduction in the number of voters, according to an Indian media report. The final list, published on Feb. 8, shows a drop of 0.243 million voters, leaving a total of 24.9 million voters across the state&#39;s 126 assembly constituencies. Over the past months, India&rsquo;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has come under opposition criticism for the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a voters&#39; verification exercise, across multiple states, which it claims has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/deletions-in-draft-electoral-rolls-trigger-fears-of-disenfranchisement-in-india" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">targeted minorities</a>. &nbsp; According to an Indian media report, the revised list in Assam comes after the filing of claims and objections and marks the end of the Special Revision 2026, which falls between the Special Intensive Revision&nbsp;and the Special Summary Revision exercises. As per another Indian media report, on BJP complaints against &ldquo;doubtful voters&rdquo; during Special Revision in the state of Assam, Assam chief minister Sarma said, &quot;The war against illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh will continue. Lakhs of &#39;doubtful voters&#39; have been deleted.&quot;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2021486911823675447&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=88e5b5d00d80ee26809a300dd6a9943ea7e521aa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Sarma has said that the SIR will be conducted in Bihar after the assembly elections to the 126-member House, which are likely to be held in March-April. &lsquo;Call to mass violence and genocide&rsquo;On Feb. 7, in a separate political development, the ruling BJP&#39;s official Assam Pradesh Twitter handle stirred controversy with a video that allegedly glorifies the murder of minorities. The video, which appeared to feature Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, sparked outrage from opposition parties. The Congress condemned the video, calling it a &quot;call to mass violence and genocide,&quot; and accused the BJP regime of promoting hatred for over a decade.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2020400481382850676&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=88e5b5d00d80ee26809a300dd6a9943ea7e521aa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 720px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Congress demanded strict judicial action against those responsible for spreading social hostility. Outrage and protest&nbsp;Similarly, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) joined the protests, expressing outrage over the video, which shows Sarma firing a gun at the minority Muslim community. The CPI-M staged a protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, calling for accountability from both the BJP and the judiciary. Both the Congress and CPI-M emphasized the severity of the situation, demanding immediate action to prevent further incitement to violence and ensure social harmony in the state.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2021191829727699151&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=88e5b5d00d80ee26809a300dd6a9943ea7e521aa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 600px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>SIR in West Bengal&nbsp;Last month, Nobel laureate economist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/amartya-sen-flags-hurried-bengal-voter-roll-revision-as-unjust-to-democracy" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Amartya Sen</a>&nbsp;raised serious concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, calling the exercise hurried, unjust to voters, and potentially damaging to democratic participation as the state heads toward assembly elections in the coming months. He said that, though he was not an election expert, others had told him the BJP might benefit from undercounting.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says, ‘The war against illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh will continue. Lakhs of 'doubtful voters' have been deleted.’

Assam CM declares 'war' on illegal immigrants; 0.24M names removed from voter rolls

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, has reaffirmed Islamabad&rsquo;s commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh, focusing on railway development, technical exchange, rolling stock, and manufacturing collaboration. In a message issued during the visit of a Bangladeshi delegation to the Pakistan Railways Workshop Division on Saturday, Abbasi said closer railway-to-railway ties could deliver &ldquo;significant mutual benefits for both countries.&rdquo; The delegation was led by Farhad Islam, secretary for International Organizations and Consular Affairs and designated D-8 Commissioner of Bangladesh, along with Bangladesh&rsquo;s High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan. Senior Pakistan Railways officials received the visitors at the department&rsquo;s headquarters and workshop facilities. The visit underscores a renewed focus on institutional cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh, with railways emerging as a practical entry point for rebuilding technical and economic linkages through state-run infrastructure collaboration. In his message, Abbasi emphasized the scope for expanding bilateral engagement, particularly through &ldquo;railway development, exchange of expertise, rolling stock, and manufacturing cooperation.&rdquo; He said enhanced collaboration between the two railway systems could strengthen long-term connectivity and capacity-building. During the visit, Chief Mechanical Engineer (Carriage &amp; Wagons) Muhammad Nasir Khalili briefed the delegation on the operational structure, technical capabilities, and ongoing development projects of Pakistan Railways&rsquo; workshops. A short documentary showcasing the workshops&rsquo; operational strength and working capacity was also presented. Addressing the gathering, Khalili said Pakistan and Bangladesh are &ldquo;brotherly countries with a shared history, culture, and heritage.&rdquo; He added that there is &ldquo;vast potential for bilateral cooperation in the railway sector, including technology sharing and joint initiatives.&rdquo; As part of the program, commemorative shields were exchanged between Pakistani and Bangladeshi officials as a gesture of goodwill. The delegation was later taken on a detailed tour of the Mughalpura Locomotive Workshop, where officials explained various stages of locomotive maintenance, rehabilitation, and manufacturing. The visiting dignitaries described the tour as &ldquo;highly informative, productive and encouraging,&rdquo; according to the statement, and praised the technical expertise and professional competence of Pakistan Railways staff. The engagement reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s broader push to expand functional cooperation with Bangladesh through sector-specific partnerships, as both sides explore avenues to strengthen institutional ties beyond diplomatic exchanges.

This screengrab shows Bangladesh’s Secretary for International Organizations, Farhad Islam, and High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan visiting the Pakistan Railways Workshop Division in Lahore on February 7, 2026. (Pakistan Railways)

Foreign Affairs

Collaboration on infrastructure, manufacturing, and expertise exchange was evident as officials toured workshops, discussed capacity-building, and signaled renewed institutional engagement through cooperation across state-run transport sectors.

Pakistan, Bangladesh push rail cooperation during delegation visit

ISLAMABAD: The Bangladesh interim government has decided to request an international investigation into the killing of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi. It plans to propose that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) conduct the investigation, as announced by the Chief Adviser&rsquo;s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, on Thursday. Alam said the decision had already been taken, and the proposal would be made to the OHCHR &ldquo;at the earliest opportunity,&rdquo; the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency reported. &ldquo;The interim government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring full justice in this case and will extend all possible cooperation to such an investigation,&rdquo; Shafiqul&nbsp;Alam said when asked whether an international inquiry would be pursued. The government did not specify a timeline for submitting the formal request to the UN human rights office. Bangladesh has been under interim administration following political upheaval that led to the departure of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The caretaker government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as chief adviser, has pledged to hold free and fair elections.

Authorities said the proposal would be made at the earliest opportunity, underlining the interim administration’s pledge to cooperate fully with an international human rights investigation into the killing.

Bangladesh to seek UN probe into Hadi killing case

DHAKA: Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Saturday for the funeral of a student leader, after two days of violent protests over his killing. Huge crowds accompanied the funeral procession of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year&#39;s pro-democracy uprising who died in a hospital in Singapore on Thursday after being shot by masked gunmen while leaving a Dhaka mosque. Police wearing body cameras were deployed in front of the parliament building where the funeral prayers were held. &lsquo;You are in our hearts&rsquo;&nbsp;Hadi&#39;s body, which was brought to the capital on Friday, was buried at the central mosque of Dhaka University. &quot;We have not come here to say goodbye,&quot; interim leader Muhammad Yunus said in an emotional speech.<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/a031d5fb-dcdc-4179-905a-eb9b670038b6-Untitled(5).jpg" alt="Untitled(5).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 1000px; height: 563px;"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus spoke at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, prior to the Namaz-e-Janaza held for Sharif Osman Hadi. (Photo: BSS News)</figcaption></figure> &quot;You are in our hearts and you will remain in the heart of all Bangladeshis as long as the country exists.&quot; Outspoken critic of India&nbsp;Hadi, 32, was an outspoken critic of India and was set to contest the general elections in February. Iqbal Hossain Saikot, a government employee who travelled from afar to attend the prayers, said Hadi was killed because he staunchly opposed India. He will continue to live &ldquo;among the millions of Bangladeshi people who love the land and its sovereign territory&rdquo;, Saikot, 34, told AFP. Hadi&rsquo;s death has triggered widespread unrest, with protesters across the South Asian nation demanding the arrest of those responsible. Late Thursday, people set fire to several buildings in Dhaka including the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and the Daily Star. Critics accuse the publications of favoring neighboring India, where Bangladesh&rsquo;s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge since fleeing Dhaka in the wake of the 2024 uprising.&nbsp;

Huge crowds accompanied the funeral procession of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year's pro-democracy uprising who died in a hospital in Singapore on Thursday after being shot by masked gunmen while leaving a Dhaka mosque.

Articles tagged with "Bangladesh"