BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday criticized joint street programs announced by several Islamic parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, describing them as “not good for democracy.”

“Talks are still underway. At such a time, announcing programs only creates unnecessary pressure,” he told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from Singapore.

Fakhrul said the movement by Islamic parties is neither beneficial for democracy nor helpful in making the right decisions. Asked about Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar’s claim that street action became necessary as talks failed, Fakhrul questioned its effectiveness. “Will coming to the streets actually resolve anything?” he asked.

He emphasised that BNP, as the country’s largest political party, has not resorted to street protests since the fall of the Awami League. “We are trying to resolve everything through discussions. We believe this will be settled through talks,” he said.

Fakhrul returned home Thursday evening on a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight after accompanying his wife to Singapore for medical treatment on September 10.

On the proportional representation (PR) system, Fakhrul reiterated BNP’s stance against it. “We think there is no need for PR in Bangladesh. Discussions are ongoing at the July Charter. We have agreed on several issues… and those matters can be addressed when the time comes.”

He added that public support, expressed through elections and Parliament, is essential for any action, as only Parliament can amend or change the constitution. Addressing the possibility of banning the 14-party alliance, including the Jatiya Party, Fakhrul said BNP has consistently opposed banning any political party.

Responding to other questions, he said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return soon. On his potential participation at the 80th UN General Assembly alongside Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Fakhrul said he has not yet discussed his role. “I think the focus there will be on the progress of democracy in the country, as well as on the country’s development,” he said.

On whether decisions for the country are often made externally, he said, “Bangladesh has always made its decisions within the country and will continue to do so, with its people taking those decisions. There is no need for external intervention.”

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, has said that the partnership between Bangladesh and the EU is a strategic choice when it comes to human rights and the creation of economic opportunities at its core. Ambassador Miller said the EU is helping Bangladesh prepare for “free and fair” elections and supporting reforms in line with the expectations of citizens and businesses.

“Our common goal with you is to build prosperity and act together to promote sustainable growth, mobilise investments, and combat climate change,” he said while speaking at a discussion at the Foreign Service Academy on Monday. The Association of Former Ambassadors (AOFA) hosted the discussion, titled “EU-Bangladesh Relations: Way Forward,” with AOFA President Abdullah Al Hasan presiding over the session.

Referring to his visits across the country, Miller said he wants to understand the needs of communities outside Dhaka and engage with people benefiting from EU-funded programmes implemented by Bangladeshi organisations.

“For me, it is very important to hear from the grassroots to know what is going on,” he said. The ambassador said Bangladesh is passing through an incredibly significant moment in its political history. He said the EU is exploring how it can support Bangladesh’s transition to democratic elections and respond quickly to emerging challenges or requests for assistance.

Miller emphasised that the political transition offers a unique opportunity to strengthen respect for fundamental rights, restore democracy, and create space for civil society. The ambassador also stressed the importance of creating a level playing field for economic operators. Miller said he sees a strong commonality of ambition when discussing reforms in the EU and the transition underway in Bangladesh.

“You can certainly rely on us to remain committed to peace, partnership, and cooperation,” he said. Ambassador Miller reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to working with Bangladesh to promote stability and prosperity.

“Your stability is absolutely our stability, and your prosperity is also our prosperity,” he said. On trade, the ambassador said the EU is open to fair business and highlighted the need to work towards a smooth graduation from the LDC category.

Regarding investment, he said the EU is a strong partner, with its Global Gateway initiative focusing on boosting secure and sustainable links in transport, energy, water, digital, and telecom sectors—transforming the country.

He said the European Investment Bank (EIB) will double its lending to Bangladesh. “I expect this to happen by the end of this year. This fulfills the promise made by the EIB Vice President during his visit in January.”

In addition, Miller said, the EU is using its budget to guarantee private sector investments from within Europe.

“We are exploring ways to give a real boost to investments. Our trade relations are wonderful, dynamic, and significant,” he added. He also emphasized the EU’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with partners on global challenges, particularly climate change.

Bangladesh Bank has finalized the decision to merge five Islamic banks. The decision was finalized at the central bank’s board of directors meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed the matter to the media. He also said that the final decision was taken in the meeting to merge five Islamic banks. In light of the Bank Resolution Ordinance, a temporary administrator team consisting of multiple members will be appointed in each bank. He also stated that the boards of directors of the five banks will technically remain in place.

The banks are: First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, Exim Bank, and Social Islami Bank.

At the meeting, the board also decided to forward the draft amendment of Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972 to the Advisory Council for final approval. It is not yet clear which provisions have been added or omitted in the draft, but since the final approval rests with the Advisory Council, the draft has been sent there, the spokesperson further said.

As per previous reports, due to various irregularities during the previous government’s tenure, 48%-98% of loans in these five banks have become non-performing. According to Bangladesh Bank data, the combined default loans of the five banks stand at around Tk147,000 crore — about 77% of their total outstanding loans. Of the Tk35,200 crore required for the merger process, the government will provide Tk20,200 crore.

Following the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court, a metropolitan court has also rejected the bail petitions of former Chief Justice and former chairman of the Law Commission ABM Khairul Haque in two separate cases. Dhaka Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Nargis Islam dismissed his bail plea in a Shahbagh police station case, while the 18th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Jahangir Hossain rejected his bail request in a case filed at Jatrabari police station.

Khairul Haque’s lawyer, Monayem Nabi Shahin, said on Monday that the petitions were filed over two cases: the Shahbagh case, alleging illegal issuance of a verdict and document forgery by Khairul Haque after cancelling the caretaker government system, and the Jatrabari case concerning the killing of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Kaiyum Ahad during the anti-discrimination movement.

“The bail petitions in both courts were rejected today,” Shahin said.

According to the Jatrabari police station case, Abdul Kaiyum Ahad was shot and killed on July 18 in the Kazla area of Jatrabari during the anti-discrimination movement. His father, Ala Uddin, filed a case at Jatrabari police station on July 6, naming 468 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as accused.

In the Shahbagh police station case, Khairul was accused of being influenced by Hasina and motivated by post-retirement gains, and of altering a short order on May 10, 2011 with the intent to please her, later issuing a full verdict illegally on September 16, 2012. The case was filed on August 27, 2024 by Supreme Court lawyer Muhammad Mujahidul Islam under Sections 219 and 466 of the Penal Code.

Khairul Haque was arrested from his Dhanmondi residence on July 24 in connection with the Abdul Ahad murder case by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police and sent to jail the same night. On July 30, he was placed under seven days’ remand for questioning in the Shahbagh verdict forgery case. He remains in jail. Earlier, on July 31, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Masum Mia’s court had also rejected his bail petition.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Tuesday scheduled Thursday for framing charges against five individuals accused of killing two people and firing at a student who was left hanging from a building cornice during last year’s July-August mass upsurge in Rampura. The three-member ICT-1 bench, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, set the date after hearing submissions from both prosecution and defence.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam sought the charges, while state-appointed lawyer Advocate Md Amir Hossain represented the absconding accused. Advocate Sarwar Jahan Nippon appeared for the arrested accused, former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, seeking his acquittal.

Other accused include former dhaka metropolitan police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman, former additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Khilgaon zone Md Rashedul Islam, former officer-in-charge (OC) of Rampura Thana Md Moshiur Rahman, and former sub-inspector Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan.

According to the case documents, student Amir Hossain fell amid a clash between two groups on July 19 while returning from Jumma prayers. Pursued by police into an under-construction building, Amir jumped from the third floor but was left hanging from a rod as police opened fire. A police official reportedly fired six rounds at his legs before leaving the scene.

Amir was later rescued by a local student and two doctors and taken to a nearby clinic before being shifted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). He survived the attack, while two others were killed during the incident.

Awami League leaders and activists, whose political activities are currently banned, held flash processions in Dhaka on Friday, five days after their previous gathering. Around 2pm, the flash procession took place in the Nabisco area under the banner of Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League, reports Bdnews24.com. More than a thousand participants marched from Nabisco towards the Tibet area, chanting slogans such as “Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Hasina,” “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu,” and “Remove Yunus, Save the Country.”

OC of Tejgaon Industrial Area police station Md Aslam Hossain said, “In the morning, some people came out from GM corner, but we did not allow them to march. At that time, Niyamul Hasan from Tejgaon College Chhatra League was detained. In the afternoon, Awami League members came out from Nabisco again, and we are trying to detain them.”

An Awami League leader at the procession told Bdnews24.com, “Even if we stay at home, there is no chance of survival. This illegal government is harassing Awami League leaders and activists, including our party chief Sheikh Hasina, through false cases. That is why we took part in the rally today.”

In addition to the Tejgaon procession, several hundred Awami League activists were reportedly holding a flash protest at Dhanmondi. Dhanmondi police OC Keshainyu Marma said authorities were gathering information about the .procession

Similar marches were reported in Dhanmondi and Gulistan earlier this month, including near Rapa Plaza and the south gate of Baitul Mokarram Mosque.

Thirty Bangladeshi nationals were sent back from the United States in handcuffs and shackles on Thursday night when a special chartered flight carrying them landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The deportees were brought to the runway still bound in chains. The shackles were removed only before they were taken to the arrival gate. During this time, no one was allowed to approach them or take photographs.

Officials at the airport said the flight landed just after 11 pm but remained on the runway for three hours while the handcuffs and shackles were removed. Around 2 am, the deportees were brought under tight security to the airport’s arrival area. A special team from the Ministry of Home Affairs, several intelligence units, and officials from the US embassy were present.

According to reports, the NGO Brac provided financial assistance to help the deportees reach their homes. Eyewitnesses described the deportees as “devastated” after the long journey. Abdullah, a 22-year-old from Noakhali, said: “Throughout the journey, I was shackled like a marked criminal. Being sent back is already heartbreaking, but arriving chained like a terrorist made it even worse.”

Since US President Donald Trump began his second term, deportations of illegal immigrants have intensified. Over the past months, at least 180 Bangladeshis have been deported in several phases. Initially, deportees were not handcuffed or shackled, but on August 2, a military transport aircraft carried 39 Bangladeshis—including one woman—bound in chains to Dhaka.

The deportees described enduring nearly 60 hours in chains, sitting in extreme pain and surviving on only bread and water. Even trips to the toilet required escorting and re-shackling.

According to sources from the police Special Branch and the Immigration Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), 42 Bangladeshis were deported on a chartered flight on June 8 this year, and from March 6 to April 21, another 34 were sent back.

Most migrants had entered the US through Mexico, Latin America, or other routes, often paying Tk30 lakh to Tk75 lakh. Many of those returned on Thursday reported being held captive in Mexico by human trafficking networks. At least six said they were tortured and their families forced to pay ransoms of Tk40 lakh to Tk50 lakh. Tanzil Hasan of Munshiganj said some were extorted up to Tk75 lakh, forcing them to sell all assets to pay traffickers. He added that countless Bangladeshis remain in captivity under national and international trafficking networks.

A similar deportation in 2016, where 27 Bangladeshis were sent back in handcuffs, sparked strong reactions in Bangladesh, raising human rights concerns and prompting discussions between Dhaka and US authorities.

Migration experts argue that deportees should not be shackled during repatriation, citing violations of international human rights standards. Shariful Hasan, associate director of Brac’s Migration and Youth Platform, said: “People go abroad with the dream of a better life, often paying traffickers large sums. Deporting them in handcuffs is extremely regrettable and causes lifelong trauma. We hope future repatriations will be more humane and that US authorities take this issue seriously.”

The ongoing political and human rights situation in Bangladesh has triggered debate in the British Parliament, with MPs highlighting bans on political parties, corruption allegations against a UK lawmaker, and actions taken by the interim government.

Concerns over democratic norms and human rights

Over the past year, MPs have repeatedly raised concerns about human rights in Bangladesh. In a December 2024 House of Commons session, Labor MP Barry Gardiner and former home secretary Priti Patel warned about rising violence against the Hindu community. Catherine West, minister for the Indo-Pacific, said the UK government is closely monitoring the situation and remains in contact with the administration of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to ensure minority protection.

On July 15, MP Bob Blackman and the Bangladesh Unity Forum hosted a parliamentary event highlighting Bangladesh’s constitutional crisis. Speakers denounced the use of anti-terror laws against political opponents and described the May 2025 ban on Awami League activities as an unprecedented assault on democracy. A message was also sent to the International Criminal Court (ICC), detailing allegations of arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings.

UK’s stance on upcoming election

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has stressed the need for elections within a set timeframe to restore stability. It said free, fair and participatory polls are vital for a functioning democracy. British MPs have urged the interim government to publish a roadmap and call early elections, while also demanding guarantees of freedom of expression and protection for political dissent.

Corruption allegations and MP’s resignation

Another issue drawing attention was the corruption allegation raised by Bangladesh against British MP Tulip Siddiq, niece of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Following Hasina’s ouster, Siddiq was accused of corruption and resigned from the post of economic secretary to the treasury and city minister in January 2025, following allegations of misconduct. She has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated propaganda.

Withdrawal of controversial report

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Commonwealth faced criticism over a November 2024 report accused of being biased in favors of Hasina’s ousted government. The report was withdrawn in January 2025. Labor MP Rupa Huq dismissed it as irrelevant and described it as a vicious attack on Bangladesh’s interim government.

Earlier on August 30, Gono Odhikar Parishad activists set the Jatiya Party central office on fire

The Jatiya Party (JaPa) central office in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar was once again targeted on Friday evening, as miscreants vandalized and set fire to the office. Around 7:15pm, stones were thrown at the office. Earlier, at about 6:30pm, leaders and activists of the Gono Odhikar Parishad held a demonstration at Shahbagh intersection, burning tires to demand a ban on JaPa, before marching towards the office at Bijoynagar.

Ramna police station duty officer, Sub-Inspector (SI) Sajjad Hossain, told Bangla Tribune: “Suddenly, a few miscreants launched an attack on the Jatiya Party office. They vandalized some furniture inside and set fire. On receiving the report, police quickly arrived, extinguished the fire, and brought the situation under control.”

Eyewitnesses said that around 5:45pm, a group of people gathered in front of the office, carried out several rounds of attacks, and later attempted arson. A local shopkeeper said: “Suddenly, a few youths came shouting slogans, entered the office, and began vandalizing. I saw smoke rising soon after. They dispersed when police arrived.”

The area remains tense, and this is not the first time the office has faced such attacks. Earlier on August 30, activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad set the Jatiya Party central office on fire.

Bangladesh Bank has once again invited applications from investors to establish the country’s first digital banks, with an aim of ensuring faster and more accessible financial services through a fully branchless model. In a notice issued on Tuesday, the central bank said it will accept applications between September 1 and September 30, 2025, under section 31 of the Bank Company Act, 1991.

Applicants must submit proposals with a non-refundable processing fee of Tk 5 lakh. Failure to provide the required documents will lead to automatic cancellation, it said. The central bank framed its digital bank guidelines on June 14, 2023, and recently revised them to strengthen capital and operational requirements. The minimum paid-up capital has been raised to Tk 300 crore from Tk 125 crore earlier.

Digital banks must also launch an initial public offering (IPO) within five years of licensing, with the IPO size not less than the sponsors’ initial capital. According to the guidelines, a digital bank will operate entirely online with only a head office, requiring no physical branches, sub-branches, ATMs, or cash-deposit machines.

All services will be app-based and delivered through mobile phones and other digital devices. While structurally different from traditional banks, digital banks must comply with the same business, governance, and operational standards.

Bangladesh Bank said the move reflects global shifts toward technology-driven finance and aims to widen access to credit, particularly for cottage, micro, and small enterprises (CMSEs) and underserved groups, according to the notice.

Promoting innovation-led growth and financial inclusion is also seen as crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and adapting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it said.

This is not the first attempt to introduce digital banks.

The central bank previously invited applications in 2023 and approved Nagad as a digital bank, though the licence was later cancelled following the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.

Currently, 61 scheduled commercial banks and 35 non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) operate in Bangladesh, with many already offering digital banking services. However, about 20 banks and 25 NBFIs have faced near collapse in recent years due to loan irregularities, mismanagement, and corruption. Critics have questioned the necessity of licensing new banks in such a troubled sector, arguing that strengthening existing institutions should take priority. Still, the central bank insists that dedicated digital banks could drive efficiency, expand outreach, and reduce costs in delivering financial products across the country.