Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has directed police and other law enforcement agencies to quickly fulfill public expectations by gaining the trust of the people, emphasizing democratic reforms and institutional restructuring as top priorities. “The disciplined forces, including the police, must earn public trust by meeting the aspirations of the people,” he said. He made the remarks during a view-exchange meeting with the heads of various departments and organizations under the Ministry of Home Affairs at the conference room of the Bangladesh Secretariat today.

The Home Minister said that after nearly a decade and a half, a political government has been formed through a transparent election, raising high hopes among citizens. “People have high expectations from us. We want to quickly implement our election manifesto to fulfill those expectations. Democratic reforms in various law enforcement agencies, including the police, must be prioritized in line with public expectations,” he said.

Salahuddin Ahmed, also a Standing Committee Member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), further stated that rebuilding public confidence requires restructuring institutions under the Home Ministry and improving ethical standards within the forces.

“To achieve this goal, we need to recruit the necessary manpower. Budget approval from the Ministry of Finance is also an important issue. With new recruitment and coordinated efforts from everyone, we aim to accomplish our objectives,” he added. The minister stressed the need for a comprehensive and timely development plan for police and other law enforcement agencies.

He instructed department heads to prepare suggestions and recommendations to help formulate and implement the reform plan, which will determine priority areas for action. Secretary (Routine Responsibilities) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Md. Delwar Hossain, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam along with heads of various departments, organizations, and relevant divisions of the ministry, were present at the meeting.

The government has issued a gazette notification forming a 15-member ‘Cabinet Committee for Family Card Distribution’, aimed at providing protection to marginalized and low-income families.The Cabinet Division issued the notification today, naming the Finance Minister as chairman of the committee.

Other members include the Women and Children Affairs Minister, Social Welfare Minister, Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Ministry of Social Welfare, Advisers Mahdi Amin and Rehan Asif Asad, Cabinet Secretary, Women and Children Affairs Secretary, Election Commission Secretariat Secretary, Finance Division Secretary, Information and Communication Technology Division Secretary, Local Government Division Secretary, Planning Ministry Secretary, and Social Welfare Secretary. The notification clarified that ‘Secretary’ also includes Senior Secretary.

It said the committee will formulate a framework for implementing the Family Card programme and develop a method for selecting beneficiaries. Initially, the Family Card will be introduced in one upazila in each of the country’s eight divisions. The committee will also review whether any existing programs for women can be used as a basis, recommend creating a digital MIS by linking the National ID and National Household Database to prepare the beneficiary list, and submit a preliminary report by February 24, 2026, to distribute Family Cards before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

The notification added that committee meetings will be held as required. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs will provide secretarial support, and the committee may co-opt members if necessary. The notification will take effect immediately.

Reaffirming deeper bilateral engagement British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his election victory, pledging to further strengthen the longstanding UK–Bangladesh partnership across key sectors. In a congratulatory letter, Keir Starmer conveyed his warm wishes to Tarique Rahman on his election victory and assumption of office.

The British premier reiterated that the United Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Bangladesh in different areas including trade and investment, climate action, migration, defence collaboration and humanitarian assistance.

He also underscored continued support for Bangladesh’s efforts in hosting and assisting displaced members of the Rohingya community on humanitarian grounds.  The UK premier hoped enduring ties between the two friendly nations and shared resolve to advance mutually beneficial cooperation in the years ahead.

US President Donald J. Trump has congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his historic election victory, expressing optimism about strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in trade, defence and regional stability. In a letter dated February 18, 2026, from the White House, President Trump conveyed his greetings to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

“On behalf of the American people, I congratulate you on your historic election and wish you a successful term as Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,” he wrote.

Highlighting the foundation of bilateral relations, Trump said, “The partnership between our countries is based on mutual respect and a shared interest in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific where strong, sovereign nations can prosper.”

Referring to economic cooperation, he wrote, “As you begin your term, I hope you will help me maintain the tremendous momentum in our trade relationship through the implementation of our Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which benefits farmers and workers in both of our countries.”

The US President also underscored defence collaboration, stating, “I also hope you will take decisive action to complete the routine defense agreements that would finally give your military access to high-end, American-made equipment – the best in the world!”

Expressing confidence in future engagement, Trump said, “I look forward to working with you to make the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh stronger than ever before.”

He added, “My Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent Christensen, has my full confidence. Together, we have an opportunity to make both of our nations more prosperous and secure.”

Concluding the message, the US President wrote, “Good luck to you in the days ahead!”

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his inauguration, reaffirming Beijing’s support for Bangladesh’s new government. In a congratulatory message sent on Tuesday, Premier Li Qiang conveyed his
warm wishes to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on assuming office. Li said China and Bangladesh are close neighbours and Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partners enjoying long-standing friendship, noting that friendly exchanges between the two countries date back decades.

He recalled that over the 51 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Beijing and Dhaka have consistently respected each other, treated one another as equals and pursued mutually beneficial cooperation and win-winoutcomes, setting what he described as a fine example of state-to-state relations.

The Chinese Premier reaffirmed that his government supports the new Bangladeshi administration in ensuring smooth governance and national development. Expressing readiness to work closely with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Li said he looks forward to carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two nations, strengthening high-quality cooperation under the Belt and
Road Initiative and expanding exchanges across various sectors.

He voiced confidence that joint efforts would elevate the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new height and deliver greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has been elected as the leader of the parliamentary party. He was elected parliamentary party leader in a meeting of BNP’s parliamentary party at the meeting room in Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at about 11.30 am today, BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan told reporters.

Earlier, the newly elected parliament members (MPs) of BNP in the 13th national elections took oath of office at Jatiya Sangsad (JS) here. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath of office to the newly elected lawmakers at the Oath Room of Sangsad Bhaban at 10:43 am. Later, the meeting of the BNP’s parliamentary party was held.

Bangladesh resumes its democratic journey today after a long 15 years of autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina as Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman was sworn-in as Prime Minister with its party’s landslide victory in 13th national polls. Tarique Rahman charismatically led his party to win in 211 seats in the parliamentary elections widely endorsed by the world, including the European Union (EU) election observers as they called the polls fair and credible saying no instance of fraudulence or vote rigging was found.

The nation participated in a free, fair election on 12 February, 2026, for what Bangladesh was waiting for almost 20 years. The people of Bangladesh had been dreaming of such competitive festive elections for long. Their dream finally came true in the second week of this month and they got a true elected prime minister indeed. Tarique Rahman has been the first elected premier by populist votes since 2008.

The Bangladesh people really lost confidence in the electoral process as they saw three rigged elections orchestrated by the fallen Awami League the party was deposed from the power in a student-mass uprising that saw almost 1,400 people to be killed and 20,000 to be injured. But, the nation this time rebounded in democratic norm that was lost by the voter less elections in 2014, night time elections in 2018 and dummy elections in 2024.

Tarique Rahman, son of Independence Proclaimer and slain President Ziaur Rahman and three times Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, appears to be a true statesman through democratic elections. But the way of his being statesmanship was not a bed of roses. He struggled inhuman and went through a lot of sufferings even staying in exile. He struggled for democracy, he fought with a fascist government for returning the rights to freedom of expression to the people, freedom of press, the rights to vote etc, resulting in 2024 July Uprising and thereafter a free, fair election in 2026.

Tarique Rahman has long been a central figure in Bangladesh’s political discourse. His elevation to the premiership is seen by many within BNP as the continuation of a political legacy blended with promises of reform and modernization.

Tarique Rahman started his debut in the politics in 1988 by getting primary membership in Gabtali Upazila, the historic birthplace of his father Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, under Bogura district located in northern Bangladesh. He became a member of the Bogra district BNP in 1993. He got opportunity to draw public opinion in favor of his party in 1991 parliamentary elections. In the capacity of National Campaign Strategy Committee member of the party, Tarique Rahman coordinated the election campaign of five constituencies his mother Khaleda Zia was contesting. Her thumping victory in all five constituencies proved his worth as a meticulous organizer to assume a future leadership role in the party.

Tarique Rahman learned politics for the welfare of the people and the country during his early age as he was closely observing his mother’s generosity to the people and struggle for democracy against another autocrat Ershad rule. He inherited a good political norms and values from his parents and he also took over another responsibility of electioneering in 2001. Tarique Rahman proved again his leadership wisdom within the party as his strategy was a great hit in creating a nationwide wave in favor of the ‘paddy sheath’ symbol. His party won the elections with a two-thirds majority. Following the victory, the BNP Standing Committee, the highest decision-making body, unanimously appointed him as the Senior Joint Secretary-General in 2002.

Thus, when he was emerging in politics, conspiracies were there to exterminate him forever. Then, the infamous army-backed illegitimate 1/11 caretaker government came. He was subjected to intrigues by Awami League and their associates at home and abroad. His estrangement from politics was sought by the 1/11 government through a series of utterly cruel, mischievous, and conspiracy acts. He was put to physical and mental torture by law enforcement and secret service agencies to demoralize him not to continue in politics. At one stage, he was imprisoned and tortured brutally in confinement for months together, disregarding the law of the land.

At one stage, he left the country with grave spinal injury for London to get medical treatment, choosing the path of staying in exile by force. But his indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to his people couldn’t stop him, rather stand still with head high, struggled for the emancipation of the people of the country, leading the nation online form the UK. Tarique Rahman was in constant touch with his fellow party workers to keep their spirits high and to continue to fight against the misrule of the Sheikh Hasina government as marked with anarchy, injustice, maladministration, corruption, curtailment of people’s right to vote, abrogation of fundamental rights, and the like. The fascist regime of Hasina filed seventeen fabricated cases in absentia against Tarique Rahman as a ploy to bar him from politics. He was the victim of political vengeance of the ousted fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina. Even his parents’ cantonment home was raged to the ground by Hasina in a bid to harass the Zia family. Despite political vengeance and vilifications against him, Tarique Rahman’s popularity saw an astonishing rise. He stands tall as the leader of the masses. He is the true inheritor of the legacy of his father. A natural politician, Tarique Rahman kept his party united, and its grassroots base continues to expand and solidify with mass support.

Despite living abroad, Tarique Rahman was nominated acting chairman of his party as not being the son of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia but with the quality of political wisdom and leadership eminence after her mother landed in jail in 2018 during Awami League misrule that is marked a another wrath of the deposed Sheikh Hasina on the Zia family.

While in exile, Tarique Rahman didn’t stop even for one day in struggle for realizing people’s rights. His fight for years and call to rise eventually awaken the nation as the people revolted against fascist Awami League rule, toppled Sheikh Hasina from the state power and forced her to flee the country, ending her almost 16 years autocratic rule on August 5, 2024, a new day for Bangladesh history.

Bangladesh became free again after 1971 Liberation War and the obstacles imposed on Tarique Rahman’s arrival to his beloved country were removed. Then the historic day 25 December, 2025 came when the valiant son of the nation Tarique Rahman touched down Bangladesh soil, strolled barefoot, took a fistful of soil and felt Bangladesh with the inner part of his heart. Then, his vibrant voice waived in a mammoth crowd saying, “I have a plan for the people and for the country”.

But, when the whole nation was like triumphant getting him after almost 17 years, Bangladesh got another bad news as his mother passed away just five days after his arrival. Then, on 9 January, 2026, he became his party’s chairman as many analysts see his rise inevitable.

Tarique Rahman’s rise in politics didn’t come inherently rather it was obvious for him to be at the helm of the state with leadership quality he acquired by political farsightedness, insights, dedication and wisdom. He gained steady ground through the combination of hard work, skill, and patience in the hearts of millions. He affirms the promises to take the nation out of the morass of misrule, non-governance, oppression, coercion, subjugation and present the people with the rights they could not enjoy under a fascist regime in hold of state power for more than one and a half decades. His promises win people’s hearts resulting in bringing landslide victory for BNP in national polls. Today, Bangladesh reemerged as a democratic country and restarted its democratic course as Tarique Rahman sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

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.

The chief adviser’s special assistant on ICT and Telecommunications, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, left Bangladesh for Germany on Saturday through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. HSIA executive director SM Ragib Samad, also Bangladesh Air Force group captain, said that Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb left Bangladesh for Germany by an Emirates flight EK 583 at about 9:55am on Saturday.

An official of the ministry said that he had taken farewell from both ICT and Telecom divisions on February 9 and February 10.

‘As the new lawmakers’ gazette has published, he will go back to his own work,’ he added.

Posts, telecommunications and information technology ministry’s public relations officer Jashim Uddin could not be reached over the phone despite several attempts. On March 5, 2025, Yunus-led interim appointed Taiyeb as the special assistant to the chief adviser with the status of a state minister. On January 14, 2026, Taiyeb was also appointed as a member of the board of directors at the Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Taiyeb graduated from the electrical engineering department at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

A group of left-leaning students of Dhaka University staged a celebratory procession, dancing to the song titled Razakar Al-Badar Kichui Rabe Nare, on the Dhaka University campus on Friday. The procession began at the Teachers-Students Centre, led by a truck equipped with a music box, a day after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a decisive victory defeating Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections. It paraded through Jagannath Hall, VC Chatwar, Hall Para, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union and Madhu’s Canteen before concluding at the TSC.

Event organiser cultural activist Faria Motin Ilalala told New Age that although a significant number of people in the country voted for Jamaat, the majority of the country’s people still upheld the spirit of the War of Independence.

‘When we took these anti-razakar songs to the streets, we have witnessed public enthusiasm, which claim that people no longer care about the Liberation War are baseless,’ Faria noted.

Our existence is rooted in the Liberation War, she added, mentioning, ‘This programme does not support the BNP; rather, it has been organised to inform the next generation about the history of the Liberation War.’

She also said that their message to the BNP was that whatever role the party played in the coming days, they would remain prepared to criticise and protest any actions reminiscent of past governments.

Another organiser Anamul Hasan Onoy, a student of the political science department, said that anti-Bangladesh Jamaat forces had been attempting to revive their old anti-Liberation War politics over the past one and a half years ahead of the election.

‘We saw how recognised war criminals’ photos were displayed at the TSC and how they were being idealised. We witnessed their aggressiveness and rhetoric,’ he said.

He added that through the election, the country’s people had resisted anti-1971 forces. ‘Although Jamaat is now effectively in the opposition, it is an alarming matter for Bangladesh.’

As part of strengthening our stance against the anti-1971 agenda and preparing to consign them to their final political grave, we have staged this programme, he mentioned.Bangladesh cultural tours