The Ministry of Law has taken a strict stance against irregularities in office attendance, warning officials and employees of disciplinary action for late arrival, unauthorised absence, or leaving office early without permission. In an office order issued on Monday, the Law and Justice Division of the ministry cited the ‘Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019’, declaring absence without permission, late attendance and early departure as punishable offences. During the month of Ramadan, officials and employees are prohibited from leaving office before 3:30pm, while after Ramadan, departure before 5:00pm will not be permitted. Besides, it has been made mandatory to record departures in the office leaving register and ensure digital attendance in accordance with the ‘Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019’. The order further warned that any violation of these rules will result in disciplinary action under the ‘Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019’ and the ‘Government Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018’.

The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain why its failure to regulate recruitment practices that discriminate on the grounds of gender and religion should not be declared unlawful and in violation of the petitioner’s constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights, and why it should not be directed to ensure that all public and private workplaces adopt non-discriminatory recruitment guidelines. The writ was filed by advocate Anamika Nahrin following the publication of a job circular dated 26 January 2026 by IBN SINA Pharmaceutical Industry PLC for the post of Executive/Senior Executive (Legal Affairs), which restricted applications to “male” and “practising Muslim” candidates only. In the petition, the petitioner contended that excluding candidates solely on the basis of gender and religion for a position involving legal and compliance functions is arbitrary, unreasonable and unrelated to the nature of the post. The rule and directions were issued by a High Court Division bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar. Senior advocates Sara Hossain and Dr Sharif Bhuiyan, along with advocates Karishma Jahan and Priya Ahsan Chowdhury, appeared for the petitioner.

The Ministry of Public Administration has instructed candidates, provisionally recommended under the freedom fighter quota in the 45th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) recruitment, to submit their freedom fighter certificates for verification. According to the notice, candidates who were temporarily recommended by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission under the freedom fighter quota in the provisional results of the 45th BCS Examination–2022 are required to fill out a prescribed form and submit their freedom fighter certificates along with other relevant documents for verification. The documents must be sent by post or delivered in person to the designated branch of the ministry by March 2. The final results of the 45th BCS examination were published on November 27 last year. A total of 1,807 candidates were provisionally declared successful and recommended by the Public Service Commission for appointment to various BCS cadres.

The United Kingdom will issue only electronic visas (e-visas) for Bangladeshi applicants from February 25, the British High Commission in Dhaka said in a message on Monday. After a visa is granted, applicants will need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to link their passport details and access their e-visa. The High Commission said it is important to verify and update this information before travelling. Travellers will be allowed to enter the UK only after their passport details are updated in their UKVI account. Further details are available at: www.gov.uk/eVisa

A discussion titled ‘Role of Teachers in Building a Drug-Free Society and Protecting Environment and Nature’ was held at the Khulna PTI auditorium on Monday. The event was organized by the Department of Narcotics Control, Khulna, with support from the Bir Muktijoddha Mobarak Ali Foundation. Among others, Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control SK Iftekhar Mohammad Umayen, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment Md. Harun-Or-Rashid, former vice-president of Government Brajalal College Advocate Sheikh Zakirul Islam, and Chairman of the Bir Muktijoddha Mobarak Ali Foundation Md. The programme was moderated by Advocate Sheikh Oliul Islam, Chief Adviser of the Bir Muktijoddha Mobarak Ali Foundation.

What is the Family Card? He clarified that the Family Card would not replace existing allowances such as old-age, widow or disability benefits. “The Family Card will expand and strengthen the overall social protection framework,” he said. To prevent duplication, only one Family Card will be issued per household. Pilot project before EidThe government plans to launch a pilot phase of the Family Card program before Eid-ul-Fitr.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain has announced that he will contest the mayoral election of Dhaka South City Corporation. He made the announcement in a Facebook post around 4:30pm on Monday. In the post, Ishraque wrote: “I will run for city elections from Dhaka South, InshaAllah.”

BNP Central Organizing Secretary Nazrul Islam Manju has been appointed administrator of Khulna City Corporation. Signed by Mahbuba Airin, Joint Secretary of the Local Government Division, the appointment was made by the Local Government (KCC) Amendment subsection-1under 25 A ordinance-2024, in line with the government decision. Expressing gratitude for the appointment, Manju, also a former parliament member described it as both an honour and a significant responsibility. Khulna City Corporation is one of the country's key metropolitan local government bodies. City residents expect that under the leadership of Manju, development activities in Khulna will gain further momentum and long-standing civic issues will be addressed effectively.

Police arrested singer Mainul Ahsan Noble on Monday in connection with a case filed over confining and harassing a woman after luring her with a promise of marriage. According to police, a court had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Noble in the case, which also includes allegations of attempting to produce objectionable photographs. He was arrested around 12:30pm from the Bottola area under Siddhirganj in Narayanganj. The matter was confirmed by Saifur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Demra police station. He said that Noble is currently in police custody and will be produced before a court on Tuesday, after completion of legal procedures.

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam on Monday urged all officials to dedicate themselves to the interests of the state and perform their duties with honesty and integrity. Rabiul Alam noted, “It is not easy to dedicate ourselves to the interests of the state, as there will be various obstacles. However, young officers can bring positive changes if they are committed.”Reminding the officials that state funds are ultimately the people’s money, he stressed that overall public interest must take priority. In his speech, special guest State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Habibur Rashid said, “We must build the future of Bangladesh together. State Minister Md Rajib Ahsan urged the officials to work with utmost sincerity and honesty.

It is possible that Mr Alam is confusing donation to extortion as the term chanda is used for both in Bengali. Systematic extortion includes extortion from both formal and informal businesses and the mass population. Nevertheless, the administration allows it for short-term gains and that is the core tenet of the economics of extortion. They are thus able to shift the risk through the extortion fee which allows them short-term access to the market places. The government must begin to address the fundamentals and make it costly to operate the extortion business.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo : PMODHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Chinese envoy met the premier at the latter's Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here at 12.30pm, Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman confirmed BSS. Ruman said that China has welcomed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's 'Bangladesh First' foreign policy. The Chinese envoy assured that his country would continue all kinds of cooperation to safeguard Bangladesh's sovereignty.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo : PMODHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) – Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit China and conveyed warm congratulations and greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The Chinese envoy extended the invitation when he paid a call on the premier at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here at 12.30pm today. The foreign affairs adviser said that the Chinese government has recognized the huge mandate that newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman got with a two-thirds majority. Noting that today’s meeting between the Prime Minister and Chinese Ambassador was just a courtesy call, he said there was no discussion on any specific issues.

Ambassador to Dhaka, Brent Christensen, met with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the Foreign Ministry today. Ambassador in Dhaka, Brent Christensen, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the Foreign Ministry today, said a foreign ministry press release. They reviewed key areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, defence and security, development partnership, immigration and people-to-people exchanges. The foreign minister conveyed Bangladesh’s appreciation for continued U.S. humanitarian assistance and sought sustained political support for the safe and sustainable repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar. Prior to the meeting with the Foreign Minister, Ambassador Christensen also paid a maiden courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest.

RANGPUR, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) seized 200 bottlesof phensedyl-like ESKuf syrup and arrested an alleged drug dealer fromKhamarbhati village under Kaliganj Police Station of Lalmonirhat district today. The arrested was identified as Md Harun Mia, 39, son of Nuru Hossain aliasNuru Sheikh of Khamarbhati village under Kaliganj Police Station ofLalmonirhat district. On a tip-off, a team of the RAB-13 Sadar Company from its Rangpurheadquarters conducted a raid in the area and arrested the man along with thecontraband drugs at 2:20 am, a press release said. After filing a case in this incident, the elite force handed over thearrested person and seized drugs to Kaliganj Police Station of Lalmonirhatfor further legal action.