Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India at a mutually convenient time. In his letter, Modi conveyed warm regards to PM Tarique’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, expressing hope that they would accompany Tarique on the visit. “A warm welcome awaits you in India,” Modi wrote, highlighting his commitment to further strengthening the longstanding ties and cooperation between the two neighboring countries. Modi also congratulated Tarique Rahman on his electoral victory, describing it as a clear testament to the trust and confidence the people of Bangladesh have placed in his leadership. Following the ceremony at the South Plaza of the National Parliament on Tuesday, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay paid courtesy calls on Tarique Rahman.

The interim government’s advisory council has been officially dissolved following the appointment of Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister, according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division. The notification, signed by Nasimul Gani, secretary of the Cabinet Division, confirmed that under Article 56(3) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the President has appointed Tarique Rahman—a trusted member of the majority in the 13th National Parliament—as Prime Minister. The President also granted consent for the formation of a new government under his leadership. It also said with the formation of the new government, the current interim government advisory council will be considered dissolved. The notification was officially published in the government gazette, formalizing the change and paving the way for the new administration to begin its work.

Congratulations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on their remarkable victory in the national parliamentary election. I have written several articles on the same issue, namely, how the brutal majority destroys the beauty of democracy and how a political party like the Awami League became a tyrannical political party. As the new prime minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman needs to honour his commitments to the citizens and ensure they are kept. Put an end to extortion within your own political party. The 'Yes' victory in the referendum paved the way for the implementation of the state's fundamental reform proposals, which the BNP and other political parties must implement.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday said his party will cooperate with the new government if it undertakes initiatives in the interest of the country and its people. “If the government takes initiatives in the interest of the country and the people, we will cooperate with them. But if it acts against public interest, we will raise protests and resistance,” Shafiqur said after the swearing-in ceremony. Reflecting on the July martyrs, he said, “We could not pay tribute to the martyrs of July. If the BNP respects the public’s aspirations, it will take the oath of the Constitution Reform Council.

Several senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were left out of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s new Cabinet, announced Tuesday as the party returned to power after 20 years. Senior leader Aman Ullah Aman and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi were also left out. Except for Nazrul Islam Khan and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the excluded leaders had previously served in key ministries during past BNP governments, making their absence a major surprise in the new Cabinet. In Bangladesh’s 300-seat parliament, a party needs at least 151 seats, or 50.33%, to form a government. With 209 seats, representing 69.66% of contested seats, the BNP will govern with a commanding majority.

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday. During the meeting, Tobgay thanked the Chief Adviser for holding a free, fair, peaceful and credible election at a critical time, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing this afternoon. Tobgay arrived in Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet to be formed this afternoon under the leadership of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. Foreign Adviser M Touhid Hossain received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday convicted a woman and sentenced her to death in a case filed in connection with the Dhanmondi double murder in 2019. The convict is Surovi Akter, domestic help of deceased Afroza Begum. The court also acquitted Bachhu Mia, a worker of the house, as allegations brought against him could not be proved. A case was filed with Dhanmondi Police Station on November 3, 2019. Police submitted chargesheet against Surovi and Bachhu Mia on February 1, 2022.

Promises, be they family, farmer, and health cards, canal restoration, and mass tree planting cannot remain slogans but must start becoming reality. The following is an indicative, citizen-facing roadmap for what the first 100 days could achieve. Inviting the opposition and civil society to contribute priority reform proposals -- and openly acknowledging those adopted -- would model a new political maturity. By day 100, steps toward fast-track anti-corruption courts, stronger rules against illicit enrichment, and open-data budgeting should be in motion. If the government embraces responsibility, openness, and fairness -- and even half of these commitments are implemented -- the next 100 days could spark lasting change in how Bangladesh is governed and grows.

Newly appointed Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy visit to President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday evening at the National Parliament House. During the meeting, the prime minister presented flowers to the president as a gesture of greeting. Earlier in the day, at 4pm, President Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to Tarique Rahman at the South Plaza of the National Parliament House. He also administered the oath to 25 ministers and 24 state ministers.

A writ petition was filed on Tuesday challenging the legality of the referendum that was held on February 12. ABM Ataul Majid Touhid, a Supreme Court lawyer filed the writ petition with the HC bench concerned. The petition also sought cancellation of the results of the referendum. The petition is likely to move before a High Court bench led by Justice Fatema Najib. Meanwhile, the ‘Yes’ vote won in the nationwide referendum held on February 12.

The Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Taruque Rahman has appointed a group of advisers with ministerial and state ministerial ranks, according to a notification signed by the Cabinet Secretary. Appointed as advisers with the rank of minister are: Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Nazrul Islam Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, Md Ismail Zabiullah, and Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir. Appointed as advisers with the rank of state minister are: Humayun Kabir, Brig Gen (retd) Shamsul Islam, Dr Zahedur Rahman, Dr Mahadi Amin, and Rehan Asif Asad. The notification formalizing these appointments was issued under the authority of the prime minister.

Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. Chaudhary arrived here to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new cabinet led by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

The first meeting of the newly formed cabinet will be held at 3pm on Wednesday. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will preside over the meeting to be held at the Bangladesh Secretariat. He said Tarique Rahman will pay tribute by placing a wreath at the National Memorial at 10am on Wednesday. Upon his return from there, around 12:30pm, he will hold office at the Prime Minister's Office in the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat. After the meeting, he will have lunch at the Secretariat and then hold the special cabinet meeting at 3pm.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam, has been nominated as the opposiiton party chief whip of the 13th National Parliament. Role of the chief whip and whipsIn a parliamentary democracy, the chief whip and whips play a crucial role in maintaining party discipline in the legislature. Ensuring attendance: Making sure party MPs attend sessions, and recalling members to the chamber if quorum is at risk. Coordinating votes: Securing the presence of party MPs and ensuring voting aligns with party positions on important bills or motions. Status and benefitsBy law, the chief whip and Whips are granted special status and state facilities:

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman offered jiarat at the graves of his father Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and mother former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tonight. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman offered jiarat at the graves of his father Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and mother former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tonight. He offered the jiarat at Zia Udyan in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area after assuming office as the country's 11th Prime Minister. During the jiarat, the Prime Minister also offered prayers (dua) seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of his parents while his family members were present. Earlier, Tarique Rahman took the oath of office at the South Plaza of the Sangsad Bhaban this afternoon with the presence of a number of foreign dignitaries and diplomats.