M Siraj Mia, principal secretary of the Chief Adviser’s Office, has been appointed as the new cabinet secretary. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Saturday confirming the contractual appointment, which takes effect immediately. As the new Cabinet Secretary, M Siraj Mia will oversee the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected Members of Parliament and the incoming cabinet. He succeeds Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, who resigned from the post on Saturday.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday called for a recount of votes in 30 constituencies following the 13th national parliamentary election, citing alleged irregularities in the counting process. “We will also apply to the Election Commission to postpone the oath-taking of the MPs from these seats,” said Assistant Secretary General Advocate Muazzem Hossain Helal at an emergency press conference in the evening. Helal claimed that, if the votes are recounted, these seats ‘would return to the 11-party alliance’. Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its central publicity department, said the party has already submitted applications for the 30 seats but added that “the number may increase.”Abdul Mannan, Jamaat’s candidate in Dhaka-6, alleged that he had been defeated due to ‘manipulation’ during vote counting. He said he hopes the Election Commission ‘will take proper action in this regard’.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday said convincing people to get two-thirds majority in the national election was their ‘engineering’ and no other manipulative tactics. “Convincing the people of the country and bringing them over to our side was our engineering. Protecting Bangladesh’s interests will guide our decisions.”BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury elaborated, saying Bangladesh’s foreign policy follows the principle of multilateralism. On the key challenges his government might face, Tarique said tackling the economy will be a top priority. On future relations with China, Tarique said, “We will protect the interests of Bangladesh and its people.

Sunday marks the 32nd death anniversary of veteran journalist Anwarul Islam Bobby, remembered for his pioneering contributions to English-language journalism in Bangladesh. Bobby passed away on February 15, 1994, in Dubai while en route to London for treatment of leukemia. He later went on to establish Pulse, a medical weekly, and The Daily Life, widely regarded as the first regional English-language daily published from Chittagong. In a message marking the anniversary, Leena Islam, wife of the late journalist, recalled his lifelong dedication to journalism and requested family members, friends and well-wishers to pray for his departed soul. Bobby is remembered as a committed journalist and media entrepreneur whose work left a lasting imprint on Bangladesh’s English-language press.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid has resigned from his post. He confirmed the development around 8pm on Saturday. Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Rashid said: “I have resigned. I do not know who will conduct the Cabinet’s oath-taking ceremony, because I am no longer in office.”In response to another question, he added: “I also do not know when the new Cabinet will take the oath, because I am now out of service.”

The elected members of the 13th National Parliamentary Election will take their oaths on Tuesday. The newly elected MPs will be sworn in Monday morning by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, while President Md Sahabuddin will administer the oath to the cabinet members in the afternoon. The 13th National Parliamentary Election was held on February 12. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won 209 seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats. Additionally, one seat each was won by the Bangladesh National Party (BJP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganasamhati Andolon, Khelafat Majlis, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

Cabinet secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid -File photoDHAKA, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS)- New cabinet would be sworn in by February 18, said Cabinet secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid today. He said this to journalists in his secretariat office this afternoon after publication of the gazette notification of the newly elected Members of Parliament (MP). The cabinet secretary said according to the law, the oath-taking of MPs must be completed by February 17. After that the new government is expected to be formed at the earliest possible time, he said adding all necessary preparations have already been completed in this regard. He further said that the swearing-in ceremony is expected to be completed no later than February 18.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey. File photoDHAKA, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS) - Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey today congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman and his party on their victory in the 13th parliamentary elections. In a message, she commended the people of Bangladesh and relevant institutions for contributing to a peaceful electoral process and referendum. "I commend all citizens and institutions who contributed to a peaceful electoral process and referendum and reaffirm the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting Bangladesh and its democracy," she said. Earlier today, the Commonwealth Observer Group praised the generally peaceful conduct of the parliamentary elections and the July Charter referendum.

DHAKA, February 14, 2026 (BSS)- On the occasion of Sundarbans Day, a coalition of leading environmental and research organisations officially announced Sundarbans Summit 2026, a national platform dedicated to protecting the world's largest mangrove forest and strengthening collective climate action. Mission Green Bangladesh (MGB), C3ER at Brac University, Swapnopuri Kalyan Sangstha, and Waterkeepers Bangladesh are jointly organizing the initiative. The summit aims to promote policy dialogue, innovation, youth engagement, and community driven conservation to safeguard the Sundarbans and the millions of people who depend on it. Sundarbans Summit 2026 will feature high level policy discussions, an innovation challenge for youth, conservation dialogues, community engagement activities, and an onsite expedition to the Sundarbans. The summit is expected to produce a Sundarbans Green Declaration, support climate resilient innovations, strengthen conservation networks, and enhance national and international attention on the importance of protecting this critical ecosystem.

Photo collage : BSSDHAKA, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS)- Greeting messages of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus have been delivered to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam. On behalf of the Chief Adviser, his Private Secretary Shazeeb M Khairul Islam handed over the letter of messages to the three leaders today, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing. In the messages, Prof Yunus congratulated and expressed thanks and gratitude them on their success in the 13th general elections and for their important contributions and responsible role to make the polls festive and peaceful.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has congratulated and expressed thanks and gratitude to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman and NCP Convener Nahid Islam for their important contributions in helping make the election festive and peaceful through their responsible roles. In separate telephone conversations, the Chief Adviser spoke with the leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing this afternoon. Prof Yunus first spoke with Tarique Rahman and congratulated him on his party's landslide victory. He later thanked Dr Shafiqur Rahman and Nahid Islam for their success and for playing responsible roles in the post-election period.

Ariful Haque Chowdhury- File PhotoSYLHET, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS) - Ariful Haque Chowdhury, advisor to BNP chairman, has been elected Member of Parliament from Sylhet-4 constituency with a margin of more than one lakh votes in the 13th national parliamentary election. According to official results, BNP candidate Ariful Haque Chowdhury secured 181,609 votes with the party's electoral symbol "Sheaf of Paddy," defeating his nearest rival, Joynal Abedin of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, who received 71,391 votes. Ariful Haque Chowdhury is widely regarded as a grassroots politician. He began his political career as a councilor of Sylhet City Corporation, where he served as President of the Urban Development Committee. Referring to the broader political landscape, Chowdhury said that 18 Members of Parliament from BNP have been elected from Sylhet Division.

M Siraz Uddin Miah -Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS)- Chief Adviser's Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah has been given the additional charge of cabinet secretary. The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notification to this end saying the order will come into effect immediately. In another gazette notification, the government cancelled the remaining tenure of the contract of Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid who was in charge of the post from October 8, 2024.

Together, we will build a happy and prosperous Sylhet: Khandaker Abdul MuktadirKhandaker Abdul Muktadir - File PhotoSYLHET, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS) - Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has emerged victorious in the 13th national parliamentary election, winning the Sylhet-1 constituency with a total of 176,936 votes. Muktadir, who contested under the symbol of a sheaf of paddy, defeated his closest rival, Habibur Rahman of Jamaat-e-Islami, who secured 134,983 votes. In his victory speech, Muktadir expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Sylhet, thanking them for their overwhelming support. "The people of Sylhet have blessed me with their love and trust, and now it is time to act. Together, we will build a happy and prosperous Sylhet, InshaAllah," he added.

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