Pakistan collapsed against Bangladesh bowling on the second day of the Sylhet Test, conceding a 46-run first-innings lead despite a fighting half-century from Babar Azam and a late counterattack by Sajid Khan.

Replying to Bangladesh’s first innings of 278 runs, Pakistan were bowled out for 232 runs as the home side tightened its grip on the match.

Pakistan made a poor start to the day as Abdullah Fazal was dismissed for 9 runs and debut centurion Azan Owais fell for 13 runs.

Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings with a 38-run partnership before Mehidy Hasan removed Shan for 21 runs.

Saud Shakeel managed only 8 runs as Pakistan’s batting line-up came under increasing pressure.

Babar Azam stood out with a fluent 68 runs off 84 balls, striking 10 boundaries, but lacked support from the other end. He was eventually dismissed by Naheed Rana with Pakistan on 142 runs.

Salman Ali Agha contributed 21 runs while Mohammad Rizwan added 13.

Lower-order batter Sajid Khan briefly revived Pakistan’s hopes with an aggressive 38 runs off 28 balls, including four sixes. He struck three consecutive sixes in one over from Taijul Islam before Naheed Rana dismissed him in the following over.

Pakistan’s innings ended at 232 runs, handing Bangladesh a first-innings lead of 46 runs.

For Bangladesh, Naheed Rana and Taijul Islam claimed three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan took two apiece.

Earlier, Bangladesh were powered by wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das, who scored a brilliant 126 runs after Pakistan captain Shan Masood elected to bowl first.

Khurram Shahzad led Pakistan’s bowling effort with four wickets, Mohammad Abbas took three, Hasan Ali claimed two, and Sajid Khan picked up one wicket.

Bangladesh entered the match with a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

Litton Das struck a century to rescue Bangladesh from a top-order collapse, as the hosts posted 278 in their first innings of the second and final Test against Pakistan on Saturday.

Pakistan reached 21-0 at stumps in reply with Azan Awais on 13 and Abdullah Fazal on 8 in Sylhet.

Batting at number six, Litton struck 16 fours and two sixes in his 159-ball 126, his sixth Test century, after Bangladesh had been reduced to 116-6 after lunch.

Pakistan, trailing 1-0 in the two-match series after a 104-run defeat in Mirpur, opted to bowl and the decision immediately paid off.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell for a duck, edging Mohammad Abbas to second slip off the second ball of the match.

Debutant Tanzid Hasan made a bright start, striking three boundaries in a fluent 26 off 34 balls, but threw his wicket away attempting an ambitious pull shot off Abbas, who took the catch off his own bowling.

Mominul Haque was bowled for 22 by Khurram Shahzad.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship with a 43-run stand.

But both fell after lunch as Bangladesh lost three wickets for 15 runs.

Shanto edged Abbas behind for 29, Mushfiqur departed lbw for 23 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz was caught at deep fine leg for four to leave the hosts 116-6.

Litton added 60 runs with Taijul Islam (16) off 114 balls for the seventh wicket and brought up his fifty off 93 balls.

He took just 42 balls more to reach three figures with a cover drive off Shahzad, and then hit the next ball for six.

He added 38 with Taskin Ahmed and a crucial 64 with Shoriful Islam off 73 balls for the ninth wicket.

“The most important thing in this innings is that Taijul, Taskin and Shoriful all batted well and faced a lot of balls,” Litton said.

Pakistan missed two review opportunities when replays showing faint edges off Mushfiqur and Litton that went unchallenged by captain Shan Masood.

“We were getting wickets early on. Unluckily, we missed a couple of reviews,” said Shahzad.

“If we had gotten them out there, the situation would have been completely different.”

International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its annual men’s One-Day International (ODI) team rankings update, with Pakistan dropping one place to fifth after being overtaken by South Africa in the latest standings.

According to the updated rankings, India retained its top position with a rating of 118 points despite losing 1 point in the annual revision.

New Zealand remained second with 113 points, while Australia held third place with 109 points.

South Africa climbed to fourth position with 102 points, pushing Pakistan down to fifth with 98 points.

Further down the rankings, Sri Lanka occupied sixth place with 96 points, followed by Afghanistan in seventh with 93 points. England stood eighth with 89 points.

Bangladesh were ranked ninth with 84 points, while the West Indies cricket team remained 10th with 74 points.

The annual update widened the gap between Bangladesh and the West Indies from six to 10 points.

The ICC said the rankings carry added significance ahead of qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

As per the qualification criteria, the top eight teams in the ICC rankings by March 31, 2027, along with hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, will qualify directly for the tournament.

In other movements, Ireland moved up to 11th place with 54 points after overtaking Zimbabwe.

United States also improved to 13th place with 46 points, surpassing Scotland in the latest rankings.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates climbed to 19th position after moving ahead of Canada national cricket team.

Opener Azan Awais struck a confident unbeaten 85 on his Test debut as Pakistan reached 179-1 at stumps on the second day of the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh national cricket team.

At the close of play at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Pakistan trailed Bangladesh by 234 runs with debutant Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal unbeaten on 37 at the crease.

Earlier, Bangladesh resumed their first innings on 301-4 and were eventually bowled out for 413.

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s bowling attack with five wickets for 92 runs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed three wickets. Hasan Ali and Nauman Ali picked up one wicket each.

Pakistan made a solid start in reply as Azan Awais and Imam-ul-Haq added 106 runs for the opening wicket. Imam fell for 45 after giving Pakistan early momentum.

Azan Awais impressed with a composed and attacking knock in his maiden Test innings. He completed his half-century in just 65 balls and struck 12 boundaries during his unbeaten innings.

The young batter also became the 42nd Pakistani player to score a half-century on Test debut.

During his innings, Azan briefly appeared in discomfort after being struck on the body by a delivery but continued batting without leaving the field.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh lost momentum despite overnight batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das resuming in a strong position.

Mohammad Abbas provided Pakistan an early breakthrough by dismissing Litton Das for 33 before removing Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 10 and Taijul Islam for 17.

Mushfiqur Rahim held one end firm and scored 71 off 179 balls before being clean bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi shortly after lunch.

Abbas then completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Ebadot Hossain for a duck.

Bangladesh’s lower order offered late resistance through Taskin Ahmed, who smashed 28 off 19 balls in a quick final-wicket stand before Afridi wrapped up the innings.

On the opening day, Bangladesh gained control through captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 101 off 130 deliveries, while Mominul Haque narrowly missed a century after falling for 91.

Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladeshi Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday signed a landmark agreement in Dhaka to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking and narcotics abuse.

The agreement was signed during a meeting between the two interior ministers aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in internal security and law enforcement.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed to jointly combat the illegal transportation, smuggling and sale of narcotics. Both sides also pledged to develop coordinated strategies to dismantle drug supply networks and address the growing social impact of drug abuse.

The two countries will exchange timely intelligence on drug traffickers and criminal networks, while also cooperating in personnel training, modern technology and sharing best practices in anti-narcotics operations.

The ministers also agreed to establish a secretary-level joint working group between the two interior ministries to coordinate future cooperation.

During the talks, Naqvi offered Pakistan’s full support for Bangladesh’s Safe City Project and assured cooperation at all levels.

Both sides discussed expanding collaboration in counterterrorism, internal security, cybercrime, organised crime and financial fraud investigations. They also explored cooperation in the training of civil armed forces and police academy officers.

Naqvi invited the Bangladeshi home minister to visit Pakistan, while Salahuddin Ahmed thanked Pakistan for offering assistance on the Safe City Project.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Cabinet Secretary Naseem Al Ghani, Home Secretary Manzoor Chaudhry and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider also attended the meeting

The US-Israeli war on Iran, which has sent the price of energy and fertiliser soaring, could plunge more than 30 million people into poverty, the head of the UN Development Programme said Wednesday.

“It’s development in reverse,” Alexander De Croo told AFP on the sidelines of a G7 development meeting in Paris.

“It took decades to build stable societies, to develop local economies, and it took only several weeks of war to destroy that,” he added.

“We did a study after six weeks of war and estimated that even if the conflict ended at that point, 32 million people would be pushed into precarity in 160 countries,” said De Croo.

The war has led to closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows in peacetime.

Gulf nations are also important for many oil products and feedstocks to make fertiliser.

A shortage of supplies and high prices has led to countries in Africa and Asia imposing a range of measures that include fuel rationing and shortening the work week to reduce consumption. Other countries have reduced fuel taxes to cushion the impact on consumers.

The UNDP says the war will have a profound impact on Sub-Saharan African countries as well as certain countries in Asia such as Bangladesh and Cambodia.

Developing island nations will also be particularly hard hit.

High “energy costs, a lack of fertiliser, will have an enormous impact in the months to come” on people in these countries, said De Croo, a former prime minister of Belgium.

He also warned of “political instability and a drop in remittances from abroad because a lot of people working in the Gulf countries send money home”.

To avoid poverty taking hold, the UNDP estimates that around $6bn “is needed in subsidies to support those most vulnerable to high food and energy prices”, he added.

De Croo said discussions were already underway within the IMF and World Bank.

“You can say that six billion dollars is a lot — the war cost nine billion dollars per week,” he added.

The crisis comes as development aid is at a historic low, having dropped by more than 23 per cent last year, primarily due to cuts by major donors led by the United States.

About 250 people, including children, were feared missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals capsized in the Andaman Sea, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

“The trawler, which departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was on its way to Malaysia, reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement.

Thousands of Rohingya, Myanmar’s persecuted Muslim minority, risk their lives every year fleeing repression and civil war in their country. They travel by sea, often aboard makeshift boats.

The Rohingya on board this latest boat were likely leaving huge camps in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, where more than a million refugees forced to flee Myanmar’s western state of Rakhine live in squalid conditions.

Rakhine state has been the scene of fierce fighting between the military and the Arakan Army, an ethnic minority rebel group, over control of the territory.

The exact circumstances surrounding the latest incident were unclear, but preliminary information indicated that the vessel was carrying some 280 people and left Bangladesh on April 4.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) said one of its ships, which was on the way to Indonesia, managed to rescue nine people from the sea, including one woman, on April 9.

“The Bangladeshi flag carrier M.T. Meghna Pride… spotted several people floating in the sea using drums and logs and rescued them from deep waters near the Andaman Islands,” BCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan told AFP.

‘Burned by oil’

Rafiqul Islam, one of the survivors, told AFP that he was lured onto the boat by traffickers who promised him a job in Malaysia.

“A number of us were kept in the holding area of the trawler, and some died there. I was burned by oil that spilt from the trawler,” said Rafiqul, 40, adding that the vessel travelled for four days before it capsized.

“We floated for nearly 36 hours before a ship rescued us from deep water.”

Relatively affluent Malaysia is home to millions of migrants from poorer parts of Asia, many of them undocumented, working in industries including construction and agriculture.

But sea crossings, facilitated by human trafficking syndicates, are hazardous and often lead to overloaded boats capsizing.

The UNHCR said the latest incident reflected the “dire consequences of protracted displacement and the absence of durable solutions for the Rohingya”.

“This tragedy is a reminder of the efforts urgently needed to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar and create conditions that would allow Rohingya refugees to return home voluntarily, safely and with dignity,” it said.

The Andaman Sea stretches along the western shores of Myanmar, Thailand and the Malay Peninsula.

Last year, the UNHCR said that 427 Rohingya were feared dead at sea in two shipwrecks off the Myanmar coast in May.

The Pakistan Navy has rescued 18 crew members, including several foreign nationals, from a distressed merchant vessel in the North Arabian Sea, officials said on Friday.

According to a navy statement, the operation was launched after a distress call from MV Gold Autumn, located about 200 nautical miles (around 370 kilometres) off Pakistan’s coast.

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency activated its Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and initiated an immediate response. Pakistan Navy Ship Hunain, already on patrol in the area, was tasked to assist the vessel.

Naval teams conducted a coordinated search and rescue operation, providing medical aid, assisting in firefighting efforts, and assessing damage to the vessel before safely evacuating all crew members.

Those rescued included nationals of China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia. The crew has been transported to Karachi for medical care and will be repatriated to their respective countries.

The Navy said the operation highlights its readiness to respond swiftly to maritime emergencies and its commitment to humanitarian assistance within its area of responsibility.

At least 24 people died after a passenger bus carrying around ​40 passengers plunged into the Padma ‌River while attempting to board a ferry in Bangladesh, officials said on Thursday.

The accident occurred ​on Wednesday when the bus lost ​control approaching a ferry at Daulatdia ⁠in Rajbari district, about 100 km ​from Dhaka.

The bus overturned and sank ​nearly 30 feet into the river, according to police, the Fire Service and Civil ​Defence.

Rescuers recovered 22 bodies from inside ​the submerged bus, including six men, 11 women ‌and ⁠five children, Fire Service official Talha Bin Zasim said.

Twenty-four people have been confirmed dead so far, including two women who ​died after ​being rescued, ⁠he said.

Four fire service units and 10 divers were leading ​the search and rescue efforts, supported ​by ⁠the army, police, coast guard and local authorities.

Officials fear more passengers may still be ⁠missing. ​Hundreds of people die ​each year in road and ferry accidents in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh clinched the ODI series against Pakistan by defeating the Green Shirts in the third and decisive one-day international by 11 runs in Dhaka on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 291 runs, Pakistan were all out for 279 in the allotted 50 overs.

For Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha scores a brilliant 106 in 98 balls. His innings included nine 4s and four 6s.

He was ably supported by debutant Saad Masood, who made 38. However, their efforts proved insufficient as the rest of the batsmen failed to live up to expectations.

Captain Shaheen Afridi played a cameo and gave Pakistan some hope. However, his 38-ball 37 could not help Pakistan reach the target.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed took four wickets while Mustafizur Rahman claimed three.

Earlier, batting first after being invited by Pakistan, Bangladesh scored 290 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

Tanzid Hasan scored 107 in as many balls. His innings included six 4s and seven 6s.

Towhid Hridoy remained not out on 48.

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 128 runs in the second One-Day International to level the three-match series 1–1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.

Chasing a revised target of 243 runs in 32 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, Bangladesh were bowled out for just 114 in the 24th over as Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the contest.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to field, Bangladesh dismissed Pakistan for 274 in 47.3 overs.

Muaz Sadaqat top-scored with a brisk 75 off 46 balls, anchoring Pakistan’s innings. Captain Salman Ali Agha contributed 64, while Mohammad Rizwan added 44 and Sahibzada Farhan made 31.

In the lower order, Faheem Ashraf scored 14 runs and Shamyl Hussain chipped in with six. For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz took two.

Rain interrupted the match, forcing officials to revise Bangladesh’s target to 243 runs from 32 overs under the DLS method. However, the hosts struggled against Pakistan’s pace attack and were bundled out cheaply.

For Pakistan, Muaz Sadaqat and Haris Rauf claimed three wickets each, while skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up two.

At the toss, Miraz had said Bangladesh opted to bowl first to maintain momentum after their victory in the opening match. Afridi noted that Pakistan’s batters were determined to correct their earlier shortcomings. He also confirmed one change in the playing XI, with Rauf replacing Abrar Ahmed.

Bangladesh had taken an early lead in the series after defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in the first ODI.

With Friday’s win, Pakistan levelled the contest 1–1, setting up a decisive third and final match on Sunday.

Bangladesh will close all universities from Monday, bringing forward the Eid Al Fitr holidays as part of emergency measures to conserve ​electricity and fuel amid a worsening energy crisis linked to ‌the conflict in the Middle East.

Authorities said the decision applies to all public and private universities across the country, a move that officials said will not only ​reduce electricity consumption but also ease traffic congestion, which leads ​to fuel wastage.

Officials said university campuses consume large amounts of ⁠electricity for residential halls, classrooms, laboratories and air conditioning, and the ​early closure would help ease pressure on the country’s strained power ​system.

Government and private schools in Bangladesh are already closed for the holy month of Ramazan, meaning most educational institutions across the country will now remain shut ​during the period.

The move comes as Bangladesh faces mounting uncertainty over ​fuel and gas supplies following disruptions to global energy markets caused by the ongoing ‌conflict ⁠in the Middle East.

The country, which relies on imports for 95% of its energy needs, imposed daily limits on Friday on fuel sales after panic buying and stockpiling.

As part of broader austerity measures, the government has also ​asked all foreign‑curriculum schools and ​private coaching ⁠centres to suspend operations during this period to limit electricity use.

Severe gas shortages have already forced Bangladesh to halt ​operations at four of its five state‑run fertiliser ​factories, redirecting ⁠available gas to power plants to avoid widespread outages.

The country has also bought LNG from the spot market at sharply higher prices while seeking additional ⁠cargoes ​to bridge supply gaps.

“We are doing everything ​we can to reduce consumption and ensure stability in power, fuel and import supplies,” a ​senior energy ministry official said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday met with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr Khalilur Rahman, on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Ministerial Session of the Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah.

The deputy prime minister congratulated his counterpart on the historic and smooth transfer of power in Bangladesh and on his assumption of office, a press release issued by the Foreign Office Spokesperson said.

Both leaders held productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation across a broad range of sectors, including trade, culture, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties and agreed to work closely together to promote peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.

Pakistani High Commissioner Imran Haider met Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rehman in Dhaka on Sunday, in the first diplomatic contact with Bangladesh’s new government, congratulating him on assuming office and highlighting recent progress in bilateral relations.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in areas including education, trade, agriculture, health, and communication, with discussions on establishing formal bilateral mechanisms. Both sides emphasised the importance of finding new ways to expand collaboration.

Dr Khalilur Rehman welcomed the briefing and expressed satisfaction over the progress in Pakistan-Bangladesh ties.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) returned to power in a landslide victory, winning 212 seats in parliament. Jamaat-e-Islami became the second largest party with 68 seats, while the student party NCP secured six seats.

Tariq Rehman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and BNP leader, was sworn in as prime minister on Feb. 17. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated him and extended an invitation for an official visit to Pakistan.

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s former prime minister, resigned and fled the country on Aug. 5, 2024, amid nationwide student protests over the government job quota system.

An interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus was formed on Aug. 8, 2024, and governed for 18 months, focusing on constitutional and electoral reforms before the elections that brought the BNP back to power.

A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard A. Lutnick in Washington D.C., focusing on strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties.

Aurangzeb was accompanied by the Secretary of Commerce, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States and trade and economic ministers, read a statement on Saturday.

 “Both sides expressed the desire to enhance our economic cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and investment, besides discussing the USA’s interest in investing in fields of ICT, mining, minerals and energy,” it added.

The Minister of Finance appreciated the role of the US Chamber of Commerce in organising the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Forum on 31st March, 2026, which would be attended by renowned companies from both countries, besides ministerial representation from Pakistan and the USA.

Aurangzeb expressed the hope that the office of the US Commerce Secretary would also participate in the same.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to further their engagements on investments in major projects in the coming months, added the statement.

Last week, Aurangzeb said he would travel to the United States to advance economic engagement, as Pakistan reassessed its trade positioning following recent agreements between New Delhi and Washington, with Bangladesh also reaching an understanding with Washington, which has unsettled local industry.

Days ago, Pakistan agreed with the US government to jointly redevelop New York’s Roosevelt Hotel, the government in Islamabad, allowing Islamabad to unlock value from its major overseas investment.

Restructuring and privatisation of state assets are central to Pakistan’s $7 billion programme agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the century-old hotel in Midtown Manhattan owned by Pakistan’s national airline plays a key role in those plans.

The hotel, which the cash- strapped South Asian nation has estimated could be worth more than $1 billion, has been closed since 2020 and is considered for redevelopment rather than outright sale.

The two countries signed a memorandum that outlines plans to cooperate on the operation, maintenance, renovation, and redevelopment of the hotel.

A boat carrying irregular migrants from Libya to Greece capsized, leaving at least five people dead and 25 others missing, according to initial reports.

The vessel was carrying around 50 migrants when the incident occurred.

Rescue teams managed to save 20 individuals, while search operations continued for those still unaccounted for.

Authorities said the passengers included Pakistani nationals, along with citizens of Bangladesh, Egypt and Sudan.

Details regarding the exact location of the sinking and the cause of the incident were not immediately available.

Irregular migration routes across the Mediterranean are considered among the world’s most dangerous, with overcrowded boats frequently attempting the perilous journey from North Africa to Europe.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the Pakistan men’s team will tour Bangladesh in March for a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series, with all games to be played in Dhaka.

According to the PCB, the national side will arrive in Bangladesh on March 9 (Monday) and hold a training session on March 10 (Tuesday) ahead of the opening match.

The first ODI will be played on March 11, followed by the second on March 13 and the third on March 15.

All matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

This will be Pakistan’s second tour of Bangladesh since July 2025, when the visitors played a three-match T20I series that Bangladesh won 2-1.

Earlier, Bangladesh toured Pakistan in May and June last year, where Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, secured a 3-0 clean sweep in a three-match T20I series.

Cricket analysts say the upcoming ODI series holds significance for both sides as it strengthens bilateral engagements and provides preparation ahead of future international 50-over competitions.

Fans are expecting a competitive contest between the two teams.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the mob culture in Bangladesh has ended with the BNP government assuming office through the landslide victory in the 13th parliament election.

“Mob culture in Bangladesh ends. The mob culture in no way to be tolerated,” he added. 

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on his first working day at the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka.

The minister said the government will not tolerate any more occupying the highways and roads and mob culture in the name of pressing for the demands.

“The logical demands will be met through due process,” he said.

The minister, however, said meetings, rallies and other lawful democratic rights can be exercised.

Ahmed, also a Standing Committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said the government would transform the Bangladesh Police into a people-friendly force with regaining its lost glory.

“Police have to be people’s friends. The lost image of the police will have to be regained,” he said.

The Home Ministry will be made a corruption-free ministry, completely with ensuring accountability and transparency of all concerned. “No illegal lobby will be tolerated,” he assured.

Ahmed also vowed to bring the corrupt elements in the law enforcement agencies to justice through proper investigation.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced the sighting of the Ramazan crescent, confirming that the first fast will be observed on Wednesday.

In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia said the sighting was confirmed after verified testimonies were received by authorised moon sighting committees across the kingdom.

Following the announcement, preparations for Taraweeh prayers and fasting began nationwide, while adjustments to official and private-sector working hours were also initiated.

The UAE’s Presidential Court separately confirmed the moon sighting after approval by the country’s moon sighting committee, declaring Wednesday as the first day of Ramazan.

Authorities said arrangements for worship, Sehri and Iftar had been finalised across the country.

Qatar and Kuwait also announced that Ramadzan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, following confirmed sightings of the crescent moon.

In contrast, the crescent was not sighted on Tuesday evening in several countries across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

As a result, Ramazan will begin on Thursday, February 19, in Oman, Indonesia and Turkiye.

Governments in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan also announced that the moon was not sighted, confirming Thursday as the first fast.

Brunei and the Philippines likewise said Ramazan would begin on February 19.

In Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Iran, Tuesday marked the 28th of Shaban, making a moon sighting announcement due on Wednesday.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on Wednesday to sight the Ramazan moon in Pakistan.

According to the spokesperson for SUPARCO, there is a strong likelihood that the first fast in Pakistan will be observed on February 19, subject to moon sighting confirmation.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister on Tuesday, marking a decisive political shift in the South Asian nation after his party’s sweeping parliamentary election victory.

Rahman, 60, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and assassinated President Ziaur Rahman, takes office facing urgent challenges, including restoring political stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and reviving key industries such as the garment sector after the prolonged turmoil that followed the Gen Z‑led uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024.

An interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus ran the country through the transitional period leading up to the election.

Breaking with tradition, the swearing‑in ceremony was held under the open sky at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the national parliament building, instead of the Bangabhaban, the president’s official residence, where such events are usually organised.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin officiated as Rahman and his cabinet took their oaths in the presence of senior political figures, diplomats, civil and military officials, and representatives from invited countries, including China, India and Pakistan.

Rahman’s BNP secured a commanding two‑thirds majority, returning to power after nearly two decades. The Islamist party Jamaat‑e‑Islami, contesting its first election since a 2013 ban was lifted following Hasina’s ouster, won a record 68 seats.

Hasina’s Awami League party was banned from contesting after its registration was revoked by the Election Commission.

Jamaat and its allies — including the National Citizen Party, led by youth activists who played a prominent role in the movement that toppled Hasina — will form the opposition.

Rahman’s elevation caps a long and turbulent political journey. He returned to Bangladesh last year after 17 years of self‑imposed exile in London, arriving shortly before his mother’s death.

Rivals have long criticised his political record, pointing to corruption allegations he denies, but his return energised party supporters and reshaped the BNP’s campaign.

In his first remarks after the election, Rahman urged calm and restraint, saying: “Peace, law and order must be maintained at any cost.” He called on supporters to avoid retaliation, warning: “We will not tolerate any kind of chaos.”

The schedule for the One-Day International and Test series between the Pakistan national cricket team and the Bangladesh national cricket team has been finalised on Tuesday, sources said.

According to sources, the ODI series will consist of three matches to be played in Dhaka.

The first ODI is scheduled for March 12, the second for March 14 and the third for March 16.

Sources said that following the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League, the two sides will compete in a two-Test series.

The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be held in Dhaka from May 8 to 12, while the second Test will take place in Chattogram from May 16 to 20.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board said it will soon officially announce the final dates for both series.

The newly elected members of Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) took their oath on Tuesday, clearing the way for the formation of the new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted in Dhaka by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasiruddin.

Among those taking the oath was the nominated prime minister, Tariq Rahman, son of the late Khaleda Zia, who will formally assume office after being confirmed by the parliamentary vote.

Following the ceremony, members of parliament will exercise their right to vote for the nominated prime minister.

Tariq Rahman’s cabinet will also be sworn in later, with both local and foreign dignitaries expected to attend.

Pakistan was represented at the event by Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who also held meetings with senior Bangladeshi officials.

In the recent general election, the BNP and its allies secured a two-thirds majority in parliament, winning 212 seats.

The second-largest party, Jamaat-e-Islami, won 68 seats, while the student-backed NCP secured six seats.

In an address to the nation, outgoing interim President Mohammad Yunus praised voters and political parties for upholding democratic norms and congratulated Tariq Rahman on his party’s decisive victory.

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal will attend the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh, scheduled to be held in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The minister will represent Pakistan as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will not be able to attend the ceremony due to a prior overseas engagement, according to a Foreign Office statement.

Pakistan’s participation in the ceremony reflects its support for Bangladesh’s democratic process and underscores its commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, it added.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have extended their felicitations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on securing a landslide majority in the national elections and receiving the mandate to form the next government.

Both dignitaries expressed a desire to work towards strengthening “brotherly, multifaceted bilateral relations”.

The BNP won a decisive two-thirds majority on Friday in general elections, a result expected to bring stability after months of tumult following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-led uprising.

Latest counts in an election seen as the South Asian nation’s first truly competitive in years gave the BNP and its allies at least 212 of the 299 seats up for grabs, domestic TV channels said.

The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 70 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation.

In a statement, President Zardari congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the polls across 299 seats with the participation of over 127 million registered voters.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and democratic aspirations of Bangladesh, the president said Pakistan looks forward to working with the new government to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, cultural exchanges and regional forums.

President said the elections in Bangladesh mark an opportunity for South Asia to move beyond past phases in which regional cooperation, including within SAARC, was held hostage by India who continues to paralyse the great forum that was born in Bangladesh in 1985.

He expressed the hope that the new political environment in Dhaka would contribute to more balanced, independent and mutually respectful engagement across the region.

The president conveyed his best wishes for the continued stability, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh.

In a post on X handle, PM Shehbaz also congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the elections.

The PM said he looks forward to working closely with the new Bangladesh leadership to further strengthen the historic, brotherly, multifaceted bilateral relations and advance their shared goals of peace, stability, and development in South Asia and beyond.

Bangladesh’s opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a landslide parliamentary election on Friday, returning to power after nearly two decades and positioning party leader Tarique Rahman to become prime minister as the country emerges from months of unrest and economic disruption.

Rahman, the son of former premier Khaleda Zia, who returned to Dhaka in December after nearly two decades abroad, faces immediate challenges in restoring political stability, reviving investor confidence and rebuilding key industries - including the garment sector - after prolonged turmoil that followed the collapse of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government last year.

The latest counts in a vote viewed as the South Asian nation’s first truly competitive election in years gave the BNP and its allies at least 212 of the 299 seats up for grabs, local TV channels said. The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 70 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation.

The Election Commission put the BNP at 181 seats, the Jamaat-e-Islami at 61 and others at 7, with full official results expected in the next few hours.

Results in several seats are still being processed, and the full result is expected within hours, the commission said, though the gazette notification will take a few more days, which could delay the swearing-in of the new government.

Under the constitution, the new government cannot be sworn in unless the gazette notification reporting the results is released.

The BNP thanked its supporters soon after election trends became clear and called for special prayers on Friday for the nation and its people.

“Despite winning … by a large margin of votes, no celebratory procession or rally shall be organised,” the party said in a statement.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), led by youth activists who played a key role in toppling Hasina, won just five of the 30 seats that it contested. The NCP was part of the Jamaat-led alliance.

A clear outcome had been viewed as key for stability in the Muslim-majority nation of 175 million after months of deadly anti-Hasina unrest disrupted everyday life and industries, including garment manufacturing. Bangladesh is the No. 2 exporter of garments in the world.

“A strong majority gives the BNP the parliamentary strength to pass reforms efficiently and avoid legislative paralysis. That alone can create short-term political stability,” said Selim Raihan, an economics professor at the University of Dhaka.

In its manifesto, the BNP promised to prioritise job creation, protect low-income and marginal households and ensure fair prices to farmers.

“If the factories run regularly and we get our wages on time, that’s what matters to us. I just want the BNP government to bring back stability so more orders come to Bangladesh and we can survive,” Josna Begum, 28, a garment worker and mother of two.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the US ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T.Christensen, were among the first to congratulate Rahman on his party’s victory.

BNP supporters celebrate overnight

The Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami conceded defeat late on Thursday night once trends became clear, but said in a statement on Friday that it was “not satisfied” with the process and asked its followers to remain patient.

The party won its highest-ever tally of 70 seats in Parliament, contesting for the first time since it was banned in 2013 after its registration was cancelled. A court in Bangladesh said the party’s constitution went against secularism. The ban was lifted after Hasina’s ouster.

Now in exile in New Delhi, Hasina long dominated Bangladesh politics along with Rahman’s mother, while his father was a leading independence figure who ruled from 1977 until 1981 before he was assassinated.

The BNP’s win with more than 200 seats is one of its biggest, surpassing its 2001 victory with 193, although Hasina’s Awami League, which ruled for 15 years and was barred from contesting this time, secured a bigger tally of 230 in 2008.

But elections of other years were boycotted by one of the main parties or were contentious.

Overnight, throngs of supporters cheered and shouted slogans at the BNP headquarters in Dhaka as the scale of the party’s landslide became clear.

Turnout exceeded the 42% of the last election in 2024, with media reports saying nearly 60% of registered voters participated in the election on Thursday.

More than 2,000 candidates, many independents among them, were on the ballot, which featured a record number of at least 50 parties. Voting in one constituency was postponed after a candidate died.

Broadcaster Jamuna TV said more than 2 million voters chose “Yes” while more than 850,000 said “No” in a referendum on constitutional reforms held alongside the election, but there was no official word on the outcome.

The changes include two-term limits for prime ministers and stronger judicial independence and women’s representation, while providing for neutral interim governments during election periods and setting up a second house of the 300-seat parliament.