Salahuddin Ahmed, one of the government’s most influential ministers, has become the centre of a growing political mystery after quietly leaving the country on 13 May without the usual official disclosures.
While ministers frequently travel abroad on official and personal visits, this time the silence has been striking.
No press release was issued by the home ministry. Neither the minister’s office nor his personal staff are willing to clearly explain where he went or why.
The unusual secrecy has triggered intense speculation within political circles and on social media.
Confusion has deepened further due to contradictory accounts from government officials and the minister’s aides.
Some officials say Salahuddin Ahmed travelled to Singapore for medical treatment. Others insist he is currently in London for personal and family reasons and is expected to return on the morning of 18 May.
Under government rules, ministers and state ministers require an official government order (GO) before traveling abroad. Confirming that such approval exists, Home Ministry Deputy Secretary (Administration-6) Mohammad Shariful Islam told TIMES, “I can only say that a GO has been issued. It is not possible for me to say anything more than that.”
A copy of the GO obtained by TIMES states that the minister is traveling to the UK on a family trip.
ATM Shaheen Ahmed, special superintendent of police (Immigration) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, confirmed that the home minister left Bangladesh on the morning of 13 May. However, when asked about his destination and purpose, the police officer said he did not know.
A personal aide to the minister later claimed that Salahuddin Ahmed first travelled to Singapore for treatment before flying to London, where his daughter lives.
TIMES repeatedly tried to contact Salahuddin by phone, but he did not respond to the calls.
The visit has drawn additional attention because President Mohammad Shahabuddin is also currently in London for medical treatment.
The overlapping presence of two top state figures fuelled rumours online that a secret meeting between the President and the Home Minister had been arranged through a dinner hosted by the Bangladesh High Commission in London.
However, a diplomat at the Bangladesh High Commission denied the claim, saying the dinner was organised solely in honour of the president and that the home minister was not present. The diplomat further stated that the High Commission was not officially aware that Salahuddin Ahmed was in London at all.
When asked directly by TIMES, President Mohammad Shahabuddin himself denied meeting the home minister during his stay in London.
Incidentally, the president is also scheduled to return home on Monday, May 18, although officials say there is no possibility of the two returning on the same flight.
