The interim government and the Bangladesh mission in the United Kingdom have no information about BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s intention to return to Dhaka, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said on Sunday.
“If Tarique Zia does not have a passport or if his passport has expired, and he wants to return, we can issue a one-time travel pass,” he said at an event titled “Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy: Charting a Relevant Role in a Changing World” at the National Press Club.
“It will take just one day. If he applies today, it can be issued tomorrow, and he can fly the next day—no problem.”
Referring to Tarique Rahman’s recent Facebook post, he added, “What I can say is that there is no restriction from the Bangladesh government.”
On Saturday, the BNP acting chairman wrote on Facebook that he wished to be beside his mother during this “period of crisis,” but said he did not have the “unrestricted freedom” to make personal decisions. He declined to elaborate, citing the sensitivity of the matter.
Asked whether any foreign government was preventing Tarique from returning, Touhid Hossain said, “We have no knowledge of that. It would be unusual for any country to stop someone from going back to their own country. If Bangladesh allows its citizen to return, how can another country restrict it? As I have no information, I don’t want to comment further.”
Fair election not dependent on Tarique’s return
The adviser dismissed the notion that Tarique Rahman’s absence would affect election credibility.
“A fair election depends on many factors—law and order, the effectiveness of the Election Commission, and other issues. I don’t think one individual’s presence in Dhaka will determine the fairness of the election,” he said.
Khaleda Zia’s medical condition
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia remains seriously ill and is currently unfit to travel abroad, Touhid Hossain noted.
“If her condition improves, she will be taken abroad, and the party is making the necessary arrangements. We are also extending required support,” he said.
AL’s participation in election
Awami League will not take part in the upcoming national election as its political activities remain banned.
“There are rumours that the party may participate in another format or through another platform. We will know in time,” the adviser said, adding that the ban on AL activities is “more or less accepted by society.”
Extradition of Asaduzzaman Khan
Responding to comments made in a Facebook post by the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, which suggested India might send back former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the adviser said, “We do not have any official information. We know he is in India, but we have not received any written confirmation from Delhi about sending him back.”
Asked whether there was a lack of coordination between the Foreign Ministry and the Chief Adviser’s Office, he said such overlaps happen even in “mature democracies” and are not a cause for concern.
NSA-level talks with India
National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has shared some information with the Foreign Adviser about his meeting with Indian NSA Ajit Doval.
“He shared some details, but I cannot disclose them unless he makes them public,” Touhid Hossain said.
