Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Zafer Bin Abiyah paid a courtesy call on Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury in his office at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh Secretariat, on Thursday.
During the meeting, discussions were held on various matters of mutual interest, including the progress of providing Bangladeshi passports to the 69,000 Rohingyas (displaced Myanmar nationals) residing in Saudi Arabia, increasing manpower export and mutual trade and commerce, preparations for Bangladesh’s national election, and an invitation for Bangladesh’s participation in the ‘World Defense Show’ to be held in Saudi Arabia, according to a press release.
At the beginning of the meeting, welcoming the Ambassador, the adviser said that Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia are close friendly countries. He said that Saudi Arabia holds a special place in the hearts of the Bangladeshi people. It is deeply seated in the hearts of Bangladeshis not only as the holy land of the Islamic religion but also as the second home for our more than 3.2 million expatriate workers.
He further said that the contributions of expatriates in Saudi Arabia continue to play a significant role in Bangladesh’s economy. At this time, the adviser requested the ambassador to import manpower from Bangladesh at an even higher rate. He expressed optimism that through this, the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will be further strengthened.
The ambassador inquired about the progress of providing Bangladeshi passports to the 69,000 Rohingyas (displaced Myanmar nationals) residing in Saudi Arabia. The adviser said that sufficient progress has been made in this regard.
The Bangladesh Mission in Saudi Arabia and the Department of Immigration and Passports of Bangladesh are working on this matter full swing. Several special teams have also been sent from the Ministry of Home Affairs to expedite it. However, the attendance rate for passport enrollment is much lower compared to the applications received at the mission. He said that the Saudi Interior Minister has already been informed about this matter.
When the ambassador inquired about the preparations for the national election, the adviser said that the main responsibility for conducting the election lies with the Election Commission. And the main responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs is to keep the law-and-order situation under control during the national election.
He said that for the first time on the occasion of the national election, various law enforcement agencies have been given training. A circular regarding the deployment of law enforcement agencies for the election has also been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Drives to recover illegal and looted weapons have been intensified. Regular operations by law enforcement agencies, including “Devil Hunt Phase-2”, are ongoing.
The ambassador invited the adviser to participate in the World Defense Show to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 8 to14 February 2026 and handed over an invitation letter from the Saudi Interior Minister to the adviser regarding this.
The adviser expressed his inability to participate in this event due to the 13th National Parliamentary Election of Bangladesh scheduled for 12 February 2026 and assured that suitable representatives would be sent.
Among others present at the meeting were additional secretary of the Immigration Wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs Faisal Ahmed, Joint Secretary of the Political-1 Branch Md Jasim Uddin Khan, and others.
