Interim Govt to Issue Travel Pass for Tarique Rahman: Foreign Adviser

Interim Government Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain announced that a travel pass will be issued "within a day" if BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman expresses a desire to return to Bangladesh.

The adviser made the comments on Sunday (November 29) afternoon while speaking at a session titled ‘Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy: Determining a relevant role in a changing world’, organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Press Club.

Tarique Rahman's Return, Touhid Hossain stated that the government is currently unaware of Tarique Rahman’s official status in London. He deemed it "unusual" for other countries to prevent a citizen from returning to their home country. The government is prepared to facilitate his return if requested.

The adviser acknowledged that India is taking time to adapt to the recent political change in Bangladesh following the July mass uprising. He expressed hope that the working relationship between the two neighboring countries will be normalized soon.

Touhid Hossain asserted that Dhaka-Delhi relations will "not be stuck" even if India does not facilitate the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (who is reportedly in India).

Bangladesh's expectation is for her to be released as soon as she is legally punished, suggesting an expectation of due legal process.The adviser confirmed that former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was in India.

However, he stated that the government did not have any official information or discussion regarding his potential return.