Govt to cancel diplomatic passports of Hasina, former ministers, MPs
The home affairs adviser is expected to give the final approval in this regard tomorrow (22 August)
The government has decided to revoke all "red" diplomatic passports including that of the former prime minister, ministers, members of parliament (MPs) and officials who have been terminated and sent on forced retirement.
Wishing not to be named, a home ministry official told The Business Standard that the Directorate of Passports has been verbally instructed to cancel all "red" official passports.
He said while the policy decision has already been signed at the secretary level, the home affairs adviser is expected to give the final approval today.
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The red passport is issued to Bangladeshi diplomats, top ranking government officials and diplomatic couriers. Unlike ordinary passport holders, diplomatic passport holders get visa free entry to many more countries, according to the passport department. In addition to members of parliament, their family members also receive diplomatic (red) passports.
In the face of a mass uprising against her government, Sheikh Hasina fled the country and took refuge in India on 5 August.
A day after Sheikh Hasina's fall, President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the 12th Parliament on 6 August.
Subsequently, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Professor Mohammad Yunus was formed on 8 August.
