Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday said the government has not received any concrete indication regarding BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, noting that he has not applied for a travel pass.
“Travel passes are issued upon request. As far as I know, he has not applied for one yet,” Hossain told reporters while leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Asked whether Tarique currently holds a valid passport, the adviser said he had no information on the matter. “I can’t say anything about that,” he added.
Hossain also commented on the health condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, saying preparations have been made for her possible medical treatment abroad, but decisions will depend on her doctors as well as her family and party.
On Sunday, the adviser stated that the government can issue a one-time travel pass for Tarique Rahman within a day if he wishes to return.
“If he says today that he wants to come back, we can issue the pass tomorrow, and he can fly the following day. There is no obstacle,” he said during a DCAB Talk at the Jatiya Press Club.
He explained that such a one-time pass is typically granted to individuals without a valid passport or whose passports have expired, and the process takes only one day.
Hossain reiterated that the government has placed no restrictions on Tarique’s return.
Regarding Khaleda Zia, he said her current health condition does not permit travel abroad. If her condition improves, arrangements will be made to take her overseas for further treatment and the government is cooperating in this process.
SH
