Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday said the government can issue a ‘one-time’ travel pass within a day, facilitating BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to home if he wishes to come back home.

“If he (Tarique) says today that he wants to return, we can provide the pass tomorrow and he can catch the plane the day after tomorrow. There is no problem,” Adviser Hossain said while responding to a question during ‘DCAB Talk’ at the Jatiya Press Club.

The Adviser said this is a kind of ‘one-time’ pass which is usually issued if anyone does not have the passport or the passport expires. “It’s for once. It takes only one day to issue such a pass.” 

Adviser Hossain said there are no restrictions from the government side.

Referring to BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s health condition, he said she is not in a position at this moment that allows her travelling abroad for further treatment.

If her health improves to some extent, she will be taken abroad and the party is making arrangements to this end. “We are assisting.” 

 Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the ‘DCAB Talk’ titled ‘Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy: Charting a Relevant Role in a Changing World’. DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Md Arifuzzaman Manun also spoke at the event.

The health condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia remains unchanged, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Sunday.

Urging all to continue praying for the recovery of his critically ill mother, Khaleda Zia, Tarique said although he strongly wishes to return home and to be at her side, he is unable to do so freely because of the current political realities.

No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt

“In such a moment of crisis, I too strongly long for my mother’s affectionate touch, just like any child. But unlike others, I do not have the unrestricted freedom or sole authority to make that happen. There is also little scope to describe this sensitive matter in detail. Our family remains hopeful that once the political situation reaches the expected stage, my long and anxious wait to return to my homeland will finally come to an end,” he said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Nov 29).

'Political realities prevent my return', says Tarique as he seeks prayers for Khaleda

Tarique expressed the hope that once the political situation allows, his long wait to return home will finally come to an end.

“Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia is severely ill and in a critical condition under intensive care at the hospital. Citizens from all sections of the country, regardless of political affiliation, have been sincerely continuing their prayers for her recovery,” he said.

The interim government on Saturday said there is no restriction or objection regarding BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s return to the country.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam made it clear when he was asked whether there is any restriction or objection from the government regarding Tarique's return to Bangladesh.

He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has already expressed deep concern about the physical condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and has sought doa for her from the people of the country.

At the weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers, prayers and doa were offered for the speedy recovery of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

Religious Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the munajat.