Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Faruk Khan has termed the Bangladeshi-American professionals the prime movers in shaping the relationship between the two countries. He made the remarks while exchanging views with Bangladeshi-American professionals from the greater Washington DC area on Saturday. The Parliamentary delegation members sought their active participation to further bolster relations between Dhaka and Washington. Also read: Launch cyber battle against anti-Bangladesh propaganda: Faruk KhanThe professionals which included academics and intellectuals in their remarks put forward various suggestions to further advance Dhaka-Washington ties and cooperation, according to a message received from Washington on Sunday.Faruk Khan put emphasis on holding such meetings regularly and also sought the advices of the Bangladeshi-American professionals for further development of the country.Other members of the delegation Nurul Islam Nahid, Nahim Razzaq and Kazi Nabil Ahmed also spoke at the meeting.Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Shahidul Islam briefed about the steps of the Embassy for further expanding ties and cooperation between Dhaka and Washington. Officials of the Embassy were present on the occasion. Also read: Bangladesh wants fair prices for its products in European marketThe delegation is scheduled to leave Washington for Dhaka tomorrow morning wrapping up their five-day visit to the USA.

Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Muhammad Faruk Khan has called upon the expatriate leaders and activists of the party to launch a cyberbattle against BNP-Jamaat's anti-Bangladesh propaganda in a coordinated way. Faruk Khan, also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the BNP-Jamaat nexus is carrying out propaganda, spreading rumours and telling lies against Bangladesh by using digital platform. He said most of the anti-Bangladesh campaigns are being conducted from abroad not from inside of the country. Faruk Khan was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting at a hotel in Virginia on Friday night. Maryland State, Metro Washington and Virginia State units of Awami League jointly organised the meeting on the occasion of the Homecoming Day of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Faruk Khan, MP, is leading a parliamentary delegation to the United States. Other members of the team are Nurul Islam Nahid, Nahim Razzaq, and Kazi Nabil Ahmed, according to Bangladesh Embassy in Washington D.C. Read: 'Secret Documents' on Bangabandhu: International editions launched at London Book Fair AL Presidium Member and Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nurul Islam Nahid was the main speaker at the discussion chaired by President of US chapter AL Dr Siddikur Rahman. Faruk Khan referred to the outstanding contributions of the expatriate Bangladeshis to the country's development and said they are brightening the country's image through honesty, hard work and patriotism. He said the Awami League has made a demand to the Election Commission for voting rights of the expatriate Bangladeshis. Pointing to their talks with the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs and a number of lawmakers including Senators and Congressmen, Faruk Khan said they discussed various issues including recent sanctions on RAB and  its some current and former officials, deportation of Bangabandhu's killer Rashed Chowdhury, Rohingya crisis and resumption of Biman's Dhaka-New York direct flight. Read: Palestine Embassy in Dhaka opens condolence book for slain journalist Shireen Faruk Khan elaborated Bangladesh's tremendous development under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Nurul Islam Nahid termed the 17th May as a historic day for Bangladesh and said the homecoming of AL President Sheikh Hasina played an important role in restoring democracy and upholding the spirit of the War of Liberation alongside strengthening the party. Senior AL leaders from different states of the USA also spoke at the meeting.