United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday said the government is committed to ensuring human rights for all citizens and will not allow anyone to be unjustly detained or imprisoned for political reasons, regardless of their political affiliation. “The government will definitely ensure that no one is unjustly imprisoned or detained due to political vendetta,” she said, stressing that the commitment applies to supporters of all political parties including the opposition and the Awami League which faces a ban on its activities. Shama Obaed made the remarks when a journalist drew her attention regarding a recent statement of Human Rights Watch (HRW). Bangladesh authorities should immediately take steps to end the prolonged pretrial detention of politicians and others linked to the deposed Awami League government, the New York-based rights body said on August 23. It said police detained thousands of party officials, activists, and supporters after Sheikh Hasina was forced to step down as prime minister in August 2024 following weeks of protests, and hundreds remain in prison without being charged with any crime.    Shama Obaed said Bangladesh witnessed unprecedented human rights violations over the past 17 years, with BNP leaders and activists among the worst affected. “The kind of human rights that have been violated in Bangladesh in the last 17 years has never been violated in the history of Bangladesh,” she said. “The biggest victim is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, its leaders and activists,” she added. Shama Obaed said the government does not want to see a return of what she described as the “fascist era” and wants minimum human rights to be guaranteed to every citizen. “We will never want the past fascist era to return now or in the future. We want all human rights - minimum human rights - to be ensured to every citizen,” she said. Referring to cases filed following the July-August events in 2024, the State Minister said the government has taken a position that allegations must be properly reviewed and that legal action should be based on evidence rather than political considerations. She said cases have been filed against people accused of killings as well as those responsible for ordering enforced disappearances and murders. “Many cases were filed with great enthusiasm. But the Law Ministry said that they would review those cases,” Shama Obaed said. “If they review the cases and do not find any truth in them, if there is no basis, they will take action accordingly,” she added. Shama Obaed said the government’s responsibility is to protect citizens’ rights and ensure that justice is not used as an instrument of political revenge. “Our government's stand is that we are trying to protect human rights. We are responsible to the people,” she said. She stressed that the government’s human rights commitment should extend to political opponents as well as its own supporters. “No party - be it the opposition party, Awami League, or any party - the current government will definitely ensure that no one is unjustly imprisoned or detained due to political vendetta,” Shama Obaed said. She said ensuring due process and protecting citizens from arbitrary detention would be essential to preventing a recurrence of past abuses and building public confidence in the country’s institutions. The State Minister Bangladesh’s current foreign policy is centred on protecting its own national interests while maintaining respectful and balanced relations with all countries. “Our foreign policy is first and foremost a ‘Bangladesh policy’... with equal rights with everyone and maintaining our own interests with respect,” she said. Shama Obaed expressed confidence that Bangladesh’s stronger political mandate would give it greater leverage in negotiations with international partners, including China. “When Bangladesh is talking, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is talking, then all the other stakeholders including China are listening to our words with more attention, more seriously,” she said. The State Minister said the present circumstances therefore offer Bangladesh a stronger negotiating position than before. “Now that Bangladesh is an elected government, we have a stronger position in our negotiation space,” Shama Obaed said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday said Bangladesh hopes to leverage its upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) presidency to strengthen international pressure for a political solution to the Rohingya crisis, which she said has grown increasingly complex, with security and other challenges requiring stronger global engagement. “The matter is absolutely a political problem, it is a very sensitive matter and we need to solve this problem politically,” she told reporters, stressing that the Bangladesh government is in official and unofficial communication and dialogue with all stakeholders in Myanmar to solve this problem. Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed said unfortunately the Rohingya crisis has become more intense and the government is currently trying to solve this problem. Bangladesh seeks to step up international pressure on Myanmar to find a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis and expressed hope that the country’s strengthened diplomatic position will help advance the issue. “We are trying to involve the international community more,” Shama Obaed said, pointing to an upcoming high-level UN session on the Rohingya crisis where Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to participate. The Stated Minister said Bangladesh also needs to explore whether the Muslim world can exert greater pressure on Myanmar to create momentum for resolving the crisis. Shama Obaed said an important high-level session on the Rohingya issue is expected to be held at the United Nations next September, where Bangladesh hopes to secure clearer guidelines for moving towards a solution. “First of all, I must say that when the Rohingya influx started in 2017, the fascist government that was in power at that time could not play a strong role in solving the Rohingya problem, it failed. If they could have done that properly and involved the international community, then maybe we could have moved towards solving the problem within four-five years, since it started. That did not happen,” she said. The State Minister said a new government has come in place in Myanmar and there is the Arakan Army and other stakeholders in Rakhine State. She said the internal political situation in Myanmar is also very complicated now and there are many problems along the borders - security problems, various types of crimes being heard - human smuggling, drug trafficking, etc. The State Minister said no one can say the exact number of Rohingyas now because more or less people are still coming every day and an average of 30,000 children are born there every year. “So in that case, we don't know the exact number right now, but it will definitely be over 1.3 million.” During the recent visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to China, the Chinese President said very strongly that he will try to solve this problem and will cooperate with Bangladesh, she said. On the memorandum of arrangement concerning the Rohingya issue, Shama Obaed expressed scepticism about its likely impact unless the UN and other key stakeholders become more actively involved. However, she said Bangladesh now has an additional diplomatic advantage through the position of its Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman as president of the UN General Assembly (likely from September 8). “Now the UN and other stakeholders... and we have an added benefit or a power that now the President of the UNGA is our Foreign Minister,” Shama said. She said Bangladesh should use the position more effectively to amplify its voice internationally. “From that place, we have a power to speak for Bangladesh in the international community. We think that at least in the next year, we will be able to use this capacity a little better,” she said. Shama Obaed also contrasted the current diplomatic environment with that of the previous government, accusing the then government of failing to exert sufficient pressure on China in pursuing a trilateral arrangement involving China, Bangladesh and Myanmar. “The then government was not trying, I repeat,” she said, referring to efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis through the trilateral framework. She argued that the previous government lacked the political legitimacy and strength to put effective pressure on China. Shama Obaed said Bangladesh’s current foreign policy is centred on protecting its own national interests while maintaining respectful and balanced relations with all countries.  

Amid a changing global labour market scenario, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday emphasised that “protection abroad must begin with prevention at home.” Drawing on experiences from her constituency, she expressed concern over irregular migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as well as emerging forms of recruitment fraud, including those facilitated through digital platforms. The State Minister made the remarks while speaking at a meeting titled “Renewed Government Initiative for Ensuring Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration”, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Md. Nurul Haque, and PM’s Adviser on the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin attended the meeting as special guests. She discussed the government’s renewed emphasis on strengthening migration governance by enhancing linkages between Bangladesh’s international commitments, national policies and grassroots-level realities. She stressed the importance of aligning skills and training with employment opportunities in destination countries, diversifying labour markets and expanding regular migration pathways.  

Urging the international community to shoulder the Rohingya responsibility together, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday said Bangladesh’s humanitarian generosity must not become an excuse for international inaction. “Bangladesh can provide shelter. Bangladesh can provide humanitarian assistance. Bangladesh can help preserve dignity, but Bangladesh cannot resolve the crisis that Bangladesh did not create,” she said. The State Minister made the remarks while addressing a dialogue titled “Rohingya Crisis Entering 10 Years: From Humanitarian Response to Sustainable Solutions”, as the chief guest jointly organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) and Oxfam in Bangladesh. She said resolving the protracted Rohingya crisis is a political and moral responsibility that the international community must collectively shoulder, stressing that Bangladesh cannot be left alone to bear the burden.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said Bangladesh wants to see an economic partnership with India that is "equally beneficial and brings tangible changes" to people's lives. "I am confident that the business communities of our two countries have both the vision and the capacity to make this happen. We can collectively identify practical solutions to the challenges," she said, noting that greater predictability and ease of doing business would benefit businesses in both countries. The State Minister made the remarks while speaking at a reception on Tuesday night that brought together a delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and leading members of the business community in Bangladesh for meaningful interactions aimed at advancing bilateral economic and commercial cooperation and fostering stronger business-to-business linkages between Bangladesh and India. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi hosted the reception in honour of leading Bangladeshi business leaders and members of the CII delegation. Delegation leader and CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee and Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe also spoke at the reception. High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi highlighted the shared aspirations of the youth and the development goals of both countries. He underscored the important role of businesses in translating these aspirations into opportunities, building enduring partnerships and fostering long-lasting ties between India and Bangladesh. Shama Obaed held discussions with Indian business leaders, during which they identified several issues. She said the new government has a forward-looking approach to trade and investment, which the Indian business community may explore for mutually beneficial Bangladesh-India economic cooperation. "From my side, I have assured them that we will try our best to resolve those issues, and we want more vibrant trade, investment and communication between the two countries," she said, describing the meeting as productive and fruitful. Investment important pillar The State Minister said business visas for Bangladeshis should be issued more quickly so that businesspeople can travel to India more frequently. "We want our businesses and private sectors to communicate with their counterparts in India more frequently," she said, noting that investment is an equally important pillar of the future economic relationship.  

Bangladesh and Singapore on Tuesday expressed hope for the early conclusion of the Bangladesh-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and emphasised stronger business-to-business engagement. The two countries also exchanged views on energy security, including risks to energy supplies, shipping and global supply chains, as well as climate change, water security, and illegal and irregular migration. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam met Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and its State Minister for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim separately; and discussed issues of mutual interest. She also visited the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) and met Vincent Ng, Regional CEO, Middle East, South Asia, Africa and Türkiye, PSA, and senior officials. The State Minister was briefed on PSA’s global operations and the use of automation and advanced technologies to develop efficient, sustainable and smart ports. Vincent Ng expressed PSA’s interest in participating in the Bay Terminal project in Bangladesh, noting its potential to significantly enhance Chattogram Port and Bangladesh’s trade and connectivity, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The State Minister welcomed PSA’s interest and expressed hope for enhanced cooperation in port development, logistics, technology transfer, and capacity building, in line with Bangladesh’s priorities of industrialisation, infrastructure development and connectivity. "We discussed ways to deepen cooperation, including expanding trade and strengthening our energy partnership. We are also making good progress on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, which will create more opportunities for businesses in both countries," said the Foreign Minister of Singapore. He said Singapore and Bangladesh share a longstanding partnership and close people-to-people ties. At the outset, the State Minister of Bangladesh met the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Singapore. During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the longstanding and friendly relations between Bangladesh and Singapore and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation. The discussions focused on trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The State Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s potential to diversify exports to Singapore beyond RMG, including pharmaceuticals, ceramics, agro-products, and jute and jute products, and invited greater Singaporean investment in logistics, supply chains, renewable energy and research. Both sides also discussed opportunities to deepen economic cooperation.    

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday said Bangladesh is placing strong emphasis on developing skilled manpower, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman giving special attention to technical and vocational education and training (TVET). She made the remarks during a meeting with Dinesh Vasu Dash, Singapore’s Minister of State for Manpower and Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth. Shama Obaed said Singapore, as a pioneer in skills development and capacity building, could support Bangladesh in these areas and proposed greater cooperation between the relevant agencies of the two countries, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, she highlighted the strong and long-standing relations between Bangladesh and Singapore. The state minister said the government of Bangladesh is committed to fairness, good governance and creating better opportunities for its people. She also highlighted the important role of the large Bangladeshi community in Singapore. Dinesh Vasu agreed that both countries share common interests in promoting skilled manpower. He suggested that the relevant government agencies of Bangladesh and Singapore could establish closer contact and work together. The Singaporean state minister also appreciated the contribution of Bangladeshi migrant workers to Singapore and mentioned that they are generally disciplined and responsible. In response, Shama Obaed said Bangladesh is also focusing on language proficiency for Bangladeshi expatriates and encouraging them to learn a third language. She informed that women constitute around half of Bangladesh’s population and have significant potential to work in the care and nursing sectors. The state minister proposed that Singapore could consider providing relevant training for Bangladeshi nurses who could come to Singapore as caregivers for elderly people. She also proposed cooperation between major public hospitals in Bangladesh and Singapore, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Singapore General Hospital and National University Hospital, in areas of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed the recruitment of migrant workers. Dinesh Vasu expressed concern about the costs and fees involved in the recruitment process. In response, Shama Obaed said the government of Bangladesh is determined to reduce recruitment costs and regulate and streamline recruiting agencies. She proposed that Bangladesh and Singapore could explore ways to jointly monitor recruitment practices, including the role of intermediaries and travel agencies, to make the recruitment process more transparent, accountable and affordable. Dinesh Vasu briefed Shama Obaed on Singapore’s initiatives to improve migrant workers’ accommodation. He said the government of Singapore has introduced major initiatives to upgrade migrant worker dormitories and enforce stricter housing standards. The Singaporean state minister added that their government continues to balance the demand for migrant workers with the availability of suitable accommodation. The Bangladesh state minister appreciated these initiatives and expressed gratitude to the government of Singapore for its prompt action to arrange re-employment and compensation for around 200 Bangladeshi workers who recently lost their jobs following the bankruptcy of three companies in Singapore. Dinesh Vasu encouraged migrant workers to report cases of unpaid wages to the Ministry of Manpower so that the authorities can take appropriate action and provide the necessary assistance and compensation. He also appreciated the positive role of Bangladeshi workers in Singapore’s community programmes and celebrations, noting that their participation contributes to racial and social harmony in Singapore. Shama Obaed invited Dinesh Vasu to visit Bangladesh. She said there are many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in engaging young people and building their skills. She also suggested that a Singaporean team from the relevant agencies could visit Bangladesh to explore possible areas of cooperation. Nodding positively to this proposal, Dinesh Vasu, in view of his additional portfolio as Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, expressed interest in exploring opportunities for further cooperation in these areas. The Bangladesh state minister also sought Singapore’s support for Bangladesh’s aspiration to become a Dialogue Partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). She said Bangladesh is giving greater importance to soft diplomacy, particularly cultural and sports diplomacy. Shama Obaed informed that the government of Bangladesh has allocated a budget for the creative economy in the current fiscal year. She also proposed establishing a youth centre in either Dhaka or Singapore to facilitate the exchange of innovative ideas and promote cooperation among young people. The state minister further highlighted Bangladesh’s focus on joint ventures, investment and entrepreneurship. She said Bangladesh is working to create a more investment-friendly environment and provide a hassle-free business environment through measures such as one-stop services. She also highlighted the importance of ensuring a secure and safe environment for investors. In this connection, Dinesh Vasu mentioned the presence of Singaporean businesses in Bangladesh, referring to the Singapore-based restaurant chain named “Fish & Co”, which recently opened in Dhaka. Shama Obaed also highlighted the importance of cultural and economic diplomacy and greater people-to-people engagement between Bangladesh and Singapore. She said Bangladesh is keen to expand cooperation in these areas and create new opportunities for both countries. Both sides expressed their readiness to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of skilled manpower, vocational training, migrant worker welfare, youth development, investment, culture and people-to-people connectivity.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has emphasised the importance of economic diplomacy in expanding trade and attracting investment, saying the government has been working to create a more investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh. "Bangladesh is open for investment from all over the globe," she said, encouraging Bangladeshi businesspeople abroad to explore investment opportunities in the country. Shama Obaed said Singapore, as a major global business hub, had significant potential to invest in Bangladesh and contribute to employment generation. The State Minister made the remarks while exchanging views with Bangladeshi businesspeople and professionals in Singapore on Monday. The event was organised by the Bangladesh Chamber of Singapore. Members of the Bangladesh business community, professionals and migrant workers attended the event, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the outset, businesspeople and entrepreneurs from the Chamber briefed the State Minister on their ongoing businesses, opportunities and challenges. They also focused on expanding trade, commerce and investment opportunities, promoting skilled and unskilled migration, and further strengthening Bangladesh-Singapore economic relations. The President of the Bangladesh Business Chamber of Singapore briefed the State Minister on the organisation's activities. He highlighted the Chamber's role in promoting business relations and facilitating exchanges and visits between Bangladesh and Singapore. The State Minister informed the participants that the Cabinet had recently approved a bill related to investment in Bangladesh. She said a separate wing had been created in the Foreign Ministry to coordinate with relevant stakeholders in the government and private sectors to resolve issues related to manpower migration, trade, commerce and investment. Shama Obaed mentioned initiatives in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, technology, pharmaceuticals, ICT, education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). She said Bangladesh has a trade deficit with Singapore and stressed the need to diversify exports to the country. The State Minister also emphasised the importance of research, innovation and appropriate policy support for developing new export sectors. Referring to the jute sector, she said jute and jute-based products could be lucrative commodities to trade in a market like Singapore. She also urged the establishment of a joint Bangladesh-Singapore Chamber comprising businesspeople, entrepreneurs and investors from both countries. She said the joint chamber could play a crucial role in promoting trade and investment and further expanding business cooperation between Bangladesh and Singapore. Members of the business community shared a number of proposals, identifying data centres as a potential area for investment in Bangladesh. They also highlighted the potential benefits of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Singapore. The business representatives said Bangladeshi companies in the steel, shipbuilding and ship recycling sectors could benefit from duty-free access to the Singapore market under an FTA. They proposed organising roadshows to showcase Bangladeshi products in Singapore. They also suggested establishing a one-stop service for Singaporean investors, simplifying the process of opening bank accounts, organising business workshops and arranging trade fairs. Representatives from a wide range of professions also attended the session. They included doctors, engineers, shipbuilding workers, service sector employees, logistics and transport workers, construction workers and IT professionals. The participants identified elderly caregiving as a promising sector for future employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Singapore. They suggested that a bilateral agreement could help develop cooperation in this area. They also proposed arranging some treatment in Bangladesh at a much lower cost than in Singapore and initiating cooperation between hospitals in Bangladesh and Singapore under a government-to-government (G2G) framework. The participants raised concerns about the high costs faced by aspiring migrant workers, saying exploitation by some recruiting agencies was responsible for the high migration costs in Singapore. They suggested engaging former migrant workers as trainers at training centres in Bangladesh and introducing affordable training courses for work permit holders in Singapore. The State Minister assured them that the government has been working to bring the recruitment process under a transparent system to reduce exploitation and migration costs. The participants also called for diversification of Bangladesh's overseas employment market. They suggested reducing dependence on traditional sectors such as construction and logistics and exploring areas such as IT, data analysis, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. They said Singapore's service sectors offer significant opportunities for skilled foreign professionals. Responding to the proposals, the State Minister said the government is reviewing opportunities in the TVET sector. She said the government is continuing discussions with relevant ministries and stakeholders to expand employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers. The two interaction sessions provided a platform for direct engagement with the business community and Bangladeshi professionals, including migrant workers, in Singapore. The discussions focused on expanding investment and trade, increasing skilled employment opportunities, improving migration governance and further strengthening the economic partnership between Bangladesh and Singapore. Following the discussions, the State Minister requested the participants to formally submit their proposals in writing so that appropriate measures could be taken involving relevant ministries and government organisations to address the challenges. She assured that the government is committed to working for the betterment of expatriate Bangladeshis living around the world, including Singapore.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said India needs to decide whether it will continue to allow convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders to carry out what she described as conspiratorial activities from Indian territory. "If the autocratic, fascist, convicted Awami League leaders and the head of the Awami League, sitting on Indian soil, continue to carry out such conspiratorial activities, and if the Indian government does not stop it right now, then it will certainly create a cause for concern for the people of Bangladesh," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the evening. The State Minister said discussions between the two countries would continue while urging India to be more sensitive to the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. "India needs to be more sensitive in that area and take a very intelligent decision about what it wants to do in the future," she said. The State Minister accused the Awami League (whose activities are currently banned) of attempting to revive what she described as an old political narrative linking Bangladesh to extremism. "This theory of militancy is the old dirty politics of the Awami League. They are now trying to do it again on foreign soil. Whether India will allow it or not... it is up to the Indian government to decide," she said, stressing that the AL is doing this to gain international attention. Shama expressed hope for healthy bilateral ties based on equality and mutual respect. "India is a democratic country. India itself has to decide what its foreign policy regarding Bangladesh will be. We want good relations, in the interest of the people of both countries. But the relationship has to be based on equality, with mutual respect and dignity. If India understands that, it will be good for everyone," Shama Obaed said. Rejecting allegations of militancy in Bangladesh, she said the country has an elected government supported by the people and that such claims have no credibility either domestically or internationally. She also criticised the Awami League's record on democracy and human rights. Shama Obaed said Bangladesh wants stronger relations with India but urged New Delhi to make its position clear over the activities of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders from Indian soil, warning that the issue could affect bilateral ties. She said Bangladesh has already conveyed its concerns through an official statement and stressed that India now needs to decide what kind of relationship it seeks with Bangladesh. "You have seen our statement. In the statement, we have said and tried to convey as much as a country can in diplomatic language. And before that, we have repeatedly said that India's position should be clear about what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh," the State Minister said. Referring to Sheikh Hasina, Shama Obaed said, "When a convicted criminal sits on Indian soil and says such things, and the Indian government allows it, then, of course, there is concern for Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh about where our relationship will stand in the future." "Now, when we hear democracy from the mouth of the Awami League, when we hear human rights from the mouth of the Awami League, it becomes a very ridiculous thing," she said, referring to allegations of enforced disappearances and killings during the party's rule. Shama Obaed said the people of Bangladesh remain united against any return of what she termed fascism. Despite the concerns, the State Minister reiterated that Dhaka wants constructive engagement with New Delhi, noting that the two neighbours have a wide range of bilateral issues requiring continued dialogue. "We want our relations... because we have many issues with India, many bilateral issues—water, energy, and the border—that need to be resolved through discussion and dialogue," she said. Shama Obaed, however, emphasised that Bangladesh's relationship with India extends far beyond the current dispute. "A country has many aspects to its relationship with another country. We need to have a lot of dialogue with them, and we need to hold discussions. We have cooperation on energy, we have a major issue with them over water, and there are issues on the border - these have to be resolved through discussions," she said. On Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible participation in the BRICS Summit, the State Minister said the country remains interested in the grouping while noting that any decision on the Prime Minister's attendance at a future summit would depend on his schedule. "Bangladesh is currently chairing BIMSTEC. BRICS is a multilateral organisation in which Bangladesh is definitely interested in participating. Whether the Prime Minister will participate in it or not... that decision will have to be taken by him according to his schedule," she said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said exactly 626 Bangladeshis, not 5,000, have experienced "auto-cancellation" of their visas so far, and the government is closely working with the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their visa renewals. “Recent news reports claiming that 5,000 Bangladeshis have had their visas cancelled in the UAE are inaccurate. According to official data, exactly 626 Bangladeshis have experienced "auto-cancellation" of their visas so far,” she told reporters at a joint briefing with State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier, they had an inter-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Shama Obaed said the situation is not specific to Bangladesh and  citizens of other countries including Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines have also faced visa cancellations for various reasons. “Out of the 626 affected Bangladeshis, details of 417 individuals have already been submitted to the UAE government for visa renewals. Information for the remaining individuals is being processed and forwarded systematically,” she said. If visas were cancelled due to job termination, the respective employers bear certain responsibilities, said the state minister. The Bangladeshi Embassy in the UAE is directly coordinating with these companies to find viable solutions, she added. “We hope we will get a positive result,” said the State Minister, encouraging the media to report based on verified facts. Shama Obaed said expatriates must strictly respect and follow the laws of their host country and refrain from engaging in unlawful activities or posting sensitive or political content on social media platforms. “We want to send out a message - please refrain from engaging in unlawful activities.” Many migrant workers go abroad after making immense financial sacrifices, and when individuals submit fraudulent or forged documents, it harms the country's reputation and creates hurdles for those attempting to travel legally, she said. Shama Obaed said the government will consider amendments, if required, to the relevant law to enforce stricter measures against document forgery. Migration costs from Bangladesh remain significantly higher than those from neighboring countries like Nepal. The government has initiated active measures to reduce migration expenses and protect workers from fraudulent middlemen networks. For the first time in history, Shama Obaed said, a dedicated 'Migration and NRB Affairs Wing' has been established within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to curb illegal migration and human trafficking.