Dhaka:The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested the ministry to provide a comprehensive report on the recent execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia. The committee aims to be informed about the measures taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the committee has directed the ministry to investigate any negligence by consular officials and to disclose any actions taken if lapses are discovered. These directives were issued during the committee's third meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, MP.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported to the committee that it had already sought detailed information from Saudi authorities concerning the executions. The committee requested a prompt briefing on the full details once the information is received. Additionally, the committee recommended that the ministry submit a modernization plan to enhance the services provided by Bangladesh missions in Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed the activities and staffing of Bangladesh missions in Saudi Arabia, as outlined in a press release by the parliament secretariat. The foreign ministry also presented an overview of Bangladesh-Saudi relations, covering topics such as bilateral trade, employment, remittances, and Hajj operations. The committee also advised the ministry to take steps to protect Bangladeshi female workers in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.
Furthermore, the committee approved the minutes of its previous meeting and assessed the progress of its decisions. The chairperson extended gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its assistance in Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad's leadership roles at the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly and her election to the IPU Executive Committee. The chairperson also thanked the ministry for logistical support during the committee's visit to Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar. The meeting was attended by committee members and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, along with senior ministry officials.