Dhaka: The government is continuing diplomatic and legal initiatives to bring Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh, according to the meeting of a parliamentary committee. The government's stance over the repatriation of Sheikh Hasina was raised in the second meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. The meeting was held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with its Chairman Jahrat Adib Chowdhury in the chair, said a press release.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the committee discussed the government's efforts to repatriate Sheikh Hasina and emphasized the importance of maintaining balanced foreign policies that prioritize Bangladesh's national interests. The meeting highlighted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's focus on the 'Bangladesh First' policy. Additionally, the committee reviewed a report on illegal migration and human trafficking, identifying systemic weaknesses in the process of sending workers abroad. It stressed the need for proper authentication of migrant workers' documentation and recommended enhancing coordination between relevant ministries to ensure verified workers are sent abroad through appropriate channels.
The committee also noted the introduction of a Migration Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to safeguard expatriate workers' interests. Recommendations were made to increase grassroots awareness about legal migration processes to protect potential migrants from fraudulent brokers. The meeting further reviewed progress on the Rohingya crisis, expressing optimism about an upcoming visit to Rohingya camps in October.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, along with other committee members, attended the meeting. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir was also present by special invitation, alongside the Foreign Secretary and senior officials from the Ministry and the Parliamentary Secretariat.