The government has decided to revoke the diplomatic passports (red passports) issued to former ministers, lawmakers, and other officials, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following the dissolution of the current parliament.
"With no active parliament and no current ministers or MPs, their passports will be canceled," said Ali Reza Siddiqui, Additional Secretary (Security and Immigration Division) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement to UNB on Wednesday night.
Siddiqui confirmed that verbal instructions have already been issued to the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) to implement this decision.
Additionally, the government has ordered the cancellation of diplomatic passports for individuals who held positions equivalent to the rank of secretary under contractual agreements, many of whom have now had their contracts terminated or been sent into compulsory retirement.
"We are taking action to ensure that these passports are no longer active. If someone does not voluntarily surrender their passport, it will be deactivated," Siddiqui added.
However, Siddiqui was unable to provide the exact number of current red passport holders.
This decision comes in the wake of the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, following a student and public uprising.
