Government to repeal red passports of Hasina, former ministers and MPs

The government is going to repeal all diplomatic (red) passports issued in the name of all former ministers and lawmakers, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Since there is no active parliament and no current ministers or MPs, their passports are going to be cancelled, said Ali Reza Siddiqui, Additional Secretary (Security and Immigration Division) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, on Wednesday night.

The Passport Department has been instructed to proceed, and a notification will be issued soon, he said.

Following the formation of a new government, ministers and MPs are issued red passports. Advisors to the Prime Minister, secretaries, and officials of secretary rank also receive these passports.

Additionally, officials of constitutional institutions, Bangladeshi missions abroad, and vice chancellors of public universities also receive red passports.

Ali Reza Siddiqui could not specify the current number of red passports in existence.

Earlier on August 5, the Sheikh Hasina government fell due to an uprising led by students and the public.

A day later, on August 6, the President dissolved the parliament, paving the way for an interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus to be formed on August 8.