The Department of Immigration and Passports has suspended the passport applications of former Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and her husband Syed Ishtiaq Hossain, sources said on Sunday (Nov 17).

Dhaka Divisional Passport Office Deputy Director Ismail Hossain confirmed the development.

He said, "There is no progress regarding Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury’s passport application. For further information, one must contact the department's headquarters."

On November 5, reports surfaced alleging that Shirin Sharmin had applied for a passport under special privileges despite being in hiding. The report claimed that she, despite being an accused in a murder case, managed to complete the biometric process, including fingerprints, photos, and iris scans, facilitated by certain officials of the passport department.

Allegations have also emerged that many other political leaders, accused in various cases, have been issued passports through unethical means without completing formal procedures at the passport office.

On August 22, the interim government canceled all diplomatic (red) passports allocated to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ministers, advisers, and members of parliament.

BDST: 1735 HRS, NOV 17, 2024
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