Politics · Pakistan Bureau
Bangladesh's ousted PM Hasina applies for new passport amid return speculation
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has applied for a new passport while in self-imposed exile, signalling potential plans to return to her home country. The move marks the most concrete indication yet of the deposed leader's intentions following her departure during mass protests in August.
LSN Pakistan ·
Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh in August after weeks of violent demonstrations that claimed over 600 lives, has initiated the passport renewal process through official channels, according to reports from Dhaka. The application represents a significant development in her status as an exile and raises questions about the timeline for her possible homecoming.
Hashina's departure came amid widespread civil unrest triggered by student-led protests against government job quotas, which spiralled into broader anti-government demonstrations. Her exit paved the way for an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to assume control of the nation. Since then, she has remained outside Bangladesh while political developments unfold in the country.
The passport application, if completed successfully, would provide Hasina with updated travel documentation and remove one potential administrative obstacle to her return. However, her homecoming remains fraught with political uncertainty, as questions linger about her legal status and the interim government's stance toward her potential repatriation.
Political analysts suggest that Hasina's move could be preparatory in nature, positioning her for eventual return regardless of the current political climate. The development adds another layer to Bangladesh's ongoing political transition and the unresolved questions surrounding the ousted premier's future role in the country's politics.