Adviser Touhid Denies Reports of Giving Up Diplomatic Passport

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday dismissed reports claiming that he had surrendered his diplomatic passport, describing the information as incorrect.

Addressing reporters, Touhid said neither he nor his wife had given up their diplomatic passports and termed such claims as misinformation. “My passport is with me. It would be highly unusual for a foreign adviser or any minister to surrender a diplomatic passport while still in office,” he said.

He, however, acknowledged that some advisers have opted to obtain new passports to ease visa processing, citing practical travel-related considerations. Touhid did not specify who had taken the new passports.

In Bangladesh, diplomatic, commonly known as red passports, are issued to top state officials, diplomats and, depending on policy, certain high-ranking public representatives and their dependents. Holders include the president, prime minister—now the chief adviser—speaker, chief justice, members of the Council of Advisers, diplomats and senior civil servants.

Officials who surrender diplomatic passports are issued ordinary green passports.

Touhid made the remarks after attending the closing session of a training programme on election reporting, where several speakers highlighted the role of responsible journalism in democratic processes.