Staff Correspondent

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday said the government is in touch with the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and expressed hope that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed would be brought back to Bangladesh soon.

“Communication between the two sides is underway and the required documents have been exchanged. They (the UAE) wanted some specific information which was provided accordingly,” she told reporters after attending a programme in the city.

The State Minister said the UAE is taking steps in accordance with its laws, and the Bangladesh government will take the next step through due process.

Earlier, she spoke at an event where Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury attended as the chief guest.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said the government is initiating the process of bringing back former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Home Ministry has started the necessary process, and discussions are ongoing, he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to a question about media reports that Benazir had been released on bail in the UAE.

“If there is progress, you will be informed by the Home Ministry or our Foreign Ministry. You will get an update from the Home Ministry. I have just come from the meeting. It would not be right to talk about something that I am not fully aware of yet,” the adviser said.

Several media outlets have reported that Benazir Ahmed has been released on bail in the UAE.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed was arrested in Dubai by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) police in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Bangladesh.

On June 14, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the development in Parliament.

He said the UAE authorities informed the Bangladesh government of the arrest on June 12.

“We will bring him back to Bangladesh soon,” the minister said, describing it as a major success for Bangladesh Police.

In April 2025, Interpol issued a red notice against the former police chief.

The government of Bangladesh, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), officially launched the National Action Plan (NAP) 2026–2030 for implementing the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Dhaka.

The development of the NAP was supported by the European Union through the EU-funded Prottasha II project, implemented by IOM.

The event also included a debriefing on the outcomes of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026, highlighting Bangladesh’s leadership and contributions to the global migration agenda.

The National Action Plan was approved by the Cabinet on May 21, 2026.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque, Adviser to the Prime Minister Mahdi Amin, and Deputy Director General for Operations of the International Organization for Migration Ugochi Daniels also attended the event.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Mokhtar Ahmed delivered remarks on the NAP and shared their reflections on the 2026 IMRF.

The speakers, emphasising sustained collaboration among government institutions, international partners, civil society, the private sector, and migrants for the successful implementation of the NAP, underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that migration remains safe, orderly, and regular while maximizing its contribution to national development and protecting the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi migrants.

The event also featured Bangladesh’s renewed commitments and pledges toward the implementation of the GCM, remarks from civil society, and the official unveiling of the National Action Plan.

Bangladesh’s GCM journey, achievements, and challenges were showcased at the venue through a video documentary and a thematic exhibition.