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The High Court has directed the passport authorities to dispose of all pending passport renewal applications filed by Bangladeshi expatriates within 60 days.
The interim order was issued on Sunday by a High Court bench comprising Justice Md Habibul Gani and Justice Syed Mohammad Tajrul Hossain after a preliminary hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL).
The court also ordered the authorities to submit a progress report on the implementation of the directive within 90 days.
In addition, the High Court issued a rule asking why the government’s alleged inaction in promptly processing new passport and passport renewal applications for expatriates should not be declared illegal. It also sought an explanation as to why the authorities should not be directed to expedite the disposal of such applications.
The court asked 14 respondents, including the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Foreign Secretary, Expatriates’ Welfare Secretary, Law Secretary and the Director General of the Department of Immigration and Passports, to respond to the rule within four weeks.
In a separate directive, the court ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to instruct Bangladeshi embassies and high commissions abroad within 21 days to promptly forward passport applications to the passport authorities. The ministry has been asked to submit a compliance report within 30 days.
The writ petition was filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), citing media reports on the prolonged delays in processing expatriates’ passport applications.
Barrister Manzill Murshid represented the petitioner, assisted by advocate Sanjay Mondal, while Deputy Attorney General Mohammad Zisan Haider appeared for the state.
The petition argued that delays in issuing and renewing e-passports violate Articles 31 and 32 of the Constitution, which guarantee legal protection and the right to life and personal liberty, as well as Article 21, which requires public officials to perform their duties faithfully.
According to the petition, many expatriates are unable to renew their visas because their passports have expired, leaving them at risk of becoming undocumented migrants. Some have reportedly been detained or face deportation due to the delays.
It further stated that prolonged printing delays and administrative inefficiencies at the Department of Immigration and Passports are affecting expatriates’ legal status, employment, livelihoods and mental well-being, while also posing a threat to Bangladesh’s remittance inflows and economic stability.
Following the hearing, Manzill Murshid said millions of expatriate workers contribute significantly to the country’s economy through remittances, but delays in passport services are causing many to lose their jobs and placing Bangladesh’s economy at risk.