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The Foreign Ministry has issued new guidelines requiring members of parliament to seek its approval if they want assistance from Bangladesh missions abroad to visit embassies or high commissions or attend events and meetings during overseas trips.
The ministry communicated the decision in a message sent to all Bangladesh ambassadors and high commissioners abroad on Sunday. The message was signed by Md Nurul Islam, head of the Administration Wing of the ministry.
According to the message, it has been observed that MPs travelling abroad often seek to visit Bangladesh missions or request the use of chancelleries to arrange meetings or events with local government officials or private-sector representatives.
“It has been decided that, from now on, such requests must go through the Foreign Ministry,” the message said.
Missions have been instructed to inform any visiting MP who approaches them regarding such programmes about the decision.
The message also urged heads of missions to ensure compliance with the new procedure before arranging programmes for visiting MPs.
A Foreign Ministry official said embassies and high commissions are normally involved in arranging programmes during ministers’ overseas visits, but MPs’ programmes often create confusion or complications.
Another ministry official said MPs frequently visit foreign countries for personal trips or medical treatment and seek to organise events with expatriate Bangladeshis. Diplomatic missions sometimes face difficulties in becoming involved in such programmes.
The officials said routing such requests formally through the Foreign Ministry would make the process more convenient for all concerned.
