NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON — Speaking via video conference from Maryland, United States, at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi, Sajeeb Wazed Joy alleged that Bangladesh has become a significant regional security concern, claiming that foreign intelligence agencies, including Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), are now operating freely inside the country.
Joy said Bangladesh had effectively become “another Pakistan” on India’s eastern border, describing the situation as a serious security threat not only to India but also to the wider international community.
He further alleged that numerous convicted militants who had been imprisoned during the Awami League government have since been released. According to Joy, the banned militant organization Hizb ut-Tahrir is now holding public gatherings, while individuals linked to al-Qaeda are openly addressing public meetings.
Beyond security concerns, Joy also criticized the political situation in Bangladesh. He alleged that during the interim administration led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and subsequently under the BNP government, an indemnity law was approved that would prevent accountability for those responsible for killings during the mass uprising.
Joy further claimed that numerous Awami League leaders, activists, and journalists have been detained without trial, alleging that many remain imprisoned without due process. He also asserted that political violence has not been properly investigated and that those responsible have largely escaped justice.
The remarks come amid continuing political tensions in Bangladesh and renewed international scrutiny over the country’s security environment, governance, and human rights situation. Joy called on the international community to pay closer attention to developments in Bangladesh, warning that the country’s instability could have wider regional implications.
