May 29, 2025 4:40 pm
Full News

Bangladesh Army Chief Denied Canadian Visa ? Cancels Ottawa Programs

General Waqar-uz-Zaman, Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff (CAS), has been denied a Canadian visa, prompting the cancellation of his planned visit to Ottawa, along with all associated programs, hotel reservations, and seminars arranged by the Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa.

The Army Chief is currently in the United States, accompanied by his wife, Sarahnaz Komolika Zaman, and two senior military officials.

According to official reports, General Waqar and his delegation departed Dhaka on October 15 via Turkish Airlines Flight TK713, bound for Istanbul, before boarding Flight TK11 to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, where they arrived later that evening. The purpose of the trip is to attend pre-scheduled bilateral meetings with senior officials from the U.S. State Department and military leadership.

General Waqar’s U.S. visit is viewed as highly significant by analysts, given his influential role in recent political developments in Bangladesh. Although the military has not assumed direct control of the government, it is widely believed that General Waqar plays a pivotal role behind the scenes, providing support to the interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Many within Bangladesh refer to the country’s recent political shift as a “student-military coup,” highlighting the Army’s substantial influence on the current administration. The opposition, led by the ousted Awami League, has alleged U.S. involvement in what they call the “Monsoon Revolution.”

The Army Chief’s visit comes on the heels of high-profile trips by Bangladesh’s newly appointed Foreign Secretary, Mohammad Jashim Uddin, and interim Prime Minister Dr. Yunus, both of whom visited the U.S. in September for the United Nations General Assembly. General Waqar’s presence in the U.S. is seen as a continuation of Bangladesh’s engagement with American officials amid a rapidly evolving political landscape back home.

As part of his initial itinerary, General Waqar was scheduled to travel from Buffalo to Ottawa by road on October 19, a trip described as personal but one for which the Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa had made extensive preparations. Following the Ottawa visit, he was to return to Washington, D.C., on October 21 and then depart for Bangladesh on October 23.

However, the denial of his Canadian visa has derailed these plans. While his two accompanying officers, Brigadier General SM Asadul Haque and Major Mohammad Shoaib Rifat, were approved to submit their passports for visa processing, Canadian authorities advised General Waqar and his wife not to submit theirs.

Despite extensive diplomatic efforts by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reverse the decision, Canadian authorities did not alter their stance. A retired military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the situation as a major embarrassment for both the Bangladesh government and its military. Sources suggest the visa denial may be linked to recent concerns over extremism, human rights abuses, and political repression in Bangladesh. Issues such as the persecution of minorities, alleged suppression of opposition parties, and a recent incident involving the shooting of workers by military personnel in Ashulia have drawn increased international scrutiny.

A former diplomat characterized the denial as a diplomatic setback for the Bangladeshi government. The High Commission in Ottawa had made extensive arrangements for General Waqar’s visit, including accommodations at the Fairmont Château Laurier and meetings with retired military officers residing in Canada. The High Commissioner, Nahida Sobhan, had spearheaded these efforts, while her husband, Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Qatar, had already arrived in Ottawa to greet the Army Chief. His plans to foster stronger relations with General Waqar were also disrupted by the visa issue.

It is reported that General Waqar may attempt to reapply for a Canadian visa while in the U.S. Should his application be approved, he could still proceed with his planned visit to Ottawa.

The representative of The Voice called and messaged the army chief’s official mobile number, but no statement was received from the army chief in this regard.

Related News
The Ballon D’or Winning Football Legend Died.
Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison Win at the 97th Academy Awards
France Declares War on Russia, Authorizes SCALP Missile Strikes Inside Russian Territory
Devastating Wildfires in Los Angeles, Potential Loss of $60 Billion
6 platoon BGB member deployed in Dhaka
Pope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Calls for Global Peace and Unity
Related Posts
May 29 is “United Nations Peacekeepers Day
The Independence
Despite Boycott Calls, Bangladesh’s Interim Government Continues Imports from India
Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Meets U.S. Delegation Amid Rift with Military Over Rohingya Corridor Proposal
Lashkar-e-Taiba Commander Claims Role in 2024 Coup That Toppled Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh
Bangladesh-Myanmar Trade Halted at Teknaf as Arakan Army Blocks Shipments
More News

Muslims Allegedly Attempting to Encroach on Hindu Cremation Ground in Shibpur, West Bengal

Tensions Rise in West Bengal’s Shibpur Over Alleged Land Dispute at Hindu Cremation Ground NORTH 24 PARGANAS, WEST BENGAL — A land dispute in Shibpur village under Minakha Police Station has sparked tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities. Hindu residents have accused their Muslim neighbors of attempting to encroach on a cremation ground that they […]

British PM Pledges ‘100 Years Of Friendship’ During Ukraine Visit

The British government said Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would sign a “100-year partnership” deal in Kyiv. Keir Starmer is on his first visit to Ukraine as UK prime minister. He is visiting Ukraine to discuss security issues and “promise 100 years of friendship” with Ukraine. Starmer arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv […]

16 People Died In Landslides In Indonesia, Many Are Missing

At least 16 people have died in landslides triggered by heavy rains in Indonesia. More than five people are missing in this incident. The incident took place in the Central Java province of the country. Local police and disaster officials reported this information on Tuesday today. Police chief of Pekalangan city in Central Java Province, […]

The rising political instability in Bangladesh and its economic implications

Anwar Shadat Jihan, Wichita, KS, U.S.A After the ouster of the longest-lasting government in Bangladesh’s history, the country has plunged into chaos. From the overall law-and-order situation of the country to the basic safety and security of the citizens, factors that directly affect the overall stability of the country have suffered an immense blow. A […]

22 schools Rejected, So She Built Her Own Special School for Her Child

A woman has moved from school to school to enroll an autistic child. But nowhere did anyone give her a message of hope. One by one, 22 schools turned her away. That woman herself today has set up a school for children with special needs, so that others do not have to go through such […]

Reddit Overtakes X as Fifth Most Popular Social Media Platform in the UK

Reddit has surpassed X (formerly Twitter) to become the fifth most popular social media platform in the UK, according to a report by Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator. The platform attracted 22.9 million UK adult visitors in May 2024, compared to X’s 22.1 million, marking a significant milestone in Reddit’s growth trajectory. The data reveals […]

Global Outcry Against Atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh; Protests Erupt in Netherlands

In response to the escalating violence against religious minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh, a significant protest movement has been launched in the Netherlands. Organized by a segment of the local community, the campaign’s inaugural session attracted a diverse group of global religious and spiritual leaders who united to pledge their support for peace and the […]

Netanyahu Heads to the United States for High-Stakes Meeting with President Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is traveling to the United States to meet with Donald Trump. According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, he will make this visit on February 4. According to the source, citing White House sources, Netanyahu will be the first foreign leader to visit during Trump’s second term. The exact date […]

Robina Azizi, Youth Advocate and Activist, Condemns Taliban’s Ban on Girls’ Education

KABUL – Robina Azizi, an education advocate and global youth ambassador who fled the Taliban regime, is now at the forefront of a campaign to fight for Afghan girls’ education. Azizi, founder and president of Girls on the Path of Change, recently voiced her concerns during the “16 Days of Activism” campaign, denouncing the Taliban’s […]

New Pandemic Strikes the U.S., Mortality Rate Reaches 39%

A new flu outbreak has spread alarmingly across the United States. The deadly H7N9 bird flu, last seen in 2017, has re-emerged, with a mortality rate of 39%, according to a Reuters report on Tuesday (March 18). The outbreak was first detected at a poultry farm at a time when the country is already battling […]