Despite weeks-long protests by locals, traders and political parties, the government has started the implementation of new visa regime on the Chaman border crossing with Afghanistan. In November, the national apex committee, comprising civil and military officials, decided that only those with valid passports and visas would be allowed to cross the border. Earlier, Pakistanis and Afghans would cross the border upon showing either Pakistani or Afghan national identity card. The decision led to a sit-in, with the protesters claiming it would hurt nearly 40,000 people who depend on daily border crossings for their livelihoods. Balochistan Inform¬ation Minister Jan Achakzai has confirmed the development and said the new rules have been implemented despite “pressure from different quarters, including political parties”. He said all arrangements were already in place for the new policy, and intending travellers were visiting passport offices in Chaman, Qila Abdullah and other areas for new passports. “The Chaman passport office has issued over 1,000 tokens to applicants who applied for the passport,” Mr Achakzai told Dawn, adding that 200 passports have already been delivered. The passport facilities have been improved, and more centres opened up for timely delivery, the minister added. He said a one-time permission has been granted to Afghans who arrived in Chaman on Tazkira to enter their country. Upon their return to Pakistan, they will have to show a passport and visa, he told Dawn. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund has initiated the distribution of productive livelihood assets to Afghan refugee families under a UNHCR-funded programme. Currently in its fourth phase, the programme is committed to empowering over 3,000 Afghan refugee families residing in six refugee camps in Nowshera, Quetta, Pishin, and Islamabad. Source: DAWN

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the US visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals have no justification and questioned why the US is trying to impose visa sanctions from nowhere. "That is my question, why are they trying to impose visa sanctions from nowhere? If they (US) talk about human rights or voting rights, then it's we, the Awami League, who fought for the voting rights of the people of Bangladesh. Many of our men shed their blood to ensure voting rights," she told an interview with Voice of America (VOA) in Washington DC on September 27. BSS Reports VOA Bangla's chief Shatarupa Barua interviewed the Prime Minister during her visit to Washington DC. The international media outlet published reports and aired the interview on its website today. On 22 September, the US announced imposing visa restrictions on some Bangladeshi individuals. The country announced the new visa policy for Bangladesh on May 24. Earlier in December 2021, the US slapped sanctions on seven officials of Bangladesh elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) which is credited with successfully curbing militancy and terrorism in the country.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the United States’ visa policy is an internal matter of that country on Saturday, September 24. Home minister said this after inaugurating the indoor playground at Satkhira Police Lines. He said, “To whom USA will issue visa or not is completely the decision of that country and Bangladesh has nothing to do with the matter.”  According to the US officials the visa policy will be applied against the persons who will create barrier on holding next general election, he said. Asaduzzaman said it is quite natural that political parties would place and agitate on the street with their demands ahead of the next elections. He hoped that the polls would be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner as per the constitution and all registered political parties would participate in it. Local Awami League leaders Md Nazrul Islam, Asaduzzaman Babu, Mujibur Rahman and Khulna Range DIG Mainul Haque were present. About BNP’s road march programme, the minister said if BNP tries to carry out any subversive activities or arson attack in the name of politics, the law enforcing agencies will deal with them accordingly.

Minister of Foreign Affairs AK Abdul Momen said, "The new US visa policy to stop the arson and violence in Bangladesh amid the upcoming general election.  Mr. Momen told reporters after attending a function at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium in the capital on Saturday, May 28.  He said, "We want to terminate arson. If it ( the US visa policy) stops the arson, it will be a  blessing for us." The foreign minister said, "There is nothing to agonize about the new United States visa policy. Because, it supports Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's assurance to hold a free and fair election in Bangladesh.  Then Momen said, 'Some upper class people and government officials take the the United States visa. Those who are my political agents and those who will work during the national elections, will not go for visas.  Some politicians, businessmen or representatives from civil society, whose sons and daughters study and live abroad, take the US visa.  I hope the new visa policy will diminish the money laundering."

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said, "There is nothing to feel anxious about the United States newly announced visa policy." On Thursday, May 25, Mr. Momen uttered his hope that the groups who indulge in violence, arson and destruction, will be vigilant. Foreign Minister Momen told, "We do not want any arson, violence and destruction. We hope that through the United States visa policy, these type of acts (arson, violence and destruction) will abate." We are not under pressure. Relationship between the United States and Bangladesh is very good. Newly visa policy of the United States will strengthen Sheikh Hasina's position. She wants to arrange a free and fair election. Mr. Momen said, "Awami League always committed to voters. Our Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also promised this." The Foreign Minister added, "We take it (the matter coming from the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken) positively."

The Government of Bangladesh has taken note of the announcement made by the US Secretary of State on a visa restriction policy pursuant to the so-called 3C provision under the US Immigration and Act. Bangladesh would like to view this announcement in the broader context of its government’s unequivocal commitment to holding free and fair elections at all levels for upholding the country’s democratic process. Under Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh remains a democratic and politically stable nation with experience of holding a series of elections at national and local levels.  Since the general elections in 2008, it is evident that the people of the country experienced unprecedented socio-economic development and empowerment due to continued political stability under the Awami League government. This resulted in the reduction of headcount poverty from 41.5% in 2006 to 18.7% in 2022, and of extreme poverty from 25.1% to 5.6% during the same period. Now an international role model for development, Bangladesh has become eligible for graduation from the UN Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026. These have been achieved due to the Awami League government being elected to office for three consecutive terms over the last fourteen years. The people of Bangladesh are very much conscious of their democratic and voting rights. There is no precedent for any government to continue in office having usurped people’s mandate through vote rigging. The people’s right to franchise is considered a State sanctity by the Awami League government that has a political legacy of unrelenting struggles and sacrifice for securing that right. The government attaches importance to freedom of assembly and association for all peaceful and legitimate democratic processes.  The electoral reform process in Bangladesh continues in a consultative manner involving all concerned stakeholders. As part of the process, photo-based voter ID cards were issued in response to the 10.23 million fraudulent voters enlisted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government. The use of transparent ballot boxes has also been made the norm to establish confidence among the electorate as well as the polling officials and agents.  The National Election Commission continues to be equipped with the wherewithal to carry out its functions in full independence, credibility and efficiency. The present government took the initiative for the first time to get the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022 enacted by the National Parliament. Pursuant to this law, a new Election Commission has been constituted. As mandated by the Bangladesh Constitution and Representation of the People Order, 1972, the entire executive machinery will remain at the Election Commission’s disposal to assist in the discharge of its responsibilities in a way as it may direct.  In keeping with that, the government apparatus will take necessary measures to prevent and address any unlawful practices or interference by any individual, group or entity to compromise the smooth and participatory conduct of the elections. The electoral process will remain under strict vigilance, including by international observers as accredited by the Election Commission. The government expects that the local undemocratic forces that resort to violence, arson and destruction would remain cautious and refrain from their misguided efforts to jeopardize the electoral process as mandated by the Constitution. It is entirely up to the people of Bangladesh to sustain the hard-earned democratic process, political stability and development gains in the country. The government appreciates that the international community including the US firmly stands by Hon’ble Prime Minister’s sustained commitment to ensure free and fair elections.

High Commissioner Pranay Verma inaugurated a new Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Kushtia on 16 April 2023.  This is the 16th IVAC Centre in Bangladesh and will provide greater ease and convenience to the residents of Kushtia and its adjoining areas seeking visa services for visiting India.  Speaking to media after the inauguration of the new Centre, High Commissioner Pranay Verma underlined efforts being made to constantly improve visa facilities for the people of Bangladesh and highlighted recent steps taken by the High Commission to facilitate smoother visa services for the citizens of Bangladesh. He expressed hope that the new Centre will further strengthen the people-to-people contacts that bind our two countries and which are at the core of India-Bangladesh relations rooted in their shared sacrifices during the Liberation War of 1971. Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Kushtia-3, H.E Mahbubul Alam Hanif, was also present on the occasion.  The new IVAC center will serve as a new platform for promoting tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges between India and Bangladesh. It reinforces our shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous region where our people can travel, collaborate and exchange ideas with ease and convenience.

Seoul's decision to end visa restrictions on Chinese travelers comes after lengthy COVID related tensions between the countries. South Korea has decided to resume issuing short-term visas to travelers from China after noting the improved COVID-19 situation in China. Following an anti-virus meeting on Friday, the government decided to normalize short-term visa applications at its consulates in China from Saturday. Testing requirements were maintained but officials said that those steps could later be relaxed depending on the developments of the virus. The move marks the end of a long COVID related restriction that had sparked tensions with Beijing. Seoul and Beijing at loggerheads In December, China abruptly ended its stringent "zero-COVID" policy,  leading to a wave of infections. This raised the prospect of millions of Chinese travelers making their way abroad for the first time in three years. In January, while China battled a surge of COVID infection cases, Seoul stopped issuing most short-term visas. Beijing called the move "discriminatory" and retaliated by halting short-term visas for South Korean travelers. This raised business concerns as South Korea depends heavily on exports to China. Seoul defended their curbs saying that the spread of the virus in China was creating concern aver the possible emergence of new variants. It also accused the Chinese authorities of not being transparent with their COVID data. A noted drop in infection rate South Korea's Vice Interior Minister Kim Sung-ho, who is in charge of disaster and safety management, said the move to lift restrictions came after the number of infections among Chinese arrivals dropped significantly. When the curbs were first introduced in January, 20% of Chinese travelers to South Korea had tested positive. Last week only 1.4% of Chinese travelers tested positive on arrival. Other restrictions, including testing requirements continue to remain in place. Travelers from China have to produce a negative test before departure and undergo a PCR test upon arrival in South Korea. Those who test positive are to stay quarantined for a week.

Brazilian former President Jair Bolsonaro is facing a probe over the storming of Brasilia by supporters. He claims that he wishes to extend his stay in Florida for health reasons. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is seeking a six-month tourist visa to remain in the United States, his lawyer said on Monday. Bolsonaro is under investigation in Brazil for his supporters' storming of government. How long has Bolsonaro been in Florida for? The former Brazilian head of state flew to Florida in late December towards the end of his term, avoiding the inauguration of his successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro's current visa, which is offered to visiting world leaders, is set to expire on Tuesday as the former statesman is no longer in the US on official business. California-based law firm AG Immigration Group said that Bolsonaro had requested a six-month visa. "We look forward to achieving the highest level of satisfaction and desired results for our client," its lawyers said. Bolsonaro told the CNN Brasil broadcaster that he had planned to return by the end of January, but was considering extending his stay for health reasons. Brazil's former president was injured in a knife attack in 2018 and has suffered ongoing health complications from the incident, receiving hospital care in the US. Investigations into Brazil's former president Brazil's new government has ordered a probe of Bolsonaro over a riot on January 8 in Brasilia when supporters stormed government buildings, refusing to accept Lula's electoral victory. Bolsonaro himself had cast doubt on Brazil's electronic voting system prior to the vote. But after the results he did not allege electoral fraud or directly call for protests, and he urged for those that did demonstrate to do so peacefully. However, the former president did not concede defeat to Lula or attend his successor's inauguration either. Former Justice Minister Anderson Torres was also in the US during the riot and was arrested upon his return to Brazil. A group of 46 lawmakers from US President Joe Biden's Democratic Party have called for Bolsonaro to be sent back to Brazil. "The United States must not provide shelter for him, or any authoritarian who has inspired such violence against democratic institutions," the lawmakers said in a letter. Brazil's riot mirrored the 2021 storming of the US Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump who did not accept Biden's victory in the election.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed is going to visit United States of America to participate heads of police conference of the United Nations. Highly placed sources at home ministry and police head quarters have confirmed that the Bangladesh police chief obtains US visa on Thursday. But Benazir Ahmed has been issued the visa under some conditions of which mentionable that IGP will not participate any other program except the scheduled program of United Nations. The conference is scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 1. A six member representative team including IGP Benazir Ahmed is due to participate the two-day conference. The delegation team is schedule to leave Dhaka on August 30. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal will lead the six-member delegation team. The other members are- Joint Secretary of public safety division of the home ministry Abu Hena Mostafa Zaman, Personal Secretary of the Home Minister (Deputy Secretary) M. Asaduzzaman, Additional DIG Nashian Wazed and AIG Md. Masud Alam. In December last year US state department and treasury division imposed sanctions on seven officials including former DG of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and incumbent IGP Benazir Ahmed. AH