The Bangladesh Secretariat, the country’s administrative hub, had once become a hotspot for political lobbyists where influential individuals roamed freely to push their agendas after getting entry passes.
However, the interim government is set to take decisive action to rid the secretariat of these lobbyists. Several hundred entry passes issued on political grounds during the tenure of the previous Awami League government will now be scrapped.
There have been allegations that former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal facilitated this practice by issuing passes to individuals having political links, which enabled them to manipulate transfers, promotions and even tenders. Sources claim that these lobbyists primarily used these passes for lobbying mainly for tenders and transfers. During the Awami League government’s tenure, around a thousand passes were issued to political figures at various levels.
Ministers, secretaries, and high-ranking officials often felt pressure from these individuals, and the officials who refused to comply were frequently transferred to other desks.
According to sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs, a policy decision has been taken to cancel these politically motivated passes, with an initial cancellation of around 500 passes.
In addition, investigations are underway to identify others who abused their power to obtain such passes. Many of those facing pass cancellations are reported to have been leaders and activists of the
Awami League or its student wing Chhatra League. Even contractors associated with the Awami League were able to enter the Secretariat using these passes.
It has been reported that these passes will be revoked as early as this week, and those to be found guilty of abusing their passes may also be blacklisted. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 during student-people uprising, stricter entry regulations have been imposed at the Secretariat. Previously, officials at the rank of joint secretary and above could issue five passes daily.
However, the issuance of passes has now been halted in an effort to curb unauthorised entry, lobbying, and unwanted visitors.
Several officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that they are no longer able to issue passes after political changeover in the country. They have no clear idea about the reasons behind this decision. The central control over pass issuance now lies with the Secretariat’s Security Branch of Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs. If a high-ranking official or someone with a political background requests entry, they can now only enter with approval from this central security branch.
An official at Public Security Division, also speaking anonymously, mentioned receiving numerous pass requests, but passes are only being issued based on importance.
Concerns over security at the Secretariat have been raised multiple times, with unauthorised visitors, brokers, and lobbyists continuing to enter, even managing security personnel to gain access.
Situation at the Secretariat has gradually normalised since the interim government took charge. However, there is growing concern that lobbyists are once again becoming active, using old political passes to reach out to officials who share their political affiliations.
This has led to an internal investigation into the passes issued under political influence during the Awami League government’s tenure, which revealed widespread misuse of passes. As a result, the decision was made to cancel all politically issued passes.
Firoz Mia, former additional secretary and a public administration expert, emphasised the importance of abolishing this practice of issuing passes based on political considerations.
He said that individuals often use their political influence to enter the Secretariat and lobby for tenders and transfers. Even though bureaucrats feel uncomfortable, they usually remain silent out of fear for their jobs.
The interim government’s decision to address this issue is a positive step. It is also crucial to ensure that those who genuinely need access to the Secretariat do not face unnecessary harassment, he added.
A senior police officer hailed the government’s initiative, noting that those responsible for gate security are now under less pressure.
He emphasised the importance of identifying and punishing those who have entered the Secretariat illegally for lobbying purposes.
