The government revoked all ‘red’ (diplomatic) passports, including that of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her advisers, ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) and officials who have been terminated or if their tenure has come to an end.
The Security Service Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a press release on Thursday, outlining the guidelines for issuing general passports to those whose diplomatic passports have been revoked or surrendered.
"Ordinary passports for these individuals may be issued only after receiving favourable reports from at least two investigative agencies," reads the release.
The Security Service Division today sent a letter to the director general of Department of Immigration and Passports regarding the guidelines.
The red passport is issued to Bangladeshi diplomats, top ranking government officials and diplomatic couriers.
Unlike ordinary passport holders, diplomatic passport holders get visa free entry to many more
countries, according to the passport department. In addition to members of parliament, their family members also receive diplomatic (red) passports.
In the face of a mass uprising against her government, Sheikh Hasina fled the country and took refuge in India on August 5.
A day after Sheikh Hasina's fall, President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the 12th Parliament on August 6.
Subsequently, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Professor Mohammad Yunus was formed on August 8.
