Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday said steps would be taken against Pakistan High Commission official Fareena Arshad if her alleged involvement in militant activities was proved.
“The names of many people can be surfaced. But, we do not want to do anything in a rush unless we could be sure about that. If we get sure about it [Fareena’s militancy involvement] we will take every necessary action against her through the Foreign Ministry,” the minister told reporters after attending a programme in the capital.
Replying to another question, he said that the government had been considering India’s warning of a suicide attack on the Victory Day seriously.
“Earlier, India assisted Bangladesh by providing information on militant issues on several occasions,” he added.
Several officers of the Detective Branch of police also confirmed the matter but did not want to make any official remark on the matter.
Earlier, investigations by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) into last year’s Burdwan blasts revealed that banned militant group Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was trying to topple Sheikh Hasina’s government through subversive activities. The NIA said that JMB had established its networks in West Bengal.
On the other hand, Fareena’s involvement with militant organisations was reported in the media based on information given by JMB members.
The minister said Pakistan had still continued various plots against Bangladesh. “They have continued their various efforts to embarrass us.”
All militant groups, including the JMB, are under the control of the government. “But, many local and international quarters are helping them. We have also established our control over them,” the minister added.
The DB police in November arrested four JMB members including a Pakistani national named Idris Sheikh from the capital. Pakistani official Fareena’s name came when Idris made confessional statement before a Dhaka court.