It is difficult to find a person in Bangladesh who has not faced some hassle while applying for a passport. Although the initial inconvenience has lessened since the online application process began, thousands of people still have their passports withheld each year—mainly due to bribery during police verification.
However, during the inaugural speech at the three-day DC Conference on Sunday, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus announced that police verification would no longer be required to obtain a passport.
Since the chief adviser’s announcement, people have felt relieved at the prospect of obtaining passports quickly and without hassle. This relief comes amid allegations that police officials used to demand bribes during the verification process. If the new system is enacted, people will no longer have to endure this extra burden.
After the announcement, senior journalist at Healthbit, Mujahid Suvo, posted on his Facebook timeline: “Since I am a journalist, the police verification of my passport cost me 500 taka—even though they said it wasn’t necessary!”
At the same time, concerns are growing that criminals and Rohingya individuals may exploit this change. There are fears that such groups might use the opportunity to obtain Bangladeshi passports without undergoing police verification.
What the Department of Immigration and Passport Authority says
Selina Banu, additional director general (passport, visa, and immigration) of the Department of Immigration and Passport, told Dhaka Tribune: “Despite the chief adviser’s request, we have not received any circular or official instructions in this regard, so we cannot comment further at this time.”
When asked what steps would be taken to identify individuals—including criminals and Rohingya—if police verification were eliminated, she replied: “Once we receive the circular, we will know whether and how it will be implemented.”
What the chief adviser says
In his speech, the chief adviser remarked: “Should police verification be required for obtaining a passport? This is a basic right. We have enacted a law stating that police verification will no longer be necessary. This message must reach the villages. People are being unnecessarily harassed over such matters—harassment has become our norm. If the government is synonymous with harassment, that must change.”
Addressing bureaucratic hurdles, Dr. Yunus highlighted the difficulties citizens face in obtaining essential documents.
He said: “If someone needs a passport later in life, they are required to provide a birth certificate. But in the past, who registered births? No one knows. Yet, if money is offered, a birth certificate magically appears. If it can be issued for a fee, why not without one? Why can’t we fix this system? This is a fundamental right. The government cannot excuse its failure to provide such a basic service.
The process exists, so we must implement it properly. People should be able to obtain a birth certificate at any age. Without it, they can’t get a National ID (NID), and without an NID, they can’t get a passport. I don’t expect this to be resolved overnight, but we must at least take the first step.”
