Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain acknowledged that thousands of Rohingyas were able to travel abroad decades ago using Bangladeshi passports due to administrative failures and corruption at the time but firmly reiterated that possession of a passport does not confer Bangladeshi citizenship.

Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Touhid said handwritten passports issued in earlier years were vulnerable to misuse, allowing many Rohingyas to leave the country under false documentation. He described the episode as a consequence of “our own mistakes,” citing widespread allegations of corruption during that period.

He noted that the issue has resurfaced as Saudi authorities are pressuring Bangladesh to renew passports for Rohingyas who previously travelled using Bangladeshi documents. “We tried to avoid it, but considering broader national interests, we ultimately decided to issue Bangladeshi passports to these 69,000 Rohingyas,” he said, adding that such passports should not be interpreted as proof of citizenship, according to Dhaka Tribune.

The foreign adviser stressed that Bangladesh continues to view the Rohingyas as nationals of Myanmar, pointing out that their ancestors lived in Rakhine State for centuries and that the international community recognises this historical reality. “They need to be taken back,” he said, underscoring that repatriation remains the central objective despite logistical and technical challenges.

Touhid dismissed concerns that documentation or procedural issues could obstruct repatriation efforts. “Minor technical issues will not stop that,” he said, adding that the priority is creating a conducive environment for their return to Myanmar, alongside addressing other related tasks.

On questions regarding a leaked audio involving a US diplomat, Touhid declined to comment, saying speculation was unnecessary before the outcome of the US elections. He also responded cautiously to remarks made by the US ambassador about China, asserting that Bangladesh would act strictly in line with its own national interests.

“Our decisions will be guided by what serves Bangladesh best,” he said.

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