Court Orders Swift Processing of Pending Expat Passport Applications

Bangla Press Desk:  The High Court on Sunday directed the passport authorities to dispose of all pending applications for new passports and passport renewals filed by Bangladeshi expatriates within 60 days, following a writ petition filed in the public interest over prolonged delays in processing.

The bench of Justice Md Habibul Gani and Justice Syed Mohammad Tazrul Hossain passed the order after hearing the petition filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

The court also asked the authorities concerned to submit a compliance report within 90 days.

In addition, the HC issued a four-week rule asking the government to explain why the alleged inaction in promptly processing expatriates' passport applications should not be declared illegal and why directives should not be issued to ensure the speedy disposal of such applications.

The court also issued an interim order directing the passport authorities to clear all pending passport renewal applications of expatriates within the stipulated 60-day period.

In a separate interim order, the HC directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a circular within 21 days instructing all Bangladesh missions abroad, including embassies and high commissions, to promptly forward applications for new passports and renewals submitted by expatriates to the Department of Immigration and Passports. 

The ministry has also been asked to submit a compliance report within 30 days.

The writ petition was filed after media reports highlighted allegations that applications for new passports and passport renewals submitted by expatriate Bangladeshis had remained pending for a long time, causing hardship to applicants.

During the hearing, HRPB counsel Senior Advocate Manzill Murshid argued that millions of Bangladeshi expatriates contribute significantly to the country's economy by sending remittances, but prolonged delays in issuing and renewing passports are creating serious problems for them.

He told the court that many expatriates have been facing employment-related complications, while some have even lost their jobs due to delays in passport services, ultimately affecting Bangladesh's remittance inflow and the national economy.The petitioners are Advocates Mohammad Sarwar Ahad Chowdhury, Ripon Baroi and Mahbubul Islam.

The respondents include the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the secretaries of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and Law, as well as the Director General of the Department of Immigration and Passports, among 14 respondents.

Senior Advocate Manzill Murshid conducted the hearing for the petitioners, assisted by Advocate Sanjoy Mondal, while Deputy Attorney General Mohammad Zisan Haider represented the state.