Summary:
- Bangladesh eliminates mandatory police verification for passport applications, streamlining citizen access to travel documents
- Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus declares passport issuance a fundamental right during district administrators’ conference in Dhaka
- Authorities directed to stabilize essential commodity prices and maintain heightened law-and-order vigilance nationwide
- Three-day conference aims to improve governance through direct coordination between central leadership and district officials
Bangladesh has eliminated mandatory police verification for passport applications, effective immediately. Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus announced the policy change Sunday during the inaugural session of a three-day district administrators’ conference at Dhaka’s Shapala Hall. “Obtaining a passport is a fundamental citizen right,” Yunus stated, according to Senior Assistant Press Secretary Faiz Ahmad.
The decision streamlines passport processing by removing a longstanding procedural hurdle. Faiz Ahmad confirmed the development to Prothom Alo following a Facebook post on his official page earlier Sunday. District Commissioners and senior officials from all 64 districts attended the conference, which focuses on governance improvements and public service delivery.
Yunus separately directed administrators to stabilize prices of essential commodities and maintain law and order. “District officials must remain vigilant to prevent market manipulation and ensure public safety,” he emphasized during the event. The Chief Advisor’s Office organized the conference to address nationwide administrative challenges, with working sessions scheduled through Tuesday.
Police verification, previously required for both new and renewal passport applications, often delayed processing times. The Home Ministry is expected to issue formal guidelines this week outlining updated application procedures. Passport offices nationwide anticipate increased demand following the simplified process.
This reform aligns with global trends toward digitized citizen services and follows recent upgrades to Bangladesh’s online passport application system. Over 3.2 million passports were issued nationwide in 2024, with average processing times ranging from 15 to 45 days depending on application type.
