Hajj pilgrims’ immigration to be done in Dhaka

Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed the ‘Road to Makkah Service Agreement’ which will ease visit of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims to the KSA.

“Under the ‘Road to Makkah Service Agreement’, Hajis would be able to complete their immigration formalities in Dhaka airport prior to their departure for Saudi Arabia,” Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said after signing the two separate agreements with Saudi Arabia.

“The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia are excellent during this government and today we have signed the Route to Makkah service agreement for the greater interest of the people of both the countries including our hajj pilgrims,” he said.

“From now, the immigration process for Hajj pilgrims will be completed in Dhaka after signing the ‘Route to Makkah Agreement,” he said.

Apart from this, the government has also signed another agreement on Security Cooperation with the Saudi Arabian government to strengthen the existing security system. Under the agreement, security cooperation includes capacity building, skills development activities will be strengthened, while members of the security forces to the two countries will visit and exchange views.

Replying to a question on Rohingya issue, the Home Minister said that about three lakh Rohingyas are staying in Saudi Arabia and many of them have Bangladeshi passports. “The Saudi government wanted the renewal of their passports. Besides, we sought cooperation of the Saudi government to send the Rohingyas back to Myanmar,” he said.