Govt not bringing Bangladeshis back from Iraq now

Bangladesh is not willing to bring its nationals back from Iraq right now though clashes between the government forces and Sunni rebels continue are raging.

Defending the government position, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said on Wednesday: “Iraq situation is not worrisome. Iraq situation is not like Libya requiring people to be evacuated.”

He, however, said the government had ‘full preparation’ to bring Bangladeshis back if the situation in the trouble-torn Middle Eastern country deteriorated further.

Bangladesh flew its nationals back from Libya after war began there several years back.

Hossain talked about Iraq situation with journalists at his ministry on the second day of the deputy commissioners’ conference.

“Iraq situation has not reached the point to create panic. If a few incidents happen, they are happening out of personal grudge. No offensive incident has taken place.”

He mentioned that the government was in constant contact with Iran and said Bangladeshis would be first taken to the neighbouring country if Iraq situation deteriorated.

From Iran they would be brought bank to Bangladesh through International Migration Organisation, he added.

The minister said only around 40 out of about 25,000 Bangladeshis staying in Iraq had come back home after violence erupted there.

He said the government suspended sending Bangladeshis to Iraq following the troubles.