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Published : 03 Feb 2026, 06:47 PM
Amid discussion and criticism over several interim government advisors submitting their diplomatic passports, Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed has said he has handed in his and will “not be travelling anywhere”.
According to media reports, three interim government advisors, including Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain, have submitted their diplomatic passports and applied for ordinary passports.
Responding to a question about a “rush” among advisors to submit diplomatic passports on Tuesday, Salehuddin said: “No, no, it’s not a rush. I’ve submitted mine. I will not go anywhere, that’s number one. My health is not very good, as you know.
“I am no longer that urgent a person. I generally do not attend meetings unless they are urgent. That’s why I’ve submitted it.
“Many others are doing the same. It has become a rule -- so it has been submitted.”
Salehuddin also said that his wife’s passport was submitted along with his.
Amid reports that several interim ministers have surrendered diplomatic passports, Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain addressed the matter on Sunday.
Dismissing claims over his documents, he noted that some Advisory Council members had indeed surrendered their diplomatic passports to apply for ordinary ones.
He did not, however, disclose their identities.
"Some ministers have done so because they plan to travel abroad. By applying early, they can secure visas more easily," he explained.
“Neither I nor my wife have surrendered our diplomatic passports. My passport is still with me and remains valid.”
Following a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Salehuddin was also asked for clarification.
He confirmed that he had already returned his official documents.
"I am not entirely sure [about others], but I have submitted mine and my wife’s," the finance advisor said. "I believe [Power and Energy Advisor] Fouzul Kabir Khan has also submitted his.
“It is the standard rule to return them. We did the same during my previous tenure as governor."
He added, "I have surrendered it, and we will not need to issue new ones. Like all of you, I am now travelling with an ordinary passport."
