Dhaka, Nov 2 (bdnews24.com) - Questions emerged Thursday over the citizenship of caretaker government adviser Dr Sufia Rahman who a law firm says may be holding a British passport.
Barrister Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates served the adviser a letter Thursday stating that an adviser cannot hold dual citizenship.
The letter quotes a news report published in a daily newspaper, which states that Dr Sufia also holds citizenship of the United Kingdom.
"Should the news report of your having the citizenship of the United Kingdom be correct, you would not be eligible to be appointed as an Adviser by the President," the letter said.
"We would request you to kindly confirm to the Honourable President that you do not hold dual citizenship, and as such are qualified to be appointed as an Adviser by the President.
"Should you hold dual citizenship, it would be appropriate for you to forthwith relinquish your post as Adviser," it added.
The law firm also quoted constitutional rule in the letter and requested the adviser to inform the chief adviser on the matter.
Dr Sufia is now in charge of the ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Labour and Employment and Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment as adviser.
When contacted, a member of the law firm told bdnews24.com, "We have nothing against Dr Sufia Rahman. This is just a polite letter to her asking for her version following a newspaper report. This is not a legal notice."
"There is nothing political about it. It is a constitutional issue," the member said adding, "Checking the background of advisers was something that was not properly done. If it is true that she holds a foreign passport, then office of the Chief Adviser and the office of the President failed."
"We are giving her the benefit of doubt," the member said and added, "Let her explain to the Chief Adviser."
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