Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, warned that Bangladesh is becoming "another Pakistan" [1].
The warning signals a deepening concern over national security and the potential for extremist influence to reshape the governance of the South Asian nation.
Joy, a senior Awami League leader, made the remarks during a virtual appearance from the U.S. [1]. His comments came ahead of a scheduled address by Sheikh Hasina at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in New Delhi, India [1].
During the session, Joy said that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and other foreign intelligence agencies are now operating freely in Bangladesh [2]. He cited a perceived rise in extremist activity as a primary driver for this security shift [3].
"Foreign intelligence agencies now operate freely in Bangladesh," Joy said [2].
He further suggested that the current security environment is allowing external actors to exert undue influence over the country's internal affairs [3]. The comparison to Pakistan serves as a critique of the current political trajectory and the perceived vulnerability of the state to foreign interference [1].
Joy's remarks highlight the tension between the ousted Awami League leadership and the current administration. By linking the current state of affairs to the historical and political context of Pakistan, Joy is framing the current instability as a systemic threat to the sovereignty of Bangladesh [3].
“"Bangladesh is becoming another Pakistan."”
These allegations reflect the ongoing political struggle between the exiled leadership of the Awami League and the current governing authorities in Bangladesh. By invoking the ISI and comparing the nation's trajectory to Pakistan, Joy is attempting to internationalize the security concerns of his party and warn regional neighbors, particularly India, about potential instability and the rise of extremism in the region.
