Sheikh Hasina’s Son Blames Pakistan ISI For Bangladesh Turmoil, Hints At Her Return For Elections

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has blamed Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of fueling unrest in Bangladesh. Speaking to news agency PTI, Joy claimed that circumstantial evidence suggests foreign interference, specifically pointing to ISI’s involvement in the coordinated attacks and protests. According to Joy, the unrest was meticulously planned and exacerbated through social media, to destabilise the situation regardless of the government's efforts to maintain order.

Joy alleged that the rioters used firearms against police forces, weapons that he believes could only be supplied by terror groups and foreign powers.

"I am quite certain given the circumstantial evidence; I suspect Pakistan ISI’s involvement. The attacks and protests were very coordinated, meticulously planned, and intentional efforts to keep inflaming the situation through social media. No matter what the government did to control the situation, they kept trying to worsen it,” Sajeeb told PTI.

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Addressing concerns about his mother's return to Bangladesh, Joy stated that Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in exile, would come back once democracy is restored in the country. However, he mentioned that it has not been decided whether she would return as an active or retired politician. Joy said that the Sheikh Mujib family, which has deep roots in Bangladesh's political history, will not abandon the people or the Awami League, the oldest and largest political party in the country.

“Yes, it is true that I had said she wouldn’t return to Bangladesh. But a lot has changed in the last two days following continuous attacks on our leaders and party workers across the country. Now we are going to do whatever it takes to keep our people safe; we are not going to leave them alone,” PTI quoted Joy as saying.

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Joy expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government for safeguarding his mother during the crisis. He urged India to help build international support and apply pressure to restore democracy in Bangladesh, describing the Awami League as an "all-weather ally" of India.

He also called on the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, to restore law and order in the country, warning that Bangladesh risks becoming a "second Afghanistan" if the situation is not addressed.