National Citizens Party spokesperson Asif Mahmood Sajeeb Bhuiyan has described the Bangladesh government’s interest in joining the Mecca Pact as positive, while stressing that national interests, strategic independence and balance must guide foreign relations. He made the remarks to journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Monday morning after returning from Saudi Arabia following Umrah.

Asif Mahmood said Bangladesh should keep its doors open to relations with all sides before entering any commercial or military agreement. He said foreign policy should avoid damaging Bangladesh’s interest-based ties with other states or regions while deepening relations with one party. He also expressed concern over the country’s oil, gas and electricity situation, saying citizens are not receiving adequate gas and power despite high prices and alleged ghost bills.

He said Saudi airline tickets, which had fallen to about $350 or Tk40,000 during the interim government, now cost Tk60,000 to Tk70,000 and sometimes Tk80,000 due to alleged syndicate manipulation. He also called for action against intermediaries and syndicates in overseas labour recruitment, saying Bangladeshi workers can face costs of up to Tk800,000 to go to Malaysia. He said the announced 11-party alliance long march would highlight public hardship.