Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced that the government will assist expatriates whose visas are expiring because of flight cancellations. He said the ministry has launched a hotline to provide support and urged affected expatriates to contact the ministry for help. The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving any problems faced by expatriates. He made these remarks on Saturday morning in Sylhet after attending a Holi festival organized by the Academy for Manipuri Culture and Arts.

Responding to questions about Bangladeshis in Middle Eastern war zones, the minister said his ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Civil Aviation are working jointly. He added that the government informs the respective foreign authorities about any casualties and follows due procedures. The ministry and embassies are monitoring the situation regularly, and the Prime Minister is also overseeing developments. The government is providing full cooperation in this regard.

Addressing local law and order issues in Sylhet, the minister stated that those responsible for rising crime will not be spared and that the administration has been directed to take strict action.