Sajib Wajid, son of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina Wajid, has broken his silence after his mother fled the country amidst mass protests and unrest.
In an interview with the German International Broadcasting Company, Sajib expressed uncertainty about their future, stating, "The people we have served for so long are now attacking us. There's a chance we might be deported."
Addressing rumors of Hasina seeking asylum in the US or UK, Sajib clarified, “These are all rumors. She has not decided anything yet and plans to stay in Delhi for now.” Sajib, who was his mother’s adviser during her tenure, was in the US during the government’s overthrow.
When asked about his mother’s departure, Sajib revealed, “My mother did not want to leave the country. We faced difficulties in persuading her to leave.” He emphasized the urgency, explaining, “It is no longer a political movement; it's a mob that will kill you.”
Contrary to reports, Sajib denied any specific timeframe given for their departure. “We anticipated when the angry mob might attack the Prime Minister, so we decided to leave beforehand,” he said.
Regarding Hasina's resignation, Sajib mentioned that significant matters require time for the transfer of power. He noted that all family members, except Hasina, have been living abroad for years.
Reflecting on their contributions, Sajib said, "I worked hard for the last 15 years to build digital Bangladesh without any salary. The current attitude towards us is indescribable."
On August 5, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-ul-Zaman announced in a national address that he would restore peace, confirming Hasina Wajid’s resignation. She landed at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, closely monitored by Indian security agencies. Bangladeshi media claims that Hasina has been provided a safe residence in India before her planned transfer to Britain.
Intelligence chief arrested
On the other hand, Major General Zia-ul-Hassan, recently removed from his post in Bangladesh, was arrested while attempting to leave the country.
According to Bangladeshi media, an Emirates plane preparing for takeoff at Dhaka Airport was brought back to the boarding bridge for a thorough search. Major General Zia-ul-Hassan was detained from the plane and subsequently transferred to Dhaka Cantonment.
Local reports indicate that the high-ranking officer, who was considered a close associate of the recently resigned Prime Minister Hasina Wajid, was the sole passenger detained, after which the plane was allowed to proceed with its flight.
Major General Zia-ul-Hassan had been serving as the Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) since 2022, a role in which he oversaw the monitoring of national communications, including emails and social media accounts.
Prior to this, he held various significant positions, including vice-captain of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) II in 2009, and later, director of the intelligence wing at RAB headquarters.
Despite his recent dismissal, the sudden arrest of Major General Zia-ul-Hassan has not been confirmed or denied by either his family or the Bangladesh Army, leaving many questions unanswered.
