Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has explained the government's stance on Mohammad Shahid Islam Papul, an MP from Laxmipur-2 constituency, who was arrested in Kuwait on human trafficking charges. And if it is proved that he has been arrested as a Kuwait national he would have to vacate his seat. That is the law. Investigation is also going on here against him.
On Wednesday (July 8) in the session chaired by Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, BNP MP Harunur Rashid stood on the point of order and raised the issue in the Jatiyo Sangsad (JS).
When the issue of Regent Hospital was raised in the JS, the Prime Minister said, ‘I have taken it from the government.’ In each case, the initiative was taken on behalf of the government despite obstacles.
Prime Minister said we have found out from the government and taken action. The RAB has gone there, found out from there and appropriate action has been taken.
About Papul, she said, the MP who has been mentioned is an independent MP. But he wanted a nomination to contest the election but I did not give it. He is an independent Member of Parliament. I gave that seat to the Jatiya Party in the election. Noman was nominated by the Jatiya Party but he did not get elected.
Explaining Article 66 of the Constitution, BNP MP Harunur Rashid said that the issue of eligibility and ineligibility to be elected in Parliament was in the statement. It says he will not be eligible to be elected as a Member of Parliament if he acquires the citizenship of a foreign state or acknowledges allegiance to a foreign state. In the Fifteenth Amendment it was further amended. The following 2 (ka) clauses shall be substituted for the following 2 (ka) clauses, viz. If he renounces his foreign citizenship in the case of adoption or re-acquires the citizenship of Bangladesh in another case, he shall not be deemed to have acquired foreign citizenship for the purpose of this part.
She said in a newspaper reference that the foreign minister had said that he (Papul) had been arrested there as a citizen of Kuwait. If he really has Kuwaiti citizenship today, then the speaker should give a clear explanation. The foreign minister has said after collecting information. The passport he used to go to Kuwait for immigration is not a government passport. Then he is undoubtedly a foreign national. Papul hid the information during the election. Today he is involved in these misdeeds. She urged upon the Speaker to make a clear declaration of the responsibilities that are expected under the Constitution.