Pakistan says ‘India infection’ after Sheikh Hasina’s US-based son alleges ISI influence in Bangladesh
Pakistan says India infection after Joy alleges ISI influence
Bharatmorningnews.com – Pakistan says India infection after Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the US-based son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency of maintaining significant control over Bangladesh's internal affairs. The diplomatic exchange highlights growing tensions between the two South Asian nations following recent political upheaval in Dhaka.
The Allegations That Sparked the Response
Joy, who currently resides in Maryland, United States, made his claims during a virtual gathering hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in Delhi on Wednesday. He asserted that Pakistan's intelligence service had an "open hand" in Bangladesh, pointing to the release of hundreds of militants who had been detained under Sheikh Hasina's administration. The former leader herself has been living in India since being removed from power during student-led demonstrations in 2024.
"Pakistan's ISI has an open hand in Bangladesh. Hundreds of militants we had arrested have been released. This is a problem for India and the world," Joy stated during his address.
Islamabad's Sharp Rebuttal
Pakistan says India infection after Tahir Andrabi, the foreign ministry spokesperson, delivered a firm response to the allegations. Andrabi clarified that Islamabad maintains a non-interventionist approach toward Bangladesh's domestic politics and categorically rejected any suggestion of ISI meddling. He noted that he had not yet reviewed Joy's specific comments but found the accusations somewhat predictable given the geopolitical context.
"We, of course, categorically reject any insinuation of the so-called ISI's role," Andrabi declared during his media briefing.
The spokesperson then offered a colorful explanation for what he perceived as Joy's heightened sensitivity toward Pakistan's intelligence operations. He suggested that the Bangladesh leader's son might be suffering from what he termed an "infection" related to India's relationship with the ISI. Andrabi noted that India has long been paranoid about Pakistan's intelligence activities, and this sentiment may have transferred to Joy through his connections with India.
"India is paranoid about ISI. Maybe the infection has caught him because he's also in India. Maybe that's the reason," Andrabi observed.
Security Implications and Regional Concerns
Joy expanded on his security concerns, noting that individuals convicted and imprisoned during Hasina's tenure were now walking free. He pointed to increased visibility of extremist organizations, including Hizb ut-Tahrir, alongside alleged Al-Qaeda operatives appearing at public events. The son of the former leader warned that Bangladesh might emerge as a breeding ground for future terrorist threats if current trends continued unchecked.
"In the future, the next set of terrorists globally are going to be coming from Bangladesh unless this is stopped now," Joy cautioned.
He drew comparisons between Bangladesh's security landscape and Pakistan's situation, suggesting that India now confronted challenges along both its western and eastern boundaries. Pakistan says India infection after Joy's comments highlighted this dual-front concern, with the former leader's son describing Bangladesh as "another Pakistan today on your eastern front."
Political Neutrality and Future Developments
Andrabi further emphasized that Pakistan would not take sides in the ongoing political disagreement between Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh's present administration. He noted that both political factions within Bangladesh had been making public statements, but Islamabad maintained neutrality on the matter. The remarks from Joy coincided with the same event where Sheikh Hasina discussed her intentions to return to Bangladesh in December of this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sajeeb Wazed Joy? Sajeeb Wazed Joy is the son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He currently lives in Maryland, United States, while his mother remains in India following her removal from power in 2024.
What did Joy accuse the ISI of doing? Joy accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency of maintaining significant influence in Bangladesh, including the release of hundreds of militants who had been arrested under his mother's administration.
What does Pakistan mean by "India infection"? Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi used this term to suggest that Joy has adopted India's long-standing paranoia about ISI activities, possibly through his connections with India.
When does Sheikh Hasina plan to return to Bangladesh? Sheikh Hasina has stated her intention to return to Bangladesh in December of this year, as mentioned during the same event where her son made his allegations.