Political violence has been responsible for the untimely deaths of at least 324 passengers and transport workers in two years alone, according to a report by the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh. In addition, over 4.42 lakh passengers and transport workers suffered injuries, with 13,200 of them permanently maimed, while over 30,000 vehicles were vandalised.

Mindless directives are being issued curbing public freedom, interest and convenience in a blanket fashion. Bafflingly, authorities have indefinitely banned motor cyclists from carrying passengers on the back seat or front and that launch passengers will be issued tickets for cabins only after checking their national identity cards.

While we strongly believe that appropriate measures should be taken to stop the onslaught of political violence that has killed at least 28 people, we are concerned that the latest drive against terrorism might be giving law enforcement agencies unrestricted power to act at their own discretion, enabling them to indiscriminately arrest, assault and even shoot people.

Amid allegations of anomalies in the recruitment process, Saudi Arabia (KSA), one of the largest expatriate labour markets for Bangladeshis closed its doors seven years ago. Thanks to the diplomatic flurry between the two countries, KSA has agreed to give out labour visas to Bangladeshis once again. Prior to the ban in 2008, an estimated 100,000 Bangladeshis used to obtain jobs in the Kingdom on an annual basis. The lift of the ban across the board enables expatriate workers to apply for jobs in all sectors of KSA's economy. We are informed that a formal announcement will soon be forthcoming from the Saudi labour ministry.