A Bangladeshi intelligence source has alleged that suspected anti-state actors are pursuing a “Minus Two” conspiracy to oust Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s BNP government as Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and her family remain in exile following August 5, 2024. Meetings allegedly held on September 22 and 23 discussed a long-term political transition and a campaign to portray Tarique as “controversial, unsuccessful and ineffective.” The claims were not independently corroborated.
The meetings took place at the residence of Major General Mahbubul Alam, vice chancellor of the army-run Bangladesh University of Professionals. Attendees reportedly included Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, dismissed former army officer Abdullahil Aman Azmi, and Hasinur Rahman, another dismissed former officer sentenced by a court-martial. A Turkish intelligence official was also allegedly present. The source claimed that Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman had “deep contacts” with the group but provided no supporting evidence.
During the UN General Assembly, Khalilur reportedly arranged for Tarique to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Erdoğan and Pezeshkian meetings had not been scheduled in advance, raising suspicion that Khalilur intended to move Bangladesh away from a neutral foreign policy and damage Tarique’s political standing.
Two Pakistani Army majors, Mohammad Akram and Mohammad Aziz Battri, also allegedly visited Bangladesh secretly, stayed at military cantonments and met senior officers about regional security risks. The source suspected that they served in Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, and that they met Mahmudur Rahman, Azmi and Hasinur before leaving on September 25.
Separately, media reports said Khalilur recommended Tarique’s daughter, Zaima Rahman, for a legal-officer post in the UN General Assembly president’s office, with her salary paid by the Bangladeshi government. BNP members reportedly feared the move was intended to embarrass Tarique. News of the appointment spread on September 24, when Khalilur invited Tarique to address the General Assembly after 5:30 p.m. His speech began at 6:18 p.m; images showed an almost empty hall and no UN Secretary-General António Guterres onstage.
The source further alleged that the same meetings developed a roadmap for a long-term, nonpolitical government led by Khalilur and Mahmudur, backed by the Army and Jamaat-e-Islami, allegedly financed by Turkey and planned by Pakistan. Its alleged purpose was to make both the BNP and Awami League politically ineffective.
It also claimed that Azmi and Hasinur have ties to Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, whom senior officers allegedly want replaced. The military’s Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate had neither denied nor explained those claims. The source additionally said an Islamic Counter-Terrorism Coalition had been expanded within military intelligence under Brigadier Shaukat Osman, suggesting without evidence that it might explain sudden changes in the facial hair of Gen Zaman and other senior officers.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/neighbours/turkish-hand-behind-moves-to-weaken-bangladesh-pm-tarique-rahman-led-regime/65637/
Category: Neighbours,BNP government,Prime Minister Tarique Rahman
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Publish Date: 2026-09-26 11:04:00
