PM’s foreign visit schedule solely his decision: Shama Obaed

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday urged the media not to give undue importance to reports regarding Prime Minister’s foreign visits until an official announcement is made by the government.

"Invitations have come from many countries. It is the Prime Minister's decision as to how, when and to which country he will make a visit," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs amid media reports that claimed the Prime Minister will visit Malaysia on June 21-22 before he travels to China later this month.

The State Minister said news reports published by different media outlets regarding the Prime Minister's possible visits should not be treated as confirmed information in the absence of an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Prime Minister's Office.

"Newspapers publish their own reports, and you do the same. But until there is an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Prime Minister's Office regarding the visit of the Prime Minister, I do not think such reports should be taken seriously, nor should I comment on them," she said.

The State Minister said details of any foreign visit by the Prime Minister would be formally announced by the Prime Minister's press wing once the visit is finalised.

She also emphasised the importance of maintaining strong relations with all countries and said the Prime Minister would take the appropriate decision regarding future visits.

Not Bangladesh’s matter to discuss: Shama Obaed on Mamata’s remarks

Referring to remarks made by West Bengal's former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Shama Obaed said comments made by a political leader in another country were not something for Bangladesh to discuss, but they are working directly with the Indian government through diplomatic channel to bring back Osman Hadi's killers.

"An election has taken place in another country, and a political leader has made certain remarks. That is not for us to discuss," she told reporters.

Referring to the murder of Osman Hadi, the State Minister said Bangladesh would give due consideration to any official communication from the government of India regarding the issue.

She said both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are actively and seriously engaged in the matter, adding that significant progress has already been made.

"We want justice for Hadi's murder. Efforts are underway, and we expect those arrested in India to be returned to Bangladesh so that the legal process can proceed here," she said.

Shama Obaed emphasised that Bangladesh remains committed to pursuing the case through appropriate diplomatic and legal channels and is maintaining close engagement on the issue.

She also said it would not be appropriate to give a response based solely on comments made by an individual political leader in Kolkata.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that Indian home minister Amit Shah asked her to keep quiet about the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a Bangladeshi political activist.

She also claimed that she knew the identities of those behind the murder of the activist whose killing sparked widespread unrest in Bangladesh, but said she would not reveal their names because doing so could trigger turmoil in Bangladesh.

Though she did not mention the victim’s name, her comments appeared to refer to Sharif Osman bin Hadi, slain spokesperson of Bangladesh’s Inquilab Mancha.