Staff Reporter :
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh has initiated disciplinary measures against Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, the former Ambassador to Morocco, following his refusal to comply with multiple orders to return to the country.
The ministry also condemned his recent actions of spreading misinformation regarding the interim government, stating that Rashid’s behavior has prompted the initiation of necessary departmental proceedings.
According to a press statement issued on 14 March, Rashid was officially recalled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 11 December 2024 and was instructed to report immediately.
However, despite several reminders, he delayed his return under various pretexts and only relinquished his position on 27 February 2025.
The ministry revealed that Harun had moved from Rabat, Morocco, to Ottawa, Canada, without fulfilling his duty to return to Bangladesh. His expected return to Dhaka on 6 March 2025 did not materialize, prompting the ministry to express concern over his unprofessional conduct.
In addition to the delay in his return, Rashid’s recent actions have raised further alarms. On 13 March 2025, he posted a controversial statement on Facebook, where he criticized the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
In the post, titled “A Plea for Bangladesh-and for Myself,” Rashid portrayed the situation in post-uprising Bangladesh as descending into anarchy under the interim government, claiming that the international community’s silence on the matter was “painful.”
The ministry condemned Rashid’s post, noting that he attempted to undermine the credibility of Chief Adviser Yunus and the efforts of the interim government.
The statement described the content of the post as “deeply disturbing” and accused Rashid of distorting the realities of Bangladesh’s current political situation under the leadership of the interim government.
“It is totally unacceptable to write in this tone, especially when the facts and realities in today’s Bangladesh are completely different,” the ministry emphasized. “This behavior raises questions about Mr. Harun’s intentions, suggesting that he may have an ulterior motive.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further criticized Rashid’s attempts to position himself as a “persecuted diplomat” and “exiled novelist” in an effort to gain sympathy in his new foreign environment. These actions have added to the controversy surrounding his conduct after being recalled from his post.
The ministry made it clear that it does not tolerate any actions that harm the reputation of the government or its institutions. It vowed to take “stern action” against Rashid for his failure to adhere to government directives and for his attempts to undermine the country’s leadership.
As of now, the former ambassador remains in Canada, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to monitor the situation closely, ready to take further action if necessary.
