Shakib Seeks Safety Assurances for Return

Former Bangladesh cricket captain and ex-MP Shakib Al Hasan has said he is ready to return to the country within days if he is guaranteed protection from what he describes as harassment during legal proceedings. He also reiterated his intention to step away from professional cricket and engage fully in politics, while insisting that he has never been inclined to switch political allegiance.

In a detailed interview with BDNews24, Shakib spoke candidly about his political stance, legal concerns, and future plans. He maintained that his loyalty to his political affiliation has remained unchanged and dismissed any suggestion that he has ever considered “changing sides” for personal advantage.

Referring to the current status of Awami League, which has faced political restrictions and uncertainty, Shakib expressed confidence that such conditions would not be permanent. He argued that political exclusion cannot last indefinitely in a democratic system and emphasised the importance of restoring competitive politics.

Political stance and criticism of victimisation

Shakib also called for an end to what he described as a cycle of political retaliation in Bangladesh. He warned that if political parties continue to repeat past mistakes, the cycle of retribution would persist, damaging democratic institutions.

He said that any political force that takes the initiative to end this pattern would ultimately earn public trust and respect.

On his own electoral prospects, Shakib claimed confidence that voters in his constituency would support him again in a fair election. He stated that he had intended to contest future elections but was unable to do so due to circumstances and party-level decisions.

Legal issues and conditions for return

The former lawmaker, elected in January 2024 from the Magura-1 constituency, served in parliament for only around seven months before leaving the country following the political shift on 5 August 2024. Since then, he has been residing in the United States.

He is currently facing multiple legal cases in Bangladesh, including allegations related to murder, cheque fraud, and stock market irregularities. Shakib insists that he is willing to confront the legal process, but only if he is assured of personal safety and freedom from harassment.

He stressed that he is not seeking any special privileges or security protocol, only a fair and secure environment as an ordinary citizen under the law.

Key allegations and status overview

Conditional return statement

Shakib concluded by stating that if assurances regarding his safety and protection from harassment are provided within a day, he would be prepared to return to Bangladesh within 48 hours. He emphasised that his demand is not for preferential treatment, but for a fair legal process without intimidation.