New Delhi: Ever since former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a press conference in the capital, Delhi, there has been widespread international speculation and commentary. The Bangladeshi government objected to the press conference, and incidents of violence were reported in various locations. Amidst this, a statement made by Sheikh Hasina’s son has irked Pakistan.
When asked about the alleged role of the ISI in Bangladesh, Pakistan targeted the Indian government instead of addressing the accusations levelled against itself. This reaction came in response to a question where a journalist recalled a statement by Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, alleging that the ISI enjoyed a free hand in Bangladesh. During the media interaction, the Pakistani official appeared to evade the specific questions and instead levelled accusations against India.
Pakistani Official Gives a Surprising Response
During a media briefing, when asked about the allegations made by Sheikh Hasina’s son, the Pakistani official remarked that India is paranoid about the ISI. He suggested that India might have “caught this infection” simply because it is India. In doing so, Pakistan not only flatly rejected Joy’s allegations but also attempted to link the entire country of India to this alleged narrative.
In reality, however, the official got a key fact wrong: Sheikh Hasina’s son resides in the United States, not India. It was his mother, former PM Sheikh Hasina, who arrived in India after stepping down from power in August 2024; she is currently staying in India as a refugee.
Previous Allegations Against the ISI
Sajeeb Wazed Joy has previously raised questions regarding foreign interference and the alleged role of Pakistan’s ISI in the political turmoil within Bangladesh. In 2024, he stated that, based on circumstantial evidence, he suspected ISI involvement. These allegations are his own claims; no independent confirmation has emerged to substantiate them.
Hasina Wants to Return to Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina’s son, Joy, served as an advisor on Information and Communication Technology affairs during her administration. Since Hasina’s ouster from power, he has consistently issued statements from abroad in support of his mother and the Awami League. Recently, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself expressed a desire to return to Bangladesh from India.
A notable aspect of this entire episode was Pakistan’s response to a direct question regarding the ISI; instead of providing a detailed explanation of its alleged role in Bangladesh, it chose to target India. This has once again brought the long-standing tension between India and Pakistan concerning the intelligence agency ISI into the spotlight.
