The son of Bangladesh’s former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has accused Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, of inciting the ongoing unrest in the country.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Hasina’s son, said that there is “circumstantial evidence suggesting foreign interference” for the violence in Bangladesh.

“I am quite certain given the circumstantial evidence; I suspect Pakistan ISI’s involvement. The attacks and protests were very coordinated, meticulously planned, and intentional efforts to keep inflaming the situation through social media,” Joy said.

“No matter what the government did to control the situation, they kept trying to worsen it,” the son of the ousted Bangladesh prime minister was quoted as saying by PTI.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy has claimed that the rioters who attacked police with guns were likely supplied by terror outfits and foreign powers. He also stated that Sheikh Hasina will return to Bangladesh once democracy is restored.

Joy mentioned that although Sheikh Hasina, 76, will definitely come back to Bangladesh, it has not yet been determined whether she will return as a "retired or active" politician.

In the interview, Sheikh Hasina's son also asserted that the Sheikh Mujib family will neither abandon the people nor leave the beleaguered Awami League in a difficult situation.

“Yes, it is true that I had said she wouldn’t return to Bangladesh. But a lot has changed in the last two days following continuous attacks on our leaders and party workers across the country. Now we are going to do whatever it takes to keep our people safe; we are not going to leave them alone,” PTI quoted Joy as saying.

"Awami League is the largest and oldest political party in Bangladesh, so we cannot just walk away from our people. She will definitely return to Bangladesh once democracy is restored," he added.

Joy thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government for safeguarding his mother and appealed to India to help shape international opinion and apply pressure to restore democracy in Bangladesh.

Referring to the Awami League as an "all-weather ally of India," Joy stressed that India must work to ensure the security of Awami League leaders in Bangladesh by fostering international pressure. He also called on the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, to restore law and order, warning that "the country is turning into a state of anarchy and becoming a second Afghanistan in the region."

Joy added that he expects the interim government to create a level playing field whenever democracy is restored and fresh elections are held.

“You cannot exclude the Awami League and have a representative democracy in Bangladesh ever. Whatever his (Mohammed Yunus) personal views are, he has said that he wants a government of unity and wants to move forward and not let the mistakes of the past cloud over the future. I hope he stays true to his word,” Joy said.  

Image source: Hindustan Times