Govt to decide on Mecca Pact after weighing factors: Law Minister

Speculation is mounting over whether Bangladesh will join the Mecca Pact, a topic that has moved from the political arena to the floor of Parliament. India's close monitoring of Bangladesh's potential moves has further elevated the significance of the issue. In this context, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has said, "The government will make a decision on whether Bangladesh will join the Mecca Pact after considering all factors."

The minister made these comments today, Saturday, around 11:30 AM, while answering questions from journalists following a reception ceremony for meritorious students at Jhenaidah Collectorate School and College. Chaired by Deputy Commissioner Md. Noman Hossain, the event featured the Prime Minister's Political Assistant, Rashed Khan, as a special guest.

Neighboring India has repeatedly stated that it is keeping a close watch on Bangladesh's potential inclusion in the Mecca Pact.

During a weekly press briefing in New Delhi yesterday, Friday, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs, said, "We are closely monitoring all developments, particularly those concerning India's security interests. We take all necessary measures to safeguard our security."

Referring to India's position, the Law Minister remarked, "India will act according to its foreign policy, and we will act according to ours. India will operate in its own way, and Bangladesh will operate in its own way."

Earlier on Thursday, during a supplementary question by independent Member of Parliament Rumeen Farhana in the third session of the National Parliament, the Foreign Minister said, "If an invitation to join the Mecca Pact comes, it will be considered positively. If the Mecca Pact expands further in the future, it could serve as a self-defense mechanism for the global Muslim community. This is our family. It is an internal matter of the Muslim family, and others need not be concerned about it."

Prior to that, on Monday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir expressed Bangladesh's interest in the treaty during a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He stated that Bangladesh has expressed interest in participating in the Mecca Defense Pact.

Recently, Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Pact. Described as an initiative by three Muslim U.S. allies, the treaty's stated goal is to strengthen collective deterrence against any form of aggression. An armed attack on any of the three signatory nations will be considered an attack on all.

During the event, the Law Minister also addressed the country's overall law and order situation. He stated that whether the government is satisfied with the law and order situation is not the main point; what matters is that the government is working tirelessly to keep the situation normal.

The minister added that the government and the Ministry of Law are actively working on digitizing the judiciary, with plans to implement it within the next year.

Earlier at the reception ceremony, District BNP President MA Majid, General Secretary Zahiduzzaman Mona, Vice President Munshi Kamal Azad Pannu, Joint General Secretary Abdul Majid Biswas, and Shailkupa Upazila BNP General Secretary Humayun Babar Firoz, along with leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliate organizations, were present.