A parliamentary watchdog on Monday asked the foreign ministry to take necessary measures to have US sanctions on RAB and some its former officials withdrawn.

The issue was discussed during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs at the Parliament Secretariat.

After the meeting, committee chairman Muhammad Faruk Khan told reporters “We discussed the US sanction on RAB. We expressed our surprise as to why our embassy failed to know the US move to impose sanction beforehand. In reply, they held Covid-19 pandemic responsible for the communication gap.”Speaking about parliamentary committee’s suggestion to appoint lobbyists, he said the foreign ministry is working on the issue apart from hiring lawyers and PR firms. 

“We suggested the foreign ministry to take any necessary step to resolve the issue. They can seek more budget or fund. Bangladesh is making unprecedented socioeconomic development. It is usual for the country to face various controversies.”

About role of the lawyer, he said “The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Bangladesh's elite force officials without issuing show-cause notices to them and depriving them of self defence. The country will challenge US decision through its lawyers.”

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Ministry also asked the ministry to take a move so that all the Bangladeshi missions abroad work for strengthening the country’s bilateral relations and trade.

It is learnt that the government has taken necessary steps for appointing counsel and Bangladesh embassy in the USA is working on the issue sincerely.