What message did the legal advisor give to expatriates on the ‘mobile phone’ issue?
Dr. Asif Nazrul, advisor to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of the interim government, clarified various misconceptions of expatriates regarding bringing mobile phones from abroad. In a post on his verified Facebook page today, Monday (December 8), he gave this message to the expatriates.
Asif Nazrul highlighted the difference between truth and lies and said that lying about the interim government or me is nothing new. Some people on social media are now spreading that injustice and discrimination is being done to expatriates regarding mobile phone sets. The real information on this matter is given below.
False – The government has made a new rule that if more than one mobile set is brought from abroad, tax will have to be paid.
True – During Sheikh Hasina’s regime, expatriate workers could bring only one new set with their used phone set. To increase the benefits of expatriates, the current government has allowed them to bring more (2 new) phone sets.
That is, expatriate workers can bring 2 new sets with their used sets. If you bring more than 2, you only have to pay tax. NBR has made this law by changing the baggage rules to provide benefits to expatriates. However, this benefit is for expatriate workers who have obtained clearance from BMET (Ministry of Expatriate Welfare). The previous rules are applicable to others.
False – Expatriate brothers have to register their phones.
True – No such law has been made only for expatriates. The real information is – from December 16, anyone who starts using a new mobile phone set will have to register the set within 60 days. This is applicable to every person in Bangladesh. This means – it is applicable to all people living in the country or expatriates coming to the country. This law has been made to control kidnapping, threats, extortion, gambling in the country and abroad using illegal sets. This law is not made to harass anyone, but to avoid harassment.
Legal advisor asks expatriates to prevent rumors, appeal to expatriate brothers – beware of rumormongers and backbiters. Spreading false rumors and backbiting is a major sin in the eyes of Islam.
He said, look where the rumors have gone – some are spreading this unbelievable information – expatriates will be able to stay in the country for 60 days! Stop all these disgusting lies. Finally Asif Nazrul said, I know you have some more questions. I will tell you quickly. Everyone will be fine. Allah Hafez.

