Bangladesh To Become Next Pakistan: Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina’s Son Sajeeb Wajed

Sheikh Hasina, who stepped down as Bangladesh's prime minister and left the country on Monday amid weeks of protests, did so reluctantly. Her US-based son and former Chief Advisor Sajeeb Wajed Joy revealed to NDTV that she departed only due to her family's insistence.

"She wanted to stay, she did not want to leave the country at all. But we kept insisting that it wasn't safe for her. We were concerned for her physical safety first; so we persuaded her to leave," her son Joy told NDTV's Marya Shakil in a telephonic interview.

Her departure occurred less than seven months after she secured a fourth consecutive term in office by winning national elections in January. The 76-year-old was flown out on Monday with her sister in a military helicopter to seek refuge in India.

According to the reports, she might travel to London to seek political asylum.

Protests and Political Turmoil

The protests began in June when student groups demanded the abolition of a controversial quota system in government jobs. This movement quickly escalated into calls for the end of Hasina's rule. Her tenure over the last 15 years saw arrests of opposition leaders, crackdowns on free speech, and suppression of dissent.

"I spoke to her this morning. The situation in Bangladesh, as you can see, is anarchy. She is in good spirits but she is very disappointed. It's very disheartening for her because it was her dream to turn Bangladesh into a developed country and she worked so hard for it over the last 15 years, keeping it safe from militants and as well as from terrorism and in spite of all of that this vocal minority, the opposition, the militants have now seized power," he said.

Future Elections Uncertain

Joy expressed doubts about the possibility of free and fair elections under current conditions. "We hope that there will be elections in Bangladesh but at this time with our party leaders being targeted I don't see how free and fair elections would be possible," he stated.

He also reflected on his mother's contributions: "Absolutely. Awami League still remains the most popular party in the country. BNP has the chance to come back to power and we have seen what they were like the last time. They ran the country to the ground. The militants had a free hand; they attacked the minorities with impunity."

In another interview, he said that Bangladesh will end up becoming next Pakistan.

Speaking to Zee News, he said, "Bangladesh is going to become the next Pakistan." He added, "You did not want Sheikh Hasina; now watch the minorities getting killed every day."

Calls for Interim Government

Following Sheikh Hasina's departure from Dhaka, several leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement urged Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus to lead an interim government. This appeal was made through a video message released early Tuesday by key student leaders Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, and Abu Bakar Mazumdar, according to Dhaka Tribune.

Nahid Islam announced on Monday night that an outline for an interim government would be formulated within 24 hours, as reported by Dhaka Tribune.

This isn't Bangladesh's first experience with an interim government following an abrupt regime change. The country's constitution once included provisions for a caretaker government until these were removed by Hasina's Awami League administration in 2011.

The caretaker system was initially introduced in 1991 through the 13th amendment to facilitate democratic elections after military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad was ousted through a mass uprising.

Joy did not discuss his mother's next destination but emphasised their concern for her safety amidst escalating unrest. Sheikh Hasina’s efforts over 15 years aimed at developing Bangladesh are now overshadowed by violent protests and political instability.