B’desh approves SAARC convention to combat terrorism

Bangladesh’s Cabinet approved a convention to strengthen cooperation among the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations in combating terrorism, a senior official said.

Abul Kalam Azad, press secretary of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinsa, told reporters that the Cabinet approved the proposal SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, which was adopted during the 15th summit in Sri Lanka last year.

A senior official to Bangladesh’s Home Ministry said the Convention seeks to provide the legal basis for mutual assistance in criminal matters, namely investigations, prosecution and resulting proceedings.

“A collective action on dealing with terrorism is a dominant issue for eight member states of SAARC as we are all facing the menace of terrorism,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Xinhua