Pakistan envoy to Bangladesh caught in honeytrap? What we know so far
Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, has gone on leave after videos of his alleged honeytrap surfaced online.Reports from the Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo claimed that Maroof left Dhaka on May 11, flying to Islamabad via Dubai. His sudden exit has been linked to an alleged honeytrap scandal.However, officials confirmed that Maroof is officially on leave. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry hasn't issued any statement on this matter. Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, Muhammad Asif, has temporarily stepped in as the Acting High Commissioner.advertisement
According to a senior official at Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Pakistan High Commission formally notified the ministry of Maroof's departure on the same day he left. However, the notification did not mention how long he would be away or the reason behind the leave.Reports also indicated that Maroof's leave might last about two weeks. His unexpected absence has caused a storm of speculation online.
VIRAL VIDEOS AND HONEYTRAP CLAIMS SURFACESRumours of the scandal escalated after photos and alleged intimate videos surfaced online, showing Maroof with a Bangladeshi woman. This also led to speculation that the envoy had been honey-trapped.advertisementA tweet from Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus claimed, "The Pakistani Ambassador to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, was in a relationship with a Bangladeshi Muslim girl. After some intimate details became public, he was sent on leave"It also added, "There was a time when Pakistanis used to rape Bangladeshi Muslim women. Nowadays, some Bangladeshi Muslim girls are willingly giving themselves to Pakistanis."Although the authenticity of the videos has not been confirmed, the scandal has fueled speculations that Maroof could have been compromised by intelligence operatives or opposition parties.Syed Ahmed Maroof had been involved in Pakistan's diplomatic outreach in Bangladesh. He took over as Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh in December 2023.ALSO READ: Canada names Anita Anand foreign minister: What to know about her Indian roots
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