The government has initiated comprehensive efforts to bring back former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed to Bangladesh from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A highly coordinated framework involving the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Bangladesh Police has been established to set the next course of action to repatriate the high-profile fugitive.

According to multiple officials, the Ministry of Home Affairs will take the lead in preparing and formally approving the extradition request.

Once finalized, the proposal will be forwarded through diplomatic channels by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the relevant authorities in the UAE, where Benazir is currently believed to be residing.

To ensure a legally airtight process, the ACC will be responsible for compiling all necessary case documents, arrest warrants, and other supporting materials required to back the extradition.

Officials familiar with the matter noted that UAE law mandates a strict timeline, requiring a formal extradition request to be submitted within 30 working days of an individual's arrest.

Once all relevant documents are formally received from Bangladesh, a UAE court will review the merits of the case and decide whether Benazir should be extradited.

Authorities confirmed that two key preliminary stages of the repatriation process—the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice and Benazir’s subsequent arrest—have already been successfully completed.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed the government's trajectory. "He is facing multiple cases, including corruption-related charges.

The government will maintain diplomatic communication to ensure his swift return to Bangladesh," the minister stated, adding that a formal extradition request would be submitted through diplomatic channels in accordance with UAE law.

The minister further revealed that following the government's assumption of office, an initial request was dispatched in 2025 seeking Benazir’s arrest in connection with widespread corruption cases.

Following that request, Interpol subsequently issued a Red Notice and requested UAE authorities to apprehend him, culminating in his arrest in Dubai.

Sources at Police Headquarters shared that Bangladesh applies for Red Notices against at least 25 individuals each year.

Those currently on the high-priority list include former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is reportedly staying in India following her removal from office, alongside members of her family, former ministers, former advisers, business figures and other fugitives wanted in various criminal cases.

Benazir Ahmed served a prominent tenure as the Inspector General of Police from April 15, 2020, to September 30, 2022.

Prior to his role as the country's top police official, he held key powerful positions, including Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Director General of the elite anti-crime unit, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

His career drew intense international scrutiny in December 2021 when the United States government imposed human rights sanctions on seven current and former RAB officials over alleged systemic violations.

Benazir Ahmed was among the prominent individuals sanctioned during that global designation.