Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof has gone on sudden leave and departed Dhaka, sparking widespread speculation across diplomatic circles and social media platforms, especially after online chatter about him being honey-trapped in Bangladesh surfaced.
Recently, Maroof was embroiled in a controversy after several photos showing him standing next to a woman were circulated on social media platform X. Users claimed that he was honey-trapped by Bangladeshi women, and that he fled to a third country after the posts and a purported MMS went viral, The Economic Times reported.
Maroof left Dhaka on the morning of May 11 and travelled to Islamabad via Dubai. Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka formally notified Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding his departure on the same day, according to a senior official who spoke to Prothom Alo on Tuesday.
Typically, when an ambassador or high commissioner takes leave, the host country is formally informed of the leave duration and who will be in charge in the interim. While the Pakistan High Commission confirmed that Deputy High Commissioner Muhammad Asif will serve as acting High Commissioner, it did not disclose how long Maroof will remain on leave. Unofficially, however, the High Commission has said that he is expected to be on a two-week leave, a report by Prothom Alo said.
Maroof’s unexpected leave has raised eyebrows primarily because of his active role in strengthening Islamabad-Dhaka ties over the past several months after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh following a student-led uprising on August 5, 2024.
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The Pakistan envoy has consistently engaged in meeting with members of Bangladesh’s interim administration. He has also facilitated important diplomatic exchanges, including a notable visit by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary. His last known official trip within Bangladesh was to Cox’s Bazar on May 9, just two days before his departure.
However, his abrupt nature of departure given his visible diplomatic role have sparked speculations. It is being questioned whether his leave is routine or has other meaning, which may have something to do with a shift in Pakistan’s foreign policy approach toward Bangladesh amidst evolving regional dynamics.
Maroof had only assumed his post in December 2023. Meanwhil, neither Islamabad nor Dhaka has offered further clarification, which is contributing to the continued conjecture.
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