Papul’s seat will be vacant if he is a citizen of Kuwait: PM

Regarding Lakshmipur-2 lawmaker Md Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul who was arrested in Kuwait on charges of human trafficking and money laundering, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “The seat of independent MP Shahid Islam will be vacant if it is found that he is a citizen of Kuwait. Everything will run as per the law.”

The prime minister said this while replying to opposition BNP MP Harunur Rashid in the parliament on Wednesday (July 8).

“We are communicating with Kuwait. If it is proven that Papul is a citizen of Kuwait, his seat (Laxmipur-2) has to be vacated in line with the law," Sheikh Hasina told the parliament.

"That lawmaker is an independent MP. He sought nomination from Awami League but we didn't give it to him. We gave the seat (Laxmipur-2) to Jatiya Party. But JP's Noman who was given nomination, didn't participate in the election and that’s why MP Papul won in the national polls," she added.

The leader of the House further said that somehow Papul also made his wife a lawmaker (from reserved seats for women in parliament).

Dhaka/Asad/AI