Bangladesh's Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has ordered authorities to swiftly identify and prosecute agents facilitating illegal migration from Sunamganj district.

The minister issued the directive while addressing a consultation meeting on Tuesday at the Sunamganj deputy commissioner's conference room on ensuring safe migration and preventing illegal travel abroad.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment said. 

Chowdhury said legal migration was important, but so was acquiring skills and language training before going abroad. He said the ministry would provide full logistical support if suitable sites were identified in Sunamganj for setting up technical training centres and language courses.

Emphasising the need for greater public awareness, the minister called for religious leaders at mosques, temples, and churches across Sunamganj to spread the message about the dangers of irregular migration and the benefits of travelling through legal channels. He expressed hope that such an awareness campaign would begin in Sunamganj.

Ministry Secretary Md Mokhter Ahmed told the meeting that many people were taking the risk of travelling to Europe illegally due to a lack of legal opportunities but said new legal pathways to Italy had opened up through the International Labour Organization's Talent Partnership project.

Joint Secretary Md Shahidul Islam Chowdhury, in a presentation at the event, said Bangladesh had ranked among the top countries for irregular entry into Europe in recent years, calling the trend a matter of serious concern. He added that Bangladesh had faced embarrassment over the issue in meetings with foreign heads of state.

Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Minhajur Rahman presided over the meeting. Special guests included four lawmakers from Sunamganj—Kalim Uddin Ahmed, Nurul Islam, Mohammad Koysar Ahmed, and Kamruzzaman Kamrul—along with Sunamganj Zila Parishad Administrator Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury. 

Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Moshiur Rahman, Sylhet Range Deputy Inspector General Zillur Rahman, and Sunamganj Superintendent of Police A B M Zakir Hossain were also present, among other local dignitaries.