Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam emphasized that migration governance has become an integral component of national security amid evolving global and geopolitical realities. Speaking at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) in Mirpur Cantonment, Dr Shamsul Islam stated that migration management is directly linked to a country's internal stability, border security, humanitarian protection, and overall national security.
Dr Shamsul Islam explained that the concept of security has expanded beyond territorial integrity and geographical borders. He noted that ensuring safe mobility of people, legal employment opportunities, orderly cross-border movement, and protection of the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi nationals abroad are now important dimensions of national security.
The Defence Adviser warned that failure to ensure safe, orderly, and well-managed migration could pose multidimensional challenges to internal stability, border management, and regional security. He highlighted the economic significance of overseas employment, stating that remittances continue to play a vital role in Bangladesh's economy.
Dr Shamsul Islam underscored the need to develop a skilled workforce, expand opportunities for safe and regular migration, and ensure adequate knowledge, training, and protection for migrant workers before their departure. He also stressed the importance of strengthening coordination among relevant institutions to curb irregular migration, human trafficking, fraud, and transnational criminal networks.
The Defence Adviser called for formulating a comprehensive, humane, and security-oriented migration framework by integrating the economic, humanitarian, social, and security dimensions of migration. He emphasized policy-oriented research, reliable databases, skilled human resources, and stronger institutional coordination for effective migration governance. An interactive question-and-answer session followed the keynote speech, during which BUP students raised questions on migration policy, human trafficking, migrant protection, border management, regional geopolitics, and national security.
Earlier, BUP Vice-Chancellor Major General Md Mahbub-ul Alam welcomed the Defence Adviser on his arrival at the university. Senior military and civil officials, deans, faculty members, researchers, and students attended the programme. Effective migration governance is crucial for Bangladesh, given the significant role of remittances in the national economy and the strategic importance of protecting the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi expatriates.
