Nasimul Ghani, senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, today dismissed the rumours of an impending state of emergency, calling them "gossip".

Ghani also assured that the law and order situation remains under control. He was speaking to journalists after signing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) agreement with Australia regarding the swift return of Bangladeshis attempting illegal migration.

The signing ceremony, held at the Secretariat, was attended by Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury as the chief guest.

Addressing speculation that security forces were failing to maintain order and that the military might take over, Ghani declined to comment, stating, "These are mere discussions and speculations. Some individuals are talking about it, but I have no comment."

He emphasised that the authorities are actively maintaining stability.

"Our officers are patrolling throughout the night, and the police remain vigilant to ensure order," he added.

Regarding the upcoming nine-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, the senior secretary assured that security measures will remain robust.

"Our vigilance has not decreased. Beyond routine police patrols, the ministry has designated officials to monitor security in Dhaka every night," he said, adding, "All standard security protocols during Eid will be in place to prevent any untoward incidents."

Asked whether there were any specific threats, Ghani responded, "Not to my knowledge. The usual level of risk remains."

Meanwhile, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury highlighted the broader collaboration between Bangladesh and Australia.

"Our partnership extends beyond immigration control to trade, development, and technology. Bangladesh has a diverse workforce, including skilled and semi-skilled workers who can contribute significantly to Australia's labour market," said the home adviser.

He underscored the need for a comprehensive regional approach to tackling illegal migration and human trafficking. He also expressed gratitude to the Australian government for initiating visa processing for Bangladeshi citizens in Dhaka.

Jahangir Alam termed the newly signed SOP a key instrument for strengthening bilateral cooperation, facilitating intelligence-sharing, and combating illegal migration effectively.

The adviser stated that illegal migration and human trafficking pose serious global challenges, threatening policies for safe, orderly, and legal migration. These issues not only endanger countless lives but also undermine skill-based and lawful migration pathways.

He also emphasised that the government has taken strict measures to prevent dangerous and life-threatening journeys, ensuring a safe and dignified migration process for every Bangladeshi citizen.

Adviser Jahangir Alam further asserted that the Bangladesh government is committed to establishing a secure and regulated migration system in compliance with national and international laws and policies.

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam signed the SOP on behalf of Bangladesh, while Mark Whitechurch, deputy commander of Australia's Joint Agency Task Force, signed on behalf of Australia, according to a Ministry of Home Affairs press release.