<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Dhaka- Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has directed all Bangladesh envoys abroad to respond ‘spontaneously’ against all sorts of anti-Bangladesh propaganda in their respective host countries without waiting Dhaka’s permission.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">“Don’t look at Dhaka to get respond from the (foreign) ministry (against anti-Bangladesh propaganda) … you are representing the country (Bangladesh)… so respond spontaneously,” he told the reporters at foreign ministry here today.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">The minister said sometimes Bangladesh envoys wait for Dhaka’s permission or approval to respond against anti-Bangladesh propaganda in their respective countries.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify; "> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“My all missions are extension of my ministry … we have to work as a team,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The foreign minister addressed virtually the Heads of Bangladesh Missions abroad and senior officials on Sunday evening highlighting the government's foreign policy priorities and guidelines to be pursued in 2023.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, the government has formed a coordination committee with the home and law affairs ministries leading by the foreign ministry to deal with "anti-government propaganda" at home and abroad in a "coordinated way" and fight against misinformation by presenting correct information.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The decision was taken at a meeting held at the state guesthouse Padma on Sunday with Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen in the chair.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Law Minister Anisul Huq, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and representatives from the law enforcement agencies were present.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The meeting decided that the members of the coordinating committee will sit regularly to find out the effective ways to present correct information about Bangladesh against fabrication and misinformation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Replying to a question, Momen said, the government is not that much worried about the next national election, noting that the polls will be held timely and fairly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Election will be held at the time of election. We believe in people," he said. Momen said the government is committed to hold a "free, fair, transparent and inclusive" election. BSS</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>