Armed bodyguard, police security approved for Jamaat chief Shafiqur ahead of elections

The government has decided to provide an armed bodyguard for Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and deploy armed uniformed police to ensure the security of his residence ahead of the upcoming national election.

The decision was made through a notification issued on Tuesday (13 January) by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which instructed the Police Headquarters to take the necessary measures.

According to the notification, Shafiqur Rahman faces a high-level security risk or threat. "Therefore, it is requested that measures be taken to ensure his personal security by assigning a gunman and to deploy uniformed armed police for the security of his residence," the notification said.

Earlier on 17 December, Jamaat-e-Islami submitted an application to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking round-the-clock personal security for Shafiqur Rahman, including an armed bodyguard and uniformed armed police for his residence. 

The application was filed by the party's Office Secretary AFM Abdus Sattar.

Following verification of the request, the government approved the provision of a gunman and residential security for the Jamaat chief.

So far, four individuals have been provided with armed bodyguards.

Ahead of the election, around 20 politicians have applied to the Ministry of Home Affairs for firearms licences and armed bodyguards. In some cases, party authorities submitted letters requesting security arrangements on behalf of the applicants.

On 14 December, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued the "Guidelines–2025 for Issuing Firearms Licences and Retainer Appointments for Politically Significant Persons and Parliamentary Candidates". 

The guidelines were introduced to facilitate the issuance of firearms licences and armed security for politically significant persons and parliamentary candidates in the run-up to the national election.