Govt was lenient on Shakib earlier, no scope now: State Minister

State Minister for Sports Aminul Haque has said the government was lenient on cricketer Shakib Al Hasan earlier, but that opportunity is no longer available under the current circumstances.

He made the remarks to the media on Friday, August 7, in response to Shakib Al Hasan's recent interview.

Aminul Haque said, "We were lenient on Shakib Al Hasan. If he had wanted to return to the country to play, we would have been lenient and considered everything. That was our approach. But under the current situation, it is no longer possible."

Regarding allegations of government non-cooperation in Shakib's return, he said, "There is no non-cooperation here. I have repeatedly said that Shakib's matter would be treated leniently. I myself spoke to the Home Minister so that the legal processes could proceed smoothly. Even then, I don't see any non-cooperation. Besides, Shakib has not returned to the country to fight legal battles."

He further said that due to the current political situation, Shakib Al Hasan does not have the opportunity to return through the normal process.

The State Minister for Sports said, "He is with the autocracy; it seems he no longer has the opportunity to return. He has positioned himself fully as a politician. As a player, we were thinking leniently. Now there is no scope for leniency. If he returns, he will have to fight legally."

Earlier, in an interview with Reuters, Shakib Al Hasan had said he was ready to return to the country and face judicial proceedings if the government provided security assurances.