Shahabuddin resigns as Bangladesh president — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned amid political uncertainty following reports that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina plans to return to the country, where she faces a death sentence over the crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. Officials at the president’s office said Shahabuddin signed his resignation letter on Friday afternoon, citing ill health as the reason. The letter was submitted to parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, the BBC reported. The speaker has cut short his visit to Thailand, where he travelled for medical treatment, and will assume presidential duties until a new leader is elected. Under Bangladesh’s constitution, parliament must elect a new president within 90 days. Shahabuddin’s resignation came days after Hasina told Reuters she would return to Bangladesh despite facing legal proceedings over her government’s handling of the protests that led to her removal from power. Sources told BBC Bangla that Shahabuddin had been under pressure to step down from leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which currently holds power. Following Hasina’s ouster in a mass uprising in July, major changes were made across government institutions, with many of her allies removed from key positions, including senior bureaucrats and police officials. Shahabuddin was among the few officials linked to Hasina’s administration who remained in office. Earlier this month, Hasina said she and her allies…