Dhaka, April 14 -- The interim government has directed the concerned department to reinstate the phrase "except Israel" in the passports amid rising demands from the people of the country.

Deputy Secretary Nilima Afroz of the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed it on Sunday.

The Security Services Division of the home ministry in an office order dated April 7 asked the director general of Department of Immigration and Passport to take necessary actions to restore the phrase. Earlier in May 2021, the government of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina had removed the phrase in the passport claiming to maintain "international standard".

The previous Hasina government, however, claimed that, despite the changes, it would be illegal for Banglad...