Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, has gone on an ‘indefinite leave’ to Islamabad amid reports of being caught red-handed with a young woman inside a hotel in Cox’s Bazar.
Maroof left Dhaka on Sunday (11th May) for Islamabad via Dubai. The news of his departure was conveyed to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the meantime, Deputy High Commissioner Muhammad Asif will serve as the acting High Commissioner. Syed Ahmed Maroof came under the scanner during his visit to Cox’s Bazar town on Friday (9th May).
According to a report by BD Digest, the Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh was caught inside Hotel Sea Pearl in Cox’s Bazar with a young woman.
The woman was identified as Hafiza Haq Shah, who was working in the capacity of Assistant Director in the Foreign Exchange Department of the Bangladesh Bank. BD Digest reported that the inappropriate nature of her relationship with Maroof was exposed in the hotel.
OpIndia has found past images of the woman, posted from her Facebook account, with Maroof. But it appears as if she has deactivated/ deleted her Facebook account following the controversy.
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s diplomacy stumbles yet again, this time in Dhaka.🇧🇩
— Abdullah Al Faisal (@AbdullahAl8749) May 13, 2025
High Commissioner Syed Ahmed Maroof, entangled in a scandal with Bangladesh Bank official Hafiza Haque Shah, has been quietly recalled after compromising visuals surfaced.
Hoping to sweep this under the rug? Too… pic.twitter.com/9a0zzrKqcZ
BD Digest pointed out that the young woman would frequently visit the Pakistani embassy and the High Commissioner.
“It is known that several newspapers have evidence related to this matter, though they refrained from publishing it due to pressure from Yunus Sarkar’s press wing. This forced Pakistan to recall its important asset,” the news portal added.
The Pakistan embassy is yet to issue a formal statement on this matter.
Pakistani Ambassador to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof is reportedly untraceable after his honey trapped videos emerged online. #IntelGames pic.twitter.com/LtabGyQe5C
— Cyber Huntss (@Cyber_Huntss) May 12, 2025
In the meantime, social media is rife with allegations of Syed Ahmed Maroof being caught in a compromising position inside the hotel at Cox’s Bazar.
There have been claims of the Pakistani diplomat being honey-trapped and his MMS being leaked onto social media.
HOLY SH*T 🚨 Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, has gone off the radar after an MMS scandal surfaced online.
— Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 Update (@TrumpUpdateHQ) May 12, 2025
This comes right after a similar incident where a Bangladeshi diplomat in Kolkata was called back over a "s*x chat" scandal. pic.twitter.com/9jaXuKosXW
Some users have also suggested that Maroof has escaped to a third country like Thailand in the midst of the allegations.
Another victory for #Pakistan!
— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) May 13, 2025
Pakistan ambassador to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof has fled to a third country (likely Thailand) after being honey-trapped with Bangladeshi women.
His pics and videos are circulating.
Maroof is missing after taking Pak-BD love affair to next level. pic.twitter.com/L6xxQBgPrT
OpIndia could not independently verify these claims. Syed Ahmed Maroof was appointed as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh in December 2023.