The government has suspended entry passes of all visitors, including journalists, to the Bangladesh Secretariat, citing "security concerns" following a recent fire incident.

A notice issued last night, signed by Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser for Home Affairs, announced the immediate cancellation of all temporary entry passes for private individuals.

The directive specifies that only holders of permanent entry passes, issued under the Digital Access Control System, as well as government officers and employees with valid temporary passes, will be permitted entry.

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Journalists, who previously accessed the Secretariat using accreditation cards, are also cancelled until further notice.

Individuals affected by the cancellations have been given a 15-day window to apply for new temporary entry passes through the special cell located at Bangladesh Police, Crime Command and Control Center, DMP, 15 Abdul Gani Road, according to the notification.

The decision comes after a fire at the Secretariat raised concerns about the facility's security, prompting enhanced measures to safeguard the premises.