Dhaka, Sept. 23 -- Thirty-four MPs from Jamaat-e-Islami - about half of the opposition party's parliamentary contingent - are travelling abroad together, many accompanied by their spouses, on what the opposition party describes as a "study tour".

Twenty-six of the lawmakers have taken their spouses, while several other party leaders and family members are also part of the multi-country trip, according to Jamaat officials and MPs travelling with the group.

After the current trip involving about half of Jamaat's parliamentary group, the party is considering sending the remaining MPs to Europe.

Several party leaders said they could travel in one or more delegations by December.

The tour began in Malaysia on Sept 13 before moving to Singa...