Following the formation of the new BNP-led government, a significant administrative reshuffle has begun across the civil service. A total of 12 secretaries have been removed or reassigned in a single day, according to sources at the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday (February 23).
As part of the move, contracts of nine secretaries appointed during the previous government have been cancelled, while three serving secretaries have been made Officers on Special Duty (OSD) and attached to the Ministry of Public Administration.
Three Secretaries Withdrawn from Current Posts
Through administrative orders, the following three secretaries were withdrawn from their respective responsibilities:
- Rehana Parveen, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division
- Saifullah Panna, Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office
- Kamal Uddin, Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs
Nine Contract-Based Appointments Cancelled
The contracts of nine officials appointed during the interim government have been revoked. They are:
- Md. Saidur Rahman, Secretary, Health Services Division
- Shish Haider Chowdhury, Secretary, ICT Division
- Siddiq Zobayer, Director General, National Academy for Planning and Development
- Mohammad Yusuf, Senior Secretary, Appellate Division
- Mumtaz Ahmed, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
- Dr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, Senior Secretary, Planning Commission
- M A Akmal Hossain Azad, Member (Secretary), Planning Commission
- Dr. Kaiyum Ara Begum
- Begum Sharifa Khan, Alternate Executive Director, World Bank
New Appointments Expected This Week
Sources at the Ministry of Public Administration said that gazette notifications for new appointments to these key vacant posts may be issued within this week.
Multiple sources within the Secretariat confirmed that in filling the 12 vacant positions, priority may be given to officials who were allegedly “deprived” or “affected” in promotions and postings in recent years.
Officials indicated that those considered competent but sidelined for political reasons may be selected for top positions in this round of appointments.
Possible Appointment in Education Division
It is being speculated that Md. Shamsul Alam, a ninth BCS administration cadre officer and former APS to late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, may be assigned to lead the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education.
Sources said that despite being reinstated in service after August 5, 2024, by presidential order and receiving promotion to Senior Secretary in 2022 with necessary approvals, he had not been given a posting.
It was also learned that when former Education Secretary Siddiq Zobayer was removed in July, Alam was expected to be appointed. However, Rehana Parveen was appointed instead.
According to sources, a group of students had submitted a memorandum at the Bangladesh Secretariat to the Finance Adviser, Home Secretary, and Cabinet Secretary seeking his posting.
Atmosphere of Uncertainty
With what officials described as a “major overhaul” of the administration, a sense of heightened anticipation and speculation now surrounds the Secretariat. Ministry sources said the final list of new appointments is at the concluding stage and will be issued once it receives clearance from the highest levels of government.
The sweeping changes signal a decisive shift in the administrative structure following the change in government.
