Sheikh Hasina shakes up Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, picks surprise choice Hasan Mahmud
The Hindu
Bangladesh government announces new cabinet posts, including major changes in foreign ministry and removal of previous foreign ministers.
The Government of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced Cabinet posts for Ministers on Thursday.
The biggest names to have made it to the list are Asaduzzaman Khan, and Obaidul Quader, two heavyweights who have retained their respective Ministries – home and road transport.
A major upward shift has come for the former Minister of Information Hasan Mahmud, who has received the charge of the Foreign Ministry.
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Significantly, Ms. Hasina has removed A.K. Abdul Momen and Shahriar Alam, Foreign Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister in her previous term, indicating that some of the challenges on diplomatic front that Ms. Hasina had to face in the recent past were not handled to her satisfaction.
Both Obaidul Quader and Asaduzzaman Khan are among the heavyweights in the ruling Awami League that returned to power for a historic consecutive fourth term after securing a major victory in the January 7 election.
Mr. Quader as party secretary of Awami League is known to have strong organisational network within the ruling party and is popular among the party cadre at various levels. Mr. Khan, who will head the Home Ministry for the third time was noted for his careful handling of difficult issues like the violence against the religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh as well as India’s concerns about illegal immigration from Bangladesh to India.
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