Awami Loyalists Still Embedded in Foreign Embassies
Sadman Safi Pratik
The government has changed, the policies of the administration have also changed, but the officials appointed during the previous fascist Awami League government are still holding important positions in Bangladesh’s foreign embassies. Many of those who were accused of being ‘privileged’ during the interim government are still in office. However, even after six months of the formation of the new government, no visible initiative has been taken to select qualified and professional officials. Questions have arisen within the administration itself, despite the talk of making merit the standard, not political loyalty, but how effective is that policy in reality.
The issue of officials appointed to important positions in Bangladesh’s commercial and labor wings abroad during the previous government has sparked fresh discussions. Information research revealed that after the 13th National Parliament election, the new BNP-led government has started discussions on postings and transfers at various levels of the administration, but implementation is slow. Md. Mizanur Rahman, who was appointed during the Awami League government, is serving as the Economic Minister of the Bangladesh Embassy in Paris. On the other hand, Md. Zahirul Qayyum, the Economic Minister of the Bangladesh Permanent Mission in Geneva, is alleged to have been appointed through special lobbying during the interim government. However, despite the qualifications and skills of three other candidates, no questions were asked in their oral examination. The then Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashir was the chairman of the oral examination committee.
Apart from this, a total of 17 officials were posted to the labor wing in different countries during the interim government, including Minister (Labor) Md. Siddiqur Rahman in Kuala Lumpur, Minister (Labor) Zubaida Mannan in Muscat, Minister (Labor) Mahmudur Rahman in Riyadh, Counselor (Labor) SM Saifur Rahman in Kuwait, First Secretary (Labor) Mehruba Islam in Milan, First Secretary (Labor) Farzana Akhter Mita in Geneva, First Secretary (Labor) Md. Nazmul Hasan in Jeddah, First Secretary (Labor) Arif Faisal Khan in Abu Dhabi, First Secretary (Labor) Farah Tanzila Matin in Singapore, Noor Ahmed Masum in Canberra, Shoaib Ahmed in Doha, Marzia Sultana in Athens, Zahir Imam in Bangkok, Mahid-Al Hasan in Madrid, Md. Belal Hossain, Muhammad Ismail in Moscow and AH Irfan Uddin Ahmed in Bucharest. Despite other qualified candidates, they were not given the opportunity, which raises questions about administrative transparency.
These positions are very important, as the officials here work on expanding export markets, attracting foreign investment, negotiating trade agreements, analyzing markets and maintaining contact with policymakers in the relevant countries. But there have been allegations that personal friendships and special influence have been given priority in the process of selecting new officials for these important positions. Despite being identified as ‘beneficiaries’ of the ousted Awami League government, objections were raised with the then advisors, but no action was taken.
Experts believe that it is not reasonable to remove all officials immediately after the change of government, but it is also not right to keep someone for a long time just because they were appointed during the previous government. According to former ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmed, professionalism and efficiency should be the main criteria for posting abroad. It is important to review the recruitment process, performance, tenure and requirements of each official. Especially for economic diplomacy, it is essential to have practical knowledge about the market, trade and investment of the country concerned.
The allegations of posting 17 officials abroad during the interim government have created further complications. The deprived officials allege that most of these officials had previously received benefits during the Awami League government and these postings were made at the behest of the then Public Administration Secretary Mukhles Ur Rahman. Although it is necessary to examine the relevant documents and decision-making process to verify the truth of these allegations. However, there are allegations that even though the candidates were given letters verifying departmental cases, ACC and intelligence reports before the oral examination, they were not properly taken into consideration. However, the then former president and current Chief Secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Employees Unity Forum, A Bim Abdus Sattar, had also objected to this.
Meanwhile, even after the fall of the fascist Awami League government, Farzana Haque Dina, who is the wife of fugitive police officer Golam Ruhani, remains in the Foreign Ministry. Golam Ruhani has been absent from work and is on the run since the fall of the government on August 5, 2024. Although he was permanently dismissed from his job on August 12, 2026 after a long investigation, his wife Farzana Haque Dina is still working as the acting director of the Maritime Affairs Unit of the Foreign Ministry. She was also given the responsibility by a government order to attend an international conference held at the United Nations Headquarters in January 2026. She has also served as the assistant organizing secretary of the Bangladesh Foreign Service Association. The question arises, why is this privileged official being retained even after the fall of the fascist government? This makes it clear that the Awami League’s cronies are sitting in an important sector of the country.
Public administration experts believe that it is important to introduce a neutral scoring system for postings abroad, where seniority, skills, efficiency, language proficiency, international experience and mission requirements will be given importance. If such a transparent system is introduced, the tendency to unnecessarily remove qualified officials will be prevented and allegations of political influence will also be easier to verify.
But the biggest question is, has the new government created any such uniform policy? If so, how is it being implemented? Even after six months, the process of selecting new officials is not visible. On the other hand, officials appointed by the previous government in important missions like Paris and Geneva remain in place, which further strengthens the question of transparency.
According to administration officials, since opportunities for posting abroad are limited, keeping the same officer for a long time reduces the opportunities for other qualified officers. A rotation policy is needed, especially in the field of economic and commercial diplomacy. However, simply removing the old and appointing new ones is not the solution, but rather taking policy-based decisions is essential.
When asked about this, Public Administration Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury told Daily Inkilab that he has just joined and will discuss the matter with the State Minister and take appropriate action. But public discontent is growing as Awami League beneficiaries are still in power in important sectors of the country. From electricity and gas to the crisis of daily necessities, the root of everything is the long-term occupation of these fascist friends. If quick action is not taken against them, the government will not be able to run the country peacefully and the situation will worsen day by day. Now is the time to take quick action in the interest of the embassies
