Swapan joins as PM’s political adviser

Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has formally taken charge as the political adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Swapan went to the Prime Minister’s Office at Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday afternoon and handed over his joining letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

His appointment was made through two separate notifications signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani under Rules 3B(1) and 3B(2) of the Rules of Business, 1996.

As a political adviser, Swapan will enjoy the salary, allowances, status and other government facilities equivalent to those of a minister.

His resignation as Information and Broadcasting Minister was accepted by the President and took effect immediately, while a notification on his new appointment was issued at the same time.

Swapan’s appointment came as part of the first reshuffle and expansion of the cabinet six months after the BNP government assumed office. Andaleeb Rahman Partha has replaced him as Information and Broadcasting Minister.