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Tuesday, 07 October, 2025

Public Administration Secretary Post Remains Vacant Amid Intense Lobbying

Express Report
  07 Oct 2025, 02:39

The Ministry of Public Administration has remained without a secretary since September 21, as intense lobbying by several political quarters for their preferred candidates has stalled the appointment process, according to multiple officials familiar with the matter.

The post became vacant following a sudden government order that removed Senior Secretary Md Mokhlesur Rahman, who had been serving on a two-year contractual appointment after the political transition on August 5, 2024.

He was later reassigned as a member of the Planning Commission, officials said.

A faction in the civil service had accused him of “favouritism and corruption” before his removal. In the interim, Additional Secretary Abu Shaheen Md Asaduzzaman of the ministry’s career planning and training wing is handling routine duties of the secretary.

Officials say the government is caught in a tug-of-war: naming a candidate backed by one camp risks a backlash from others, prolonging the vacancy.

A recently retired senior secretary said the authorities are moving carefully to avoid repeating “hurried appointments” that previously had to be reversed.

“This time they want someone competent and acceptable to all,” the former official said, adding that both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami representatives have advised the Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on potential names.

“Jamaat has several candidates in consideration, but I believe the chief advisor will ultimately decide on his own judgement,” he added.

In another development, the committee that oversees senior bureaucratic postings and transfers met at the finance ministry on Monday.

An officer present outside the meeting said the appointment of a new public administration secretary could be among the decisions taken there.

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Public Administration Secretary Post Remains Vacant Amid Intense Lobbying

Express Report
  07 Oct 2025, 02:39

The Ministry of Public Administration has remained without a secretary since September 21, as intense lobbying by several political quarters for their preferred candidates has stalled the appointment process, according to multiple officials familiar with the matter.

The post became vacant following a sudden government order that removed Senior Secretary Md Mokhlesur Rahman, who had been serving on a two-year contractual appointment after the political transition on August 5, 2024.

He was later reassigned as a member of the Planning Commission, officials said.

A faction in the civil service had accused him of “favouritism and corruption” before his removal. In the interim, Additional Secretary Abu Shaheen Md Asaduzzaman of the ministry’s career planning and training wing is handling routine duties of the secretary.

Officials say the government is caught in a tug-of-war: naming a candidate backed by one camp risks a backlash from others, prolonging the vacancy.

A recently retired senior secretary said the authorities are moving carefully to avoid repeating “hurried appointments” that previously had to be reversed.

“This time they want someone competent and acceptable to all,” the former official said, adding that both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami representatives have advised the Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on potential names.

“Jamaat has several candidates in consideration, but I believe the chief advisor will ultimately decide on his own judgement,” he added.

In another development, the committee that oversees senior bureaucratic postings and transfers met at the finance ministry on Monday.

An officer present outside the meeting said the appointment of a new public administration secretary could be among the decisions taken there.

Comments

Hasina’s Stay Under Judicial-Legal Review in India, Says Vikram Misri
Journalists Call on EC to Tackle AI, Social Media Manipulation Ahead of Polls
Prof Yunus Voices Solidarity with Shahidul Alam and People of Gaza
British MPs Sound Alarm on Bangladesh’s Human Rights Decline
“Plots to Disrupt Durga Puja Thwarted, Confirms Home Adviser”