ICT Ministry Forms High‑Level Task‑force to Probe Project Irregularities, Draft White Paper

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has constituted a five‑member task‑force, headed by eminent development economist Professor Dr Niaz Asadullah, to investigate alleged irregularities and corruption in past ICT projects and to prepare a comprehensive white paper on the sector.

According to a gazette notification issued on 17 April, the “ICT White Paper Task‑force” will review all agreements, Development Project Proposals (DPPs), audit reports and inquiry findings pertaining to projects executed during previous administrations. It must submit both an executive summary and a detailed report by 21 June.

Composition

• Chair – Prof. Dr Niaz Asadullah, development economist, Oxford‑trained academic and current Professorial Fellow at North South University.

• Members –

  • Prof. Muhammad Mustafa Hossain, Purdue University semiconductor and IoT specialist (PhD, University of Texas at Austin).

  • Barrister Afzal Jamy Syed Ali, UK‑trained legal expert in high‑value fraud and public‑law litigation.

  • Mahmud Salam Maruf, technology specialist.

  • Md. Shariyat Ullah, senior journalist and planning editor, Ajker Bangla.

• Chief Coordinator – Asif Shahriar Sushmit, ICT expert.

• Secretariat support – Md. Abu Naser, Deputy Secretary, ICT Division.

Task‑force members will receive honoraria in line with government rules, while the ICT Division will provide all logistical assistance.

Mandate

The body is charged with:
• Investigating mismanagement and misuse of funds across ICT initiatives;
• Assessing contractual compliance and value for money;
• Identifying systemic weaknesses;
• Recommending reforms and drafting a white paper aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and efficiency in future ICT investments.

The formation of the panel follows mounting concerns about project overruns and vendor‑related controversies within the sector.