Who to Take the ICT and Telecom Ministry?

The BNP-led government under Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the 13th National Parliament, is expected to have 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers in the cabinet. According to government sources, the allocation of ministries to those who have been selected as full ministers and state ministers is yet to be decided. The new cabinet is scheduled to be sworn in on Tuesday, 17th February, in the afternoon.

However, there is much speculation about who will take full responsibility for the ICT and Telecom sectors.

Sources say Fakir Mahbub Anam Swapan, MP for Tangail-1 constituency, is likely to be given ministerial responsibility for the Postal Services, Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Science and Technology ministries.

Previously, Anindya Islam Amit, MP for Jessore-3 constituency, Nurul Haq (Nur), elected from Patuakhali-3 (Galachipa-Dasmina) constituency, and MA Muhit, Ishraque Hossain, and Bobby Hajjaj, MPs elected from Sirajganj-6 constituency, were rumoured to be appointed as state ministers for ICT.

Updated information suggests that Anindya Islam Amit is to become the State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Nurul Haq for Health and Family Welfare and Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment; MA Muhit for Health and Family Planning; Bobby Hajjaj for Education; and Ishraque Hossain for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

While Amir Hossain Amu and Anindya Islam Amit were rumoured to be ministers, the names of the ministers for the Postal Services, Telecommunications, and Information Technology and Science and Technology ministries have not yet been confirmed.

Sources say the following individuals have been invited to serve as full ministers:

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (Local Government)
Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury (Finance)
Salahuddin Ahmed (Home Affairs)
Iqbal Hasan Mahmud (Power and Energy)
Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Liberation War Affairs)
Abu Jafar Md. Zahid Hossain (Women and Children Affairs)
Dr. Khalilur Rahman (Technocrat - Foreign Affairs)
Abdul Awal Mintoo (Environment and Climate)
Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad (Religious Affairs)
Mizanur Rahman Minu (Land)
Nitai Roy Chowdhury (Culture)
Khandaker Abdul Muktadir (Commerce)
Ariful Haque Chowdhury (Labour)
Zahir Uddin Swapan (Information and Broadcasting)
Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid (Technocrat - Agriculture)
Afroza Khanam (Rita) (Civil Aviation)
Md. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie (Water Resources)
Asadul Habib Dulu (Disaster Management and Relief)
Md. Asaduzzaman (Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs)
Zakaria Taher (Housing)
Dipen Dewan ( পার্বত্য/Hill Tracts Affairs)
A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan (Education)
Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain (Health and Family Welfare)
Fakir Mahbub Anam (Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology)
Sheikh Rabiul Alam (Road Transport and Bridges)

The following have been invited to serve as Ministers of State, with potential portfolios:

M Rashiduzzaman Millat (Civil Aviation)
Anindya Islam Amit (Power, Energy and Mineral Resources)
Md. Shariful Alam (Commerce)
Shama Obaid Islam (Foreign Affairs)
Sultan Salahuddin Tuku (Agriculture)
Kaysar Kamal (Land)
Farhad Hossain Azad (Water Resources)
Md. Aminul Haque (Youth and Sports)
Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin (Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs)
Habibur Rashid (Road Transport and Bridges)
Md. Rajabi Ahsan (Railways and Shipping)
Md. Abdul Bari (Public Administration)
Mir Shahe Alam (Local Government)
Md. Junaid Abdur Rahim (Finance)
Ishraq Hossain (Liberation War Affairs)
Farzana Sharmin (Women and Children Affairs)
Md. Nurul Haq Nur
Yaser Khan Chowdhury (Information and Broadcasting)
M Iqbal Hossain (Disaster Management)
M A Muhit (Health)
Ahammad Sohail Manzur (Housing and Public Works)
Bobby Hajjaj (Education)
Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam (Culture)

Final decisions regarding portfolio distribution are expected to be announced following the swearing-in ceremony.

DBTech/SH/IH/OR