Major Leadership Reshuffle Across Three ICT Agencies, Questions Remain Over Some Officials Retained

The government has reshuffled the top leadership of three key agencies under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division, appointing new heads to the Department of ICT, the National Cyber Security Agency, and the Bangladesh Data Center Company Limited (BDCCL).

The appointments were announced through separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on July 1. The newly appointed officials have been instructed to assume their new responsibilities by July 7.

The changes come as part of an administrative overhaul involving institutions responsible for Bangladesh's digital governance, cybersecurity, and government data infrastructure. However, the decision to retain several officials in influential positions has prompted questions within sections of the administration.

According to the notifications, Mst. Mahfuza Akhter, a Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has been appointed on deputation as Director General of the Department of ICT, replacing Saiful Islam.

In another notification issued the same day, Md. Ashraful Momin Khan, a Joint Secretary at the ICT Division, was appointed Director General of the National Cyber Security Agency.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Yamin Khan, a Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industries, has been appointed on deputation as Managing Director of Bangladesh Data Center Company Limited (BDCCL).

The notifications state that the transferred officials must be released from their current posts and join their new assignments by July 7. Otherwise, they will be deemed automatically released ("stand released") from their existing positions on the afternoon of that date.

Saiful Islam Retains Multiple Responsibilities

Although Saiful Islam has been removed as Director General of the Department of ICT, several sources familiar with the matter said he continues to hold a number of other influential positions under the ICT Division.

According to the sources, he currently serves in three separate roles under the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, while also holding responsibilities as a Joint Secretary in the Administration Wing of the ICT Division.

Several ICT Division officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the concentration of multiple key responsibilities in the hands of a single official has raised questions about the scope and effectiveness of the government's administrative reform efforts.

Discussion Surrounding Sayem Imran

The recent reshuffle has also sparked discussion within the ICT Division over the decision to retain several officials in key positions.

Multiple sources within the division claimed that Senior Assistant Secretary Sayem Imran continues to hold a sensitive administrative post. According to the sources, his role during the July 2024 student-led mass movement had drawn criticism from various quarters.

However, no final court ruling or official investigation report substantiating those allegations was available as of the time this report was published. His comments on the matter could not be obtained immediately.

According to a section of officials within the ICT Division, the appointment of new leadership at the top level represents a positive step toward administrative reform. They argued, however, that adopting transparent, policy-based, and institutional decisions regarding officials facing allegations would make the reform process more effective.

A reliable source said the ICT Division and the Ministry of Public Administration are expected to give the matter serious consideration in the near future.

//DBTech/DHE/MI//