The government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today reshuffled its cabinet, inducting four ministers and two state ministers as it moved to strengthen and reorganise the Council of Ministers six months after assuming office.
BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Parliament Member from Bandarban Saching Prue Jerry and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat were sworn in as ministers.
Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and Gaibandha-4 lawmaker Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln took oath as state ministers.
Newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to the new cabinet members at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at around 7:45pm, shortly after taking oath as the country's 23rd president.
Following the latest expansion, the Council of Ministers, including the prime minister, now comprises 55 members - 28 ministers and 27 state ministers.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formed the government on February 17 after the February 12 parliamentary election, with a 50-member cabinet, including himself. The initial cabinet consisted of 25 ministers and 24 state ministers.
The Prime Minister also appointed 10 advisers, including five with ministerial rank and five with the rank of state minister.
The cabinet later underwent changes after Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmad was elected Speaker. BNP lawmaker Ahmed Azam Khan was subsequently appointed as the minister of the Liberation War Affairs Ministry on March 13.
Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan resigned on June 1, citing health complications, leaving the ministry vacant.
The latest cabinet expansion came as the government completed its first six months in office. On August 17, Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said extensive public engagement and implementation of electoral pledges were among the government's major achievements during its first 180 days.
The reshuffle also followed the election of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as president by parliament on Thursday. His presidential oath-taking and the cabinet swearing-in ceremony were held at Bangabhaban today.
