Afroza Moved to Food Ministry in Major Cabinet Reshuffle

In a significant realignment of government portfolios, Afroza Khanam is set to be reassigned from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to take charge of the Ministry of Food. Multiple high-level cabinet sources confirmed the development ahead of a formal swearing-in ceremony scheduled to take place at the historic Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

Under the restructuring plan, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat is set to be elevated to full cabinet rank, assuming full ministerial control over the aviation and tourism portfolio. The reshuffle will also relieve Md Abdul Bari of his additional responsibilities. Bari, who currently oversees the Food Ministry whilst simultaneously serving as the State Minister for Public Administration, will now focus exclusively on the Ministry of Public Administration once Khanam formally takes the helm of the food division.

The reorganisation introduces several prominent political figures into key ministerial offices, reflecting a broader attempt to recalibrate administrative capacity and political representation across key departments. Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, is slated to take over the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, placing a seasoned political figure at the head of local governance and regional development.

Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partha is tipped to take over the Ministry of Information, bringing a vocal political presence to government communications. Concurrently, discussions are underway to appoint Zahir Uddin Swapon as an adviser to the Prime Minister with the official rank and status of a cabinet minister.

The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs will see Saching Prue Jerry appointed as its minister, while Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln is lined up to become the State Minister for Religious Affairs. Adjustments are also expected within the diplomatic wing. Humayun Kabir, who currently serves as the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, is under active consideration for appointment as a State Minister for Foreign Affairs. He would serve alongside Shama Obaed Islam, who is expected to retain her post as State Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The swearing-in of the new ministers and state ministers will take place immediately following the formal oath-taking ceremony of newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the Darbar Hall on Friday evening. The impending adjustments represent a wide-ranging overhaul of the executive branch, simultaneously shifting existing ministerial portfolios and inducting fresh figures into pivotal administrative roles.