Further reforms in public administration, policing, and education

Since the formation of the new government, rapid changes have begun across the upper echelons of Bangladesh’s administrative machinery. Key positions in the civil service, police, and education sectors are undergoing significant reshuffles, signalling the start of a broader institutional reorganisation.

High-level appointments have already been made, including the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Simultaneously, contracts of nine secretaries and senior secretaries have been annulled, several secretaries have been reassigned, and multiple critical posts remain vacant. Officials indicate that this is only the first phase of change, with further decisions expected in the coming weeks.

Vacancies and Transfers in Civil Administration

According to sources within the Secretariat, the recent contract cancellations and reassignment have left at least 12 secretary-level positions unfilled. Appointments to these roles are expected shortly, and changes may extend to district-level administration. A senior official from the Cabinet Division noted that “key field administration positions may also undergo phased changes.”

Among recent moves, the government transferred Md. Abdur Rahman Tarafdar, previously Secretary of the Public Service Commission (PSC), to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, while Sanowar Jahan Bhuiyan, the outgoing Labour Secretary, has been appointed PSC Secretary. Additionally, retired Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury has been contracted for one year as Senior Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Notably, retired Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, formerly private secretary to BNP Chairman, has been appointed Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister on a contract basis.

Recent High-Level Transfers

Within a week of assuming office, the government issued a ministerial notification transferring three secretaries to the Ministry of Public Administration:

Officials emphasise that merit and competence should be prioritised over political considerations during appointments and transfers, and that undue difficulties for any officer must be avoided.

Police Leadership Changes

The police force has also seen early restructuring. Ali Hossain Fakir, formerly Additional IGP of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), has been promoted as the new Inspector General of Police. Further changes, including in the position of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, are reportedly under discussion, aiming to reinforce law-and-order management and restore public confidence.

Education Sector Reshuffle

Changes extend to higher education administration as well. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Niyaz Ahmed Khan has tendered his resignation, and preparations for a new appointment are underway. Among roughly fifty public universities, several vice-chancellorships are expected to change. Leadership vacancies persist in key education bodies, including the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board, where appointments are being finalised.

Experts such as Salahuddin M. Aminuzzaman, former Professor of Public Administration at Dhaka University, note that while administrative reorganisation after a change of government is normal, it must be conducted impartially. “In the past, officers were sometimes overlooked due to political affiliation rather than merit,” he said. The current expectation is that appointments and promotions will reflect competency, integrity, and experience, ensuring that no qualified individual is unfairly disadvantaged.