Md. Sarwar Assumes DMP Commissioner Duties

Md. Sarwar, the Additional Police Commissioner (Supernumerary Additional Inspector General of Police), has been entrusted with the responsibilities of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner until a new appointment is made.

The announcement was made on Thursday, 26 February, through an official notification signed by Additional DIG (Personnel Management-1) Shamima Yasmin Khondker. The notice specifies that Md. Sarwar will hold the DMP Commissioner’s duties on an interim basis until a permanent appointment is confirmed.

This development follows the resignation of the previous DMP Commissioner, Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, who submitted his resignation on 25 February citing “personal and familial reasons,” despite his contract being valid until November 2026.

Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, a 1984 batch officer of the BCS Police Cadre, previously served as Additional Inspector General of Police at the Police Headquarters during the tenure of the previous Awami League government. He was dismissed from service in November 2016 but was reinstated by the caretaker government following the party change. Subsequently, on 20 November 2024, he was appointed as the 38th Commissioner of the DMP on a two-year contractual basis.

Md. Sarwar’s career trajectory within the DMP has been marked by notable leadership in urban policing and traffic management. On 7 January of the previous year, he was appointed as the Additional Police Commissioner of DMP, after which he assumed responsibility as the head of the DMP Traffic Division. On 11 August, he was promoted to Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP). His tenure has been particularly recognised for implementing measures to alleviate the chronic traffic congestion in Dhaka city.

The table below summarises key information regarding the current transition at the DMP:

Police insiders note that Md. Sarwar’s extensive experience in both traffic and general policing ensures continuity in DMP operations during the interim period. The government is reportedly in the process of selecting a permanent DMP Commissioner, though no official timeline has been announced.

With this interim arrangement, the DMP aims to maintain stability in operational management and law enforcement across the capital, leveraging Md. Sarwar’s strategic expertise in addressing urban policing challenges.