Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia on Tuesday affected the first major reshuffle since she came to power in October, replacing her information minister.
Abdul Moyeen Khan was replaced by former food minister Tariqul Islam. Khan was transferred less than 48 hours of his return from Islamabad after attending the SAARC Information Ministers Meeting. He has been moved to the ministry of science and technology.
Abdullah al Noman has been made food minister, while his post of labour and employment minister went to Rahman Khan Azad, previously minister for science and technology.
An official statement issued last gave no reason for the changes, which it termed as Reallocation of portfolios of three ministers and one state minister. Meanwhile, 'The Daily Star' on Tuesday reported that the reshuffle came in the wake of Growing demand in the rank and file of the ruling BNP for changes in the 60-strong cabinet.
The paper said Begum Zia met with some senior cabinet members at her Dhaka residence on Sunday night which laid importance to bringing about Immediate changes in the ministries of home, information, civil aviation, energy and mineral resources.
Bureau Report