Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday expanded her cabinet by inducting a minister and a state minister turning it into a 49-member one. AH Mahmood Ali, an MP from Dinajpur-4 constituency, got back his old job – Foreign Minister – while Narsingdi-1 MP Col (retd) Nazrul Islam was given the portfolio of State Minister of Water Resources Ministry. A career diplomat, Ali discharged his duties as Foreign Minister in the Sheikh Hasina’s interim government that oversaw the parliamentary polls. He was also Disaster Management and Relief Minister in Sheikh Hasina’s previous government. Before the portfolio distribution, President Abdul Hamid administered the oath to the newly inducted minister and state minister at the Credential Hall of Bangabhaban at 12.05 pm. Cabinet secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan conducted the oath-taking ceremony. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Textiles and Jute Minister Emaj Udddin Pramanik, Chief Whip ASM Firoz were, among others, present on the occasion. On January 12, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with 29 ministers, 17 state ministers and two deputy ministers were sworn in as the Awami League-led grand alliance won the 10th parliamentary polls held on January 5 with an absolute majority. She formed the 47-member cabinet with MPs from her party and four other parties — Jatiya Party, Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Jatiya Party (Manju). Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Water Resources Abdullah Al Islam Jacob was shifted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests with the same status. The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification in this regard on Wednesday. FM’s Reaction Newly appointed Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali said he wants to work ‘closely’ with the Prime Minister to help Bangladesh ‘march ahead’ in a faster pace towards ensuring peace, development and prosperity. “Bangladesh is really marching ahead. I want to work closely with the Prime Minister to strengthen her hands and achieve the target given to us in line with the election manifesto,” he told reporters at his office, hours after his swearing in. Inducted in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet 45 days into its formation, Mahmood, however, did not take any question from the journalists. In his brief statement, Mahmood Ali said he is delighted for getting the new responsibility and he will work actively to achieve the government’s target. Earlier, he had a marathon introductory meeting with the senior officials of his ministry. Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and Secretary (Bilateral, Training & Consular) Mustafa Kamal were, among others, present. – UNB
