Tarique Rahman Retains 5 Key Ministries in New Cabinet

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken charge of five crucial ministries himself in the new 49-member cabinet formed after the 13th National Parliament election victory. The ministries under his direct control are Defence, Public Administration, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Science and Technology, and Youth and Sports. This decision reflects his emphasis on overseeing core areas of national security, governance, digital infrastructure, innovation, and youth development.

The first formal cabinet meeting of the new government is scheduled for 3 pm today (Wednesday, 18 February) at the Secretariat. Senior leaders have been assigned key portfolios, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister (with Mir Shah e Alam as State Minister), Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury as Finance and Planning Minister (with Junaid Saki as State Minister), and Salauddin Ahmed as Home Minister.

Other notable appointments include Ehsanul Haq Milan as Education Minister (with Bobby Hajjaj as State Minister), Khandkar Abdul Muktadir as Foreign Minister (with Shama Obaid as State Minister), Zahir Uddin Swapan as Information and Broadcasting Minister (with Yaser Khan Chowdhury as State Minister), and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku as Power and Energy Minister (with Aninda Islam Amit as State Minister). Additional ministers include Abdul Awal Mintu (Environment), Sheikh Robiul Alam (Roads and Bridges), Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Liberation War Affairs), Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain (Social Welfare), Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad (Religious Affairs), Nitai Roy Chowdhury (Cultural Affairs), Mizanur Rahman Minu (Land), Ariful Haq Chowdhury (Expatriates' Welfare), Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie (Water Resources), Afroza Khanam Rita (Civil Aviation and Tourism), Zakaria Taher Sumon (Housing and Public Works), Dipen Dewan (Chittagong Hill Tracts), and Asadul Habib Dulal (Disaster Management).

State ministers include Abdul Bari (Public Administration) and former star footballer Aminul Haq (Youth and Sports). The cabinet blends experienced senior leaders with younger faces to balance stability and fresh energy.