ABM Abdus Sattar appointed principal secretary to Tarique Rahman

He has been serving as private secretary to the BNP chairman since Jan 3

Retired secretary ABM Abdus Sattar has been installed as principal secretary to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

An order issued by Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday says Sattar will serve a one-year term from the date of joining.

It says he must relinquish any existing professional, business or employment ties with any government, semi-government or private entity in order to take up the role.

Other terms of the appointment will be settled through a separate contract, it adds, noting that the order has been issued in the public interest.

The post fell vacant after former principal secretary M Siraj Uddin Mia tendered his resignation on Monday, which was accepted.

The appointment comes a day after the new cabinet was formed.

Since Jan 3, Sattar has served as private secretary to the BNP chairman.

Earlier, he served for many years as private secretary to former prime minister Khaleda Zia.