Rashed Khan named prime minister’s political assistant

The appointment gives him secretary status for the prime minister’s tenure or until otherwise decided

Rashed Khan has been appointed political assistant to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, carrying the rank of secretary.

He had stepped down as general secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad ahead of the February election to contest on a BNP ticket.

The appointment, issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Public Administration, runs on a contract tied to the prime minister's tenure or his satisfaction, whichever comes first, and requires Rashed to sever ties with any other profession, business or organisation.

In a Facebook post, Rashed thanked BNP chief Tarique, calling him “an embodiment of the trust and confidence of the people of Bangladesh”, and sought prayers and support to carry out his new responsibilities.

The leader first came to prominence in 2018 through the quota reform movement, before joining Gono Odhikar Parishad.

He ran in the 13th parliamentary polls from Jhenaidah-4 but lost.