Ex-advisor Bashir Uddin's stint as Biman chair ends

Former interim government advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin has been relieved of his duties as chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, six months after his appointment.

A notice issued on Tuesday said Bashir, who had been in charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, had been released from the post in line with his wishes.

There had been speculation in recent days that he would step down and return to his business group, AkijBashir Group. The order was issued on Tuesday, the same day the new government took oath.

Bashir was appointed chairman of the national flag carrier on Aug 26 last year, after becoming an advisor in April. He was then overseeing both the ministries of civil Aviation and tourism and commerce.

His appointment as chairman of a company under a ministry he supervised drew criticism at the time, with some questioning the potential conflict of interest.

On Jan 15, amid negotiations with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing over new jet purchases, three officials were appointed as directors of Biman: then national security advisor Khalilur Rahman; the chief advisor’s special assistant on ICT Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, who held the rank of state minister, and Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

Khalilur has since been appointed foreign minister in Tarique Rahman’s cabinet, while Faiz has gone to Germany.