Faisal Mahmud appointed press minister in New Delhi, Akbar Hossain in London

Two senior journalists are appointed as press ministers in India and the UK as part of government reshuffle

Senior journalists Faisal Mahmud and Akbar Hossain Mojumdar have been appointed as press ministers in New Delhi and London, respectively, following a series of reshuffles in the interim government.

The Ministry of Public Administration announced their two-year contractual appointments in separate notifications on Sunday.

Faisal, editor of Bangla Outlook, will replace Shaban Mahmud in New Delhi, while Akbar, a journalist with BBC Bangla in Dhaka, will take over from Md Ashikun Nabi Chowdhury in London.

Both Shaban and Ashikun were removed by the interim government after the removal of the Awami League administration in the wake of student protests.

This follows the appointment of journalist Golam Mortoza as press minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington on Nov 19, succeeding AZM Sajjad Hossain, who was dismissed in August.

With the new government in power, there have been widespread changes not only in the domestic administration but also in Bangladesh’s foreign missions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun recalling diplomats and cancelling many contractual appointments.

According to the notifications, Faisal and Akbar must sever any professional or business ties before taking office.

Their terms will last for two years, with additional conditions set by contract.