Fayez Ahmed Tayyab Departs Amid Transition and Controversy

In a weekend marked by political upheaval and shifting allegiances, reports emerged on Saturday evening suggesting that Fayez Ahmed Tayyab, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, has left Bangladesh. The news of his departure comes at a critical juncture as the interim administration prepares to hand over the reins of power to a newly elected government.

A Sudden Exit Confirmed

When contacted via WhatsApp on Saturday night to verify claims of his departure, Mr Tayyab declined to engage in a telephone conversation. However, he subsequently issued a brief text message clarifying his professional status. “I took my leave from the office on the 9th and 10th of this month,” he wrote. “I was formally given a send-off by the Ministry.”

While Mr Tayyab remained conspicuously silent when asked directly whether he had fled the country, sources close to him confirmed that he departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka earlier on Saturday.

From Activism to Governance

Fayez Ahmed Tayyab’s rise within the interim structure was swift following the fall of the Awami League regime on 5 August 2024. Originally appointed as an ICT Policy Adviser in November 2024, he was elevated to the rank of Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser with the status of a Minister of State on 5 March 2025. His tenure was defined by ambitious digital reforms, though it was eventually overshadowed by allegations of administrative overreach.

Allegations of Impropriety

The latter half of his term was marred by a formal inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). In July 2025, reports surfaced accusing Mr Tayyab of bypassing standard protocols to expedite the procurement of machinery for a government project. Furthermore, allegations were made that he attempted to exert undue influence over the ACC to stifle the ongoing investigation.

The Changing Political Guard

His departure coincides with the conclusive victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which secured a commanding 209 seats in the recent elections. As the nation prepares for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Members of Parliament this coming Tuesday, several high-ranking officials of the outgoing interim government are reportedly reassessing their positions.

The interim government is expected to dissolve officially within the next 48 hours, paving the way for the first elected administration in years. The sudden exit of a key policy figure like Mr Tayyab raises questions about the continuity of ongoing ICT projects and the status of the pending corruption inquiries.