Nine Contract Appointments Cancelled

The Government of Bangladesh has cancelled the contractual appointments of nine senior officials serving across key ministries and public institutions, in a move that signals a broader administrative reshuffle aimed at enhancing efficiency and accountability within the civil service.

Separate official orders were issued on Monday by the Ministry of Public Administration, confirming the immediate termination of these appointments. The decision affects individuals holding senior roles in planning, administration, health, ICT, and international representation.

Among those whose contracts have been annulled are three members of the Planning Commission—Dr Md Mokhlesur Rahman, Dr Kaiyum Ara Begum, and M A Akmal Hossain Azad. These individuals had been contributing to national development strategies and economic planning initiatives under contractual terms following their retirement from regular service.

The list further includes Mumtaz Ahmed, Senior Secretary at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs; Mohammad Yusuf, Chairman of the Land Appeal Board; and Siddique Zobayer, Director General of the National Academy for Planning and Development. Also affected are Shish Haider Chowdhury, Secretary of the ICT Division; Md Saidur Rahman, Secretary of the Health Services Division; and Sharifa Khan, who had been serving as Alternate Executive Director at the World Bank.

Contractual appointments are commonly used in Bangladesh’s public administration to retain experienced officials beyond retirement or to fill critical roles requiring specialised expertise. However, such arrangements have occasionally drawn criticism for limiting opportunities for promotion within the regular civil service and for potentially prolonging tenure without sufficient performance review.

Policy analysts suggest that the latest move may reflect a shift towards revitalising the administrative structure by introducing new leadership and encouraging merit-based progression. It may also be part of a broader effort to align governance practices with evolving institutional priorities and public expectations.

Below is a summary of the officials affected by the decision:

While the government has not publicly elaborated on the specific reasons behind each cancellation, the orders state that the decisions take immediate effect. Observers will now be watching closely to see how these vacancies are filled and whether this marks the beginning of a wider reform initiative within Bangladesh’s administrative framework.