Professor Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan has lost his position as foreign affairs adviser to the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami after a letter recommending his appointment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was sent without the party chief’s consent.
The letter, signed by Jamaat Ameer and opposition leader in parliament Shafiqur Rahman, was sent to Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on February 22.
In the letter, Mahmudul Hasan was described as efficiently performing diplomatic responsibilities as the Ameer’s foreign affairs adviser and possessing the professional network and expertise needed to strengthen Bangladesh’s relations with countries across Asia, Africa, Oceania, the Americas and Europe.
It also noted his engagement with international platforms including the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, ASEAN Regional Forum and the European Union.
The letter described the proposal to appoint Mahmudul Hasan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a “new and innovative” initiative, suggesting it could help present the opposition party’s foreign policy views to the government and help maintain balance in international relations.
However, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman did not approve the proposal to grant him ministerial rank.
Party Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair told reporters that the letter had been sent to facilitate policy discussions and participation in foreign affairs activities, but the proposal to grant ministerial status did not have the Ameer’s consent.
“As the ministerial status was proposed without his approval, Professor Mahmudul Hasan has been removed from the position,” he said.
He added that Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, a member of parliament from Dhaka-14, has been appointed as the new foreign affairs adviser to the Jamaat Ameer. The matter has been communicated to the foreign secretary, he said.