Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to reshuffle her cabinet soon, with several stalwarts in danger of losing their posts, ruling Awami League sources have told Dhaka Tribune.
The changes are likely to come either at the end of July or in September.
Traditionally, the Awami League does not make any major moves in August, as it is the month of mourning in which Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated.
Asked about the possibility of an imminent cabinet reshuffle, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said: “Only the Prime Minister has the right to reshuffle the cabinet. She is monitoring the overall issue and will make the final decision. But changes look likely so far.”
“No one except the prime minister knows when it will happen,” he added.
Obaidul Quader, also Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, made the statement after a meeting at the headquarters of the Bridge Division in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The cabinet headed by Sheikh Hasina is comprised of 51 members, including 31 ministers, 17 state ministers and two deputy ministers. The cabinet saw its last major reshuffle on July 15, 2015.
Awami Leauge insiders said some new faces will be included in the cabinet as minister, state minister and deputy minister. Besides, one or two state ministers will receive promotion as full minister while at least two members are likely to be removed from the cabinet.
“Prime Minister will make the reshuffle to increase dynamism in the government’s performance ahead of the upcoming election,” a senior Awami League leader said.
Two ministers are likely to be dropped for their unsatisfactory performance, the sources said. Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam, who was criticised for importing damaged wheat, and Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sherif, who is accused of nepotism in his constituency in Pabna, are in danger of missing out. The two ministers could not immediately be reached for comment.
Besides, a few ministers are likely to be removed from the cabinet over their advanced age and health issues. Sources said Fisheries and Livestock Minister SayedulHaque, who is 75 years old and Textile and Jute Minister EmajuddinPramanik, 76, are now suffering from poor health. If they agree to retire, the cabinet may see two new faces as replacement.
“However, the Prime Minister may not relieve them if they are interested in continuing,” said a senior Awami League leader.
The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and the Ministry of Textile and Jute have state ministers who are now mainly shouldering the ministerial job. If the textile minister resigns, state minister Mirza Azam may become a full minister. Besides, some new faces are in contention for inclusion in the cabinet as state ministers for the ministry of Education, Home Affairs and Health. These ministries were recently divided into six divisions with the goal of extending the capacity of the ministries.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
