Post and Telecommunications Minister Abdul Latif Siddique has been removed from the cabinet following his controversial remarks on hajj, said a senior official of the ruling party.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif came up with the information at a press briefing at the party President Sheikh Hasina's office in Dhanmondi on Wednesday evening.
He said: “Latif Siddique will not be treated as a minister from now on as the decision of removing him from the cabinet, has already been put into effect.”
He further informed that State Minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak has received the ‘Global ICT Excellence Award’ given by the World Congress on IT-WCIT in Mexico, instead of Abdul Latif Siddique.
Replying to a query over Latif’s party position, Hanif said: “The party will take the decision on Latif’s party post after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s return.”
Earlier on Sunday, Siddique made comments on hajj while addressing a reception arranged by the Tangail expatriates in New York.
The minister’s comments on hajj have sparked controversy in home and abroad.
According to reports from several private TV channels, the government has decided to remove Posts and Telecommunications Minister Abdul Latif Siddique from the cabinet.
Amid harsh criticism on recent comments on hajj Posts and Telecommunications Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui said, he was firm in his comments.
Latif is not at all thinking to withdraw his recent comments on hajj, he told the BBC Bangla.
However, he said that he would only withdraw if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina orders him.
