Major reshuffle in foreign ministry, missions

The government has brought several changes to major Bangladesh missions abroad and also the foreign ministry through transfers and fresh appointments.

According to the ministry officials, the government has decided to appoint new ambassadors in Germany, Egypt, Portugal and the Philippines.

It also changed the chief of protocol at the foreign ministry as well as appointed officials in three important wings.

In addition, three senior officials have been promoted to the position of director general in economic affairs, South Asia and Europe wings.

Highly placed sources said Bangladesh's incumbent ambassador in Lisbon of Portugal Imtiaz Ahmed has been transferred to Berlin, Germany. He has replaced Muhammad Ali Sorcar, who has been made ambassador  to  Cairo, Egypt.

Bangladesh ambassador in Egypt Md Wahidur Rahman is due to go on leave preparatory retirement (LPR) soon.

In another decision, the government has decided to appoint Chief of Protocol Asad Alam Siam as the next ambassador  to Manila, Philippines.

Director General East Asia and Pacific Wing Md Ruhul Alam Siddique has also been appointed as Bangladesh's next ambassador to Lisbon.

AKM Shahidul Karim, currently serving as consul general at the consulate general of Bangladesh in Jeddah, has been appointed as the chief of protocol at the foreign ministry.

Earlier, the government appointed Director General of Economic Affairs Wing Riaz Hamidullah at Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Director General of South Asia Wing Tareq Md Ariful Islam as deputy permanent representative  of Bangladesh to the UN in New York, USA.

The newly promoted directors general are Mohammad Monirul Islam (economic affairs), Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khastagir (Europe) and Md Monwar Hossain (South Asia).