BNP leader, newsman reject diplomatic jobs

Instructed by prime minister recently, information minister asked Ehsanul Kabir, information and research secretary of the BNP, to join counsellor (press) post lying vacant with deputy high commission in Kolkata while journalist Gias Kamal Chowdhury was offered the same at high commission in Pakistan, official sources said.

However, both outright rejected the offer terming the post as 'too low and dishonourable'. Information Minister Tariqul Islam admitted the making of the offer and its refusal, sources added.

"I am grateful to the government for the offer but I want to say that I am not fit for the post," an apparently annoyed Kabir told The Daily Star yesterday.

Meanwhile, many journalists commented that requesting Chowdhury a press counsellor post with the rank and status of a deputy secretary is shocking because he served as economic minister at high commission in London with the rank and status of a joint secretary during BNP's last tenure.

Both posts remained vacant since the BNP-led alliance government ascended to power and recently a move has been taken to make political appointment to the posts.