Jamaat ameer removes foreign affairs adviser Mahmudul over letter to ministry

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman has relieved his foreign affairs adviser, Prof Dr Mahmudul Hasan, of his responsibilities for violating party instructions regarding a letter sent to the foreign ministry.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem (Arman), MP for Dhaka-14, was appointed as the new foreign affairs adviser to the Jamaat ameer on March 2, replacing Dr Mahmudul.

In a statement issued today, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said Mahmudul had been tasked with drafting a letter to Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to clarify Jamaat’s positions on foreign affairs.

However, he allegedly included matters beyond the ameer’s instructions, specifically a section regarding the minister’s rank.

Upon learning of the issue, the Jamaat ameer formally relieved Mahmudul of his duties. Porwar emphasised that the party believes in responsible and transparent political conduct and promptly corrects any misunderstandings or errors.

The letter, signed by Dr Shafiqur and sent to the foreign minister on February 22, noted that Mahmudul had long served as his adviser on foreign affairs and had strengthened ties with international partners including the UN, Commonwealth, Asean Regional Forum, EU, and countries across Asia, Africa, Oceania, America and Europe.

It also suggested that the foreign ministry consider appointing Mahmudul as an adviser equivalent to the foreign minister to balance opposition perspectives in international relations.

Top foreign ministry officials expressed surprise at the proposal, noting that there is no precedent for appointing an adviser from the opposition in the ministry.

Currently, the foreign ministry has three posts: foreign minister, state minister, and prime minister’s foreign affairs adviser.