By NNN-PTI,
Dhaka : Two first time women lawmakers have been assigned the key portfolios of foreign and home affairs by Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has kept major ministries including defence with herself.
In a bid to make a fresh start, Hasina, who was sworn in yesterday, allocated portfolios to 31 council of ministers including five women members.
Dipu Moni, a first time MP and personal physician of Hasina has been allocated the key foreign ministry, while another new member, Sahara Khatun, a practising lawyer was assigned the home affairs portfolio.
Of the 31, as many as 25 are newcomers and another woman Motia Choudhry has retained the agriculture ministry, which she held in Hasina’s previous administration.
The new foreign minister Moni is the daughter of former activist Mohammad Abdul Wadud, who was close to the country’s founder, Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.
She is a doctor by profession and the central women affairs secretary of the Awami League, which swept to power winning a three-fourths majority in the 300-member Parliament.
Economist Abumal Abdul Muhith was appointed the new Finance Minister in a cabinet that consists of only six members who have served as ministers in earlier governments.
Besides Muhith and Choudhry, Syed Asharaful Islam, appointed as local government, rural development and cooperatives minister; Syed Abul Hussein, communication and A K Khondkar, Planning are the only council members who had earlier held ministries.
The Prime Minister kept some ministries with herself that include defence, cabinet division, energy, religious affairs and women and children affairs among others.