Cabinet Expansion: President Appoints Seven New State Ministers

The seven newly appointed cabinet members will be taking their oath on Friday evening at the Bangabhaban. President Mohammad Sahabuddin will officiate the ceremony, and notable figures including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present. The new cabinet members include Shahiduzzaman Sarker, Abdul Wadud Dara, Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, Nahid Izhar Khan, Dr Rokeya Sultana, Shamsunnahar, and Waseqa Ayesha Khan.

Out of these seven, three are elected members of parliament from their respective constituencies, while the remaining four are from the reserved women's seats. All of them have been elected under the banner of the ruling Awami League party.

Their specific portfolios are yet to be announced, but insider sources have indicated the potential assignments. Waseqa Ayesha Khan is expected to take on the role of state minister for finance, Dr Rokeya Sultana as state minister of health, and Shamsunnahar Chapa as state minister for education. Meanwhile, Nazrul Islam Chowdhury is anticipated to be named state minister for labor, and Nahid Izhar Khan as state minister for cultural affairs, paying tribute to her father's contribution to the liberation war.

The initial 37-member cabinet was sworn in on January 11 after the 12th parliamentary election. Talks of expanding the cabinet had been circulating, with party leaders expecting it to happen after the oath ceremony for reserved seat MPs.