Govt reduces airport protocol presence for PM Tarique to 4 officials

The Cabinet Division has issued new protocol guidelines stating that only four officials will be present at the airport when Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departs for or returns from official foreign visits.

According to new protocol guidelines issued today (5 March), the officials who will receive or see off the prime minister at the airport are the most senior minister of the cabinet, the chief whip of parliament, the cabinet secretary, and the principal secretary to the prime minister.

The latest instruction marks a significant reduction compared to the protocol followed during the tenure of interim government.

After Yunus assumed office as chief adviser, the Cabinet Division issued a similar order on 28 August 2024 requiring the presence of 18 officials at the airport during his departure and arrival for official or state visits abroad.

Those included the senior-most adviser of the advisory council, the foreign affairs adviser, adviser attached to the chief adviser's office Ali Imam Majumder, the dean of the diplomatic corps, the head of mission of the host country, the cabinet secretary, chiefs of the army, navy and air force, the principal secretary, secretary to the chief adviser's office, secretary of the Public Security Division, secretary of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, the foreign secretary, inspector general of police, director general of the National Security Intelligence, and the chief of protocol of the foreign ministry.