Tarique's cabinet: Know the first-time ministers and state ministers

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the 11th prime minister of Bangladesh today (17 February) at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin administering the oath.

The state ministers and other cabinet members then took their oaths, each administered individually by President Shahabuddin.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is joining the cabinet for the first time, which comprises 50 members—25 ministers, including 17 new faces and 24 state ministers all serving for the first time, according to the latest announcement.

Among those becoming ministers for the first time are Tarique Rahman, AZM Zahid Hossain, Khalilur Rahman, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Ariful Haque Choudhury, Zahir Uddin Swapan, Aminur Rashid Yasin, Afroza Khanam Rita, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, Asaduzzaman Asad, Zakaria Taher, Dipen Dewan, Fokir Mahbub Anam, Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bokul and Sheikh Robiul Alam.

Those taking oath as state ministers for the first time include M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Anind Islam Amit, Shariful Alam, Shama Obaed Islam, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Kaiser Kamal, Farhad Hossain Azad, Aminul Haque, Md Helal Uddin, Habibur Rashid, Rajib Ahsan, Md Abdul Bari, Mir Shahe Alam, Zonayed Saki, Ishraque Hossain, Farzana Sharmin, Faridul Islam, Nurul Haque Nur, Yeaser Khan Chowdhury, Iqbal Hossain, MA Muhith, Sohel Manjur, Bobby Hajjaj and Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam.

Technocrats- Khalilur Rahman, Haji Aminur Rashid Yasin and Aminul Haque, are appointed to the cabinet based on expertise rather than being elected.

With this, the new BNP-led government under Tarique Rahman has officially taken office, returning to power after nearly two decades.

In the national election held 12 February, the BNP secured 209 seats, while its coalition allies won 3 additional seats.