Dhaka: During Sheikh Hasina’s nearly 16-year long autocratic rule, a directive was reportedly issued requiring public officials to address her as “Sir”. This practice extended to other high-ranking female officials, who were and still are being called “Sir”, which is clearly odd.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, on Thursday (July 10, 2025), the Council of Advisers officially annulled the directive, said a press release issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. The council also discussed the necessity of changing other elaborate protocol directives issued by the cabinet.
A committee, comprised of the Energy, Road and Railway Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Environment and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, has been formed to review the protocol directives and honorifics. The committee is tasked to suggest, within one month, appropriate amendments for consideration of the advisory council.