Dhaka: National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Khalilur Rahman on Monday avoided addressing questions concerning criticism of his recent appointment as a director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. When queried by a TV journalist about his new role at Biman while still holding the NSA position, Dr Rahman responded with a brief smile, stating, “Not all countries in the world have Biman.”
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr Rahman, who also holds the position of High Representative on the Rohingya Issue, had earlier convened with Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The specifics of their conversation remain undisclosed. A small group of journalists engaged Dr Rahman as he exited the ministry following the meeting.
Recently, Dr Rahman, along with Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb and Senior Secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission Akhtar Ahmed, were named as directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd. This decision, occurring less than a month before the February-12 election, has prompted questions among aviation industry insiders.
In a related development, police have arrested Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman, his wife, and two others from Uttara. The arrests are connected to a case involving the abuse of a child domestic worker.