DE News Desk :
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen Jashim Uddin is set to step down from his post, just eight months after assuming office, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain confirmed on Wednesday.
A replacement is expected to be announced in the coming days, amid internal reshuffles within the ministry.
Addressing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Touhid clarified that the development does not indicate a dismissal.
“The foreign secretary may wish to leave this responsibility for various reasons, and we are allowing him to do so,” he said. “By stepping aside, I mean he will hand over his duties—he remains in government service.”
Jashim, a 13th batch officer of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Foreign Service cadre, took charge as foreign secretary on September 8, following major political changes that included the ouster of the Awami League-led government on August 5.
He is scheduled to begin post-retirement leave in December 2026.
Ministry insiders say discussions are underway to appoint him as an ambassador again—roles he previously held in China, Qatar, and Greece.
When asked whether Jashim was resigning or going on leave, Touhid responded, “There is no resignation involved. He will continue in service with a different assignment.”
On who might be appointed next, the adviser, himself a former foreign secretary, said: “You’ll know in a couple of days.”
Responding to queries about possible external influence in the decision, Touhid remarked, “Government decisions are never made by a single person. Various factors and interests are always considered, and sometimes decisions evolve based on the bigger picture.”
Meanwhile, uncertainty lingers over the role of Md Sufiur Rahman, who was appointed as Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser with the rank of state minister over a month ago but has yet to formally join the foreign ministry.
Sufiur, a seasoned diplomat, previously served as Bangladesh’s ambassador to four countries during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Regarding Sufiur’s pending assumption of duties, Touhid said, “He hasn’t joined yet. Whether he takes charge or not will depend on the government’s decision.”
He noted that internal discussions are ongoing regarding Sufiur’s potential assignment or a change in role.