Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
PM returns home after 15-day foreign visit
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (May 09, 2023) morning returned home from London after her 15-day official visit to Japan, the US and the UK.
A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the premier, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:05am. The flight departed Heathrow International Airport, London at 6:25pm on Monday (London Time).
On April 25 last, Hasina left Dhaka for Tokyo on a four-day official visit to Japan on the first leg of her official three-nation visit. She went to Japan at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio.
During her stay in Tokyo, the Bangladesh PM met Emperor of Japan Naruhito, held summit meeting with her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio.
Read more: PM leaves London for home, ending 15-day foreign visit
She and her Japanese counterpart witnessed the exchange of eight instruments, mostly memorandums of cooperation signed between Dhaka and Tokyo to boost cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, metro-rail, industrial up-gradation, ship-recycling, customs matters, intellectual property, defense, ICT and cyber security.
She also attended an investment summit and a community reception as well as handed over the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” to two Japanese nationals for their special contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
Besides, Hasina held meetings separately with Foreign Minister of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr Tanaka Akihiko, Chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial & Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC) Fumiya Kokubu, Chairman and CEO of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Ishiguro Norihiko and President of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL) Taro Aso.
On April 28, the PM left Tokyo for Washington DC on a six-day official visit to the USA on the second leg of her three-nation tour in a bid to attend the celebration of the 50 years of partnership between the World Bank and Bangladesh.
Read More: Blair calls on PM at Claridge's, offers help to attract investment
She attended a seminar titled "Reflection on 50 years of Bangladesh-World Bank Partnership" organized at the headquarters of the World Bank in Washington DC, USA on May 1.
In Washington DC, Sheikh Hasina also had meetings separately with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and President and CEO of US Chamber of Commerce Suzanne P. Clark.
Besides, she attended a high-level executive roundtable with the US business delegation and a community reception.
On May 04, the premier left Washington DC for London on a five-day official visit to the UK to attend the coronation of UK's King Charles III, hosted by Buckingham Palace on May 06.
Read More: Bangladesh's next general election will be fair, PM Hasina tells UK
In London, Hasina had interaction with King Charles III, a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
She also attended the Commonwealth Leaders Event, the King's reception for heads of states, governments and overseas representatives at Buckingham Palace in advance of the coronation of the King and the Queen Consort, and a community reception.
She had a meeting with and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema there.
Besides, PM Hasina had interactions with Presidents of Egypt and Rwanda, Prime Ministers of Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Gambia, Namibia and Uganda in the coronation programme of King Charles III.
Read More: PM attends coronation of King Charles III
PM Hasina invites Bhutan to get an economic zone in Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has invited Bhutan to build an economic zone in Bangladesh for mutual benefits of the two neighbouring countries.
“We’re establishing economic zones in Bangladesh. You can build an economic zone in our country which will be known as Bhutan Economic Zone,” she said.
The premier made the offer when Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema met her on Saturday at the Claridge Hotel where she is staying during her UK visit.
Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana received the Bhutanese king and the queen on their arrival at the hotel.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed the reporters after the meeting that lasted 50 minutes.
Hasina informed the Bhutanese king that Bangladesh has already given economic zones to India, Japan and South Korea.
“If you want, we can give you an economic zone in Kurigram,” she said.
Hasina made the offer as the Bhutanese king said he wanted to build an administrative economic zone in his country keeping the environment unharmed.
The PM said that Bangladesh has been developing communication with neighbours in every way, including railways.
Read more: Bangladesh's role in Bhutan’s socio-economic dev immense: Envoy
“Bangladesh is a connectivity hub. Bhutan can use Bangladesh’s two ports and the Syedpur International Airport as we make those open for this purpose,” she said.
The Bhutanese royals highly praised the economic advancement of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Hasina, said Momen.
The king expressed his desire to get his Himalayan nation's direct transit through Bangladesh and another one through India.
The Bangladesh prime minister welcomed the Bhutanese eagerness, saying, “If necessary, we will talk to India over the matter.”
The Bhutanese monarch said his country’s prime minister and foreign minister have a special attachment with Bangladesh as both of them studied in Bangladesh.
He said both Bhutanese leaders have wanted to visit Bangladesh privately.
Welcoming it, Hasina said, “My door is open for you people.”
They discussed various family matters as the Bhutanese king and the queen consider the prime minister as their maternal aunt, Momen said.
PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, PM’s Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem were present at the meeting.
Read more: Bangladesh, Bhutan sign agreement on movement of traffic in transit
PM Hasina seeks long-term US partnership to build Smart Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said Bangladesh wants the United States as a long-term productive partner for increasing global competitiveness, and expand the export base to become a "developing" country in 2026.
“We shall need support to increase our global competitiveness and expand the export base. I am optimistic that the United States would become our long-term productive partner in this challenging venture through trade, investment, technology transfer, and by creating a smooth and predictable supply chain for mutual benefits,” she said.
The prime minister made the appeal while speaking at a business roundtable on “US-Bangladesh Economic Partnership: Shared Vision for Smart Growth” at US Chamber of Commerce here.
US-Bangladesh Business Council organised the event with important US business leaders.
The premier is here on a six-day visit to celebrate the 50 years of the partnership between the World Bank and Bangladesh. She arrived in Washington DC on April 29.
In the roundtable, Hasina also invited the US businesses to invest in Bangladesh’s many vibrant and high-potential sectors, such as renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobile, pharmaceuticals, light and heavy machineries, chemical fertilisers, ICT, marine resources, and medical equipment.
She said her government is setting up 100 ‘Special Economic Zones’ (SEZs) and 39 Hi-tech Parks in different parts of the country. With more than 600,000 free-lancing IT professionals, Bangladesh is just the right destination for IT investments. Moreover, access to young, skilled vibrant workforce at a competitive wage will continue to be an added advantage in Bangladesh, she added.
The premier repeated her offer of a dedicated ‘Special Economic Zone’ solely for the US investors in Bangladesh.
She called on the US business leaders to explore opportunities and invest in Bangladesh. “I also call on you here today to remain and be with us as partners in our journey to a developed, prosperous, and Smart Bangladesh by 2041,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the United States is a major economic and development partner of Bangladesh. Both countries have intensive engagements in many areas, including trade and investment.
“Our shared aim is to achieve mutual benefit and prosperity for our peoples. This shows in our growing bilateral trade, and people-to-people interaction.”
In 2021-2022, Bangladesh exported commodities worth US$ 10.42 billion to the United States, and imported goods worth US$ 2.8 billion.
Read more: US keen to work with Bangladesh, other partners to ensure an open Indo-Pacific
Stating that Bangladesh is a market of 170 million and its geographical location puts it in the heart of a market of 3 billion, she said, “Since connectivity brings prosperity, we promoted and established connectivity with our neighbours.”
“Bangladesh has now emerged as an ideal place for trade and investment in the region, and beyond. An example is Japan’s proposal to develop an industrial hub in Bangladesh along the coastal belt.”
She mentioned that now the focus of Bangladesh is to promote economic and commercial relations with regional and global partners, including the United States.
She said the physical, legal, and financial infrastructures of Bangladesh are being improved.
“Our efforts to sustain overall growth through investments in infrastructure are visible across the country. Last year, over the large Padma River, we built with our own fund, our longest bridge, now an important feature in regional development,” she said.
She said Bangladesh has also built metro rail, and improved port infrastructure, including deep seaport. “These have heightened domestic and regional connectivity.”
The PM said the climate responsible growth policy, labour reforms, and improvement in labour safety standards of Bangladesh deserve appreciation.
She said the government's efforts have led to Bangladesh making remarkable socio-economic growth over the last 14 years. “It is now universally acknowledged as a “Role Model of Socio-Economic development.”
“This has also been possible due to the continuity of good governance, rule of law, and stability; investment in rural economy; empowerment of women; and ICT that led to Digital Bangladesh,” she said.
She said the government’s vision is to build a “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041. This vision is beyond becoming a high income developed country by 2041. Smart Bangladesh is about being inclusive and founded on its smart citizens, smart economy, smart government, and smart society.
Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh's most liberal investment policy status in the region. It includes foreign investment protection by law; tax holiday; remittances of royalty; unrestricted exit policy; full repatriation of dividend and capital on exit and others.
“I assure you that we are giving topmost priority to improving our investment environment. In this regard, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority is implementing the Bangladesh Investment Climate Improvement Programme”.
She opined that the United States can be the most robust partner of Bangladesh. It is currently the largest single country destination of exports, largest source of foreign direct investment, a long-standing development partner, and an important source of training and technology.
“I hope that the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council will play a significant role in advancing trade and investment cooperation between our two friendly countries.”
In the event, she inaugurated the US Bangladesh IT Connect portal (us.itconnect.gov.bd) to facilitate b2b matchmaking and to make it easier for US businesses to find their right ICT partner in Bangladesh.
Read more: US wants stronger relationship with Bangladesh, leaving aside ‘misunderstandings’: Momen
PM’s ICT Affairs Advisor Sajeeb Wazed and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid also spoke at the high-level roundtable
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Planning Minister MA Mannan, and PM's Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Chairman of Board of Directors of U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council Board and also president of Excelerate Energy Steven Kobos, President of U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council Ambassador Atul Keshap, Global Chair Emeritus of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Hans-Paul Bürkner, Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy and Indo-Pacific Policy Operations at Mastercard Ravi Aurora, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of bKash Kamal Quadir, President and Managing Director of Chevron Bangladesh Eric Walker and Global Head of Exploration and New Venture at ExxonMobil Dr John Ardill were present.
The Prime Minister earlier attended two separate meetings with USBBC senior executives and the President and CEO of the US Chamber and Commerce at the Briefing Centre at the US Chamber of Commerce here.
Stay with us in implementing future physical & social mega projects: PM Hasina to WB
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged the World Bank and other development partners to find out viable alternatives to help economies like Bangladesh cope better with the stress, caused by the pandemic, armed conflicts and climate emergency.
“The ongoing global multiple crises, caused by the pandemic, armed conflicts and climate emergency, have put most developing economies under serious stress. Some of our development partners have chosen to increase their lending costs and interest rates, which detract from their core mandate,” she said
She made the suggestion with other fours while addressing the Plenary Session of the 50 Years Partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank at the Preston Auditorium of World Bank Headquarters with its president David R. Malpass in the chair.
In the second suggestion, Hasina said that Bangladesh is preparing for smooth and sustainable graduation from the UN LDC status in 2026. In this regard, she requested the World Bank to support Bangladesh’s human capital and institutional capacity development programmes for a smooth transition.
“The critical IDA window needs to be preserved and continued,” she said.
In the rhird suggestion, she mentioned that Bangladesh has aligned UN SDGs with its national aspiration to become an upper middle-income country by 2031.
“There is an urgent expectation that the World Bank and other development partners deliver increased, concessional and innovative financing for SDG implementation,” she said.
The prime minister in her fourth suggestion said Bangladesh hopes that the World Bank’s enhanced engagement in climate action would help address the wide gaps in financing under the Paris Agreement.
“We would stress the importance of equal distribution of financing between climate mitigation and adaptation,” she added.
In her final point, she said Bangladesh will continue to invest in infrastructure and logistics for realising its vision to become a high-income economy by 2041.
“I would expect the World Bank to engage in both our physical and social mega-projects in the coming years,” she said.
Hasina said that Bangladesh will continue to move forward undeterred.
“My presence here signals that we maintain our trust in the World Bank.
Our success in the next two decades would depend on our collective ability and efforts to overcome the emerging challenges in a just and sustainable manner,” she said.
She also put emphasis on remaining united towards making millions of people still lagging behind live a happy life in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib’s ‘Sonar Bangla’.
In 2009, she said that after assuming the office her government pledged to build a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by 2021.
“In the last one and a half decade, Bangladesh has gone through significant change, thanks to political stability and sound macro-economic fundamentals.”
She mentioned that In 2015, the World Bank classified Bangladesh as a lower-middle income country. In 2021, the UN declared it eligible for graduation from the LDC status for the second time.
“We successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic through an economic stimulus package worth USD 26.9 billion, and free-of-cost mass vaccination.”
The PM said that the completion of the Padma Multi-Purpose Bridge with country’s own resources and its inauguration last year is perhaps the best example of Bangladesh’s resilience and achievement.
She said that Bangladesh has today emerged as the world’s 35th largest economy, with a nominal GDP of USD 460 billion while its economy has been growing at an average rate of 6 percent in the last one decade. It reached up to 8.15 percent just before the pandemic. This has led to notable increase in per capita income to the tune of USD 2,824 in 2022.
She also mentioned that the overall poverty rate has reduced to 18.7 percent in 2022 from 41.5 percent in 2006.
Read more: World Bank approves $1.25bn financing in 3 projects for Bangladesh
“During this time, we have increased our budget allocation for social protection by 40 times, constituting 2.5 percent of our GDP.”
Just last year, she said, our government announced the decision to launch a Universal Pension Scheme.
She mentioned that under her flagship Ashrayan project, the government has provided free-of-cost homes to nearly five million people along with income-generating skills and support.
She said, 99.7 percent of households have come under electricity coverage, while the power generation capacity has increased eight-times to over 25,000 MW between 2006 and 2022.
Photo exhibition kicks off celebration of 50 years of BD-WB relation
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and World Bank president David Malpass on Monday jointly inaugurated a photo exhibition marking the 50-year partnership between Bangladesh and the WB.
The exhibition at the Atrium of the World Bank headquarters kicked off the dayling celebration of the 50 years of relation between Bangladesh and the WB
The PM went around the show and also witnessed a dance performance.
A video presentation on "Bangladesh-World Bank 50 Years of Partnership" was screened at the function.
Earlier, On her arrival in the WB headquarters in Washington DC, Sheikh Hasina was welcomed by WB Country Director for Bangladesh Abdoulaye Seck and its SAR VP Martin Raiser with a flower bouquet.
Read more: World Bank approves $1.25bn financing in 3 projects for Bangladesh
Later in the day she is due to attend an informal interaction with the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank, address the plenary session on "Reflection on 50 years of World Bank-Bangladesh Partnership" and attend a high-level business luncheon with WB president, MDs and VPs.
Talking at the programme after inaugurating it, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the Photo Exhibition at the World Bank premises is a reflection of value-driven partnership with the World Bank over the last five decades.
“It is a representation of a transformed and vibrant Bangladesh. It is a tribute to our hard working people who have made it possible for our nation to live up to its dreams,” she said.
She also extended her greetings to working people in Bangladesh and around the world on the occasion of Labour Day (May Day).
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the photo exhibition shows that the development story in Bangladesh is about those lagging behind.
“I thank the World Bank and other development partners for sharing our vision of an inclusive growth. Our common enemies are poverty and hunger, and we must not rest our case till we have won over them,” she said.
She said that the exhibition is also about the importance of making the right political choices.
“It shows the kind of smile that our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wished to see among our distressed people. It speaks of our government’s determination to turn Bangladesh into a resilient and prosperous land.”
She hoped the World Bank will continue to remain with Bangladesh on its exciting journey ahead to build a ‘Smart Bangladesh’.
“Let us work together in a spirit of shared trust for a brighter future!”
PM seeking foreigners’ favour getting isolated from people: Amir Khosru
BNP Senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currying favour with foreigners to hang onto power after getting isolated from the country’s people.
“The Prime Minister is out on tours. Those who are alienated from people are now seeking the favour of foreigners (to stay in power),” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said Awami League has got completely isolated from people and politically defeated.
“They have become dependent on certain apparatuses of the state and the are dependent on other forces to cling to power. So, they’re going from country to country and door to door seeking a favour. They have no connection with the people of Bangladesh,” he observed.
Sher-e-Bangla Jatiya Jubo Smriti Foundation arranged the discussion meeting at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 61st death anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to Tokyo on Tuesday at the start of her four-day official visit to Japan.
Tokyo is the first stop during the PM’s two-week three-nation official visit that will also take her to the United States and the United Kingdom.
Read more: People have given verdict for restoration of caretaker govt: Khasru
Khosru said the Prime Minister will not be able to make any political gain, no matter how many countries she goes around with a stance against the people of Bangladesh. “You have to be defeated. When the people of the country take a decision and take a political stance, no force can fight against them."
He said their party’s ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy will surely turn out to be successful with the spontaneous participation of people.
The BNP leader said the country’s people are closely observing everything they will also impose sanctions on the government and on those who were involved in vote rigging.
BNP Standing Committee Member Selima Rahman, Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, and Legal Affairs Secretary Barrister Kaiser Kamal, among others, spoke at the programme.
Dhaka-Tokyo friendship is flourishing for mutual benefits: PM Hasina
Bangladesh and Japan are currently enjoying a very friendly relationship and the friendship is getting deeper day by day, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday.
She made the remarks to Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi who called on her at the bilateral meeting room of Akasaka Palace Guest House in Tokyo.
PM’s deputy press secretary KM Shakhwat Moon briefed reporters after the meeting.
He said Hasina and the Japanese foreign minister praised the friendly relationship existing between Bangladesh and Japan.
They observed that the friendship is gradually increasing.
PM Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh-Japan relations emanate from the unwavering support of Japanese people for the cause of the independence of Bangladesh.
She mentioned that Japan recognised Bangladesh soon after its independence on February 10, 1972.
“Last year (2022), we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between our two countries,” she was quoted as saying.
The Bangladesh premier thanked the government and the people of Japan for their part in the elaborate celebrations, which further strengthened bilateral ties and people-to-people bonds.
Read more: Bangladesh & Japan elevate bilateral relations to strategic partnership: PM Hasina
Expressing happiness to undertake her sixth visit to Japan as the prime minister of Bangladesh, she recalled her visit to Japan in 1997, when the two countries observed the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.
She recalled the official visit of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan on 18-24 October 1973, which laid the rock-solid foundation for today's exemplary Bangladesh-Japan relations.
“Bangabandhu was an ardent admirer of Japan's development model and was inspired to build his own war-ravaged country with Japan's experience,” she said.
Hasina said Japan is the largest bilateral development partner of Bangladesh. “Japan's contribution is evident in major development initiatives being undertaken in Bangladesh,” she said.
She thanked Japan for sustained and generous support over the years to Bangladesh's socio-economic advancement.
She said Bangladesh counts on Japan's continued support and cooperation to turn Bangladesh into a "Smart Bangladesh" by 2041 as per the Vision-2041.
The Bangladesh PM sought Japan’s support in its bid to become a vice-president of the Asian Development Bank.
She also sought Japan's support, as a Council member country of the IMO, for Bangladesh's candidature for IMO Secretary General Post as its election would be held on 17-18 July 2023 in London.
Japanese FM Yoshimasa highly appreciated the ongoing development of Bangladesh in every sector including agriculture, education, ICT and health under the leadership of PM Hasina. “You are advancing your country,” he said.
Read more: Summit talks between Bangladesh and Japanese PMs underway in Tokyo
He said that Japan was always beside Bangladesh for its development and will remain in the future.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, and State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak were present.
Besides, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr Tanaka Akihiko, Chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial & Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC) Fumiya Kokubu, Chairman and CEO of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Ishiguro Norihiko and President of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL) Taro Aso separately met Sheikh Hasina at her palace of residence --Akasaka Palace—here on Wednesday.
PM opens VVIP terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal Int’l Airport
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constructed VVIP terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
She opened the VVIP terminal in the morning before she flew for Tokyo on the first leg of her two-week tri-nation official visit to Japan, the USA and the UK.
Also Read: PM Hasina reaches Tokyo to begin four-day official visit to Japan
Unveiling the screen of the terminal’s plaque, the premier joined a munajat. Cabinet members and high government officials were present.
Sheikh Hasina is now visiting Japan from April 25 to 28 at the invitation of Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio.
Also Read: PM Hasina off to Tokyo on first leg of a two-week official visit to Japan, USA and UK
She is expected to return home on May 9 after visiting the USA and the UK.
Md Shahabuddin takes oath as 22nd President of Bangladesh
Mohammed Shahabuddin was on Monday sworn in as the 22nd President of Bangladesh in a ceremony at Bangabhaban.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath at 11 am.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, cabinet members and scores of distinguished guests attended the event. Family members of the new president, including his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana, attended the function.
Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, members of the parliament, chief election commissioner, Supreme Court judges, and political leaders, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, senior journalists, and high-ranking civil and military officials witnessed the event.
Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain conducted the programme.
Shahbuddin succeeds Md Abdul Hamid whose second successive term ended on Sunday.
Shahabuddin (73) was elected as president unopposed on February 13 this year as a candidate of the ruling Awami League.
Also read: Xi Jinping sends letter to Shahabuddin, stands ready to work with the Bangladeshi president
During his student life, he served as an activist and president of Pabna Chhatra League and later took over the responsibility of Pabna Jubo League as its president. In 1971, he was the convenor of Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad of Pabna and also actively participated in the Liberation War.
He was imprisoned following the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.
He was later appointed as the Law Ministry's coordinator in the Bangabandhu assassination case.
In 1982, he joined the BCS (Judicial) Department, and in 1995, he was elected general secretary of the Judicial Service Association.
He also served as the chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission, which investigated murders, rapes, thefts and other crimes by BNP-Jamaat alliance's activists and leaders following the 2001 general election.
Also read: Md Shahabuddin declared President-elect of Bangladesh
He also worked as a district and sessions judge before retiring in 2006.
He was a commissioner at the Anti-Corruption Commission from 2011 to 2016.
Shahabuddin's wife, Rebecca Sultana, is a former joint secretary of the government.
Shun intra-party conflict to work for national dev: PM Hasina urges AL
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked her party members to shun intra-party conflict and work together for the development of the country and welfare of the people.
“No grouping and intra-party rivalry shall be allowed in the area. Everyone has to work. I will give the nomination. Those who want to work in the area, must work together,” she said.
She gave the instruction in a video call at the party's joint meeting held at the political office of the Awami League President in city's Dhanmondi.
The Awami League president also directed the party leaders and activists to highlight the development activities of the government during the holy Eid-ul-Fitr vacation alongside looking after the beneficiaries of the government projects.
She said that various types of allowances are being provided to women, men, children and the elderly persons through numerous schemes of the government.
In this connection, she asked the party men to check whether these allowances are being received directly by the beneficiaries.
Accirding to sources at the meeting Hasina instructed the leaders and activists to stand by the helpless people on the occasion of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitre to make the party more dynamic.
She urged all to highlight the development activities of the government ahead of the upcoming general elections.
She asked the AL members across the country to remain vigilant against arson attacks of BNP-Jamaat alongside making the people aware of such violence.
Read more: Pressures on Sheikh Hasina won’t work: PM
While talking to Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap over phone, she also asked the party leaders to plant trees for developing sound environment in the country.
Apart from giving instructions, she exchanged Eid greetings with AL leaders and activists and wished everyone a safe journey.
Earlier, a joint meeting was held with Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader Obaidul Quader in the chair.
AL presidium members and presidents-general secretaries of Dhaka City North and South units of AL and other allied organizations were present in the meeting.
Talking to journalist, AL Office Secretary Biplab Barua said that the PM asked all party members to raise public relations in view of the upcoming elections alongside exchanging Eid greetings.