Government set to expand cabinet with five new members

The government is preparing to expand its cabinet by inducting five new members in a move aimed at accelerating administrative activities and improving governance efficiency, according to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Officials familiar with the process said one of the new entrants is expected to be a technocrat, while a broader reshuffle of portfolios among existing ministers is also under consideration.

The planned changes are aimed at reducing administrative and political workload, ensuring faster implementation of electoral pledges, and maintaining balance in governance, senior officials said.

Although no official date has been announced, sources indicated that the cabinet expansion and portfolio redistribution could take place within this month.

Among those being discussed for possible inclusion are Chittagong-8 MP Ershad Ullah, Patuakhali-4 MP BM Mosharraf Hossain and BNP Chairperson's advisor and former UK BNP president Mahidur Rahman under the technocrat quota.

Key ministries, including agriculture, commerce, industry, jute and textiles, public administration, and food, may also see portfolio adjustments as part of the reshuffle, sources added.

The government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, currently operates with 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers following the February 12 general election.