Imran, Indira take oath of office

State Minister Imran Ahmad, who was promoted to a full minister, and newly appointed State Minister Fazilatunnesa Indira took oath of office on Saturday.

President Abdul Hamid administered the oath to them at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban in the evening.

Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam conducted the oath-taking ceremony.

The ceremony began around 7:33pm with the recitation from the Holy Quran.

At the end of the oath-taking ceremony, the President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings with the new minister and the state minister, and distinguished guests.

Prime Minister's daughter Saima Wazed attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and high officials of the President and Prime Minister's Offices were present.

Meanwhile, Imran Ahmad remained at the helm of the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry while Indira was given the charge of Women and Children Affairs Ministry. The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification in this regard.

On Thursday, the government elevated State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Imran Ahmad to a full minister while made Awami League Women Affairs Secretary Fazilatunnesa Indira a state minister.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina formed government for the third consecutive term as she took oath as the Prime Minister on January 7 last leading a 47-member cabinet.

With the induction of Indira into the cabinet, the number of ministers and state ministers has risen to 48.