Ashikuzzaman to replace Abul Kalam as Bangladesh ambassador to Kuwait

The government has appointed major general Md Ashikuzzaman as Bangladesh's new ambassador to Kuwait, said a foreign affairs ministry statement on Monday.

He will replace current ambassador SM Abul Kalam, who has been criticised for his alleged links with Bangladesh lawmaker Md Shahid Islam arrested in Kuwait on charges of human trafficking and money laundering.

Before being appointed as the ambassador, Ashikuzzaman was serving as senior directing staff in National Defence College, Bangladesh.

After being commissioned in the Bangladesh Army in 1988, Ashikuzzaman served three United Nations peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and D R Congo.

Ambassador Abul Kalam and other officials of Bangladesh embassy were accused of aiding and abetting Lakshmipur-2 MP Md Shahid Islam.

Shahid was arrested in Kuwait on charges of human trafficking and money laundering in June.

Abul Kalam’s tenure ended last month but the government extended contracts of six envoys, including his, to July due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Kalam will return after the expiration of his term in July.