Mahfuj Alam takes over as new information advisor

As students' representative Nahid Islam resigned from the advisory council to join political activities, Mahfuzul Alam has been appointed as the new the information and broadcasting adviser.

Confirming the appointment of Mahfuz Alam, the Cabinet Division issued a notification on Wednesday.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus made the decision a day after Nahid Islam stepped down from his position. Mahfuj Alam previously took the oath as an adviser on November 10 last year but had not been assigned a specific portfolio.

Mahfuj became part of the interim government as a student representative three days after the Awami League was ousted from power through a mass movement led by students and the public. Twenty days later, on Aug 28, he was appointed as the chief advisor's special assistant.

A law student from Dhaka University's 2015-16 session, Mahfuj was recognised on campus as the ideological leader of the Democratic Student Power, the group that led the Anti-discrimination Student Movement and spearheaded protests against Sheikh Hasina's government.

Meanwhile, Nahid Islam, a former student leader and coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, announced his resignation at a press conference at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday.

He cited his desire to play a more active role in fulfilling the aspirations of the July mass uprising rather than remaining within the government.