Zahir Uddin Swapon, Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - Newly elected Member of Parliament from Barishal-1 (Gournadi-Agailjhara) constituency Zahir Uddin Swapon today took oath as a minister and was assigned the charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Swapon won in the 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12, contesting with the party symbol 'Sheaf of Paddy'. 

With this victory, the constituency returned to BNP after 18 years.

The news of his inclusion in the new cabinet has sparked widespread enthusiasm among party leaders, activists and local residents in his constituency. 

Locals expressed hope that his appointment would accelerate development activities in the area.

Swapon began his political career through student politics. He served as the central president of Bangladesh Chhatra Maitree and played a significant role in the anti-autocracy movement of 1990.
 
In 1993, he joined BNP and gradually assumed important responsibilities within the party.

He was the founding convener of BNP's Media Cell and earlier served as Information and Research Affairs Secretary and Assistant Office Secretary of the party's central committee.
 
Later, he was appointed as an advisor to the BNP Chairperson, a position he continues to hold.

In parliamentary politics, Swapon was first elected MP from Barishal-1 in the 6th national parliamentary election in 1996 and was re-elected in the 8th national parliamentary election in 2001. 

He also contested the 11th national parliamentary election in 2018 with party nomination. 

With the latest victory, he is entering parliament for the third time.

As a lawmaker, he served as a member of the Public Accounts Committee and a Parliamentary Standing Committee where he played a notable role in ensuring transparency and accountability in government activities.

On the international front, Swapon represented Bangladesh twice at the United Nations General Assembly. 

He also served as Vice-President (Asia Region) of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), a non-partisan global network of legislators working to promote human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

A postgraduate in Political Science from the University of Dhaka, Swapon is experienced in political strategy formulation, policy analysis, international diplomatic engagement and parliamentary affairs.