A delegation from the British High Commission in Dhaka met with Md Ismail Zabihullah, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration Affairs, today. Photo: BNP Media Cell

DHAKA, June 9, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister’s Public Administration Affairs Adviser Md Ismail Zabihullah has sought support of the United Kingdom in the areas of education, job creation, and enhancing the skills of government officials.

He sought the support when a delegation of British High Commission in Dhaka paid a courtesy call on him at the Secretariat today.

Led by Neil Gandhi, the British delegation included Shahnaz Karim and Sarah L. Taylor, BSEA Programme Team Leader of The Asia Foundation.

Issues relating to Bangladesh’s civil administration were discussed.

Zabihullah expressed gratitude and appreciation to the government and people of the United Kingdom, describing the UK as one of Bangladesh’s largest development partners.

Highlighting the challenges confronting the current administration, the adviser said that during the tenure of the previous Awami League government, politicization and corruption had become widespread within the administration. As a result, the civil service had lost much of its prestige and effectiveness, he added.

He said the current government is working toward building a Bangladesh of meritocracy.

The Adviser proposed training opportunities in the UK for government officials modeled on the “Managing at the Top” programme and sought British support for strengthening the capacity of the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) and other regional training institutes. 

The British delegation responded positively to these proposals.

Dr. Delwar Hossain, Director General of the Governance Innovation Unit at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Md. Monirul Islam Patwary, Director of the unit were present.