Q. A huge audience knows you while a few don’t. Tell us about yourself, your childhood and the events of your upbringing.
Despite the fact that my forefathers are from Rangpur, Chittagong is where I spent my youth and early years. My father worked as a sea customs officer stationed in Chittagong.
We moved to Chittagong in January, 1972, shortly after the Liberation war. My childhood bore witness to the atrocities of the war. I saw the dead bodies and weapons scattered in the ground. I’ve witnessed Pakistani ships being wrecked in the Karnaphuli river; destroyed by our gallant freedom fighters. At the time, the government had not started the rehabilitation programs yet.
As for my educational life, it was in Chittagong from the start till the end. After completing my SSC, I went to Chittagong College and got my HSC degree there. After a few days, our cadre merged with the admin cadre and we got posted as admin caders. This was the start of my professional life.
Q. Tell us the journey of your career; the initial stage and how you blended in with the new life.
I stayed in Dhaka for a few years and served in various departments. In 1999, I got posted in Chittagong. Coincidentally I was appointed as the Deputy Director (Housing) of the very area I grew up in. As we lived in that colony for about 26 years, I was well-known to the people of my area. However, that didn’t take me to the point where I would do extra favors to the people I know.
My job aged 2.5 years there and I’ve ignored all the requests for lobbying, let it be from local thugs or even my friends. I even forbade my parents to make any requests of favor for anybody. I was so strict with my principles that even none of my friends visited my office. They used to say that paying me a visit was pointless because I’d never do them any favors. I had my vision right; to carry out my duty with utmost honesty and rigorous principles. I wanted to prove that a person can make positive differences by staying honest. Probably my firm determination to never be a sell-out and shun down evil doers and corruptions was my strength.
When I joined the Narcotics Department as the Deputy Director, I set records that have not been broken to this date. I conducted numerous raids and seized a significant amount of narcotics. I have been transferred from place to place and even faced punishment for carrying out my duties without paying any heed to influential people and taking legal action against them. I got punishment postings in Barishal and Bandarban. Meanwhile, I have also served as UNO in Kurigram, Rajarhaat, and Boalkhali.
Q. Your notable achievements as the Deputy Director of the Board of Investments are often discussed among your well-wishers. We want to know about these achievements and how you’ve spent your days.
I spent an extended portion of my service life in BOI, where I served for eight and a half years. As the Director, I worked relentlessly to improve the industrial and investment sector. I have completed my service life of 30 years, and I can declare with firm confidence that in these years, I have never left the office with an incomplete file on the table. If someone came to my office,
I have never delayed giving services, nor did I tell anyone to come to see me later. I have served the people in the true sense as any civil servant should do in all the departments. Alongside, I have made phenomenal changes in the departments as well. I treated my departments as my own, as my home and family. I made structural improvements to the departments and tried to ease the problems and challenges that the employees faced. For this reason, I got dedicated support from them as well. They treated me as though I were one of their own, and I never let them feel that I was an outsider from a different cadre appointed to supervise them. This, in return, helped me facilitate the general people expecting service from the departments. They never had to run from door to door.
People are familiar with my work in the field of food safety. But I had all these achievements way before I even joined the food safety authority. I did it all while I was in BOI. These things were outside my duties and out of my desk. For example, I have banned the commercial import of toxic products like Formalin and Calcium Carbide. I took a stand against narcotics and pornography. I have also contributed to the health sector, agriculture, and even to the labor industry of the Middle East.
Q. Speaking of you banning the Formalin. It was one of your biggest achievements. How did you do it?
I had interests in improving food quality and the legislation related to it, for a long time. When the Formalin Control Act was finalized, and the Ministry of Law vetoed it, I discovered a significant loophole. According to the import regulations, authorities identified formalin by a single name— ‘Formalin’.
However, there were ten other internationally recognized names that were actually Formalin with different names and no one even knew it. The next day, I visited Chittagong Customs House and discovered that in the previous year, roughly 16,500 metric tonnes of formaldehyde powder had been imported under the ten other names. In contrast, only 5 kg was imported under the name defined by the control act during that time. I emailed the Ministry of Commerce informing the ten other names along with formalin in the definition. The next day, when the act was about to be passed, I literally contacted the law minister over the phone and requested his PS to put him on line. I expressed that the threat of formalin is a national interest and its prohibition should be established immediately.
The honorable law minister Anisul Haque Sir agreed to speak with me, and I swiftly explained the situation. On that spot, the minister noted down the names over the phone and the file was recalled. The Ministry of Commerce then ran it through the chemistry department of Dhaka University and found out that formalin is indeed identified by eleven different names in the international market. Then they made necessary amendments to the policy, and formalin got outlawed. I’ve put an end to the use of formalin in this country once and for all and it is no longer available for purchase or sale on the open market. Since 2015, not a single kilogram of formalin has been commercially imported. It is not available for purchase on the open market in any part of the country to my knowledge.
Not to forget, I’ve spoken against the excessive and unreasonable use of Calcium Carbide. The government has prohibited its use for ripening fruits, and it was originally imported only for industrial purposes.
Its import was initially regulated for industrial use only. But calcium carbide was being bought and sold freely in the market. I noticed a major loophole in the terms of its license. Despite the fact that the import, purchase, and sale of calcium carbide for non-industrial purposes is forbidden, Article 9 of the license expressly indicates that any person or importer in the country may purchase, transport, and store up to 20 kg of calcium carbide.
20 kg of calcium carbide is enough to ripen all the mangoes produced in one season across the country. Thanks to these faulty license terms, Calcium Carbide was widely available on the market. I wrote to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Department of Explosives regarding this. The government organized many meetings (all of which I attended) to annul the license’s erroneous provisions and formulate new policies imposing a six month jail sentence for the unauthorized usage of calcium carbide. Commercial purchase, sale, supply, and stock of calcium carbide ceased. Calcium carbide is no longer used in ripening fruits.
Q. You have also made it to the headlines for going against the big names in pharmaceuticals and banning import of raw materials used for preparing narcotics. Please share that experience with us.
During my investigations, I discovered that pharmaceutical companies were importing excess amounts of pseudoephedrine powder, an ingredient used to produce cough syrup. Upon verifying its authenticity with the Department of Narcotics Control, I learned that the use of pseudoephedrine is strictly regulated or prohibited in many countries worldwide, and there are numerous alternatives available in the medical field. Even more alarming, I found that yaba tablets, a dangerous narcotic, were being produced in our country using pseudoephedrine powder.
To address this issue, I presented a few tablets containing pseudoephedrine and a letter requesting that the import, sale, and use of pseudoephedrine be prohibited to Principal Secretary Abul Kalam Azad. I demonstrated how the tablets were made using white pseudoephedrine and other ingredients, and explained that the pharmaceutical companies did not properly mix the ingredients, simply joining two parts.
As a result of my efforts, the Ministry of Health and Health Secretary formed a high-level committee comprising the Department of Health, DG Drug Administration, and Department of Narcotics Control to take necessary steps. The committee held several meetings and finally revoked the licenses of all medicines made with pseudoephedrine, banned the import and use of pseudoephedrine powder, and withdrew them from the market, which remains in effect today. This led to a halt in the country’s yaba production.
Q. Could you tell us about your contributions to the health sector?
One of my significant contributions was addressing the unregulated pricing of cardiac stents in the country. Despite the drug administration’s efforts to regulate the MRP of essential medical equipment, the prices of stents were still unrestricted, leaving helpless patients at the mercy of pharmaceutical companies charging exorbitant prices. After seeing a doctor’s post on Facebook, I took action and posted on the Public Service Innovation Page of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Office to regulate the MRP of stents. I also wrote a letter to Principal Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Sir and sent copies to the Director-General of Drug Administration and the Ministry of Health. The drug administration organized multiple meetings, which I attended, and we were able to determine the MRP of stents. As a result, the price of stents, which used to cost 3 to 4 lakhs taka, was capped at a maximum of 1 lakh 25 thousand takas.
This regulation is still in force in the medical sector.
Another issue I tackled was the Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association (GAMCA), which imposed unnecessary and expensive health examinations on workers seeking employment in the Middle East. Only 25 prescribed pathologies or clinics were authorized to provide health examination reports, leading to difficulties for laborers trying to obtain reports. To address this issue, I wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, urging the dismantling of the GAMCA syndicate and the arrangement of good hospitals or clinics to conduct health check-ups for workers who wish to go to the Middle East.
Q. Could you tell us about your experience with food safety and contamination after joining the Food Security Authority?
Prior to joining the Food Safety Authority, I used to work from home in Chittagong. However, I decided to move to Dhaka and join the Food Safety Authority as a Member (Rules and Regulations) on 24th August 2017, with the help of ex-principal secretary Mr. Abul Kalam Azad. Since the formation of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority on 2nd February 2015, they had not tested a single food product or ingredient in the lab until I joined. As soon as I joined, I initiated a program to test food products, and now there is no food in Bangladesh that I do not have the sampling results for.
During my time at the Food Safety Authority, I discovered that many companies were manufacturing energy drinks under the license of soft drinks from BSTI, which is illegal. These energy drinks contained high levels of caffeine, up to 750 mg/liter in one case, and even contained elements of Viagra. These drinks were being consumed by children throughout the country. As energy drinks do not have a license, I brought the matter to the attention of the Minister of Industries, Mr. Amir Hossain Amu, who chaired the BSTI Council Committee meeting. At the end of the meeting, it was decided to stop the production of energy drinks.
BSTI later attempted to set a standard for energy drinks that would allow for higher levels of caffeine, but I opposed it on behalf of the Food Safety Authority, and public opinion was gathered against energy drinks. BSTI then decided to cease the production and advertisement of energy drinks, allowing only soft drinks with a maximum level of 145 mg/ liter of caffeine to be produced and marketed under the same name as carbonated beverages. As a result, harmful levels of caffeinated drinks are no longer available in the market, and even imports of Red Bull Energy Drinks have stopped due to the high levels of caffeine they contain.
Q. How has the agriculture supply chain been affected by adulteration or contamination?
Prior to my tenure at the Food Safety Authority, I identified shortcomings in the agricultural supply chain. As an official in the BOI, I discovered that imported pesticides were being released into the country without any lab testing at the port, making it difficult to catch importers who used banned pesticides or provided false declarations. Moreover, the Department of Agriculture was unable to verify the pesticide license application declarations, and farmers were spraying pesticides in the morning and selling their produce in the market the same afternoon, violating pre-harvest intervals and resulting in pesticide residues in our food. This has led to various complicated diseases. I wrote to the Secretary of Agriculture, recommending the application of ten standard protocols and methods to overcome these issues.
After joining the Food Safety Authority, I tested both native and imported fish and found that heavy metal lead, cadmium, and chromium levels were higher than the tolerable limit in almost all samples. I made it mandatory for all customs authorities to test the level of heavy metal in all imported fish consignments and provide a health certificate indicating the absence of heavy metals. We also discovered that local fish and chicken contained heavy metals as well, which were likely introduced through pollution. The source of these heavy metals was the use of MBM (Meat and Bone Mill) in animal and fish feed, which is made by grinding the bones and flesh of dead animals. While most countries have banned the use of MBM in animal and fish feed, we continued to import it. After addressing the issue with the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources, the import, production, purchase, sale, and use of MBM was entirely banned in Bangladesh.
Turmeric powders were also found to contain harmful levels of heavy metal lead due to the use of lead chromate to brighten the yellow color. The Ministry of Commerce was requested to limit the import of lead chromate powder only for industrial use, with commercial import and sale being prohibited.
Q. Have you discovered any food products that are free from harmful compounds amidst the prevalence of adulteration in the market?
Indeed, there are several industries that have shown promising results. We have conducted tests on T-bags and tea leaves, and they were found to be free of carcinogenic epichlorohydrin and pesticides. Bread was tested for the harmful substance potassium bromate and was found to be clear. In addition, formalin was not detected in any of the fish and fruits sold in the markets of Dhaka city. Powdered milk and pasteurized milk have also tested well and are continually monitored for quality. We have also found that edible salt, condensed milk, and sugar do not contain any hazardous substances, with no traces of sodium cyclamate found in the sugar. Moreover, the “saltu” used in various food products such as hotel parathas, bread, and jellies has been identified as ammonium bicarbonate, a food-grade ingredient that is recognized worldwide. Hence, there are indeed some silver linings amidst the prevalence of adulteration in the market.
Q. You’ve been in the news lately for your involvement in the MFS service and railway reform. Can you elaborate on that?
I’ve been actively involved in advocating for a single device login system in bKash to prevent scammers from stealing customers’ money through multi-device logins. I lodged a complaint with the Bangladesh Banks and had multiple communications with the bKash authority. As a result of these efforts, bKash has implemented a single device login mechanism that prevents fraudsters from accessing customers’ accounts with stolen OTPs and PINs.
In addition, I’ve been working with Railway Secretary Mr. Firoz Salauddin Sir since 2015 to improve the quality of railway services. As a passenger representative in the Railway Partners meeting, we have been actively discussing ways to improve the railways, and I continued to do so even after I was transferred to the Food Safety Authority. Since being posted to the railway division, we have introduced 100% online/ off-line ticketing, stopped the sale of standing tickets on intercity trains, initiated an online refund system, implemented real-time NID verification to eliminate ticket black market, and taken proactive steps to ensure the “Ticket Jaar, Vromon Taar” motto. These efforts have helped improve the quality of service for railway passengers.
Q. Your Facebook posts have highlighted the issue of social degradation in today’s younger generation. What, in your opinion, is the root cause of this problem, and what advice would you offer to parents?
The current situation is of utmost concern because the younger generation is the future of our country. If we want our country to prosper, we need to focus on the moral development of our youth. This can only be achieved by providing a healthy atmosphere, which begins with healthy families. Parents should provide proper guidance and teach their children about moral values to raise a better generation. This is beneficial to our country because a child raised with strong values will grow up to become an honest and responsible citizen. As an advice to parents, I recommend starting from an early stage by monitoring their child’s behavior and holding them accountable for their actions. Check their school bags and ask where they obtained any additional items. Teach them that taking what is not theirs is wrong, so they never develop a habit of stealing. As they grow older, monitor if they take money from your handbag or pocket. When giving them an allowance, ensure they are responsible with the money. Encourage them to speak the truth without fear. It is important to guide them and be involved in their lives to help them grow up to become moral human beings. It’s also essential to recognize the impact parents have on their children’s behavior.
A prosperous and peaceful society stands on the shoulders of those who made a lot of sacrifices. And it’s a blessing to be in that position where your sacrifices can bring about positive changes. You will be held accountable for your abilities and duties in the afterlife.
The current materialistic culture has caused parents to prioritize money, a successful career, and material possessions over spending quality time with their children. This neglect can lead to children feeling emotionally detached from their parents, which can negatively impact their development. Parents must also avoid displaying negative behavior in front of their children, such as fighting or lying. Children pick up on these habits and behaviors, which can lead to their moral degradation.
Finally, parents should be mindful of the media their children consume. TV shows and serials often depict negative behavior, and children can pick up on these habits without even realizing it. Parents should teach their children about values and norms and instill good values in them by setting an example. In today’s society, it only takes a day for a child to go astray, so it’s essential to be involved in their lives and teach them about morality from an early age.
Q. As you have taken on many mafias and syndicates, we are curious to know if you faced any difficulties. How did you overcome these challenges?
In Islam, protecting the rights of the people is of great importance. Allah watches over our actions, and we will be held accountable for them. I always prioritize the interests of the general public over those of the syndicates, despite political pressures and odd against me.
This often led to me being transferred from one department to another. However, wherever I went, I made it my mission to serve the people to the best of my ability. As a result, I faced many penalties for violating service rules.
To address these issues, I reached out to our honorable Prime Minister and requested ten honest officers who would report directly to her. I did this because I knew that one person alone can not bring about change. Although Sheikh Hasina is an exceptional leader, she cannot do everything on her own, and some subordinates may not provide her with the correct information. My request for ten honest officers was not in violation of service rules. However, I faced punishment for it. Nonetheless, I still believe it is possible to achieve this goal.
Furthermore, I also faced punishment for pointing out the barriers to foreign investment and the irregularities that were taking place. Despite these challenges, I always looked for opportunities to do good, even if it meant attending meetings uninvited and standing for the entire duration of the meeting. I believe that I have no failures in my life because I never gave up. My biggest lesson to future generations is to keep trying and never give up.
With pure intentions, Allah’s help will come, and everything is possible. I always held onto my principles, and this earned me support from my senior officials. Although it was challenging initially, once I started an initiative, everyone realized its necessity, and I achieved monumental successes.
Q. What motivated you to take so many actions against the mafias and syndicates despite facing so many difficulties?
My motivation comes from my belief that my duty is a trust from Allah, and I will be held accountable for it on the
Ultimately, I want to create a safe food center or hub featuring those who have introduced Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in their products.
Day of Judgment. I always prioritize the public’s interest over personal and business interests. It’s essential to me to do good and satisfy Allah, not to win awards or recognition. I am grateful for the opportunities Allah has given me to make a positive difference. Despite facing reprimands and political pressure, I continued to work because I knew I needed to take a stand against injustice and wrongdoing. I fear that I will have to answer to Allah on Judgment Day if I don’t. My conscience is clear, and I’m willing to face any consequences for doing what’s right.
Q. As a respected and experienced officer, what advice would you give to junior officers who look up to you?
A prosperous and peaceful society stands on the shoulders of those who made a lot of sacrifices. And it’s a blessing to be in that position where your sacrifices can bring about positive changes. You will be held accountable for your abilities and duties in the afterlife. Junior officers should consider their responsibilities as Amanah and not compromise with unfairness, manipulation, or wrongdoing, even if it means risking their promotions or transfers. We will be held accountable for our actions and duties in the afterlife, so it’s essential to do the right thing always.
I have seen many service holders making mistakes unintentionally, especially when it comes to financial matters. Money is not everything in life, and earning it via manipulation or falsehood is haram. For example, if a government officer is entitled to a plane fare but travels via train and submits a bill for airways, the money from that bill will be haram. I advise junior officers to prioritize halal earnings and not neglect even a small part of their duties.
On the Day of Judgment, we will have to answer for our actions, and fear of OSD or any other factor won’t be a valid excuse. So my advice to junior officers is to always do the right thing, even if it’s difficult or unpopular. It may be challenging, but Allah rewards those who act with integrity and sincerity.
Q. At the end we would like to know about your future plans.
I am currently planning to develop a model of safe food for our future generations. To begin with, I am trying to appoint Unimart as the source of meat and other protein products. Because I have found their supply chain to be unadulterated. This way, other supermarkets and their suppliers will be inspired to follow Good Manufacture Practices as well. Ultimately, I want to create a safe food center or hub featuring those who have introduced Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in their products. They need to submit results after testing heavy metals, pesticide residues, steroids, antibiotics in food. Arrangements will be made to market or sell in good places. Initially in Dhaka city. This way, I want to paint a small picture that it’s possible to eradicate food adulteration from Bangladesh for good.
