Zahir Uddin Swapan
Zahir Uddin Swapon | |
|---|---|
জহির উদ্দিন স্বপন | |
 Swapan in 2026 | |
| Minister for Information and Broadcasting | |
| Assumed office 17 February 2026 | |
| President | Mohammed Shahabuddin |
| Prime Minister | Tarique Rahman |
| Preceded by | Rizwana Hasan |
| Member of the Bangladesh Parliament for Barisal-1 | |
| Assumed office 17 February 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Abul Hasanat Abdullah |
| In office 28 October 2001 – 27 October 2006 | |
| Succeeded by | Talukder Md. Younus |
| In office 19 March 1996 – 30 March 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Abul Hasnat Abdullah |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 June 1960 Barishal, East Pakistan, Pakistan |
| Party | Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) |
Zahir Uddin Swapon (born 29 June 1960)[1] is a Bangladeshi politician who is currently serving as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the nineteenth cabinet of Bangladesh.[2] He is also serving as the member of parliament for Barishal‑1 (Gournadi–Agailjhara) in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.[2]
As a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), he represented Barishal‑1 earlier in the 6th and 8th parliaments (1996 and 2001)[2] and served as a senior media and research official in the party where he was the founding convenor of BNP Media Cell.[3]
Early life and education
Swapon was born in Sarikal village of Gournadi Upazila in Barishal District.[4] He was a student of Government Brajalal College in Khulna and later obtained a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Dhaka.[2]
Student activism
Swapon became involved in left‑leaning student politics. He rose through the ranks of Bangladesh Chhatra Maitri, a progressive student organisation, and eventually became its central president.[5] During the late 1980s and 1990, he played a prominent role in the 90's Anti-Authoritarian Movement that toppled the government of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad in Bangladesh.[5]
BNP career and organisational roles
Joining the Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Swapon joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1993[2] and quickly became known for his media and communication skills. He helped establish the party’s Media Cell and served as its founding convener.[3] Over time he became a close adviser to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and was appointed to her advisory council.[2]
Media and research work
In his organisational capacity, Swapon led the BNP Communication Cell as the chief editor and served as director of the party‑affiliated Bangladesh Nationalist Research and Communication (BNRC) centre.[6] As one of the party’s principal spokesmen during opposition campaigns, he frequently interacted with the media and drafted communication strategies. In 2024 he joined the party’s advisory council. As an adviser he was involved in campaign planning for the 2026 general election.[7]
Parliamentary career
6th and 8th Parliaments (1996–2006)
Swapon first entered the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) in the sixth national parliamentary election held on 15 February 1996, winning the Barishal‑1 (Gournadi–Agailjhara) seat as a BNP candidate.The sixth parliament was short‑lived; after its dissolution he again contested the seat in the 8th national parliamentary election in October 2001 and was re‑elected.[2]
International representation
Swapon has represented Bangladesh at the United Nations General Assembly twice as a member of parliament, addressing issues such as financing for development. Additionally, he served as Vice‑President (Asia Region) of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), a non‑partisan network of legislators working on human rights and rule of law issues.[2]
2026 election victory and cabinet appointment
Election campaign and result
Ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election held on 12 February 2026, the BNP nominated Swapon for the Barishal‑1 constituency. According to official results announced by the returning officer, he secured the seat with a landslide victory by gaining 100,552 votes, defeating Jamaat‑e‑Islami candidate Md Kamrul Islam Khan (who secured 46,263 votes) by a margin of 54,289 votes.[8][9]
Minister of Information and Broadcasting
Following the BNP‑led coalition’s landslide victory, Swapon was one of several senior BNP leaders appointed to the cabinet. He took the oath of office as Minister of Information and Broadcasting on 17 February 2026, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. His appointment generated enthusiasm in his constituency and within the BNP.[2]
Political positions and views
As a long‑time party strategist, Swapon has emphasised media freedom, transparency and participatory politics. In his statements at the United Nations and in domestic forums he has called for more concessional financing for least‑developed countries and stronger protections for human rights. He has also argued that the information ministry should prioritise the independence of public broadcasters and support digital innovation in the media sector.[10]
References
- ^ "Profile - Zahir Uddin Swapan". www.tritiyomatra.com. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Zahir Uddin Swapon gets Information and Broadcasting Ministry | News". BSS. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ a b "বিএনপির মিডিয়া সেলের আহ্বায়ক থেকে তথ্যমন্ত্রী, জাতিসংঘে কাজের অভিজ্ঞতাও আছে স্বপনের". Jugantor (in Bengali). Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "তথ্যমন্ত্রী হলেন জহির উদ্দিন স্বপন". Jugantor (in Bengali). Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ a b প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (17 February 2026). "ছাত্ররাজনীতি থেকে মন্ত্রিসভায়, জহির উদ্দিন স্বপনের রাজনৈতিক যাত্রা". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Reporter, Staff (17 February 2026). "Zahir Uddin Swapan gets Information Ministry". Views Bangladesh. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Report, Times (17 February 2026). "Fall, return, victory: Swapon back in Parliament". Daily Times Of Bangladesh. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "BNP sweeps all six seats in Barisal". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "BNP regains stronghold in south". The Business Standard. 13 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Journalism would be free from fear: Says info minister | The Daily Star". www.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 19 February 2026.