Government withdraws police escort for 18 ministers to cut state expenditure

National

Dhaka Magazine Desk

Published: Sunday, 26 July 2026

Considering state expenditure cuts, fuel savings, and shortage of police personnel and vehicles, the government has withdrawn the special police protection escort allocated for 18 ministers. However, considering the importance of their duties, the facility has been retained for six senior ministers and one advisor to the Prime Minister.

Personal staff of several ministers and concerned officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have confirmed the matter. According to their information, the decision is being implemented in phases since last week.

Government sources said that since the current government took office, most ministers had been receiving special police escort facilities while moving in Dhaka. Currently, there are 24 full ministers in the cabinet. However, although the escort has been withdrawn, according to government rules, the concerned ministers will continue to receive gunmen, house guards, and necessary police security during tours outside Dhaka as before.

Sources say that following the Prime Minister's directive, the Ministry of Home Affairs instructed police headquarters to reduce the cost of VIP security arrangements. Additionally, the longstanding shortage of personnel and vehicles is also a reason behind the decision.

A minister's escort team usually includes one sub-inspector (SI) and four constables. A police pickup van is allocated for them, and the salaries, allowances, and fuel costs of the members are borne by the government treasury.

Currently, those receiving the special police escort facility are—Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr. Abu Jafor Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, and the Prime Minister's Advisor on Finance and Planning Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.

According to DMP data, currently, 1,691 police personnel are deployed for the security of 49 ministers, state ministers, and other important persons in Dhaka alone. While the requirement is 2,575 personnel, there is a shortage of nearly 900 members. As a result, those on duty are having to work extra hours.

Police officials said that besides the manpower shortage, the lack of vehicles is also affecting security management. During the July-August 2024 movement, several vehicles of the protection unit were damaged in attacks on various police stations and establishments, so currently, one vehicle is being used to provide security for multiple VIPs.