Staff Correspondent

 Severe allegations of corruption, nepotism, favoritism, and grading-sheet manipulation have surfaced regarding the recent mass transfer and posting of nearly 1,500 engineers across various tiers within the Public Works Department (PWD).

Within the span of just one month, approximately 1,500 PWD engineers—including 757 civil sub-assistant engineers, 254 electrical sub-assistant engineers, 200 assistant engineers, 219 sub-divisional engineers, and 120 executive engineers—were transferred en masse. While the Ministry of Housing and Public Works introduced a lottery-based transfer system to curb entrenched patronage and lobbying, affected engineers and investigative reports claim the process was compromised to favor vested interests.

Critics and affected officials allege that grading sheets were covertly manipulated prior to the lottery draws to secure prime postings for select executive engineers, including Sa’d Mohammad Alfalib, A. N. M. Mazharul Islam, Md. Ziaur Rahman, Rajibul Islam, Masum Billah, and Rashed Ahmed. Specific postings, particularly within high-value operational zones overseeing vital national installations such as the Prime Minister's Office, the National Parliament, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) headquarters, and the National Security Intelligence (NSI) directorate, have drawn intense scrutiny.

According to internal grievances, certain officials were pre-designated for key metropolitan divisions through manipulated box lotteries, bypassing seniority, performance evaluations, and Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs). Allegations have directly implicated certain high-ranking administrative figures, including Superintending Engineer (Establishment) Muhammad Sarwar Jahan Biplob, Superintending Engineer (Coordination) Swapan Chakma, and Executive Engineers A. N. M. Mazharul Islam and Md. Ziaur Rahman, in orchestrating the administrative maneuvers.

 Defending the administrative overhaul, Minister for Housing and Public Works Zakaria Taher strongly condemned attempts to discredit the lottery system. Speaking as the chief guest at the "National Journalists' Assembly-2026" organized by the National Journalists' Association at the National Sports Council auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday, October 31, 2026, the minister stated that the initiative was deliberately designed to eradicate transfer trade and personal lobbying. He noted that the open lottery was conducted in the presence of 40 to 50 journalists covering 1,655 engineers, and while complete universal satisfaction is impossible, efforts are being made to address legitimate humanitarian concerns.

PWD Chief Engineer Md. Khalequzzaman Chowdhury echoed these remarks, asserting that the modern, objective lottery framework establishes transparency, trust, and accountability within the department while dismantling corrupt transfer syndicates. He added that administrative authorities would review and accommodate reasonable appeals regarding officers' family and children's educational needs in consultation with the ministry.

Superintending Engineer Muhammad Sarwar Jahan vigorously denied allegations of transfer-trade involvement, clarifying that the broader policy framework, seniority criteria, and evaluation metrics were guided directly by ministry directives issued by Additional Secretary Sarowar Alam under the instructions of the minister, state minister, and secretary.

Beyond the immediate transfer controversy, engineers and administrative analysts have raised concerns regarding the timing of the mid-academic-year reshuffle, citing potential disruptions to children's education, family stability, and the continuous operational maintenance of critical VVIP infrastructure. 

Moreover , long-standing allegations persist within the department concerning tender syndication, manipulated project estimates, substandard material usage, and illicit wealth accumulation by corrupt internal cartels. 

Sources confirm that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated preliminary inquiries into several current and former PWD officials over suspected embezzlement and money laundering.