SYLHET, Feb 19, 2026 (V7N) - Ariful Haque Chowdhury said his responsibilities have grown significantly after being elected in the 13th National Parliamentary election and sworn in as a cabinet minister in the newly formed government.

Ariful, who began his political career at 20 through Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and later the BNP, has held key positions including ward commissioner and twice-elected mayor of Sylhet City Corporation. In the February 12 election, he won Sylhet-4 with 188,346 votes under the BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami’s Md. Joynal Abedin, who secured 69,975 votes.

On February 17, Ariful took oath as Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and Minister of Labour and Employment in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s cabinet.

As mayor, he oversaw major infrastructure projects, including road expansion and canal recovery, and overcame political challenges following the One-Eleven changeover.

Expressing gratitude, Ariful told BSS: “People love me. Their love is my strength. I am grateful to Almighty Allah. I do not have the power to repay the people’s debt as they have elected me as an MP through their immense support.”

He added that representing expatriate-dominated Sylhet has heightened his responsibilities: “I have to think about the happiness, sorrow, problems and possibilities of expatriates across the country. I seek everyone’s prayers and cooperation so that I can properly fulfill the responsibility entrusted to me.”

END/AIS/RH