The government has decided to sack Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui from the cabinet over his comments on hajj and Prophet Muhammad (SM), said Awami League leader Mahbubul Alam Hanif on Wednesday.

"His (Latif) removal has already been effective," Hanif, also the Joint General Secretary of the party, said while addressing a press conference at Awami League President's Dhanmondi office in the capital on Wednesday evening.

Hanif said since Abdul Latif Siddiqui's removal from the cabinet has become effective, he could not receive the 'WITSA Excellence in ICT' Award, an international award in information technology, in spite of visiting Mexico. In his place State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak received it.

Abdul Latif Siddiqui is a member of the presidium of the ruling Awami League.

When asked whether Latif Siddiqui would be expelled from the party like his removal from the cabinet, Hanif said, "A decision will be taken at the party's working committee in this regard. The decision will formally be taken after the arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the country," he said.

The press conference was attended by another Joint General Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak and organising secretaries of the ruling party.

ZA