Police withdraw escorts for 18 ministers to cut costs

The government has withdrawn police escort services for 18 cabinet ministers as part of efforts to reduce public expenditure, conserve fuel and address shortages of police personnel and vehicles.

Officials familiar with the decision said the measure has been implemented in phases since last week. However, police escort facilities will continue for six senior ministers and one adviser to the prime minister due to the nature of their responsibilities.

According to government sources, most cabinet ministers have been receiving police escorts while travelling within Dhaka since the current administration assumed office. Although the escort service has been discontinued for most ministers, they will continue to receive gunmen, residential security and police protection during official visits outside the capital in line with existing government policy.

The decision followed directives to scale back VIP security arrangements as part of broader cost-saving measures. Officials also cited persistent shortages of police manpower and vehicles as key factors behind the move.

A standard ministerial escort team consists of one sub-inspector and four constables, supported by a police pickup vehicle. The costs of personnel, allowances and fuel are borne by the government.

Police escorts will remain in place for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister’s Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) data, 1,691 officers are currently assigned to protect ministers, state ministers and other high-profile individuals in the capital, against a requirement of 2,575 personnel. The shortfall of nearly 900 officers has increased the workload and pressure on those deployed.

Police officials also said the force continues to face a shortage of vehicles after several units were damaged or destroyed during the July-August 2024 unrest, forcing available vehicles to be shared among multiple VIP protection teams.