Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said that Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser on ICT and telecommunications, returned to his family in the Netherlands after completing his state responsibilities.

“What does it mean that Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb left? Before saying this, it must be said that he came to the country. He did not live here. He worked in the Netherlands. His family is there; his household is there," Rizwana said while responding to queries from journalists at her office.

She explained that Taiyeb had been away from his family for 1.5 years to fulfil his state responsibilities.

"Rather, we should have appreciated that he left his family for one and a half years and came to work for the country," Rizwana said.

"Now his state responsibility is over. He has returned to his family. If you want to present this differently, you can. He has said that he will return to the country again," she said.

Rizwana further said that Taiyeb's reform efforts in the telecommunications sector may have displeased many, and they are saying he left secretly.

The adviser said that when she goes abroad after her advisory duties conclude, she would not make a public announcement either.

"I will return to Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela). I already have an invitation in April or May [to go abroad], I don't remember exactly. I will go there. And will I announce that I am going to such and such country on such and such date for a meeting? No one makes announcements about these things,” she further said.

"There is a group in the country that tries to create drama, create excitement in everything. This is an attempt at that. It has no connection with reality," she added.

Taiyeb was appointed special assistant to the chief adviser with the status of a state minister on March 5, 2025. He departed Bangladesh yesterday on an Emirates Airlines flight.

The adviser said they took responsibility during a crisis period.

“We came during a turbulent time, a time of crisis. We were asked to take responsibility, so we took responsibility. We have performed our duties. Many of us had to handle two or three ministries because we took the helm during an emergency crisis period," she said.

On evaluating their performance, she said, "There is nothing to call success or failure in 18 months. If everyone becomes successful or unsuccessful in 18 months, then a demand should be raised that no elected government can remain for more than 18 months. Will that be said? Why do elected governments take five years?"

"In Bangladesh's system, it takes six to seven months just to start planning work. Major work cannot even begin before one and a half to two years," she noted.

"I will say that I have tried my utmost. I will not give an account of success or failure myself. The people will evaluate it as they see fit," Rizwana Hasan added.