Zahir Uddin Swapon has been appointed as the political adviser to the prime minister with the rank and privileges of a minister.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Friday.

Earlier, Swapon resigned from the post of information and broadcasting minister. His resignation was accepted by president Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, according to a separate gazette notification.

The government allocated portfolios to the newly appointed ministers and state ministers on Friday night.

Andaleeve Rahman Partho, chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party, who was sworn in as a minister on Friday, has been given charge of the information and broadcasting ministry.

According to the notification, the prime minister appointed Swapon as his adviser under Rules 3B(i) and 3B(ii) of the Rules of Business, 1996, assigning him the responsibility of political adviser.

During his tenure as adviser, Swapon will be entitled to the rank, salary, allowances and other benefits of a minister, the notification said.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani signed the notification by order of the president.

The appointment takes effect immediately.