Dhaka, March 5 -- The government has significantly scaled back the official protocol for the prime minister's departures and arrivals at the airport, limiting the welcoming and farewell parties to just four representatives.

According to a new directive issued on Thursday, only the most senior member of the cabinet, the chief whip of parliament, the cabinet secretary, and the principal secretary to the prime minister will now be present at the airport.

The order supersedes a previous protocol instruction issued on Aug 28, 2024.

Under the old rules, the prime minister's international travels involved a lengthy roster of high-ranking officials.

The former list typically included the relevant minister or state minister, the head of the di...