Dhaka, March 2 -- Private news agency United News of Bangladesh's Editor Mahfuzur Rahman has been appointed as the speechwriter to the prime minister.

The government also named four journalists as deputy press secretaries and one as assistant press secretary to the premier, according to a notice issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday.

The appointments are contractual and subject to the condition that the individuals sever all existing professional, business, or institutional ties.

Mahfuzur Rahman has been appointed with Grade-1 status, with a tenure lasting either for the duration of the prime minister's term or at his pleasure, whichever comes first, the notice said.

The four deputy secretaries are Mustafa Zulfiqar...