Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sarwar Alam left for Dhaka on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, after his recall order from the Ministry of Public Administration took effect. Additional District Magistrate Pinky Saha has taken over as acting DC. Before departing, Sarwar Alam posted a farewell message on Facebook thanking Sylhet residents for their support.

The recall order, issued suddenly on Sunday, did not specify reasons or name a permanent replacement. The decision sparked protests in Sylhet, where various professional and social groups demanded the withdrawal of the order. Several Islamic parties, including Jamaat, also called for the recall to be canceled, while the BNP remained largely silent. Sources indicated that Sarwar Alam had drawn attention for his recent initiatives to ensure transparency in the financial management of the Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R.) shrines.

Government adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman stated that the transfer was unrelated to the shrine issue and might involve state confidentiality. Before leaving, Sarwar Alam deposited an additional Tk 500,000 from the district fund into the shrine’s new Sonali Bank account, bringing the total to Tk 2.265 million.