Suspended Awami Jubo League leader SM Golam Kibria Shamim, known as GK Shamim, has applied for exclusive rights to manage advertising across all Bangladesh Railway stations, platforms, and infrastructure for ten years. The request, submitted on June 11, 2026, on behalf of his company GK Builders and Company (Pvt) Ltd, was forwarded by Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam to the ministry secretary with a note for “necessary cooperation.” Ministry sources confirmed the instruction was issued without formal registration in the minister’s office diary.

Officials within the Railways Ministry described the application and the minister’s directive as unprecedented and inconsistent with existing advertising and business rules. According to the 2026 Railway Advertising and Branding Policy, all advertising rights must be awarded through open tender. Opposition BNP and Jubo Dal leaders criticized the move as a “conspiracy against the government,” while ministry officials said the proposal would violate multiple legal provisions.

The ministry has referred the matter to its legal and land division for review. The rail minister later stated that all such applications are processed according to law and that no special relationship exists with GK Shamim.