Biographies of the Chairperson and Members of the Anti-Corruption Reform Commission

The Anti-Corruption Reform Commission has been established to recommend reforms that will strengthen the current Anti-Corruption Commission, enhancing its effectiveness, independence, and impartiality. The Commission is chaired by Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, with seven additional members, including former Comptroller and Auditor General Masud Ahmed, Dhaka University Public Administration Professor Dr. Mobasser Monem, Prof. Mostak Khan from the University of London, Barrister Mahdin Choudhury, Dhaka University law professor Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, Supreme Court lawyer Farzana Sharmin, and a student representative.

Chair: Dr. Iftekharuzzaman
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), leads the Anti-Corruption System Reform Commission. He holds a PhD in Economics and has served with TIB since 2004. His previous roles include Executive Director of the Bangladesh Freedom Foundation and the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies in Sri Lanka. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman was the first Bangladeshi to be elected to the International Board of Directors of Transparency International, serving multiple terms. His leadership in anti-corruption efforts has earned him national and international recognition, including the Global Partnership for Social Accountability Award in 2015.

Member: Masud Ahmed
Masud Ahmed, a former Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh, brings extensive experience from his long career in public service. He has held prominent roles within the Audit and Accounts Department, including positions as Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping and Managing Director of the Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust. He is also a novelist and vocalist. Ahmed was instrumental in conducting Bangladesh’s first climate-focused performance audit during his tenure as Auditor General.

Member: Mushtaq Khan
Prof. Mushtaq Husain Khan, an economist at the University of London, is known for his work on the political economy of developing countries. His "political settlement" framework has shaped contemporary development discourse. A critic of mainstream economic governance models, Khan’s research challenges long-held assumptions about corruption and democratization as prerequisites for development. He has consulted for major international institutions, including the World Bank and UNDP.

Member: Mahdin Choudhury
Barrister Mahdin Choudhury, an Advocate at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, is actively involved in both legal practice and politics as a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He specializes in environmental law and human rights, working with organizations such as BELA and BLAST. Choudhury has also taught law and holds degrees from the University of London and City Law School.

Member: Dr. Mahbubur Rahman
Dr. Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman, a professor at Dhaka University’s Law Department, focuses on criminal law, legal theory, and human rights. He has authored books on sentencing in Bangladesh and is a respected voice in South Asian legal studies. Dr. Rahman serves on the Executive Council of the Asian Society of International Law and is actively involved in various legal and human rights organizations.

Member: Farzana Sharmin
Farzana Sharmin, a Supreme Court lawyer, has been practicing law since 2008. She specializes in criminal litigation and judicial review and is actively involved in BNP politics. Farzana holds degrees from the University of Dhaka and the University of London, with extensive experience in constitutional law. She currently serves as a legal advisor to several private institutions and is a partner at RIGHTS Chambers.

Member: Dr. Mobasser Monem
Dr. Mobasser Monem is a Professor of Governance and Public Management at Dhaka University, with research interests in governance, public sector innovation, and comparative policy. He has lectured internationally and has published over 100 academic articles. Dr. Monem has served as a consultant for various international organizations, contributing significantly to the study and practice of public sector management in Bangladesh.

These distinguished individuals, each bringing their own expertise in governance, law, economics, and public administration, have been tasked with reshaping Bangladesh's anti-corruption landscape for greater transparency and effectiveness.