| Zunaid Ahmed Palak | |||||||
| Native Name: | জুনাইদ আহ্মেদ পলক | ||||||
| Native Name Lang: | bn | ||||||
| Office: | Minister of State for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology | ||||||
| Primeminister: | Sheikh Hasina | ||||||
| Term Start: | 12 January 2014 | ||||||
| Term End: | 6 August 2024 | ||||||
| Predecessor: | Position Established | ||||||
| Successor: | Nahid Islam (as Adviser) | ||||||
| Constituency Mp2: | Natore-3[1] | ||||||
| Parliament2: | Bangladesh | ||||||
| Term Start2: | 7 January 2009 | ||||||
| Term End2: | 6 August 2024 | ||||||
| Predecessor2: | Kazi Golam Morshed | ||||||
| Office3: | Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting | ||||||
| Primeminister3: | Sheikh Hasina | ||||||
| Term Start3: | 7 January 2019 | ||||||
| Term End3: | 19 May 2019 | ||||||
| Predecessor3: | Tarana Halim | ||||||
| Successor3: | Murad Hasan | ||||||
| Birth Date: | 1980 5, df=yes | ||||||
| Birth Place: | Singra, Rajshahi, Bangladesh | ||||||
| Nationality: | Bangladeshi | ||||||
| Party: | Awami League | ||||||
| Occupation: | Politician | ||||||
| Module: | Criminal Information
| ||||||
Zunaid Ahmed Palak (bn|জুনায়েদ আহমেদ পলক|Junayed Ahmed Polok; born 17 May 1980) is a Bangladeshi politician. he was a former Minister of State for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and served as a member of the Jatiya Sangsad, representing the constituency of Natore-3.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak was born on May 17, 1980, into a Bengali Muslim family in the village of Serkol-Teligram, located in the Singra Upazila of Natore District, Bangladesh. His father, Fayez Ahmed, was a politician and telephone exchange operator, while his mother, Zamila Ahmed, dedicated her time to managing the household.[2]
Palak's educational journey began at Singra Damdama Primary School, followed by his completion of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) at Singra Damdama Pilot High School in 1995. He furthered his studies by obtaining his Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) from Rajshahi College in 1997. Subsequently, he pursued a degree in political science at Dhaka College and earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Gol-E-Afroz Government College, affiliated with the National University of Bangladesh. Additionally, Palak completed the Capstone Course at the National Defence College.[2]
Palak was appointed Minister of State for Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Bangladesh on 12 January 2014, at the age of 34 years, making him the youngest Minister of Bangladesh.[3] [4] He is also the first minister ever to be born in the independent Bangladesh.[5] He was nominaas a "Young Global Leader" in 2016 by the World Economic Forum. Also nominated as "World's 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government" 2018 by Apolitical, a London based international organization.At the age of 36, he got the nomination from the Bangladesh Awami League, in 2006 the National Elections of 2006. In 2008, he was nominated again, and was elected by a large margin, becoming the youngest member of the ninth National Assembly of Bangladesh.[6] In his early twenties, he followed his father's footsteps in politics and became a member of the Bangladesh Awami League party.[7]
Ahmed also was a committee member where he planned to incorporate "Green Technologies" into its office building principles, to reduce carbon emissions into the environment. He said that the building of offices and residences using green technology would not release any carbon in the environment, while the wastes would be recycled and produce energy. He also expressed that a delegation from India was on their way to discuss different technological issues including the building of zero carbon emitting buildings. He further added:[8]
Palak has been president of the Bangladesh Carrom Federation since 2009, and vice president of the International Carrom Federation since 2011.[9]
Palak is married to Arifa Jesmin Konika, with whom he has two sons.[10] [11] [12]
During the Student–People's uprising, his government implemented an internet shutdown, which was associated with widespread unrest and the subsequent resignation of Sheikh Hasina from the Office of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Palak made several statements regarding the internet shutdown that received criticism from netizens. He attributed the shutdown to fires caused by "miscreants" and denied any government involvement, claims that were later found to be inaccurate.[13] [14] [15]
Following the restoration of broadband internet on 23 July 2024, his office restricted access to Facebook and TikTok. Despite these restrictions, Palak was noted to be active on both platforms, which led to additional criticism.[16]
On 6 August 2024, after Sheikh Hasina's escape to India, Palak attempted to travel to New Delhi, India. However, he was stopped from boarding his flight by staff at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and was taken into custody by immigration authorities.[17] Palak is one of the 23 individuals, including prominent political figures such as Sheikh Hasina, accused of crimes against humanity in connection with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The complaints, filed with the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal, allege that under the orders and planning of the accused, others committed acts of genocide and crimes against humanity by indiscriminately firing upon unarmed students and civilians, resulting in fatalities.[18]
In a separate incident, Palak was arrested alongside former deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku and Chhatra League leader Tanvir Hasan Shaikat in relation to a murder case filed at the Paltan police station.[19]