The Centre for Governance Studies, a non-governmental research organisation, has announced new leadership with political analyst Zillur Rahman being elected as its new president and economist and researcher Parvez Karim Abbasi elected as the executive director.
At a board meeting held on July 5, 2025, Zillur Rahman, also TV talk show host, became president with unanimous consent, said a press release of the think tank issued on Monday.
It said that under the new leadership, the CGS, which was focused on democracy, good governance and human rights, aimed to further strengthen its research initiatives both theoretically and in terms of policy relevance.
Zillur Rahman, host of the TV talk show 鈥楾ritiyo Matra鈥� (third dimension), previously served as the executive director of the think tank and chaired its international conference 鈥楤ay of Bengal Conversation鈥�.
His long-standing engagement with issues of democracy, governance and freedom of expression aligns closely with the values the organisation upholds, the release adds.
Upon assuming office, Zillur Rahman stated, 鈥楧espite many challenges and adversities, the CGS has remained steadfast in advancing research and initiatives centred on human rights and democracy.鈥�
鈥業n the new political reality following the recent uprising, we believe the CGS will continue its active efforts to build a democratic, participatory, and welfare-oriented state through evidence-based research, policy engagement, and inclusive dialogue,鈥� he added.
Parvez Karim Abbasi, associate professor of Economics at East West University and a former senior research fellow at the CGS, has already made valuable contributions to the institution, according to the release. His academic expertise lay in geopolitics, political economy and international trade, the release mentioned, adding that Parvez Karim was a regular contributor to peer-reviewed journals and international policy forums.
The reconstituted CGS board of directors included Munira Khan, election observer and human rights advocate, Md Shafiullah, former ambassador, Muhammad Abdul Mazid, former secretary and chairman of the National Board of Revenue, Abdul Haque, entrepreneur and business leader, Subir Das, policy analyst, and Fahmida Haq, writer and social organiser, said the release.
