Abu Solaiman Chowdhury joined the BCS [Administration] cadre in 1973. He assumed the office of Liberation War Affairs Secretary on January 15 this year. He worked in the ministries of Women and Children Affairs, Civil Aviation and Tourism, Youth and Sports, Cultural Affairs, LGRD and Cooperatives. He also worked at Bangladesh Handloom Board, Election Commission Secretariat and Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge Authority.

Sources said the new cabinet secretary would retire early next year.

Solaiman obtained Hubat Humphrey Fellowship from the American University on Development Planning and Resource Management in 1984-85. He also received advanced training on different programmes from the Netherlands, Indonesia and Malaysia.

''Solaiman Chowdhury played an important role in bringing the remains of the martyred Flt Lt Birshrestha Matiur Rahman from Pakistan,'' said a Bangabhaban release.

Meanwhile, Abdul Halim made a courtesy call on President Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban yesterday.