Ashraful replaced Shahudul Haque, whom the government had removed from service with effect from December 7, the day he was convicted for contempt of court by the Supreme Court.

Ashraful has been appointed on contract, which will expire in April next year.

BSS quoting an establishment ministry notification last night said the president has exempted Shahudul Haque from the purview of Section 3 of Public Servants (Dismissal on Conviction) Ordinance, 1985.

The president took the action in pursuance of Section 4 of the Ordinance in the wake of conviction of Shahudul by the highest court that sentenced him to pay a fine of Tk 2000 and in default to suffer simple imprisonment for one month.

The High Court convicted Shahudul following a suo moto (contempt) rule on January 27, this year, which was later upheld by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on December 7.

Ashraful was serving as the acting IGP after Shahudul went to the UN Peacekeeping Department in New York on December 6.

He told The Daily Star last night that he will try his best to ensure security of public life and property. Terming the police a committed force, he said he will do everything to ensure safety of all police members.

Ashraful joined the Pakistani army as a commissioned officer in 1967 and served in Bangladesh army after independence.

He joined Bangladesh police in 1978 and served as a superintendent of police (SP) in greater Pabna and Mymensingh districts. He was later promoted to deputy commissioner (DC) of DMP, assistant inspector general at police headquarters and deputy inspector general in Dhaka and Khulna ranges.

He also served as the commissioner of Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna Metropolitan Police and additional IGP of the Criminal Investigation Department.

He took a Jungle Warfare Course in Malaysia and an Overseas Command Course from Royal Police Staff College in the UK. In 2002, he represented Bangladesh in the Interpol General Assembly in Cameroon.

The IGP also went through a Comprehensive Security Response to Terrorism training in Hawaii, US organised by Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies in August.