After a 28-year gap, the Khulna Development Authority (KDA) has appointed a non-bureaucrat to its top position. S.M. Shafiqul Alam, the president of the Khulna Metropolitan BNP, has been named the 32nd Chairman of the KDA. This marks the first time in nearly three decades that a political figure, rather than a civil servant, will lead the urban planning and development agency. The appointment signals a potential shift in the KDA’s leadership approach. Alam’s tenure is expected to focus on the continued development and infrastructure projects within the Khulna metropolitan area. Details regarding the specific initiatives under his chairmanship are yet to be announced. The move has garnered attention within local political and development circles.