Teacher or Qazi – Zahurul Islam Akand in two profitable professions at the same time!
Government Licensed Nikah Register, Law and Ethics in Question

Tanin Afrin

There are serious questions surrounding Md. ZOHORUL ISLAM AKHONDHO, Assistant Teacher of Islamic Education at Payarapur High School in Gaibandha Sadar Upazila.

It has been alleged that he is a teacher in an MPO-affiliated educational institution and has been serving as a government-licensed Nikah Register (Qazi) for a long time. But the government policy has a clear prohibition on a government employee engaging in multiple gainful occupations.

According to Banbeis Teachers Database, Zahurul Islam Akander’s MPO index number is R387836. He joined Payarapur High School of Gaibandha Sadar Upazila as a teacher of Islamic Education on 29 December 1994.

On the other hand, her name is found at Serial No. 16 in the data sheet of all the Nikah Registers of Gaibandha District. It mentions—
Name: Md. Zahurul Islam Akand
Father: Md Akher Uddin Akand
Village: Nasratpur
Post Office: Boali
Upazila and District: Gaibandha
Appointment Memorandum: 1204-Bichar-7/2 N-191/76
Date of Appointment: 28 August 2003
Area of Operation: No. 8 Boali Union
Date of Birth: 1 February 1977
That is, after about 9 years of joining teaching, he again took charge as a government approved Nikah Register or Qazi.

The question arises—is knowing the law another lucrative profession to enter? Teaching is a privileged government job under MPO. On the other hand, the post of Nikah Registrar is also financially lucrative and a responsible profession subject to government approval.

In that case, the question arises—
How is an MPO teacher simultaneously serving as a government licensed worker? Has he joined a second lucrative profession pretending to be ignorant of the law?

Recently, in a letter issued by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education in Rajshahi region, 29 teachers have been given show cause notices for similar allegations.
Memorandum No: Maushi/Raj/2026/155, Dated: 15 April 2026.

The letter states – “Section 11 of Manpower Structure and MPO Policy-2025.According to 17 (a) no teacher-employee belonging to MPO can be engaged in more than one post/job at the same time or in any post of financial gain.”

It further states—”If this is proved in the investigation, the government may take disciplinary action as per rules against the responsible person/persons including cancellation of his MPO.”

In the letter signed by the director of Rajshahi region Professor Mohammad Asaduzzaman, some teachers were asked to give a written reply by April 20, 2026.

So why the silence in Gaibandha?
While a show-cause notice has been issued against teachers in Rajshahi region, why no action has been taken even though Gaibandha has been performing the duties of teaching and kazi for a long time, the question is now on the lips of the locals.

A teacher, who did not wish to be named, said that if a teacher simultaneously performs another financially lucrative government duty, it is not only a violation of policy but also misuse of state facilities.

According to the concerned quarters, if a person is active in two professions simultaneously, the question of dual benefits and income naturally arises. The government’s financial transparency and policy position are also questioned.
Experts say that if the matter is investigated seriously, more important information may come out.

The residents of Gaibandha demand that the matter should be investigated and necessary measures taken in Gaibandha like Rajshahi region. If necessary, an impartial investigation committee comprising the Ministry of Education, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and District Administration should be formed to uncover the real truth.

Zahurul Islam Akand, the teacher concerned in this regard, said, “I don’t know if there should be any problem if the profession of working in addition to teaching. I have told everything to the ministry that I am working as well as a teacher.

In this regard, Gaibandha District Education Officer Ataur Rahman said, we will look into the matter. If the incident is found to be true, necessary action will be taken subject to investigation.”The incident has now sparked widespread discussion across Gaibandha.