Abu Abdullah M. Saleh
Abu Abdullah M. Saleh (), widely known as Saleh Shibly, is a Bangladeshi journalist and politician who serves as the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman. He is a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and has held various roles in media and party communications.
Shibly has over 30 years of experience in journalism, working for prominent outlets in Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. He returned to Bangladesh in December 2025 after years in exile and was appointed to his current position following the formation of the new government in 2026.
Early life and education
Abu Abdullah M. Saleh was born in Faridganj Upazila, Chandpur District, Bangladesh. His village home is in Gobindapur Union. He completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Dhaka. Shibly also holds a PhD in media and administration.
Journalism career
Shibly began his journalism career as a campus reporter for the United News of Bangladesh (UNB). He worked for several leading media organizations, including Daily Banglabazar Patrika, Daily Manabzamin, Radio Today, and Channel i.
During the BNP-led four-party alliance government (2001–2006), he served as First Secretary (Press) at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, India.
Shibly held leadership positions in journalistic bodies, serving as General Secretary of the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in 2004 and the Dhaka University Journalists' Association in 1994.
In the United Kingdom, he worked as Executive Editor for Channel S, a Bangla-language television channel. He contributed articles on women's empowerment in Bangladesh to the Asian Breeze magazine published by the Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW).
Political career
Shibly joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and became involved in its media operations. In November 2025, he was appointed chief of the BNP press coordination team.
On 3 January 2026, he was appointed Press Secretary to Tarique Rahman, then Acting Chairman of BNP.
Following the formation of the new government, on 18 February 2026, Shibly was appointed Press Secretary to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on a contractual basis, with the status of a secretary.
He is also a member of the BNP's central election steering committee.