New Delhi. Saima Wajed, daughter of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned from the post of regional director of the South-East Asia region of the World Health Organization (WHO). He submitted his resignation on Wednesday, which came into effect immediately. Wajed was being investigated for allegations of financial fraud and forgery. He has denied the allegations against him.
Saima Wajed took over as Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region in early 2024. His tenure was fixed for five years. However, amid the allegations and investigation, WHO sent him on administrative leave without pay last year.
Bangladesh's anti-corruption agency had also made allegations
Bangladesh's anti-corruption agency had also taken action against Saima Wajed. The agency had accused him of fraud and forgery in March 2025. After this, in July 2025, WHO sent him on administrative leave.
The allegations made by WHO also included alleged financial irregularities in the expenses related to the trip to China. Apart from this, the organization had also raised questions on his educational qualification. However, Wajed has rejected these allegations.
Lawyers sent reply to WHO
Saima Wazed's lawyers had sent a letter to WHO in July 2026, responding to the allegations made against her. It was said in the letter that his client had not committed any kind of financial fraud. The lawyers had also termed the allegations regarding his educational qualification as false.
Clarification also given on the allegation of acquiring land
Saima Wajed was also accused of allegedly wrongfully acquiring a land plot in Bangladesh. He also responded to this allegation in his resignation letter.
According to Wajed, he had acquired the concerned land before joining WHO. He says that this land was received under the law of Bangladesh, which was related to the families of the country's freedom movement leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the father of Sheikh Hasina.
Pressure on family increased after Sheikh Hasina's removal from power
Saima Wazed's resignation has come at a time when there is increased political pressure on Sheikh Hasina and people associated with her family in Bangladesh. In the year 2024, there were massive protests in Bangladesh, after which Sheikh Hasina had to step down from the post of Prime Minister.
Several leaders and associates close to Hasina have been charged in separate cases in Bangladesh. These also include cases related to corruption. Sheikh Hasina is living in India after leaving the country.
However, the allegations against Saima Wazed have been consistently denied by her. His resignation is being linked to the broader development of increasing political and legal pressure on Sheikh Hasina's family.
WHO will start the process of electing a new regional head
After the resignation of Saima Wazed, WHO will now start the process of electing a new regional head for the South-East Asia region. According to a source, this process is expected to start next month.
WHO's South-East Asia Regional Office plays an important role in coordinating health-related programs and policies in member countries. In such a situation, the election of the new regional director is considered important for the organization.