The Council of Advisers on Thursday officially annulled the directive, noting that during Sheikh Hasina's nearly 16-year long autocratic rule, a directive was reportedly issued requiring public officials to address her as ‘Sir’.

This practice extended to other high-ranking female officials, who were and still are being called ‘Sir’ which is clearly odd, said the Chief Adviser's press wing.

The Council of Advisers also discussed the necessity of changing other elaborate protocol directives issued by the cabinet.

A committee comprising Energy, Road and Railway Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Environment and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has been formed to review the protocol directives and honorifics; and to recommend appropriate amendments for consideration by the Council of Advisers within one month.