Government sources said Sheikh Hasina did not approve an application to Wajed Ali Miah's contract service despite lobbying by officials, the paper reported.

Wajed Ali, who was the chief of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, applied for the extension after reaching the stipulated government service retirement age. Several other scientists also applied for the position, it was reported.

The 57-year-old Wajed Ali is well known in Bangladesh as an author and newsmaker, and frequently makes wry comments regarding his wife and Bangladesh politics.