[🇧🇩] Everything about the interim government and its actions

[Saif]

Ambassador to US Siam likely to be new foreign secy

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Asad Alam Siam is likely to be appointed the new foreign secretary, as Jashim Uddin is to step down from the post within a day or two.

www.thedailystar.net

Ambassador to US Siam likely to be new foreign secy
Secy Jashim quit of his own accord, says Touhid

Md Touhid Hossain. Photo: File


Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Asad Alam Siam is likely to be appointed the new foreign secretary, as Jashim Uddin is to step down from the post within a day or two.

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain has clarified that Jashim leaving the post has no government involvement and the decision was his own.

A ministry official confirmed that Siam was instructed to return to the country and assume his new position by June 20.

Asad Alam Siam was appointed ambassador to the US on December 5, 2024.

Earlier, Siam served as the ambassador to Austria and was also the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the International Organizations in Vienna.

Until Siam's appointment as foreign secretary, Ruhul Alam Siddique, a secretary to the foreign ministry, will serve as the acting foreign secretary.

Sources said Jashim Uddin will be going on a 45-day leave.

He is stepping down from the post within a day or two of his own accord, and the government is not removing him, the foreign adviser told reporters at the foreign ministry yesterday.

"He [Jashim] wants to leave the post for various reasons on his own. He will leave in a day or two … He will still very much remain in the job [foreign service]. Just his responsibilities will change."

"It isn't something to explain. Someone can discontinue their duties for various factors … There might be some factors."

According to foreign ministry officials, the decision to change the foreign secretary was taken early this month. They said Jashim was given several options -- including being appointed ambassador to a country of his choice or rector of the Foreign Service Academy.

Following a social media campaign against the foreign secretary, a sense of unease has been prevailing within the ministry, with some officials reportedly also aggrieved by him, ministry sources said.

Meanwhile, the government in April appointed Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, former permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN offices in Geneva and Ambassador to Switzerland, as special assistant for foreign affairs to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, with the rank and status of a state minister.

Asked why he has not yet joined office, Touhid said, "He will join when the government decides … There are some issues that have come into consideration."​

 

[Saif]

Chief Adviser considering resignation amid political tensions: Nahid

National Citizens' Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam met with Bangladesh’s Interim Government Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Thursday evening following reports that Yunus may step down from his position. The meeting took place at the state guest house, Jamuna, where the Chief A

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Chief Adviser considering resignation amid political tensions: Nahid
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 23, 2025 00:25
Updated :
May 23, 2025 00:25

National Citizens' Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam met with Bangladesh’s Interim Government Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Thursday evening following reports that Yunus may step down from his position.

The meeting took place at the state guest house, Jamuna, where the Chief Adviser currently resides.

Speaking to BBC Bangla, Nahid Islam confirmed the meeting, stating, “We’ve been hearing rumors since this morning about Sir’s possible resignation. I met him to discuss the situation.”

According to Nahid, Dr. Yunus expressed concerns over his ability to continue working under the current political climate. “He said, ‘You brought me in after a mass uprising for change and reform, but I feel like I’m being held hostage. How can I function like this?’” Nahid quoted the Chief Adviser as saying.

Nahid further urged Dr. Yunus not to resign and to remain firm in his leadership. “I told him that the hopes of the mass uprising, national security, and the country’s future depend on his leadership. He should stay strong and continue building unity among all parties.”

However, the NCP leader admitted that Dr. Yunus is seriously considering stepping down. “Yes, he said if he cannot work effectively, then what’s the point of staying?” Nahid told the BBC.

Dr. Yunus reportedly told Nahid that unless political parties show trust and provide assurance, continuing in his role may not be feasible.

Earlier today, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) demanded the resignation or dismissal of two advisers and the National Security Adviser. The call came during ongoing protests demanding the swearing-in of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.

In a subsequent press conference, the BNP called for the removal of advisers Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud, as well as National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman.

In a counter-response, a senior leader of the NCP warned that unless reform recommendations are implemented, three other advisers—Law Adviser Prof. Asif Nazrul, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, and Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud—may be forced to resign, labeling them as “BNP spokespersons.”

Meanwhile, Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam issued a Facebook post on Thursday apologizing for any divisive remarks or language used in the past.

As tensions mount within the interim administration, questions remain about the future leadership and direction of the transitional government in a politically polarized Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

Criticism of government tarnishes country’s image abroad: finance adviser

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed believes that excessive criticism of the government does not leave a good impression internationally and can harm the country's image, reports bdnews24.com. Speaking as the chief guest at the national round of the Bangladesh Economics Olympiad 2025 at Dhaka Residen

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Criticism of government tarnishes country’s image abroad: finance adviser
Published :
May 23, 2025 19:03
Updated :
May 23, 2025 19:36

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed believes that excessive criticism of the government does not leave a good impression internationally and can harm the country's image, reports bdnews24.com.

Speaking as the chief guest at the national round of the Bangladesh Economics Olympiad 2025 at Dhaka Residential Model College on Friday, he said: “Many people criticise us. Some even call us incompetent. Criticism is fine, but such remarks don’t create a good impression abroad. They damage the country's image.”

The advisor also highlighted the "considerable pressure" he faces, not just from the Ministry of Finance but from various quarters ahead of the upcoming budget.

“There are all kinds of suggestions coming in regarding the budget. Some want tax exemptions in certain sectors, others are pushing to increase taxes in some areas. But the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could not impose any conditions this time. We’ve reached a solution.”

He emphasised spreading knowledge in society through platforms like the Math Olympiad, saying that knowledge is a lasting process and should be used for the betterment of society.

“True learning actually begins after earning a degree. You can’t learn everything in class. Most of life’s lessons come from life itself. And you can’t go far by tripping others up.”​

 

[Saif]

Salehuddin urges all to work together to overcome challenges of economy

'We are in the midst of all sorts of challenges,' says the finance adviser

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Salehuddin urges all to work together to overcome challenges of economy

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today urged all to work together for overcoming all challenges of the country's economy.

"We are in the midst of all sorts of challenges," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the national finals of the Bangladesh Economics Olympiad 2025, held at Dhaka Residential Model College in the city.

The event was presided over by Chairman of the organising committee of Bangladesh Economics Olympiad 2025 and former caretaker government adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman.

Also present at the event were Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Fahmida Khatun, Managing Director of City Bank Masrur Arefin, Dhaka Bank MD Sheikh Mohammad Maruf, and Pubali Bank MD Mohammad Ali, among others.

Hossain Zillur Rahman said economics is an applied science.

"That's why we are trying to make economics popular from the school and college levels. This year, there were 20,000 participants. Bangladesh Economics Olympiad is increasingly becoming a focal point of attention each year," he added.

Fahmida Khatun said Bangladesh's growth rate has increased by 1% per decade.

"But not everyone has benefited from this growth. As a result, inequality has widened. This growth has not been adequate in creating employment. Youth unemployment has increased. For the past two and a half years, people have been suffering from high inflation. When the economy is driven in a one-sided political direction, society regresses," she added.

While presenting the keynote, Masrur Arefin said, during the last nine months, corruption and irregularities in the banks have come to a halt.

"Money laundering has stooped. That is a big achievement. But political unrest is on the rise again," he added.

In this seventh edition of the event, five participants were awarded at the national level from among 20,000 competitors across the country.

They were presented with smartphones and laptops as gifts. These five will represent Bangladesh at the International Economics Olympiad in Azerbaijan.​

 

[Saif]

Eight Islamist and opposition parties to meet CA for urgent political talks

A coalition of eight political parties and Islamist organisations, including Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Gono Odhikar Parishad, is scheduled to meet with the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on Sunday evening. According to a press re

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Eight Islamist and opposition parties to meet CA for urgent political talks

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 24, 2025 23:04
Updated :
May 24, 2025 23:04

A coalition of eight political parties and Islamist organisations, including Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Gono Odhikar Parishad, is scheduled to meet with the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on Sunday evening.

According to a press release issued by Islami Andolan Bangladesh on Saturday, the meeting will take place at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, at 5:45 PM. Islami Andolan’s Ameer and Charmonai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, will represent his party at the high-level discussion.

The statement confirmed that leaders of other participating parties will include representatives from Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Khilafat Majlis, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Nezam-e-Islami Party, and Hefazat-e-Islam, according to local media.

The meeting will focus on the role of the interim government in ensuring institutional reform, holding credible elections, and initiating legal action against individuals associated with autocratic governance. The parties are expected to provide recommendations on how to achieve these objectives.

This upcoming meeting follows a delegation from the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) meeting with Professor Yunus on Saturday evening. Further meetings with Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens' Party (NCP) are also scheduled to take place later tonight.

The surge in political engagement comes amid ongoing speculation about Dr Yunus’s possible resignation, adding urgency to consultations with key political stakeholders.​