Inside Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh interim government: Who got what

Yunus, now serving as chief advisor—a role equivalent to prime minister—appointed advisors in consultation with student leaders, the military, and civil society representatives, confirmed in a notification published by the Cabinet Division.

By: Express Web Desk
New Delhi | Updated: August 9, 2024 11:05 PM IST

2 min read

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus salutes to the attendees upon arrival at the Bangabhaban to take oath as the head of the interim government, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 8, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain

Muhammad Yunus, head of the newly-constituted interim government of Bangladesh, on Friday announced the portfolios for his council of advisors and took charge of 27 ministries, including defence. This government comprises 17 advisors, many of whom are notable critics of Hasina’s regime.

Last night, 14 advisors of the 17-member interim government were sworn in.

At 84, Yunus took the oath as head of the interim government on Thursday, following the abrupt resignation and flight to India of Sheikh Hasina amid deadly protests over a controversial job quota system. Yunus, now serving as chief advisor—a role equivalent to prime minister—appointed advisors in consultation with student leaders, the military, and civil society representatives, confirmed in a notification published by the Cabinet Division.

Who’s who

Yunus will oversee 27 ministries, including defence, public administration, education, energy, food, water resources, and information.

Ministries and divisions that have been distributed among the advisors are-

Saleh Uddin Ahmed: Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning

Asif Nazrul: Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs

Adilur Rahman Khan: Ministry of Industries

A F Hasan Arif: Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives

Touhid Hossain: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Sharmeen Murshid: Ministry of Social Welfare

AFM Khalid Hossain: Ministry of Religious affairs

Farida Akhter: Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock

Nurjahan Begum: Ministry of Health and Family Affairs

Nahid Islam: Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan: Ministry of Youth and Sports

The interim government, installed following a public upsurge against Hasina’s 15-year regime, appears to have military backing. Three members of the advisors’ council could not take their oaths on Thursday night due to their absence from the capital, and it is anticipated that Yunus may assign some of the 27 portfolios to them.

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