Three days after the fall of the autocratic Sheikh Hasina regime in the face of a mass uprising, the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus is set to be sworn in tonight.

Army Chief Wakar-uz-Zaman has indicated that the number of advisers in the interim government could be around 15.

In a press conference at the army headquarters on Wednesday afternoon, the army chief spoke about his discussions with Prof Yunus. He mentioned that Yunus is ready to take on the role of chief adviser.

The decision of appointing Prof Yunus as the chief adviser to the interim government was made on Tuesday night, during a meeting at Bangabhaban with President Mohammed Sahabuddin, the heads of the three armed forces, and the coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

Prof Yunus is currently in Paris, France. He is expected to arrive at Dhaka’s Shahjalal Airport today at 2:10pm on an Emirates flight from Dubai.

When asked about the timing of the new government’s swearing-in ceremony, the army chief said that they are aiming to hold it today. “Initially, there was a proposal to hold it in the afternoon, but it might be too tight since Yunus will be arriving around 2:10pm. Therefore, the ceremony could be held around 8:00 pm. The event will be attended by 400 people.”

About the number of members in the interim government, the army chief said he believes it will be around 15. However, as had not been formally announced, he refrained from providing further details.

BDST: 1020 HRS, AUG 08, 2024
MN