Staff Reporter :
The Cabinet Division has announced the distribution of portfolios for the interim government of Bangladesh, with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus taking on a significant role. Professor Yunus, a Nobel laureate, will oversee 27 ministries and divisions as the country navigates a transitional period following the recent political upheaval.
The ministries and divisions under Professor Yunus’s leadership include the Cabinet Division, Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces Division, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Ministry of Food, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Ministry of Land, Ministry of Textiles and Jute, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Public Administration, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief,
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, and Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
In addition to Yunus, the interim government includes several other advisers, each assigned specific portfolios. Salehuddin Ahmed will oversee the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning. Asif Nazrul has been assigned the Law Ministry, while Adilur Rahman Khan will manage the Industries Ministry. Hasan Arif will be in charge of the Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) Ministry. Syeda Rizwana Hasan will head the Environment Ministry, and Sharmin Murshid will lead the Social Welfare Ministry. Brigadier (retd) AKM Sakhawat Hossain is appointed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, and AFM Khalid Hossain will oversee the Religious Affairs Ministry. Farida Akhtar has been assigned the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, while Nurjahan Begum will manage the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Nahid Islam will oversee the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, and Asif Mahmud will lead the Youth and Sports Ministry.
Professor Yunus was sworn in as Chief Adviser of the interim government on Thursday, succeeding the administration of Sheikh Hasina. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by President Mohammed Shahabuddin and attended by political leaders from various parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiyo Party, and Krishak Sramik Janata League. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, along with other high-ranking military officials, ministry secretaries, and foreign ambassadors, were also present at the event.
The interim government is tasked with steering the country toward a peaceful transition, with the primary goal of organizing and overseeing fair and transparent elections. This development marks a critical juncture in Bangladesh’s political landscape as the nation anticipates a stable and democratic future.
Meanwhile, following the formation of the newly established interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, various countries, including the US, EU, China, India, and Pakistan, have extended their congratulations and expressed their willingness to cooperate with the new government in the coming days.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in a tweet, conveyed his best wishes to Dr. Yunus and expressed his desire to work with him to strengthen the ties between the two countries. “Heartiest felicitations to Professor Muhammad Yunus on his swearing-in as Chief Adviser of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Wishing him great success in guiding Bangladesh towards a harmonious and prosperous future,” he wrote. “I look forward to working with him to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the days ahead,” he added.
In a statement congratulating the caretaker government, a Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said on Friday, “China strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. We respect Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and the development path independently chosen by the Bangladeshi people. We stand firmly by our policy of good neighborliness and friendship with all people of Bangladesh.” The spokesperson further emphasized the long-standing friendship between China and Bangladesh, stating, “China values its relations with Bangladesh and stands ready to work with Bangladesh to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas and further advance our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.”
The European Union (EU) also welcomed the swearing-in of the members of Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took their oaths tonight. The EU emphasized the significance of this transitional period for Bangladesh, stating, “Bangladesh is now entering a period of transition and the interim government will have an important task to prepare the ground for democratic elections and ensure accountability for the deaths and violence that have occurred. This is an important moment for the country’s democratic path and the fulfilment of the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and its youth.” The EU looks forward to engaging with the new administration and supporting this critical transition, which should be part of a peaceful and inclusive process underpinned by good governance, democratic values, and respect for human rights.