‘Ordinance to bar interim govt officials joining next admin urged’
Staff Reporter :
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has urged the government to issue an ordinance barring advisers and other key appointees of the interim administration from assuming any lucrative positions in the next elected government.
He made the call in a Facebook post on Friday, amid questions raised by several political parties – including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) – about the neutrality of certain advisers during recent meetings between party delegations and the chief adviser.
Sharing three infographics from a Facebook page titled “Bangagraph,” Fouzul wrote, “Concerns have been voiced about the impartiality of advisers in meetings with the chief adviser. My name was also included in a list released by one party.
“In response, I can only say that I have never acted with bias or political motive. My decisions have always been based on merit and integrity. Nonetheless, since doubts have been expressed, they should be addressed appropriately.”
The adviser further proposed, “An ordinance could be promulgated specifying that the chief adviser, advisers, special assistants, and all contractual appointees of the interim government shall be ineligible to hold any profitable office in the next elected administration.
“However, this restriction should not apply to those who resign before the announcement of the election schedule.”
On 21 October, a BNP delegation met the chief adviser, urging the government to adopt a “caretaker mode” ahead of the upcoming national election and to ensure full neutrality of the interim administration.
The following day, delegations from Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) also met the chief adviser, expressing similar concerns about the conduct of certain advisers.