Staff Reporter :
In a formal ceremony held at Bangabhaban on Sunday evening, President Md. Sahabuddin administered the oath of office to three new advisers appointed to the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
The newly appointed advisers are Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Managing Director of Akij-Bashir Group; renowned filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki; and Mahfuz Alam, a close aide to the Chief Advisor.
Sheikh Bashir Uddin is a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s business landscape as the Managing Director of Akij-Bashir Group, one of the country’s leading industrial conglomerates.
The son of the late Sheikh Akij Uddin, Bashir Uddin brings extensive experience in industrial management and development to the government’s advisory team.
Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, acclaimed for his contributions to Bangladesh’s film industry, is a distinguished filmmaker whose works over the past two decades have established him as a leading cultural figure.
His inclusion in the interim administration reflects the government’s recognition of the role of culture and media in societal development.
Mahfuz Alam, who previously served as the Chief Advisor’s special assistant, is a graduate of the University of Dhaka’s Law Department (2015-16 batch).
A former student leader, Mahfuz played a key role in the anti-discrimination student movement that catalysed the protests leading to the government’s transition.
He was later appointed as a coordinator in the movement’s liaison committee.
On August 28, twenty days after the interim government’s formation, he formally joined Dr. Yunus’s team as a special assistant, contributing significantly to policy coordination efforts.
The interim government’s advisory council also includes two other former student movement leaders, Md. Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, both of whom are students at Dhaka University.
Their appointment, along with Mahfuz Alam’s recent induction as an adviser, marks a unique and historic precedent for the inclusion of young activists in government leadership.
The interim government, led by Dr. Yunus, was established on August 8 following a public and student-led uprising that resulted in the fall of the Awami League administration. Initially, the government comprised 21 members, including Dr. Yunus. Calls for an expanded advisory council gained momentum in recent weeks to bring greater dynamism to government operations.
With the addition of these three new members, the council now totals 24 advisers, reflecting a broader representation of professionals and civil society leaders.
As the interim government navigates a period of political transition, the new advisers are expected to contribute to policy development, economic reforms, and cultural initiatives aimed at stabilising and advancing the country.
