Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Returns to Bangladesh to Lead Interim Government

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is known for his pioneering work on microlending, has returned to Bangladesh to head the interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The interim government is set to oversee the transition to a new elected government amid improving national stability.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus returned to Bangladesh from Paris on Thursday to assume leadership of the country's interim government. This follows three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled amidst widespread protests against her rule.

Yunus, aged 84, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his innovative contributions to microlending, was chosen to head the interim government by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who dissolved parliament on Tuesday. Yunus returned to Bangladesh via Dubai after attending the Olympic Games in Paris.

Upon his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:10pm local time on an Emirates flight (EK-582), Yunus was greeted by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, senior officials, student leaders, and civil society members. He proceeded directly to Bangabhaban, the Prime Minister's official residence.

The interim government will steer the nation until an elected government takes over. The oath of office for the new government will be administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin in a ceremony expected to take place in the evening, attended by approximately 400 dignitaries. The Army chief revealed that the interim administration might initially comprise 15 members, though names and tenure details remain undisclosed.

General Zaman expressed optimism that national stability would be restored within three to four days amid significantly improving conditions. Yunus, whose candidacy for head of the interim government was first proposed by student movement coordinators, praised the students for their efforts in a statement. He urged all citizens to remain calm and avoid violence to ensure a constructive future for the country.

Yunus, renowned for his anti-poverty initiatives through the Grameen Bank, faced prolonged conflicts with Hasina's government. He was removed from his position as the bank's founding managing director in 2011 and subsequently charged in numerous cases. Despite these challenges, Yunus remains a pivotal figure in advocating for peace and economic development in Bangladesh.

(With inputs from agencies.)