Muhammad Yunus Ushers in Interim Government for Stability in Bangladesh

Muhammad Yunus, Nobel laureate, and former critic of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is now leading an interim government in Bangladesh following weeks of violent protests. Yunus has announced a 16-member council of advisors, including diplomats and military officials, to oversee various key ministries, aiming to restore stability and law and order.

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Friday announced the portfolios of his 16-member council of advisors and named a former top diplomat to head the foreign ministry, emphasizing the need for balanced international relations.

The 84-year-old Nobel laureate's first task is to stabilize Bangladesh, as he leads the country after responding to student protesters' call following weeks of violent anti-government demonstrations against Sheikh Hasina's administration.

Yunus, a known critic of Hasina, was sworn in on Thursday, succeeding following the ousting of Prime Minister Hasina's government and the dissolution of parliament on Monday.

Yunus holds the position equivalent to prime minister and selected other advisors in consultation with student leaders, the military, and civil society representatives.

An official announcement stated that Yunus will manage various ministries, including defense, public administration, education, energy, food, water resources, and information.

Former Foreign Secretary Mohammad Touhid Hossain will oversee the foreign ministry, while retired Army Brigadier General M Sakhawat Hossain manages the home ministry.

Touhid outlined the interim government's priority as restoring law and order and emphasized the need for balanced international relations without targeting specific nations.

Former Bangladesh Bank governor Salahuddin Ahmed will handle finance and planning ministries, and ex-Attorney General A F Hassan Arif will manage the local government ministry.

Two coordinators of Students Against Discrimination were given telecommunications and IT, and youth and sports ministerial roles respectively.

The Students Against Discrimination movement led an upsurge against the quota system for government jobs, leading to the end of Hasina's 15-year regime.

Some interim council members, mostly civil society figures, were absent for the oath ceremony but expected to receive some of the remaining 27 portfolios.

Normalcy is returning to police stations with military assistance soon after they were targeted during the peak of anti-government protests.