Muhammad Yunus to Lead Interim Government of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s interim government, headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, will be sworn in on Thursday, August 8. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 8 pm local time. Yunus, currently in Paris, will return to Dhaka by 2 pm to head the interim government. The Army Chief confirmed the schedule for his return and the ceremony.

The formation of the interim government follows the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid ongoing political unrest and protests. Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and renowned social activist, will lead the new government. A Bangladeshi court recently overturned Yunus’ previous conviction in a labor law violation case, just a day before he takes office.

Yunus was sentenced to six months in jail in January for failing to create a welfare fund for employees of Grameen Telecom. However, the court has now ruled in his favor, clearing the way for him to lead the interim government. The Bangladesh army chief mentioned that the interim government might initially have around 15 members, with the possibility of adding one or two more.

The announcement of the interim government’s formation and the swearing-in ceremony comes amid the country’s ongoing political crisis and protests. Sheikh Hasina resigned after violent protests and is currently in India. It is believed that she might seek asylum in a European country or Britain.

Sheikh Hasina’s main rival, Khaleda Zia, has also been released from prison. Zia thanked the people for their support in ousting Sheikh Hasina and called for love and peace to establish a democratic Bangladesh. During Hasina’s tenure, Zia was sentenced to 17 years in prison on corruption charges.