Interim govt marks one year in office with notable achievements

Bangla Press Desk: The interim government led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus marks one year in office on Friday, following its swearing-in on August 8, 2024. The administration assumed office in the wake of a massive popular uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's regime on August 5, 2024. The uprising, driven by a wave of student and public mobilisation, came at a high human cost, with significant casualties and injuries reported during the nationwide demonstrations. Despite the challenges of a turbulent transition, the Yunus-led government has been widely credited with a series of notable reforms and governance successes over the past year in the areas of electoral system, governance, press freedom, economy, judiciary and improved law and order and trial of the killers of the students and people in the mass-uprising.

Meanwhile, commemorating the Mass Uprising Day on August 5, the interim government presented the July Declaration before the nation on the day. The work of preparation for the July Charter is also at the final stage following the rounds of discussions with political parties with the National Consensus Commission. On August 5 last, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus announced that the next parliamentary elections would be held in February 2026. "On behalf of the interim government, I will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner asking the Election Commission to arrange the national elections in February 2026, before the next Ramadan," he said in a televised address to the nation marking July Uprising Day.

On the next day on August 6, the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) sent a letter to the Election Commission (EC) asking it to complete all preparations to hold the national elections before the start of the holy month of Ramadan in February 2026. Through this letter, the formalities of the government's request to the EC to organise the polls have been completed, said a press release issued by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing. The Election Commission (EC) held a meeting at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon on Thursday. Following the meeting, Election Commissioner Brig. Gen. Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (retd) briefed newsmen, saying the schedule of the next general election will be announced in the first half of December next.

The government has formed a number of reform commissions, including the Electoral Reform Commission, Police Reform Commission, Judiciary Reform Commission, Anti-Corruption Reform Commission, Public Administration Reform Commission, Health Reform Commission, Mass Media Reform Commission, Labour Rights Reform Commission and Women Affairs Reform Commission. The commissions submitted their reports and the government also took many steps as per the recommendations made by the commissions. Due to various initiatives of the government, this June, the country's overall inflation decreased to 8.48 percent, which is the lowest in the last 35 months. In his address to the nation, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus hoped that food inflation would come down to 6 percent by December, saying controlling inflation was the biggest challenge for his interim government. He said that immediately after the interim government took office, the terrible flood situation that occurred in the southern and northern parts of the country caused massive damage to crop production.

"As a result, there was a fear of an increase in the prices of daily necessities. However, this was avoided due to appropriate steps taken by the concerned institutions and authorities, monitoring and reducing the dominance of middlemen. Especially, the market situation has been stable since the holy month of Ramadan this year," he said. As a result of the immense trust of the Bangladeshi expatriates in the interim government, stability has also returned to the forex market, said Prof Yunus. Last fiscal year, a record US$ 3,033 crore remittance came into the country through banking channels while export earnings grew by about 9 percent, he added. As a result, the Taka has gained strength, he said, adding that after many years, the value of the Taka is increasing against the dollar. In the last 11 months, US$ 4 billion has been paid to foreign lenders as interest and principal, which is the highest ever, he said, adding that even after paying off previous outstanding liabilities, foreign exchange reserves are increasing. Key achievements of the interim government in 12 months: Restoration of Peace and Stability Peace and order returned after the July Uprising, preventing chaos and cycles of revenge. Prof Yunus's moral leadership provided a stabilising force, guiding the nation toward reconciliation and democratic renewal instead of violence. Economic Revival Turned around a devastated economy: reduced food inflation from 14% to nearly half, overall inflation fell to 8.48% (lowest in 35 months), record remittances of US$ 30.33 billion, exports up 9%, and the Taka strengthened against the dollar for the first time in years. Banks have been stabilised. Trade and Investment Gains After concluding successful trade tariff negotiations with the United States, Bangladesh secured sizable foreign direct investment (including Handa Group's US$ 250 million in textiles, creating 25,000 jobs) and doubled FDI flows compared to the last government's period. Chinese investors are flocking in Bangladesh. Democratic Reforms and the July Charter The government formed reform commissions, built national consensus across 30 plus parties and finalised the historic July Charter, ensuring institutional accountability and protections against any future return of fascism. The July Charter is expected to usher in a new democratic era with enhanced checks and balances in the country's power structures. Justice for the July Massacres Transparent trials of crimes against humanity committed in July-August last year are underway, holding perpetrators accountable and reinforcing the rule of law. Four major trials have commenced. The trial of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has begun. Election Roadmap and Reforms The government has set February 2026 for free, fair, and festive elections, with the inclusion of expatriates, first-time voters, and women. It is launching digital consultation platforms for citizen feedback, aiming to make the election a national celebration of democracy. Some 800,000 police, irregular Ansar and military troops will be mobilised to ensure a peaceful general election. Institutional and Legal Reforms Independent judiciary strengthened via reform-driven appointments. Police reform: human rights cells, bodycams, transparent interrogation rooms and UN-standard protest protocols. Legal reforms: massive changes in CPC and CrPC, new ordinance mandating a maximum 12-hour family notification on arrest, lawyer access, medical safeguards and online GD filing. Press Freedom and Internet Rights The interim government repealed the repressive Cyber Security Act, dropped all journalist cases, guaranteed freedom for criticism and enshrined internet access as a fundamental right, a first in the nation's history. Foreign Policy Shift It reoriented Bangladesh's foreign policy from reliance on a single country toward a balanced, multipolar approach. The government expanded cooperation with the US, China, European Union and others on trade, investment, medical aid and crisis response, making Bangladesh a proactive, respected regional actor. Concerted efforts have been made for the revival of SAARC and membership of ASEAN. Expatriate and Labour Rights Bangladesh secured the resumption of UAE visas and Malaysia's introduction of multiple-entry visas, while regularising undocumented workers in the Gulf states. The government has taken plans to send 100,000 youth to Japan and more workers to Italy, South Korea and Serbia, broadening opportunities for expatriates. Support for Martyrs and Injured Revolutionaries The interim government meticulously listed all the martyrs and injured of the July Uprising and provided nearly Taka one billion in savings certificates and allowances to 775 martyrs' families, plus Taka 1.53 billion in aid to 13,800 injured revolutionaries. It also sent the severely wounded abroad for advanced treatment and rehabilitation. Maritime and Infrastructure Development The government declared the Bay of Bengal a core national resource for a "water-based economy." It has moved to scale up the efficiency of Chattogram Port (handling +225 containers daily), expanded coastal development plans, and initiated deep-sea fisheries and industrial projects with global partners. July Memorial Museum The government has taken an initiative to turn Ganabhaban into the 'July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum', aiming to preserve the memories of the July mass uprising. On the occasion of the 'July Mass Uprising Day' on August 5 last, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus inspected the progress of the construction work of the museum at Ganabhaban. According to official sources, photos of the July uprising, various memorials, clothes of martyrs, letters, important documents, newspaper cuttings of that time, audio-visuals and other materials will be kept in the museum. July Shaheed Smrity Foundation The government has established the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation to provide support for the families of martyrs and those injured during the July uprising. With thousands injured and hundreds of lives lost, the foundation is focusing on raising funds to provide immediate health care support to injured people, offer short-term financial support to victim families, preserve the memory of those who sacrificed their lives and implement projects that will ensure long-term impact. This article was originally published on Daily Sun. [Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]

BP/ZE