Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin has vowed to establish social justice through completing the distribution process of the smart cards under the TCB to the deserved one crore beneficiaries after thorough scrutiny over the next four to six months.
"By this time, if I leave office, I want to ascertain that the marginal people and one crore families get the real benefits from the TCB and thus the establishment of social justice will be visible," he said.
The commerce adviser said this while giving an interview to the national news agency highlighting the ongoing operations and future plans of TCB at his Secretariat office here recently.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated actions against Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, the former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Morocco, for posting a controversial write-up on his Facebook profile, which criticized the interim government instead of returning to Dhaka as instructed.
Harun Al Rashid was recalled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 11 December 2024 and was asked to report to the Ministry without any delay. However, he delayed his return to Bangladesh on different pretexts and finally relinquished his charge on 27 February 2025. He has reportedly moved from Rabat in Morocco to Ottawa in Canada. On 6 March 2025, he was expected to travel and return to Dhaka from Ottawa, which he did not.
On Friday, in his Facebook profile he posted a write up “A Plea for Bangladesh-and for Myself Subject: Bangladesh Descent into Anarchy under Yunus-The World Silence is painful,” said a press release.
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has expressed hope that the government will be able to repatriate part of the huge amount of money laundered abroad within this year.
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after the meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase on Tuesday at the Cabinet Division in Bangladesh Secretariat.
“We will start the process of bringing back the laundered money as soon as possible. For this, we will sign agreements with the concerned countries”, he added.
The finance adviser said the government has been trying its best to do this. However, the overall amount is huge.
Salehuddin said, this huge amount of money is in different countries and some legal processes are also involved in bringing back the laundered money.
“You will know more about the matter in the months to come. Apart from this, Bangladesh Bank will be able to say more about the matter”.
On Monday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus directed the authorities concerned to intensify efforts to bring back the laundered money.
International NGOs operating in Bangladesh, including ActionAid Bangladesh, Oxfam in Bangladesh, Plan International Bangladesh, and Save the Children, have raised serious concerns over the increasing incidents of rape, sexual harassment, and violence against women and children.
In a joint statement, the organisations called for immediate measures to ensure justice, protection, and the safeguarding of human rights for survivors and their families.
The NGOs welcomed the government recent commitment to a zero tolerance policy on violence against women and children. They also appreciated the decision to complete investigations within 15 days and ensure trials conclude within 90 days of the incident. However, they stressed the urgent need for the effective implementation of these commitments.
“These actions follow nationwide protests led by courageous women and girls, along with students, teachers, activists, and rights-based organisations. We stand in solidarity with them,” the statement read.