The interim government led by Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, formed through a mass uprising of students and the public, completed 100 days on November 15. During this period, the press secretary of the chief adviser, Shafiqul Islam, highlighted the government's successes and progress in work.
Recently, the press secretary posted a status on his verified Facebook page in this regard. There, he highlighted the government's 100-day success as well as detailed information about the work being done.
The Sheikh Hasina government fell on August 5 in the face of a mass uprising of students. Then, on August 8, the interim government under the leadership of Nobel laureate Professor Yunus took office. Shafiqul Islam highlighted the main successes after the completion of 100 days of the interim government.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that lakhs of people would die if Sheikh Hasina was removed from power. But in reality, nothing much happened even after Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in a massive mass uprising. The interim government, with the help of political parties and the student community, was able to restore order in the country in the first few weeks of August. The police were virtually absent during this period. The government has been successful in maintaining a stable law and order situation.
Accountability and justice for the July-August massacre
The interim government invited a UN-led fact-finding mission to investigate the July-August massacre. It will operate completely independently. The mission is expected to submit its first report early next month.
The country-established International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is also investigating the massacre. Hasina and her associates have been charged with murder. The challenge is to bring the trial up to international standards so that international human rights groups cannot question its verdict—as was the case with the ICT verdicts of 2013-2016.
The interim government has announced a grant of Tk. 30 lakh for the families of the martyrs, ensured free treatment for the injured, and set up a fund to support the families of the martyrs.
Economic recovery
The economy was on the verge of collapse when the interim government took power. The government restored foreign exchange reserves within 100 days. Billion of dollars in international payment obligations were met without touching the reserves. Exports have turned around—exports grew by 7 percent in September and more than 20 percent in October. The banking sector has stabilized. The country’s best economists have been appointed to revive the economy and they have done a commendable job.
Reform roadmap
Ten reform commissions have been formed so far. The important commissions will submit their reports by December 31. A consensus will be built on these reports in consultation with political parties. The interim government will then announce the election date.
Along with the preparations, the election process has begun. A search committee has been formed to find a new and acceptable Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners. After the election commission is formed, it will start the work of preparing the voter list.
Widespread international support
Professor Yunus has received unprecedented support from almost all countries for the interim government and its reform initiatives. He has been feted like a rock star at the biggest global conferences of the year in New York and Baku. Multilateral and bilateral development agencies have pledged more than 8 billion dollars in loans. Despite widespread confusion in some quarters, the world knows the truth and the truth has triumphed.
Zero corruption
There has been no corruption case against the interim government or its advisers or officials so far.
Efficient and peaceful management of unrest and crisis
The biggest challenge for the interim government has been to meet expectations. Various groups have taken to the streets with demands and have expressed sudden anger. The government has so far dealt with the protests through dialogue. There has been little use of force to quell the protests.
There has been unrest in the garment sector. Some politically connected factory owners have gone rogue, forcing the government to deal with crises on a daily basis. However, the government has shown the utmost restraint in ending the unrest. Problems still remain in some places, but they have not affected export activities.
Handling severe floods and price hikes of daily necessities
The interim government has skillfully handled several devastating floods and price hikes of daily necessities, mainly due to natural disasters. The protests of Ansar members have been dealt with peacefully, without causing any problems. In addition, a new Rohingya crisis has been handled so quietly that no one could understand it.
New direction in foreign policy
Professor Yunus has repeatedly called for the revival of SAARC. He has asked Bangladesh to take active steps to gain ASEAN membership. According to him, Bangladesh wants India as a friend, but the relationship must be based on fairness and equality. The resettlement of Rohingyas to third countries has been accelerated, which will help reduce the pressure on the refugee camps. He has called for a new UN-led conference to give a new direction to the Rohingya crisis.
Cultural revival
In the last 100 days, an unprecedented debate has begun in our society. From madrasa student to urban elite, from feminist to Rightists group to degenerate—everyone is participating in this debate. New seminars and discussions are being organized every day. History is being analyzed from new perspectives. Thoughts are being deeply shared and discussed. Young stars have announced their arrival on the national stage. Old stars are struggling to maintain their relevance.
Next February, we will see some of the best books that can form the basis for a deep discussion about the structure of our society.