Bangladesh's Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman has indicated for the first time that the interim government headed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus could stay at the helm of affairs in the country for at least 18 months.
"If you ask me, then I will say that should be the time frame by which we should enter into a democratic process," Bangladesh's leading newspaper The Daily Star quoted the four-star General as saying during an interview with international news agency Reuters.
The newspaper mentioned that it is the first time that a concrete timeframe has been mentioned by a key player in the current government even though the army chief gave no further elaboration of what he meant by "democratic process".
Last week, the government had given magisterial powers to commissioned army officers with immediate effect for 60 days in order to improve law and order in the country.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, on his part, also assured that the army would continue to solidly back the reforms initiated by Yunus-led government.
"I will stand beside him. Come what may. So that he can accomplish his mission," Zaman, who replaced General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed as the country's army chief in June, said in the interview.
Prior to joining as the Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh Army in January 2024, he worked as Principal Staff Officer of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Armed Forces Division under Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office.
"The army's refusal to apply force and subdue the people's uprising hastened the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League regime. While the police and ruling party cadres are blamed for shooting dead hundreds of protesters during the anti-quota and anti-government protests, the military mostly stood aside, and thus remains one of the few institutions that has survived the violent transition almost unsullied," reported Daily Star on Tuesday.
Once a leading voice in the struggle to restore secular democracy in the country, being the daughter of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina had to flee the country in an ignominious manner and seek refuge in India on August 5.
An interim government in Bangladesh was soon sworn in, with Yunus serving as its Chief Advisor.
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.