CA Yunus hails July Charter as interim govt’s biggest achievement

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus tonight (16 February) identified the July National Charter as the biggest achievement of the interim government, stating that the people of the country decided to implement it with a huge majority through a referendum.

"If the July Charter is implemented, the paths to the return of fascism will be closed forever. I hope it will be implemented within the stipulated timeframe," Yunus said in a televised address to the nation.

Even if the interim government forgets many things, big or small, good or bad, the nation will never forget the July Charter, he said.

"Today, I congratulate all the political parties, social organisations and human rights organisations who worked tirelessly to draft this charter and secure its passage in the referendum," he added.

Before his speech, the National Citizen Party (NCP) signed the July National Charter, giving it complete shape in terms of approval from all stakeholders. Earlier, the NCP had refrained from signing the instrument, saying that doing so would be meaningless without clarity on its implementation.

In the presence of the chief adviser, NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain signed the charter at State Guest House Jamuna today evening.

National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz, Commission Member Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider were also present on the occasion.

Yunus said expatriates were given the opportunity to vote in the election. "When a voter proudly shares his experience of voting in this election and the referendum on social media, as a citizen, I cannot contain my joy. I hope that many more expatriates will be able to participate in this process safely in the future." 

Reflecting on the economic situation at the time his government assumed office, he said, "When we took office, the economy was in turmoil. The banking system had collapsed, and money laundering was rampant. We introduced structural reforms in revenue management, tax policy, currency management and the financial sector."

He said the previous "fascist government" had left behind a "bottomless economy."

"Now, as I leave office, I am relieved that we have been able to stabilise the situation and lay the foundation of a new economy. Creditors will no longer come chasing us," he said.

Yunus added that the country's foreign exchange reserves now stand at $34 billion.

"This reserve is gradually increasing with the remittances sent by our patriotic expatriate brothers and sisters," he said.