Interim govt fails to disclose advisers' assets even a week before tenure ends

Highlights

• Yunus pledged to disclose advisers' assets on 25 August 2024
• A formal disclosure policy was issued on 1 October 2024
• But no disclosure made public even after 16 months
• Delay comes amid corruption allegations involving several advisers and their aides
• TIB questions government's commitment to transparency

With just a week remaining before the 12 February general election, the interim government has yet to publish the income and asset declarations of its advisers and officials of equivalent ranking, despite a prior commitment by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to do so.

In his address to the nation on 25 August 2024, Yunus pledged that all advisers would disclose their asset statements "as quickly as possible" as part of a clear stance against corruption. Subsequently, on 1 October 2024, the Cabinet Division issued the "Policy on the Publication of Income and Asset Statements of Advisers and Equivalent-ranking Persons, 2024."

The delay comes amid allegations of irregularities and corruption involving several advisers, their family members and close aides. Observers have told TBS that failure to publish the declarations has undermined the administration's stated commitment to transparency.

Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh, said the interim government has failed to uphold its own transparency standards.

"The chief adviser's first national address created public expectations that the government would ensure transparency and accountability," he said. "Not publishing the asset statements even at the end of its tenure is embarrassing for the government and raises legitimate questions in the public mind."

According to the TIB chief, the failure to disclose may also set a precedent that allows future governments to avoid similar transparency measures, thereby institutionalising a culture of opacity.

Several advisers have told this newspaper that they had submitted their income tax returns and asset statements for the last two fiscal years to the Cabinet Division, in line with the policy. They also submitted information regarding their spouses' assets.

Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said on Wednesday that he had filed tax returns to the Cabinet Division, but declined to comment on whether the government would make them public.

Earlier, on 26 January, Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan stated in a Facebook post that he and his wife had submitted their income and asset statements in accordance with the 2024 policy, adding that these had already been filed with the National Board of Revenue alongside his tax returns.

He later told TBS that, to his knowledge, many other advisers had also submitted their declarations.

Another adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that he had submitted his asset statement and saw no reason why it should not be disclosed.

The interim government has consistently portrayed itself as committed to reform and anti-corruption, frequently criticising what it describes as widespread graft during the previous Awami League administration. In various national addresses, the chief adviser has said the government took office to put an end to irregularities and corruption.

Yet, over the past year and a half, allegations of misconduct have surfaced against several advisers and their associates.

Corruption allegations

In August 2025, a video circulated on social media allegedly showing an extortion incident at the residence of former Awami League MP Shammi Ahmed. Allegations were raised linking the local government adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan to the incident, which he denied, describing the claims as politically motivated.

Separate allegations of corruption and abuse of power were also brought against aides to other advisers, including Moazzem Hossain, assistant private secretary to Asif Mahmud, and Tuhin Farabi, personal officer to Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum.

Following preliminary inquiries, both were reportedly relieved of their duties. The Anti-Corruption Commission sought restrictions on Moazzem's foreign travel and use of his national identity card.

Similarly, Atiq Morshed, a personal officer to Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb and previously attached to former information adviser Nahid Islam, faced allegations of embezzling substantial sums and abusing authority. Although the ACC announced investigations into these matters, no visible progress has been reported over the past 10 months.

Last year, Asif Mahmud had said he would disclose his personal asset details before stepping down amid allegations, but he did not ultimately do so.

Analysts note that the public has no baseline data regarding the wealth of advisers at the time they assumed office. Even if disclosures are made now, they argue, comparisons should clarify whether any significant changes occurred during their time in office.

In August last year, at a programme organised by members of the administration cadre in Dhaka, former secretary ABM Abdus Sattar accused at least eight advisers of "limitless corruption", claiming he possessed evidence. He is currently serving as private secretary to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. The government later dismissed his allegations as baseless.

With an elected government set to take office after the 12 February polls, uncertainty remains over whether the interim administration will publish the asset declarations before handing over power.