Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday described the advisers of the interim government as ‘proud citizens of the country’ and confirmed that they are there  in Bangladesh, stating that they will also participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on February 17.

“They are still in the country. They are proud citizens of the country, and they will put in their best efforts to take the country forward in the future,” Alam told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.

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The Press Secretary said the advisers will attend the oath-taking ceremony, arriving in flag-carrying vehicles.

Once the ceremony concludes, the vehicles will take them back to their respective residences, but without the flags, he said.

The Press Secretary made the remarks amid questions and social media speculation that some advisers were leaving the country, similar to Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the former special assistant to the Chief Adviser on ICT and telecommunications, who has already left the country.

When asked about Taiyeb’s departure, Alam said he had no additional comments beyond the former assistant’s own statement.

The newly elected MPs are scheduled to take oath at approximately 10am, followed by the incoming Prime Minister and cabinet around 4pm.

Quoting Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Alam said the Foreign Ministers from Qatar and SAARC member states have been invited to attend the ceremony.

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Meanwhile, referring to discussion at the last meeting of the Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, the Press Secretary said it was unfortunate to see that in the previous elections, minorities have been subjected to post-election violence.

“So far, this is the first time that we have not heard of any attack on any of our religious minority brothers and sisters after the election. Many of them, as you have seen, have happily cast their votes in a festive mode at the polling stations,” Alam said.