United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said a fair and credible election is possible under the prevailing situation and with the preparations currently in place, stressing the need for remaining ready for everything. He said all those who are contesting the election are maintaining a positive attitude and maintaining mutual harmony. "I hope that no one of them will deviate from this approach," Prof Yunus said during a high-level meeting held on the overall law-and-order situation in view of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the implementation of the July National Charter. Feb-12 polls must be fair, with no room for bias: Prof Yunus The meeting, chaired by Prof Yunus, was held at the Chief Adviser’s office. After the meeting, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.  Advisers Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Hafiz, and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman were, among others, present at the meeting. The Chief Adviser said the government would fully support the Election Commission (EC) so that Bangladesh can proudly say it has conducted a fair election. “This is a major challenge for the nation. We must take it on, complete this enormous task, and turn it into a historic achievement,” he said. Prof Yunus emphasised the need to ensure that nothing is lacking on election day and that there are no glitches anywhere on February 12. He said the 2026 election should set a benchmark for future elections in the country. “The EC’s instructions are now the most important directives. Everyone must work together in strict accordance with them,” Prof Yunus said. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs will play the lead role in maintaining law and order. Body cameras and CCTV cameras will be used, and all activities will be monitored from a central control room, he said. Prof Yunus backs ‘Yes’ vote, calls it key to ‘New Bangladesh’ Prof Yunus stressed the importance of seamless coordination among all forces involved in carrying out election duties. He said a large number of journalists from home and abroad will cover the election, while domestic and international observers have shown strong interest. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the meeting that 51 out of 59 registered political parties are participating in this year’s election. He said representatives from 26 countries have been invited to observe the polls. The European Union is expected to send an observer team of around 300 members. Already, 56 EU representatives are in Bangladesh, and two have observed the appeal process related to nomination papers. Candidates will be allowed to campaign from midnight tonight until 7:30am on February 10. Akhtar Ahmed said misinformation in cyberspace poses a major challenge in this election. He added that additional time will be required to count party symbol ballots, referendum ballots, and postal ballots. He urged the media to play a responsible role to prevent the spread of misinformation and rumors.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has expressed deepest condolences and sympathies following the devastating accident of high-speed trains in Adamuz, near the city of Córdoba, Southern Spain Sunday evening, stating that the grave tragedy has saddened them immensely. “It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I extend, on behalf of the people and government of Bangladesh, and on my own behalf, our deepest condolences and sympathies to Your Excellency and, thorough you, to the victims and their families,” he said in a message to President of Spain Pedro Sanchez.   The deadly train wreck in southern Spain has cast a pall of gloom over one of the nation’s symbols of success. The collision on Sunday killed at least 41 people and injured dozens more as of Tuesday. Prof Yunus said the news of this tragic accident, resulting in the tragic loss of precious lives and leaving many injured, has saddened them immensely. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this terrible train crush and the people of Spain during this period of grief. May the Almighty bestow His mercy on the departed souls of the deceased and grant their family members the courage and fortitude to bear their irreparable losses,” he said. Prof Yunus said they also pray for the quick and complete recovery of all those injured in this grave tragedy.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday encouraged voters to vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum, stressing that the key to building a new Bangladesh is now in the hands of the people. “I urge all of you to participate in the upcoming referendum. Seal ‘Yes’ to build the state according to your expectations. If you seal ‘Yes,’ the door to building a new Bangladesh will open. Put your seal on ‘Yes,’ encourage everyone you know to do the same, and bring them to the polling stations. Change the country,” he said, expressing the hope that all would take part in building the nation together. In a televised message in the evening, Prof Yunus said the ‘July Uprising’ is an extraordinary achievement in the nation’s history. It has created an opportunity to establish democracy, justice and human rights in the life of the nation, he said. “To this end, several reforms have already been undertaken. For more profound and far-reaching reforms, we have formulated the July Charter based on the consensus of all political parties in the country,” Prof Yunus said. “Your consent is required to implement this July Charter. A referendum is being organized for this purpose. Participate in the referendum and give your consent to the Charter,” he added. The Chief Adviser said the referendum will be held on the same day as the national election, on February 12. “If you vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum, Bangladesh will be free from discrimination, exploitation, and oppression.” Prof Yunus said a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum means the government and the opposition will work together to form a caretaker government and an Election Commission. A ‘Yes’ vote also means, he added, that the government will not be able to amend the constitution at will; for any important changes, the consent of the people will be required. “It also provides that the Deputy Speaker and the chairpersons of key parliamentary committees will be elected from the opposition party,” Prof Yunus said. He said a person will not be able to serve as prime minister for more than a maximum of 10 years, and the judiciary will function independently. “The representation of women in parliament will increase. An upper house will be formed in parliament to maintain a balance of power.” Prof Yunus said a ‘Yes’ vote means people’s fundamental rights will be better protected; the state language, Bengali, will be constitutionally recognized, along with the languages of other ethnic groups. “The president will not be able to pardon convicted criminals at will. All power will not be concentrated in the hands of the prime minister. There are several other important proposals included as well,” he explained, outlining why people should vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum.

The interim government on Sunday explained why Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’ support for ‘Yes’ vote in referendum is consistent with democratic norms in Bangladesh. "Professor Muhammad Yunus’ support for a ‘Yes’ vote is consistent with the reformist mandate of the interim government, Bangladesh’s urgent need for institutional renewal, established international democratic practice; and transparency and accountability to the electorate," said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Ultimately, the interim government said, the decision rests with the people of Bangladesh. "That is the democratic guarantee. Leadership does not negate that choice. It helps clarify it," said the press wing in a long explanation. Campaigning for ‘Yes’ in referendum is a state obligation: Adviser Nurjahan Recent commentary has raised concerns that the interim government and the Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’ open support for a ‘Yes’ vote in Bangladesh’s forthcoming referendum on institutional reforms may be inconsistent with the expectations of an interim administration. These concerns deserve respectful consideration, said the interim government. It, however, said the mandate of the interim government and comparative international practice, such criticism does not withstand close scrutiny when assessed in light of Bangladesh’s specific political context. In Bangladesh’s current transitional moment, silence would not represent neutrality, it would represent a failure of leadership, said the interim government. For Bangladesh at this juncture, the government said, the greater risk lies not in advocacy, but in equivocation. An interim government that declines to support the reforms it has championed would weaken public confidence, confuse voters, and undermine the coherence of the transition, it said.  

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday, marking his first high-profile engagement in Bangladesh since returning on December 25. Tarique Rahman left the state guest house Jamuna for his Gulshan residence around 9:10pm following the courtesy call-on with Prof Yunus. Tarique Rahman at Jamuna with family to meet Prof Yunus Earlier, Tarique Rahman arrived at Jamuna, the official residence of Prof Yunus, with his family at around 7:30pm. Tarique left the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan at 6:42pm and went to his residence, from where he departed for Jamuna with his family at 6:52pm. Tarique was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman. They spent more than an hour with Prof. Yunus and his daughter, Deena Yunus, during which members of both families exchanged warm greetings and pleasantries. The two last met in person on June 13 last year in London during Prof Yunus’ visit to the UK. That meeting took place at the Dorchester Hotel, when Tarique Rahman was serving as BNP’s acting chairman, and was followed by a joint statement from representatives of both sides. After spending 17 years in exile in the UK, Tarique returned to Bangladesh on December 25. BNP seeks candidates’ names, symbols on postal ballots Upon arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he spoke with Prof Yunus over the phone while waiting at the VIP lounge. A brief interaction between the two also took place on December 31 during the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Jatiya Sangsad complex, following her death on December 30. Tarique Rahman was elected BNP chairman on January 9 through a unanimous decision of the party’s highest policymaking body, the National Standing Committee. Thursday’s meeting marks his first engagement with the Chief Adviser in his capacity as BNP chairman.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) must remain a strong and profitable institution, stressing the need to expand its fleet and further strengthen its financial capacity. “BSC should maintain the profitable status it has achieved in recent years. Future plans should focus on strengthening the institution through its own income and expanding the fleet by adding new ships,” he said while speaking at a cheque handover ceremony at the State Guest House Jamuna. Prof Yunus said the addition of more ships to the BSC fleet would boost morale among sailors and create new employment opportunities. He also emphasised retaining instructors at marine academies with appropriate honorariums to ensure the production of world-class seafarers. Plans are underway to acquire several ships, including four new large vessels (mother vessels) from China on a government-to-government (G2G) basis, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Big move! BSC to procure 22 new mother vessels The BSC earned the highest-ever profit of Tk 306.56 crore in the last fiscal year, generating around Tk 800 crore in revenue—an unprecedented achievement in its 54-year history. The Press Wing said that the five ships added to the fleet under the recent project have played a significant role in BSC’s continued progress. Following the Chief Adviser’s directives, BSC has already taken steps to acquire additional vessels. The first ship, Banglar Pragati, acquired under the corporation’s self-financed two bulk carrier project, was delivered and deployed in trade on October 28, 2025 and the second ship, Banglar Navajatra, is scheduled for delivery on January 30, 2026. Meanwhile, the process of acquiring two MR product oil tankers with government funding and one Ultramax bulk carrier with private funding is ongoing. At the ceremony, the Chief Adviser received a cheque amounting to Tk 203.47 crore, representing dividends declared for the fiscal year 2024–2025 and installments payable under the Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) for repayment of loans taken for six ship-purchase projects implemented by BSC under the Ministry of Shipping. Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain and BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek handed over the cheque. Commodore Mahmudul Malek said that a Loan Agreement (LA) was signed on October 14, 2016, between the Government of Bangladesh (Economic Relations Division) and the Government of China (China Exim Bank) for the project titled “Purchase of Six New Ships”. The project included the acquisition of three product oil tankers of approximately 39,000 DWT each and three bulk carriers on a G2G basis for BSC. The principal loan amount was 1,199,999,070 yuan, equivalent to Tk 1,457.68 crore. Subsequently, a Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) was signed between the Finance Division and BSC on October 27, 2024, to facilitate loan repayment. Under this agreement, BSC will pay a total of Tk 2,425.02 crore to the Government of Bangladesh over a period of 13 years. Self-financed ship procurement deal a major step for BSC: Adviser Sakhawat As per the SLA, the total interest amount accrued during the grace period stood at Tk 475.25 crore, for which a cheque was officially handed over to the Chief Adviser on November 26, 2024. After a gap of 27 years without any new ship procurement, six commercial vessels were added to the BSC fleet during the 2018–19 period. Of these, five vessels—M.V. Banglar Joyjatra, M.V. Banglar Arjan, M.T. Banglar Agrajatra, M.T. Banglar Agradut, and M.T. Banglar Agragati—are currently engaged in international commercial cargo operations and proudly flying the national flag of Bangladesh.  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday described South Asia as ‘one family’ and urged countries in the region to work together and learn from each other, calling upon all to come out from the education system which is mostly job oriented. "So, you're in the right place and see what it means to our region. Our region is a one totality. It's not a piece that doesn't fit into the picture. It is a one whole picture. We work together. We learn from each other. We are a family," he said. "So, we have to rediscover ourselves. I hope it will mean something to you," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the three-day 'South Asian Regional Conference on State of Higher Education and Future Pathway' in Dhaka. Prof Yunus said the education system in this region is job-oriented. "If he or she (student) fails to take a job, we think failure on the part of the student, not us." "Why would you design a job-oriented education? That you have to have a degree to go to the job market?" Prof Yunus said his position has always been that human beings are not born as slaves and each human being is a free person. "Job comes from the tradition of slavery. You slave for somebody. You don't like the job but you do it because they pay you. That's slavery. My lonely voice says that human beings are born as creative beings. That's why we survived on this planet as a creative being. From the very day we are born, we are creative. Even as a baby, we are creative. Creativity is the essence of human beings," said the Chief Adviser. Read More: Australian Education Expo 2026 held in Dhaka  Prof Yunus said a job takes away creativity. "You take orders. That's slavery." These young people who marched on the street,they refused to be slaves and refused to take orders, he said, noting that "And that's where the conflict began." "So, what kind of education will you be giving?" Prof Yunus asked. "You may dismiss it. You may pause for a while. But this is my point. Should we continue this education to create slaves? Turning creative beings into slaves? That's a criminal job," Prof Yunus said. So, Prof Yunus said, he translated that creativity into entrepreneurship. "Entrepreneurship is a creative thing. Why can’t we teach entrepreneurs rather than job seekers? Tell young people you are not job seekers, you are job creators. You are agents of change. You create things the way you imagine," he said, adding that imagination is the essence of human beings. Prof Yunus said human beings are not born to be practical but they are born with an enormous power of imagination. "That's what drives them, makes them fall crazy. That's why they gave lives to imagination. They had nothing on the street. They had an imagination. We want to build a new Bangladesh. That's our slogan. And they were committed to it, and didn't give up." The Chief Adviser urged the academics to align the education system with the youths’ expectations and aspirations. He stressed on revival of the SAARC to enhance regional academic cooperation. Organizing such gatherings was part of the responsibility under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Chief Adviser said. "SAARC as a word has been forgotten and that's a shame on us," Prof Yunus said. “I am repeatedly reminding that we must get back to SAARC. That's where our family belongs. And I will not give up repeating that appeal to the governments of the region,” Prof Yunus said. Speaking about the upcoming national elections and the referendum on February 12, he said the uprising tore everything apart and the young people created their own July Charter to undo what the country was stuck with. Read More: Infrastructure, education projects worth over Tk 190cr get govt nod The Chief Adviser said there would be a referendum to decide what the future constitution of Bangladesh should be, because they believed the root of the problems lay in the constitution. He noted that these issues were not taught in classrooms and questioned where universities stood in this reality. “Today, I feel very excited that academics at the highest level could get together in Dhaka. It's important that this is Dhaka. I hope you will have a chance to kind of review the things that have happened in Dhaka in the past few months,” he said, referring to post 2024 July Uprising events in Bangladesh. Prof Yunus said review of those events will clarify what university education and education as a whole are really about adding, this should be the core subject of discussion at the gathering. Highlighting the role of students in the 2024uprising, he said, “Who are these young people that we are dealing with? They have their own mind. They stood up and raised their voices and brought down the ugliest fascist regime you could ever think of given their lives”. “It would be a missed opportunity if you don’t spend some time on understanding what they did a few months back in this very city. What was their expectation? What was their aspiration? Why did they standup in front of guns and give their lives knowingly it will happen,” the Chief Adviser said. To reflect the students’ motivation behind joining the uprising, he referred to school student Shaheed Shahriar Khan Anas’s letter, which he wrote to his mother before embracing the martyrdom, it was his duty to take the street with his friends who were subjected to state-sponsored crackdown. Noting that the event was not a sudden outburst, Prof Yunus said it happened in Sri Lanka and in Nepal, but it happened in a big way in Dhaka. Speaking about the conference, he thanked the World Bank for organising the gathering, saying, “This was our responsibility to organise, but we failed. The World Bank has to step in to make it happen”. He called on educators to reflect on what education and university education should be in this very different world, warning that old ways of doing things are self-destructing and that change must happen quickly, just as the youth acted quickly during the July and August uprising. “So this is one issue, I hope this will be taken up seriously in this gathering in this discussion where we are, what is being missed, how we can run and be in the front, rather than falling behind,” the Chief Adviser said. A total of 30 international representatives, including delegates from the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well as representatives from the World Bank are participating in the event. The conference is being organised under the Bangladesh government and World Bank funded Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh. Education Adviser Dr CR Abrar addressed the inaugural ceremony as special guest with UGC Chairman Prof Dr SMAFaiz in the chair. Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Rehana Perven and World Bank Division Director Jean Pesme spoke at the function as guests of honor while UGC Member Professor Dr Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan delivered the welcome address.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said he would focus primarily on three areas - digital healthcare development, youth entrepreneurs development and ‘Three Zero’ agenda as part of his post-election work. He conveyed this to Akie Abe, head of Foundation for Encouragement of Social Contribution and wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, when she wanted to know about the Chief Adviser's plans and priorities for the period following Bangladesh's national election scheduled for February 12. The meeting was held at the State Guest House Jamuna. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder briefed the media about the meeting at the Foreign Service Academy. Akie Abe is currently visiting Bangladesh leading a delegation over work of her foundation. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in July, 2022. During the meeting, Prof Yunus recalled his warm and sincere relationship he had shared with her husband Shinzo Abe. As Akie Abe wanted to know about the Chief Adviser's plans and priorities for the period after the national election of Bangladesh, Azad said Prof Yunus explained that his post-election work would focus primarily on three areas. Prof Yunus will work on digital healthcare development so that women and vulnerable groups in the country can gain greater access to the healthcare system. He would also work so that expatriate Bangladeshis could stay informed about their family members' health conditions through a digital platform and provide necessary advice and support. Prof will continue his longstanding work on youth development, particularly in nurturing young entrepreneurs. The Chief Adviser said, he will continue his ongoing work related to the "Three Zero" agenda, which he has been pursuing previously. Prof Yunus also informed Akie Abe that, following the election on February 12, he is scheduled to visit Japan in the third week of March at the invitation of the Sasakawa Foundation. Prof Yunus urges joint research to explore marine resources During the visit, he will participate in a conference organised by the foundation, which conducts research on various issues, particularly ocean research. Prof Yunus said, during his visit, he will also discuss ways to enhance collaboration between Bangladesh and the foundation in these areas.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said SAARC must be revived at any cost, as the presence of high-level dignitaries from member states at the funeral of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia proves the regional body’s spirit is still alive. “He (Prof Yunus) conveyed the same message to all of them (foreign dignitaries). He said SAARC needs to be revived at any cost,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Thursday. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad also spoke at the briefing. Alam said the foreign dignitaries, representing Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka, met the Chief Adviser at state guesthouse Jamuna on Wednesday and Thursday. “They were overwhelmed to see such a huge funeral ceremony,” said the Press Secretary, mentioning that they appreciated the arrangements for conducting it nicely. Sayedur Rahman reappointed as CA’s Special Assistant Quoting the Chief Adviser, the Press Secretary said the spirit of the SAARC is alive and well and this spirit needs to be maintained. The SAARC was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985. SAARC comprises eight Member States: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Secretariat of the Association was set up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987. South Asian nations’ gesture highlights Khaleda’s respect, stature: Foreign Adviser Earlier, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said it was a 'positive gesture' from the South Asian countries towards former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia who earned a kind of accessibility, respect and dignity among people at home and in South Asia. "I think it's a very good gesture from all. All (South Asian countries) realise and recognise this (positive image set by Begum Zia)," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath and Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of the Maldives Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed were among the foreign dignitaries who attended the funeral programme of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and paid respects to her. E-cigarettes, emerging tobacco products fully banned in Bangladesh Asked about his conversation with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, Adviser Hossain said, "I tell you, we didn't have such a one-to-one meeting. That scope was not there. Other dignitaries were there. I would say it's a courtesy that all maintain. No bilateral issues were discussed." Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman met the dignitaries on Wednesday. The dignitaries arrived in Dhaka to pay last respects to former Prime Minister and national leader Khaleda Zia, who passed away on Tuesday. The advisers expressed their gratitude to the visiting dignitaries for their presence and showing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during this time of national mourning, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Wednesday afternoon. Substandard bearing, faulty design behind Dhaka metro rail accident: Adviser She was buried around 4:30 pm with state honour following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Members of her family, high-ranking state officials, government authorities, foreign guests, diplomats and BNP-nominated politicians were present. Khaleda Zia was given a guard of honour under the supervision of the President Guard Regiment (PGR) before her burial. On behalf of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, his Military Secretary, Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, placed a wreath at the grave of Khaleda Zia.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding ‘free, fair, and peaceful’ elections, adding that full preparations are underway to ensure the success of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum. “We are fully prepared,” Prof Yunus said, adding that any attempts to disrupt peace ahead of the elections would be dealt with firmly. The Chief Adviser made the remarks when Chargé d’Affaires of the United States to Bangladesh Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson on Monday paid a farewell call on him at the State Guest House Jamuna. During the meeting, they discussed the upcoming February parliamentary elections and referendum, as well as trade, civil aviation, labour reforms initiated by the Interim Government, and overall bilateral relations between the two countries. Prof Yunus welcomes growing Bangladesh-Pakistan engagement Jacobson, who is returning home after an eventful year in Bangladesh, appreciated the leadership of the Chief Adviser over the past 17 months and reiterated the support of the United States government for the February elections, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Monday. The US Chargé d’Affaires lauded the reforms undertaken by the Interim Government and, in particular, praised the ‘truly remarkable and extraordinary’ labour laws, saying they would help attract greater foreign direct investment to Bangladesh. She also commended the Interim Government for withdrawing 45 of the 46 cases that had been filed against the country’s labour leaders under previous governments. In response, the Chief Adviser described the new labour ordinance as an ‘excellent piece of legislation’, adding that leading Bangladeshi labour activists have publicly welcomed the reforms and the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions by the Interim Government. Election to be held on time, Prof Yunus tells US Special Envoy They also discussed funding for Rohingya humanitarian assistance. The Chief Adviser thanked the United States for continued support for the Rohingyas. "The United States remains the single largest donor to life-saving humanitarian aid for more than one million forcibly displaced Rohingya living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh," said Prof Yunus, expressing the hope that such support will continue in the future.   The Chief Adviser thanked the US Chargé d’Affaires for her “critical work” during her year-long tenure and for being a ‘friend to Bangladesh’ and extended an invitation to her to visit in future. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.