Bangabhaban is fully prepared to host the oath-taking ceremony for the new interim government, which will be led by Nobel laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday evening.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath of office to the newly formed government.

After 17 years, Bangladesh is set to witness the swearing-in of an interim government once again, following the sudden end of the Awami League regime. Sheikh Hasina, the country’s longest-serving Prime Minister, resigned on Monday amid a mass uprising.

In response, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman took charge, consulting with political leaders, civil society members, and students. Together, they decided to form an interim government.

Following demands from political parties, President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament on Tuesday and opted to establish an interim government under the leadership of globally renowned Nobel Peace laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

This decision came after an extensive meeting at Bangabhaban, attended by the chiefs of the three armed forces, two Dhaka University professors, and coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

During the meeting, student representatives proposed Dr. Yunus as the head of the interim government, a suggestion that President Shahabuddin accepted.

In 2007, the last caretaker government led by Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed assumed office following the turmoil leading up to January 11, 2007, known as 1/11.

Most political parties in Bangladesh have welcomed the interim government led by Dr. Yunus, with the exception of the outgoing Awami League. Since its ouster on Monday, the Awami League has not made any official comments.

This interim government will steer the country for a defined period and oversee elections to transition power to an elected government.

Details of the Oath-Taking Ceremony

Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced that the oath-taking ceremony for the interim government will take place at 8 p.m. today.

He shared this during a press briefing at the Army Headquarters on Wednesday afternoon.

In response to inquiries, the army chief mentioned: "We are doing everything possible to hold the oath-taking ceremony tomorrow (Thursday). There was a suggestion to hold it in the afternoon. However, given Dr. Yunus’s expected arrival at 2:10 p.m., it would be challenging to arrange the ceremony afterward. Therefore, we plan to hold it around 8 p.m., with accommodations for up to 400 attendees."

Regarding the size of the interim government, he stated: "I believe it may initially comprise around 15 members. However, one or two additional members could be included."

The chief adviser of the interim government holds a status equivalent to the prime minister, while other advisors are equivalent to ministers.

Sources suggest that the advisors for the interim government will be selected from civil society and various professional fields.

Though there is much speculation about who will be part of this interim government, an official list has yet to be finalized.