Where Are the Asset Declarations of Bangladesh’s Interim Government Advisers?

Nearly a year and a half after taking office, Bangladesh’s interim government has failed to publish the asset declarations of its advisers, despite explicit promises and the adoption of a formal disclosure policy, triggering growing criticism from governance experts, economists, and anti-corruption advocates.
In his first address to the nation after assuming power, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus pledged that all advisers would disclose their assets promptly as part of a broader commitment to transparency and accountability. However, with the interim government’s tenure nearing its end, no such information has been made public.
The delay has disappointed many who had expected the post–July uprising administration to break from what they saw as a legacy of corruption and opacity under the previous government. Analysts say the failure undermines public trust and weakens hopes for institutional reform.
“This is deeply unfortunate,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). “Those who came to power promising a new culture of accountability have failed to meet public expectations.”
Policy Exists, Implementation Does Not
In October 2024, the government issued a gazette notification titled “Policy on Disclosure of Income and Assets of Advisers and Equivalent Officials of the Interim Government, 2024.”
Under the policy, advisers are required to submit annual income and asset statements—including those of spouses—to the Cabinet Division within 15 working days of filing income tax returns. The Chief Adviser is then responsible for deciding how and when the information is made public.
Several advisers have claimed they submitted their declarations within the stipulated timeframe, but the information has not yet been disclosed. No official response has been provided on whether the disclosures will be made public before the government’s term ends.
Economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya warned that the failure to disclose assets could set a damaging precedent. “An unelected, non-partisan government had the opportunity to set a positive example. Instead, it risks giving future governments an excuse to avoid disclosure altogether,” he said.
Allegations and Erosion of Trust
The controversy has been compounded by a series of allegations involving advisers, their family members, and personal staff, including accusations of corruption, extortion, and abuse of power. While the government has dismissed many of the claims as unfounded, critics note that few investigations have shown visible progress.
Former senior civil servant ABM Abdus Sattar publicly alleged widespread corruption involving multiple advisers, claiming appointments and transfers required their approval. Although the government invited him to submit evidence, no independent inquiry was launched.
Several advisers’ personal staff have been removed following preliminary findings of misconduct, but investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission have reportedly made little visible progress.
“Ministers or advisers cannot entirely evade responsibility when their closest aides are accused of corruption,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
Questions Over Conflict of Interest
Additional scrutiny has focused on benefits granted to institutions linked to Professor Yunus, including extended tax exemptions for Grameen Bank and approvals for new ventures associated with the Grameen group. Critics argue these decisions raise concerns over potential conflicts of interest.
The Chief Adviser’s office has denied any undue influence, but analysts say that in Bangladesh’s political context, perceptions of favoritism alone can damage credibility.
Still Time to Act
Some observers believe the interim government still has a chance to restore confidence.
“If the advisers publish their asset positions at the beginning and end of their tenure before leaving office, it could still set a positive benchmark for future governments,” said Dr Bhattacharya.
So far, only former Information Adviser Nahid Islam has publicly disclosed his assets through election affidavits after resigning to contest parliamentary polls. The rest remain undisclosed.
As Bangladesh approaches national elections, the unresolved issue of asset transparency continues to cast a shadow over the interim government’s reformist claims—leaving a critical question unanswered: where are the advisers’ asset declarations?