“‘Civilized Nations’ Armies Don’t Meddle in Politics’ – Warning from Dr. Yunus’ Special Assistant”

Staff Reporter

Faiz Ahmad Tayyib, Special Assistant to the Interim Government’s Chief Advisor, has called for keeping the military away from politics, following the principles of civilized states. He stated, “In today’s world, no civilized country’s military engages in politics.”

On Friday, 23 May, he made these remarks in a Facebook post.

He wrote, “The military cannot interfere in politics. The army chief failed to maintain jurisdictional correctness with his statement about holding elections by December. However, the military must be given due respect and trust. No sudden or reckless decisions should be made regarding the military. Similarly, the rehabilitation of the Awami League cannot be demanded under the guise of ‘inclusiveness.’ The military is our pride and a symbol of trust—no one should undermine that.”

In his post, Faiz Ahmad Tayyib also clarified that Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus will not resign. He stated, “The Chief Advisor will not resign. Professor Yunus does not need power, but Bangladesh needs Dr. Yunus for a peaceful democratic transition. Instead, the cabinet must become more dynamic. The government must become more functional, advisors must work harder, and visible progress must be presented to the people—there can be no disagreement on this. We must demonstrate that after the mass uprising, the professor has succeeded with the people’s consent.”

He further wrote, “Dr. Yunus commands respect in the global community, and it is our duty to uphold that. I believe the government must now engage more closely with political parties, hold regular meetings, and seek their opinions on various issues. No form of isolation is desirable.”

Regarding elections, he said, “I hope elections will be held around April-May after completing necessary preparations—though this is my personal opinion. During this time, all reasonable reforms must be implemented, including the July Charter. However, the authority to announce the exact election date based on the December-June roadmap lies solely with Sir [Yunus]. No one can hijack this authority. When Sir was brought in, he stood at the airport and said, ‘You must listen to me.'”

He added, “In July-August 2025, we will nationally celebrate the first anniversary of the two-month-long July mass uprising, Insha’Allah. I also hope that by August, the first verdict in the trial of the autocratic murderer Hasina will be announced. Insha’Allah, we will not lose; we cannot be defeated.”

Meanwhile, Interim Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Yunus has expressed frustration and disappointment over the ongoing political situation in the country. He said, “If I cannot work properly, what is the point of remaining in the position of Chief Advisor?”

Notably, rumors spread on Thursday evening that the Chief Advisor was preparing to resign. NCP Convener Nahid Islam met with the Chief Advisor that day and later stated that Dr. Yunus was “considering resignation.” However, Faiz Ahmad Tayyib’s statement has directly refuted these claims.