Is Lamia the de-facto chief advisor?

Staff Correspondent

A photo of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus’ recent visit to Rome, Italy, has been widely shared on Facebook. The photo shows the chief advisor meeting the mayor of Rome at his office.

Several former diplomats have criticized the visit as unnecessary, calling it a breach of state etiquette or protocol by a head of government to visit the mayor’s office in a city. Despite promising to “talk eye to eye” on foreign policy upon coming to power, the interim government has been criticized for its 14 foreign trips in 13 months. Diplomats say most of these trips were unnecessary. Some have called these foreign trips, including those with delegations, “picnics.”

Before coming to power, that is, during the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Muhammad Yunus said that if he was taken to prison, his wife would be in great trouble. Muhammad Yunus’s wife, Afroza Yunus, is a former professor of physics at Jahangirnagar University. Yunus said that his wife is suffering from dementia or amnesia. She cannot remember anything. She cannot move without Yunus’s constant support. If he is taken to prison, his wife’s life will become impossible. After going on 14 foreign trips during his 13-month rule, netizens are asking, who is taking care of Professor Yunus’s wife now? Moreover, they are questioning the presence of Yunus’ constant companion Lamia Morshed at home and abroad with a slanted eye.

Government sources say that while Lamia’s presence on the scene indicates her influence, her influence behind the scenes is immense. Some sources also call her the de facto chief advisor. After being appointed as chief advisor, Lamia Morshed was appointed by Muhammad Yunus as the SDG coordinator in the chief advisor’s office with the rank of senior secretary. Lamia, who has been associated with Yunus for 30 years, was last the executive director of the Yunus Center. Lamia, the daughter of a former diplomat, studied abroad. She and her husband are Canadian citizens.

Politicians allege that the chief advisor broke all protocols and kept a senior secretary by his side in meetings with foreigners. The foreign advisor, the foreign secretary, and even his principal secretary were ignored. Even a Scandinavian delegation was given a note verbale to Lamia Morshed to visit Bangladesh. Government sources say that Lamia Morshed was behind the forced leave and later removal of Foreign Secretary Jasimuddin. In fact, several members of the advisory council have said that Lamia Morshed and advisor Khalilur Rahman handle foreign relations. Except for the chief advisor, only Lamia Morshed and Khalilur Rahman know the contents of the non-disclosure agreement signed with the United States in the tariff negotiations. No one else in the government knows what is in the NDA or non-disclosure agreement.

Some high-ranking government officials say that the chief advisor does not make immediate decisions on any issue. He cannot take any decision outside the wishes of Lamia Morshed.

According to sources, Yunus initially recruited Lamia to facilitate the government’s work with Grameen. But gradually, Lamia, the wife of former Finance Minister MA Muhith, became active in all government activities due to personal relationships. She continued to expand Grameen’s empire. After coming to power, Grameen obtained digital wallets, university approvals and even a license for adam business. Although allegations of conflict of interest were raised against Yunus regarding these, he did not take them into account.

Yunus’ close circle believes that Yunus was able to quickly take advantage of this business opportunity thanks to Lamia Morshed’s efforts. Many also see the possibility of a conflict between the Yunus family and Lamia, who is trying to establish her dominance in the rural empire in Yunus’ absence.