Interim govt has met most of its goals: Shafiqul Alam

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday rejected claims that the current interim administration is “the weakest in Bangladesh’s history,” asserting instead that it has accomplished nearly all of its objectives within just 15 months.

Posting from his verified Facebook account, Alam wrote, “I say with confidence that this has been one of the most consequential governments Bangladesh has seen in decades. It has achieved almost everything it set out to do.”

Addressing criticism over law-and-order management, he said the government successfully restored peace and stability, adding that “post-revolution revenge attacks were brought to a halt.”

Alam also dismissed suggestions that the United States had been unwilling to pursue reciprocal tariff arrangements due to perceived government weakness.

“The US tariff deal was secured without hiring a single lobbying firm,” he noted.

Highlighting legislative accomplishments, he said a record number of ordinances had been enacted in just 15 months, including major labour reforms.

Reflecting on political developments, he described the July Declaration as a “historic new platform” and said the July Charter had created “a political settlement that may reshape national politics for generations.”

He further stated that the Supreme Court’s assertion of authority over the lower judiciary has made it significantly harder for future governments to manipulate bail decisions or pursue politically motivated cases.

Among economic achievements, Alam pointed to the signing of Laldia Terminal agreement by one of the world’s leading port operators; describing it as the largest European investment in Bangladesh to date, and said a new foreign policy framework had strategically positioned Bangladesh in the Indo-Pacific.

He added that the economy had been stabilised, the banking sector brought under tighter control, Taka strengthened and inflation reduced, with food inflation falling from 14 percent to 7 percent.

Citing court proceedings, Alam said accountability for past abuses had begun, creating “a long-awaited sense of justice.”

He also declared, “Sheikh Hasina has been shown her place!”

According to him, forced disappearances had stopped, the previously dominant “BAL extremist political culture” had been neutralised and a cultural revival had emerged; “a Farooki effect,” he remarked, referencing the influence of widely viewed documentaries.

Alam said the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) now operates strictly within the law, intelligence agencies no longer harass dissidents and press freedom has been restored.

“Not a single staged ‘crossfire’ incident has been reported in the last 16 months,” he added.

Concluding his statement, he wrote, “As an avid reader of our history, I believe no government in Bangladesh has achieved as much in such a short period as the interim government has over these fifteen and a half months.”