Interim Government Discloses Wealth Statements of Advisory Council

In a landmark move towards transparency and administrative accountability, the Cabinet Division on Tuesday released the detailed wealth statements of the advisers serving in the interim government. The disclosures reflect the financial standings of the officials as of 30 June 2025, providing a year-on-year comparison with the previous fiscal cycle.

The publication follows a pledge made by the Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, during his first national address on 25 August 2024, shortly after the student-led uprising ousted the previous administration. Professor Yunus had vowed that his cabinet would set a precedent by making their personal assets public to combat institutional corruption.

Chief Adviser’s Financial Standing

According to the released documents, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus held total assets valued at 156,244,065 BDT as of 30 June. This represents an increase of approximately 16.1 million BDT from the previous year’s figure of 140,139,673 BDT.

The statement attributes this growth to the encashment of savings certificates, increased fixed deposits, and inherited shares. Interestingly, the wealth of his spouse, Afrozi Yunus, saw a decline, dropping from 21.1 million BDT to 12.7 million BDT over the same period.

Comparative Wealth of Key Advisers

The disclosures cover a wide range of portfolios, from finance to national security. The definition of assets follows international standards adopted in the 2023 Income Tax Act, categorising wealth into Financial Assets (cash, bank deposits, shares) and Non-Financial Assets (land, buildings, and other immovable property).

Notable Disclosures and International Holdings

The report also sheds light on advisers with significant international exposure. The National Security Adviser, Khalilur Rahman, declared assets including buildings and flats abroad valued at 4.6 million USD (approximately 540 million BDT), alongside liabilities of 1.2 million USD.

Significant increases in non-financial wealth were noted in the statement of Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, whose assets jumped from 9.8 million BDT to 25.2 million BDT, primarily due to inherited agricultural and residential property. Conversely, some advisers reported very modest holdings; former local government adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain declared assets of just 1.5 million BDT, noting he did not previously possess a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

Accountability in Transition

The disclosure serves as a corrective measure against the culture of opacity that characterized previous regimes. By detailing the assets of all 21 advisers, alongside special assistants and envoys, the interim government aims to reinforce the public trust necessary to oversee the country's democratic transition.