CR Abrar sworn in as adviser

CR Abrar, a human rights activist and former professor at Dhaka University, was sworn in as an adviser to the interim government. 

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at Bangabhaban at 11:06 am on Wednesday. A minute’s silence was observed during the ceremony in memory of those killed during the July mass uprising.

With this appointment, the number of advisers in the interim government has increased to 23. CR Abrar is expected to take charge of the education ministry, replacing Wahiduddin Mahmud as the education adviser, according to Shafiqul Alam, the chief adviser’s press secretary, during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday.

On August 5, during the mass uprising of students and the public, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India. On the same day, the cabinet was dissolved. The following day, August 6, the President dissolved the 12th National Parliament. The interim government took the oath on August 8, with Dr. Muhammad Yunus assuming the role of Chief Adviser. At that time, 16 advisers were appointed, though three advisers, who were abroad, took the oath later. Four more advisers joined the interim government, with the latest additions made on November 10 when three more advisers joined.

On December 20 of last year, AF Hassan Ariff, the Adviser for Aviation and Tourism and the Adviser for Land, passed away. Most recently, on February 25, Md Nahid Islam, the Adviser for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, resigned to join a new political party.