Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Wednesday called for the United Kingdom's assistance in repatriating laundered funds to Bangladesh to bolster an economy left in a precarious state by the previous autocratic regime.
“Laundered money has gone from our land to your land. We want that money back to run our economy,” Mahfuj stated during a meeting with Sarah Cooke, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, held at his office in Tejgaon, Dhaka on Wednesday (4 December).
The adviser elaborated on the government’s ongoing efforts to forge a national consensus on key issues, particularly the electoral process.
“It’s our revolution, and we have to protect it,” he asserted.
Highlighting the ethos of the July Revolution, Mahfuj emphasised that it centred on restoring dignity, equality, and justice for the people of Bangladesh.
“The Bangladeshi people have been deprived of dignity for many years. This revolution holds deep emotional significance for them,” he remarked.
High Commissioner Cooke acknowledged the challenges facing the interim government and reaffirmed the UK's commitment to supporting efforts to pave the way for an inclusive democratic future.
During the meeting, Mahfuj raised concerns over a recently issued UK travel alert that had garnered widespread attention on Tuesday.
Responding to this, High Commissioner Cooke referred to a report from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), assuring him that the UK continuously reviews travel advice to ensure it reflects the most current and relevant information for British nationals visiting or residing in Bangladesh.
The discussion marks a step forward in fostering collaboration between Bangladesh and the UK as the interim government navigates the complex task of rebuilding a nation deeply scarred by years of mismanagement.
