The white paper drafting committee formed by the interim government to highlight the real situation of the country's financial sector has given its report after three months of investigation. The committee said, the picture of corruption, looting and monstrous financial manipulation during the 15-year rule of the Awami League government is appalling.
The chief adviser of the interim government. The committee handed over the report to Muhammad Yunus at his Tejgaon office on Sunday. Then the chief adviser also said, 'The way they looted the blood money of our poor people is appalling. The sad thing is, they have carried out this looting openly.'
Referring to looting, the Chief Adviser added, 'Most of us did not dare to face it. Such was the reign of fear during the defunct autocratic regime that even the multilateral body monitoring Bangladesh's economy remained largely silent on the looting.'
Dr. Yunus thanked the white paper drafting committee for the groundbreaking work and said, 'It should be released to the public after its finalization and should be included in school-college-university textbooks and taught to students.' He also said, 'This is a historical document. The fragile state in which we found the economy after the July-August mass upheaval has been highlighted in this report. The nation will benefit from this document.'
Meeting with international organization to return money of smuggling
The chief adviser's press wing said that the interim government will hold a meeting with various international organizations including the FBI from December 10 to bring back the money smuggled during the Awami League government. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said this at a press conference organized at Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar and Apoorba Jahangir were also present.
Shafiqul Alam said that the Economic White Paper Drafting Committee will hold a press conference today and publish their report.
The chief adviser's press secretary said that bringing back the smuggled money is one of the government's promises, “I will try to bring back the money anyway.” Accordingly, many works are starting from December 10. There are many types of meetings and talks with international organizations that work with the FBI. Our entire focus will be how to get the money back.' But Shafiqul Alam also said that the money has been stolen and it should be found first.
Stating that the report is an autopsy of the development story of the Awami League government, Shafiqul Alam said, “The autopsy has revealed a terrible picture.” Looting is going on before our eyes. A system of looting was imposed. Unfortunately many of us have validated it. Billions of dollars have been smuggled abroad.'
The press secretary said that there were not many looters, there were politicians, bureaucrats, oligarchs and some businessmen. Shafiqul Alam also mentioned that this money was smuggled with their connivance, which was confirmed by many journalists.
