President Mohammed Shahabuddin decided on Monday to form an interim government to run the country following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister, amid the recent unrest that saw over 400 deaths since mid-July.
This decision was made during a meeting at Bangabhaban after discussing the current situation with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, leaders of various political parties, and members of civil society, according to a press release signed by Muhammad Shiplu Zaman, Assistant Press Secretary of Bangabhaban.
The meeting also decided to release BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who is under house arrest after being convicted in several cases.
The Army has been tasked with stopping the vandalism and ensuring law enforcement, which deteriorated severely after Sheikh Hasina left the country Monday afternoon.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin also approved the release of all students who were recently arrested during the ongoing quota reform movement.
The meeting adopted a condolence motion expressing profound shock at the deaths of students and others during the anti-quota movement.
Leaders present at the meeting emphasized ensuring the safety of all religions, as several houses and places of worship for Hindus and other minority religions have been torched across the country since Monday afternoon.
Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Mirza Abbas, Jatiya Party leaders GM Quader, Mujibul Haque Chunnu and Anisul Islam Mahmud, Nagorik Oikkya Leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mawlana Mamunul Haque, Mufti Monir Kasemi, Mahabubur Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, Sheikh Mohammad Masud, Major General (Retired) Fazle Rabbi, Shamim Haider of Zaker Party, Mawlana Jalaluddin Ahmed of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Zunaiyed Saki of Ganasanghati Andolon, Golam Sarwar Jewel of Gana Adhikar Parishad, Dhaka University teacher Dr Asif Nazrul, Firoz Ahmed, and four coordinators of the Students Against Discriminatory platform–Abdullah Al Hossain, Arif Talukder, Omar Faruk, and Mobasshewra Karim Mini–were present at the meeting in Bangabhaban.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin chaired the meeting.
Earlier in the afternoon, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman held a meeting with several political party leaders and civil society members at the Army Headquarters. After the meeting, he told the media that the formation of an interim government had been decided and would take effect shortly after discussions with the president.
In a press briefing after the meeting, the army chief said justice would be ensured for all killings and injustices.
"Keep trust in the army," he said, calling on everyone to shun the path of violence and return home.
The army chief also mentioned that he would soon meet with representatives of students and teachers.
He expressed confidence that the situation would return to normal soon and sought all-out cooperation from people of all classes and professions, including students, regardless of party affiliations and opinions.