Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, which oversees city corporations, has said there are legal complications surrounding Ishraque Hossain’s mayoral status, as the matter is currently sub judice.
“Since the matter of Ishraque becoming mayor is sub judice, there are legal complications. There is no point in launching personal attacks against me. The legal battle must be fought in court,” Asif said in response to questions from journalists on Tuesday afternoon, following his address as the chief guest at the daylong event Youth Assembly 2025, organized by the National Youth Development Institute in Savar.
He said: “When the government acts, it does so as a collective body; no one can make decisions individually. Especially in the case of major decisions, there is no reason to think that I am making them alone. There are legal complications and matters currently under judicial consideration. We have sought the opinion of the Law Ministry regarding the existing complexities.”
Regarding India’s export ban, the adviser said: “Such restrictions will harm India more than Bangladesh. India exports more to Bangladesh. Since this situation has arisen, we must look for alternative arrangements. Until those alternatives are in place, there will be some obstacles, and businesses may experience temporary losses. However, in the long run, this presents an opportunity for us to move toward self-reliance.”
He further said: “If we can properly engage the youth of Bangladesh, overall national development is achievable. We want everyone to participate in the country’s economic progress. Just as the youth have shown great initiative during key moments in the past, we now need that same involvement in the economy.”
