It must be acknowledged that of the many challenges the interim government has faced since taking over after the fall of the previous Awami League government, there are few as difficult and as daunting as the recovery of the laundered money that was siphoned off during the years the Awami League was in power.
To that end, we must appreciate the interim government’s continued sense of urgency and commitment to this cause. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s visit to the UK in an attempt to expedite the procedure signals a strategic escalation in Bangladesh’s efforts.
Their meetings with the UK’s National Crime Agency -- an institution with proven expertise in tracing and attaching stolen assets -- demonstrate a willingness to leverage the necessary global cooperation.
Of course, these diplomatic and technical engagements are all with the hope that we are able to bring back what is ours. Our nation’s finances have been crippled and the billions that have been siphoned are a primary reason for this. The interim government’s pro-active stance -- holding high-level discussions, seeking guidance, and pressing the issue at every opportunity -- deserves recognition, even as the road ahead remains long and uncertain.
Bringing back laundered money is not a task that will be accomplished overnight, and that is something that the nation collectively must understand. Such a task demands patience and persistence.
However, the interim government, by expediting these efforts and embracing international collaboration, tells the rest of the country that it is serious about its attempt to correct wrongs. We expect and hope that all of the partners we engage with offer their support and that we can get back the funds that were stolen from us.
