Report: Bangladesh foreign secretary to be replaced after 'defying' Yunus

DHAKA: The Bangladesh interim govt is set to replace its foreign secretary, Md Jashim Uddin, less than eight months after his appointment, reports Ahsan Tasnim. According to sources, Jashim Uddin is "not in sync" with chief advisor Muhammad Yunus and foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain. Jashim Uddin had opposed the initiative of a "humanitarian corridor" and "safe zone" for Rohingya refugees being pushed by Yunus and his NSA Khalilur Rahman and endorsed by the UN. His views aligned with the military brass who fear the corridor could compromise sovereignty of Bangladesh. Sources said Yunus and Rahman moved ruthlessly to "engineer" Jashim Uddin's removal. He had led the Bangladeshi side at FOC-level talks with Pakistan on April 17, and had raised the issue of financial claim worth $4.32 billion from Pakistan as a "fair share" from assets of undivided Pakistan before 1971.