TIB’s claim on chief advisor’s entourage size ‘incorrect’, says press secretary

He says compared with Hasina’s era, the present team is notably “smaller, more attentive and hardworking”

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has rejected Transparency International Bangladesh’s (TIB) claim on the size of Chief Advsior Muhammad Yunus’s delegation to the 80th UN General Assembly, describing it as “incorrect”.

In a Facebook post on Friday, he said the TIB had relied on “false information and unchecked social media posts” in issuing its statement, which he called “disappointing”.

“The current representative team is significantly smaller than during [Sheikh] Hasina’s era, yet much more attentive, active and results driven,” he added.

Shafiqul revealed that the delegation this year has 62 members, which is far below the figure TIB claimed.

He noted that last year’s delegation had 57 members, excluding six high-profile politicians who later joined at Yunus’s invitation.

He added that about one-third of this year’s delegation are security officers tasked with protecting Yunus and other senior officials.

The press aide cited public threats from supporters of the Awami League as justification for the heightened security. Many officers, he said, are working 16-hour shifts daily.

Over the past five days, the Bangladeshi delegation has held at least 12 high-level meetings, including bilateral talks with more than six heads of state. Shafiqul said their mission is to represent Bangladesh’s interests on the global diplomatic stage.

He observed that some members of the delegation will represent Bangladesh at a UN session on Rohingya and Myanmar minority issues on Sept 30, reinforcing the country’s continued leadership on humanitarian and security matters.

Shafiqul also noted that several advisors not officially part of the delegation are attending international meetings.

Leaders from popular political parties have been invited to the trip, supported by officials who assist them -- a move he said shows Bangladesh’s commitment to inclusive and democratic transition.

He further criticised the Awami League and its allies, accusing them of spending large sums to spread false narratives about the interim government and the July Uprising.

“This General Assembly session carries special importance for Bangladesh at a time when certain quarters are trying to destabilise the country and spreading false narratives about the July uprising,” he said.