‘Not The Right Person’: Bangladesh Army Chief Didn’t Want Yunus As Chief Adviser | Exclusive
The revelation comes amid reports of friction within the Bangladesh Army, with pro-ISI and pro-Awami League factions at odds, and concerns over external forces influencing the country’s political future
In a major revelation, Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP), claimed in a video that Bangladesh’s Army Chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, was not keen on appointing Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser.
A 28-second video featuring Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan surfaced, in which he states that the Army Chief had expressed reservations about Yunus. According to the recording, General Zaman questioned Yunus’s credentials, stating that despite his Nobel laureate status and reformist credentials, he was not the right person for the role.
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Sources also indicate that the Army Chief had previously urged civilians to hand over the country to the “right hands," further signalling internal concerns about governance.
Internal Divisions In Bangladesh Army: Pro-ISI Vs Pro-Awami League Factions
Top Indian intelligence sources suggest an internal rift within the Bangladesh military establishment regarding Yunus and broader political alignments. The emergence of factions—one supporting ISI-linked elements and the other aligned with the ruling Awami League—has deepened tensions.
The Quartermaster General (QMG) of the Bangladesh Army, Lt. Gen. Mohammad Faizur Rahman, and Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman hold significant influence over the nation’s defence and security. However, ideological differences between the two have exacerbated instability.
Reports suggest that the most powerful general within the army, allegedly in opposition to General Zaman, attempted to gather support for his removal but failed. The professional ranks of the Bangladesh Army remain firmly behind General Zaman, who is seen as a balanced leader with a pro-India stance.
Meanwhile, QMG Lt. Gen. Faizur Rahman, perceived to have pro-Islamist and pro-Pakistan views, has drawn concerns over his allegiances. His interactions with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief were reportedly seen as an attempt to undermine the Army Chief’s authority.
Failed Coup Attempt: QMG Under House Arrest?
Sources indicate that a coup attempt allegedly led by Lt. Gen. Faizur Rahman failed, resulting in his reported house arrest. The QMG’s pro-Islamist and pro-Pakistan leanings clashed with General Zaman’s vision of a stable, professional military.
CNN News18 previously reported that the Pakistan ISI chief met with QMG Rahman, a move seen as a snub to General Zaman. Intelligence assessments suggest that the ISI chief’s visit was not routine but marked the beginning of a new strategy aimed at shifting Bangladesh’s power dynamics.
ISI’s Strategic Play: Delaying Elections And Fomenting Unrest
Intelligence sources accessed by CNN News18 reveal that ISI’s objectives in Bangladesh include delaying elections to maintain a government favourable to its interests. This strategy involves leveraging student groups and Islamist factions to sustain political instability.
ISI is reportedly aware that opposition leader Khaleda Zia is unwell and that her son, Tarique Rahman, remains in exile to avoid imprisonment in Bangladesh. With no strong opposition figure, ISI sees Jamaat-e-Islami cadres as the most viable force to shape Bangladesh’s political landscape despite their limited public support.
Zaman’s Stand Against Anti-India Forces
Despite mounting tensions, Army Chief Zaman has resisted aligning with anti-India elements. Sources highlight that he remains committed to keeping Bangladesh’s military professional and returning it to the barracks once stability is restored. He has publicly voiced concerns that Bangladesh will collapse if police and armed forces are weakened.
In stark contrast, QMG Rahman reportedly favours a more active military role, allegedly backed by Islamist factions and ISI. Intelligence assessments suggest that Rahman’s meeting with ISI chief Lt. Gen. Asim Malik was critical in forging alliances against Zaman’s leadership.
ISI Chief’s Visit To Dhaka: A New Power Play?
Lt. Gen. Asim Malik’s recent visit to Dhaka has sparked concerns about external interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. This marks the first visit by a Pakistani intelligence head to Bangladesh in decades. Intelligence sources indicate that ISI’s focus is on establishing an intelligence-sharing network with Bangladesh’s military factions to advance its strategic interests.
The ISI chief’s meeting with QMG Rahman is seen as a crucial move to solidify Pakistan’s influence in Bangladesh’s security establishment. Reports also suggest that ISI is attempting to mobilize Jamaat-e-Islami cadres and student groups to sustain unrest and delay elections.
ISI’s Role In The 2025 Political Landscape
Pakistan’s ISI reportedly aims to keep the current interim government in place for as long as possible while influencing future political alignments. This effort includes ensuring that Islamist factions and student groups remain active disruptors.
Furthermore, intelligence reports highlight that Rahman has a history of controversial actions, including strictures passed against him by an inquiry commission for alleged involvement in rioting following Sheikh Hasina’s departure. Serious allegations of evidence destruction regarding enforced disappearances from the Joint Interrogation Cell have also been raised against him.
Given these developments, intelligence sources warn that Bangladesh’s sovereignty faces a potential threat, with ISI’s strategic moves posing security concerns for India along its eastern and northeastern borders.
Army Chief Zaman’s Warning: A Hint At A Coup?
In a rare statement, General Zaman hinted at growing threats to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.
“I can see a potential threat to the country’s independence and sovereignty. I have no personal aspirations, but I want to see the country in safe hands. I have had enough over the past seven to eight months. I am warning you in advance so that tomorrow you cannot say I did not tell you," Zaman reportedly stated.
His remarks suggest increasing frustration with external interference and political instability. Intelligence assessments indicate that while he prefers a civilian government, continued unrest could lead to military intervention.
Conclusion: A Nation At A Crossroads
The internal divisions within the Bangladesh Army, the failed coup attempt, ISI’s growing influence, and the impending elections place Bangladesh at a crucial juncture. While General Zaman remains firm in his commitment to stabilising the country, external forces and internal power struggles continue to pose significant challenges.
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