Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Advisor Fouzul Kabir Khan has proposed enacting an ordinance to bar advisors and other key appointees of the interim government from holding lucrative positions in the next elected administration — a move he believes would help prevent controversy over neutrality.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Fouzul made the suggestion following a series of meetings between Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus and political parties, where questions were raised about the impartiality of some interim government members.

Sharing three related photo cards, the advisor wrote, “During meetings between the chief advisor and three political parties, questions were raised about the neutrality of advisors. My name also appeared in one party’s list.”

In my own defence, I can only say that I am not in the habit of thinking or making decisions with bias. I have always made decisions on behalf of the government without being influenced by personal liking or disliking,” he added.

Fouzul further said that since concerns have been raised, they must be addressed through an institutional measure. “To that end, I believe an ordinance could be issued stipulating that the chief advisor, advisors, special assistants, and all officials appointed on a contractual basis under the interim government shall not be eligible to hold any lucrative positions in the next elected government, regardless of which party forms it,” he wrote.

He also proposed that the restriction should not apply to those who resign from the interim administration before the election schedule is announced.

On Tuesday, a BNP delegation met Chief Advisor Yunus and urged that the interim government take on the full characteristics of a caretaker administration ahead of the national election, expected in February next year.

After the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters that the election must be “meaningful, neutral, and acceptable to all,” and therefore the administration must be restructured to ensure complete impartiality.

The following day, delegations from the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami also met Yunus separately, raising similar concerns about the neutrality of some advisors.

Amid these discussions, Fouzul’s proposal has drawn attention as an attempt to strengthen transparency and public confidence in the interim government.