Yunus faces criticism for UK trip aimed at ‘projecting power’, not reform

Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has come under sharp criticism for his latest foreign visit, which a social media user described as a 'self-serving mission' to solidify his political standing rather than fulfill the caretaker government's mandate for reform and transition.

In a Facebook post that gained traction on Tuesday, political commentator Babar Honey alleged that Yunus is currently in the United Kingdom on his 11th foreign trip in 10 months.

He claimed the purpose of this visit is not diplomatic necessity but image management, as Yunus is set to meet King Charles III, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

“The meeting with the King is symbolic at best,” Babar Honey wrote. “Yunus will receive the ‘King Charles Harmony Award,’ deliver a fluffy motivational speech, pose for a few glossy photos, and aim to dominate headlines back home.”

He claimed that the real objective behind the trip is to project legitimacy for Yunus as “the de facto head of the Bangladeshi government, not as a transitional caretaker, but as something more permanent. That’s the entire point.”

According to the post, the scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds more strategic importance, especially in the context of recovering assets allegedly laundered by leaders of the previous Awami League government.

“The UK’s cooperation is crucial for Bangladesh to repatriate the billions in laundered money linked to Awami League leaders currently parked in British banks and properties,” he wrote, adding, “Quiet negotiations may begin here.”

Babar Honey suggested that the most politically sensitive part of the trip is the meeting with Tarique Rahman, BNP’s acting chairman, calling it a likely showdown between “two competing visions for Bangladesh.”

He described Yunus’s position as one favoring the delay of the next election until April 2026, the advancement of a controversial “Humanitarian Corridor” plan for Myanmar in collaboration with the United Nations, and a depoliticization campaign through media narratives.

In contrast, BNP is reportedly demanding an early election, possibly as soon as December 2025, and insists that the interim government must limit itself to facilitating a credible electoral process.

According to Honey, the Yunus-Tarique meeting could play out in three ways:

1. The outcome will be the same as the meeting with PM Modi. CA Yunus makes Tarique Rahman wait, and they agree on nothing. After a photo op, nothing meaningful comes from the discussion.

The Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, will likely lie about how CA Yunus presented logical reasons for the April 2026 election and the importance of providing a ‘Humanitarian Corridor’ to the UN. He will claim that TR responded positively, a claim that will fool only Yunus supporters.

This will lead to a political crisis between Yunus-backed parties and the BNP and its allies, paralyzing the nation with mass protests, while CA Yunus does what he does best: nothing… oh wait maybe he'll plan his next foreign trip while the country burns lol

2. Tarique Rahman concedes completely. He accepts all of Yunus’s proposed ‘reforms,’ meaning he agrees not to oppose the ‘Corridor’ plans for Myanmar and accepts the April 2026 election date.

3. CA Yunus gives in and changes the election date to December 2025 or January 2026. The interim government largely focuses on technical preparations for the election and the implementation of only the most necessary reforms — meaning no Corridor for UN.

As for which outcome is most likely? My vote goes to number one.”

Babar Honey’s post has not been officially responded to by the Chief Adviser’s Office. There has also been no independent confirmation of the details regarding Yunus’s meetings with King Charles, PM Starmer, or Tarique Rahman.

Observers note that Yunus’s increasing number of overseas visits has drawn criticism from multiple quarters in recent months, with some questioning whether the interim leadership is straying beyond its constitutional scope.