Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday called upon the government to take stern actions against corruption and restore discipline in the financial sector, saying that no one, including lawmakers, should be spared if found involved in graft.
“If this Parliament does not become a patron of corruption, I am absolutely confident that corruption will leave Bangladesh with touching its ears (entirely),” he said.
The Opposition Leader said corruption cannot be eliminated if political patronage and favouritism continue. “Some blame bureaucrats, some blame businessmen and others blame politicians for corruption. I say the responsibility belongs to all of us. It is impossible to make any single sector corruption-free in isolation. It requires a coordinated effort,” he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s earlier remarks that the government would “grab corruption by the throat,” Shafiqur Rahman said the immediate priority should be to restrain corruption by “holding its hands.”
“We want the government to restrain corruption by grabbing its hands first. Handcuff it, and if necessary, keep a cross-shackle on its foot and lock its mouth and then finally grab its throat,” he said.
“If anyone, including me or any member of this House, is involved in corruption, no one should be spared,” said the opposition leader.
Shafiqur also called for restoring discipline in the banking, insurance, corporate and capital market sectors, saying Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury had assured Parliament that restoring financial discipline was the government’s top priority.
“We want to see that commitment reflected everywhere—from this Parliament to the banking sector, insurance, corporations and the stock market,” he said..
Expressing deep sorrow over the deaths caused by recent floods in four divisions, particularly in Chattogram, the opposition leader urged the Prime Minister and the finance minister to consider providing special financial assistance to the families of those killed.
He thanked the government for allocating increased funds for the education and health sectors in the national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief also proposed appointing designated religious teachers at the primary school level, saying religious education should begin from the early stages of schooling.
He called for ensuring equitable allocation of development funds for opposition lawmakers.
“We want a balanced distribution of funds,” he said, urging the government to ensure fairness in allocating resources regardless of party affiliation.
Addressing the Speaker, Shafiqur expressed hope that he would continue to conduct the House firmly and impartially while ensuring strict adherence to the Rules of Procedure.
He recalled that on the first day of the Parliament, opposition members had called for breaking away from the negative political culture of the past.
“We said we would criticise the government, but within the grammar of Parliament. Alhamdulillah, I am pleased and partially convinced that there has been considerable improvement, though some negative practices still remain. I hope those will also disappear,” he said.
The opposition leader also thanked the Prime Minister for announcing that the July Memorial Museum would be opened on August 5 and urged the government to ensure that the significance of the July movement is preserved prominently in the pages of the nation’s history.
