Take uncompromising action against corruption

Opposition leader urges govt

FE Team | Published: July 15, 2026 23:20:27

Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman has urged the government to take uncompromising action against corruption and restore discipline across the financial sector, insisting that no one --including lawmakers -- should be exempt from accountability if found involved in graft, report agencies.
"If this Parliament does not become a patron of corruption, I am absolutely confident that corruption will leave Bangladesh entirely," he said while addressing Parliament on Wednesday.
He argued that corruption cannot be eradicated as long as political patronage and favouritism persist.
"Some blame bureaucrats, others blame businessmen, while many point to politicians. I believe responsibility lies with all of us. No single sector can become corruption-free in isolation; it requires a coordinated national effort," he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's earlier pledge to "grab corruption by the throat," Shafiqur said the government's immediate task should be to restrain corruption before attempting to eliminate it.
"We want the government to seize corruption by its hands first. Handcuff it, shackle its feet if necessary, silence it, and then finally grab it by the throat," he said.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief stressed that accountability must apply equally to everyone.
"If anyone -- including myself or any member of this House --is involved in corruption, no one should be spared," he said.
Shafiqur also called for restoring discipline in the banking, insurance, corporate and capital market sectors, noting that Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury had assured Parliament that strengthening financial governance was the government's foremost priority.
"We want to see that commitment reflected everywhere --from Parliament to banks, insurance companies, corporations and the stock market," he said.
Expressing sorrow over the recent flood-related deaths in four divisions, particularly in Chattogram, he urged the Prime Minister and the finance minister to provide special financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives.
He welcomed the increased allocations for education and healthcare in the national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The opposition leader also proposed appointing dedicated religious education teachers at the primary school level, arguing that moral and religious instruction should begin early in a child's education.