Press Release
Dhaka, 18 February 2026: Welcoming the declaration of not to accept duty-free car and government plot privileges as long-awaited, well-considered, timely and encouraging, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed its appreciation. The organisation considers this declaration an important beginning towards ending the long-practiced authoritarian and discriminatory governance culture. At the same time, in order to ensure the full and sustainable benefits of this step, TIB has called for the formulation and adoption of an integrated National Anti-Corruption Strategy and implementation plan based on the BNP’s 31-point reform outline for state restructuring, the election manifesto, the July Charter, and the report of the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission.
In a statement today, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “We must not forget that the fundamental aspiration reflected in the July uprising and the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election was for a welfare-oriented Bangladesh that is well-governed, accountable to its citizens, and free from corruption. In this context, although the newly elected alliance with an overwhelming public mandate has made various political, economic, socio-cultural and other commitments to the people through its election manifesto and campaign, an indispensable precondition for their effective and meaningful implementation is the prevention of corruption. Even if there is goodwill and effort at the highest levels of government and elected representation, without effective prevention and control of corruption, none of the commitments made can be properly implemented, nor will the tangible benefits of government initiatives reach the people to the desired extent. Rather, as part of the implementation of development projects and public procurement and other government initiatives, there is a risk of continued expansion of multifaceted abuses of power at various levels, conflicts of interest, partisan favouritism, extortion, land grabbing, politicisation of professional and institutional structures, as well as bribery and other illicit transactions, tax evasion and money laundering, and other kleptocratic malpractices.”
As a key precondition for ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman strongly demanded that annual updated disclosure of income, expenditure and asset statements of Members of Parliament and all public office holders be ensured through publication on official websites. He said, “As the first step in demonstrating the anti-corruption commitment of the government and the National Parliament, in accordance with the unanimously adopted Article 74 of the July Charter, it must be ensured that within three months of assuming office, all elected representatives submit and publicly disclose on websites the income, expenditure and asset statements of themselves and their family members, with mandatory annual updates. At the same time, this practice must be made applicable to all public servants and other personnel across all sectors and levels whose salaries and benefits are borne by the state.”
Dr. Zaman said, “We consider the well-considered declaration of not availing duty-free car and government plot privileges as the first step towards governing the state in line with the anti-discrimination spirit of the July mass uprising. This has generated public expectation that the newly formed government will take effective initiatives to control corruption and ensure transparency and accountability in state affairs. At the same time, we expect the commitment made in the 31-point reform outline and the election manifesto‘to rein in corruption that has spread across all levels of society like a vicious cycle through systemic and legal reforms alongside ensuring transparency and accountability’ to be implemented effectively. In this regard, constitutional amendments must be undertaken to prevent the abuse of constitutional and legal powers. Furthermore, we call for ensuring that the National Anti-Corruption Strategy provides for the responsibilities and meaningful participation of the ruling alliance, other political parties represented in the Thirteenth National Parliament as well as those outside Parliament, and all state and non-state institutions and sectors, thereby creating scope for the overall engagement of citizens.”
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