No Oversight Anywhere, Bribes Escalate from Tk 1 Lakh to Tk 5 Lakh: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir decried the absence of governance and control across the country, alleging a sharp rise in corruption. Speaking at an event at CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday, July 26, 2025, he said, “Businesses that once paid Tk 1 lakh in bribes are now forced to pay Tk 5 lakh. Even the police remain unchanged.” The event marked the launch and discussion of Economy, Governance, and Power: A Portrait of Lived Experience, a book by Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman. Hossain Zillur chaired the programme, with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed attending as the chief guest. Mirza Fakhrul acknowledged that reforms cannot happen overnight, saying, “It takes time, but we cannot abandon democratic practices. Imposing solutions is not the answer. We must swiftly move toward a democratic process, sending people’s representatives to parliament to drive reforms.”

He also warned of potential economic challenges, noting, “US President Donald Trump’s tariffs could pose a significant threat.” He stressed that political parties should always play a positive role in national development and public interest.