BNP has to explain source of crore dollars for appointing lobbyists: PM | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
June 12, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
BNP has to explain source of crore dollars for appointing lobbyists: PM

Bangladesh

BSS
27 January, 2022, 09:10 pm
Last modified: 28 January, 2022, 01:54 pm

Related News

  • BNP, allies firm on Dec polls date
  • 15, including ex-AAG, injured in reported attack by BNP men in Bhola
  • Foreign investment stalled in Bangladesh due to absence of political government: BNP leader Ershad Ullah
  • Tension rises in Lakshmipur as Jamaat blames BNP for leader's death, BNP rejects allegation
  • New govt to face major crisis if elections held in April ‘26: Shama Obaid

BNP has to explain source of crore dollars for appointing lobbyists: PM

BSS
27 January, 2022, 09:10 pm
Last modified: 28 January, 2022, 01:54 pm
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Sketch: TBS
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Sketch: TBS

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina told the parliament today that BNP has to explain the source of crore dollars it has given to lobbyists as part of their anti-state conspiracy and tarnish country's image before the world.

  "BNP has to answer and explain from where they have got lakhs or crores of dollars to give foreign firms and how the money has been siphoned off abroad," she said.

   The Prime Minister was speaking on the thanksgiving motion on President's speech and delivering valedictory speech in the 16th session of the 11th Jatiya Sangsad (JS).

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

   Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury prorogued this year's maiden sitting of the parliament after accepting unanimously the President's speech.

   Earlier, the maiden JS session of 2022 began on January 16 while President M Abdul Hamid addressed the House on the day as per the parliamentary practice.

  In her around 48 minutes speech, Sheikh Hasina said that crores of dollars are being spent behind lobbyists and questioned from where they got the foreign currencies and how did they spend those?

  "Today money is being spent behind lobbyists ahead of the election. We must find out the account of every penny of the money and they must have to give the account of every penny," she added.

   The premier said that the lobbyists have been hired to prevent the trial of war criminals, thwart election, make elections questionable, protect militants and killers of the Father of the Nation, tarnish the image of Bangladesh and prevent the progress of Bangladesh.

   She said that BNP looted public money and siphoned off the money abroad during their five-year regime from 2001-2006 and now they are engaged in conspiracies and plots against Bangladesh using the money.

  Mentioning that Bangladesh is advancing on all fronts, she said: "Those who don't like the progress, don't have patriotism, accountability to the people and love for them and plunder public resources, can try to hire lobbyists to destroy Bangladesh and to mislead the people by giving untrue information.

   "It has been done not for any good purpose," she said, adding tha the PR firms have been hired by the government for enhancement of the country's investment, export and production, and protection of the rights of the country and its workers.

  "But, what was the purpose of the BNP?" she questioned. "The purpose is to destroy Bangladesh and mislead the people by giving untrue information," she observed.

  The prime minister said she has belief and faith in Bangladeshi people that they would not be misled by the propaganda.

  "I have faith and belief in people that they will not be misled by the information. This is my belief," she said.

   Sheikh Hasina said that they have today passed the most important bill "Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill, 2022" in the parliament.

  "With passage of the bill, the people's voting franchise will be protected (more) and we will go one step ahead towards the election. We have further protected democracy and the democracy of the people will be established," she said.

  The prime minister said they have taken preparation to pass the bill well before referring to the meeting with the country's President held in 2017.

  "It is our target to pass the bill and we have done it. But no other party has passed the bill," she said.

  Sheikh Hasina said as many as 22 amendments have been accepted as part of the bill from the opposition parties such Jatiya Party, BNP, Jasod, Workers Party and Gonoforum which in true sense have made the bill as a bill of the opposition.

   "The bill becomes the bill of opposition as 22 amendments have been taken from the opposition," she added.

  Sheikh Hasina came down heavily on the BNP, particularly military dictator Ziaur Rahman, her wife Khaleda Zia and HM Ershad, for destroying the country's electoral system.

  She said that Ziaur Rahman started the culture of vote rigging by arranging yes/no vote in 1977 and later presidential election in 1981 to illegally capture the state power, violating the Constitution. Another military dictator HM Ershad did the same thing in 1986 following the footprint of his guru Ziaur Rahman.

  The premier said they had given 23 points, including usage of transparent ballot boxes and a voter lists with pictures removing 1.23 crore fake voters, to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

   "Recently held election to the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) is proof that a transparent and fair election can be held during the Awami League regime," she continued.

   The prime minister denounced the issuing of sanction by the USA on some officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) including its former chief and incumbent Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Benazir Ahmed.

  Referring to the success of curbing militancy and terrorism by Bangladesh law enforcement agencies particularly by the RAB, she said, I think that America has resentment on those who are success in controlling terrorism, protecting lives and human rights of the commoners."

  There is no benefit to entrust its responsibilities over the USA as the BNP-Jamaat alliance are responsible for it, adding, "Whom you hold responsible if insiders are doing harm for the state."

Top News

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina / BNP / Lobbyist

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    UK crime agency now freezes assets of ex-land minister Saifuzzaman: AJ
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus speaks at the Chatham House in London on 11 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    No desire to be part of next elected govt: CA Yunus
  • File photo of BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    Khasru flies to London ahead of Yunus-Tarique meeting

MOST VIEWED

  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS
    Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon
  • A file photo of Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur. Photo: Collected
    'I have no relation with this': Ahsan Mansur debunks Joy’s allegations over daughter’s Dubai flat
  • Faiz Ahmad Tayeb. Photo: BSS
    Import duty on raw materials for e-bikes, lithium batteries reduced from 80% to 1% in some cases: Faiz Taiyeb
  • File photo of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Photo: Collected
    Joy spends Eid with Hasina in India: Indian media
  • Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
    Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
  • Shakil Ahmed. Photo: Collected
    DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook

Related News

  • BNP, allies firm on Dec polls date
  • 15, including ex-AAG, injured in reported attack by BNP men in Bhola
  • Foreign investment stalled in Bangladesh due to absence of political government: BNP leader Ershad Ullah
  • Tension rises in Lakshmipur as Jamaat blames BNP for leader's death, BNP rejects allegation
  • New govt to face major crisis if elections held in April ‘26: Shama Obaid

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

6h | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

1d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

2d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

4d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

2h | TBS Stories
What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

3h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

4h | TBS News of the day
WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

6h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net