BNP vows institutional reforms to restore integrity, strengthen oversight: Tarique Rahman
"With commitment, discipline, and public support, meaningful reform can return," he says
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday (9 December) outlined an extensive roadmap to restore integrity and transparency across Bangladesh's public institutions, pledging deep governance reforms if the party returns to power.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Tarique said rebuilding institutional credibility will be central to BNP's reform agenda, emphasising the need to ensure the full independence of the judiciary, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Election Commission, and law enforcement agencies. reports UNB.
He said the party's plan also includes transparent government procurement, real-time financial auditing, judicial and policing reforms, expanded digitisation of public services, legal protection for whistleblowers, integrity-focused education, and stronger financial oversight through an empowered parliamentary scrutiny.
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Tarique warned that the fight against corruption will be "an uphill battle" after years of systemic abuse. "Bangladesh has proven again and again that progress is possible. With commitment, discipline, and public support, meaningful reform can return," he said.
He added that the BNP is prepared to lead these reforms "if entrusted by the people."
Tarique further said, "Corruption continues to cripple the daily lives of millions in Bangladesh – from job seekers and farmers to families seeking healthcare and entrepreneurs struggling to survive."
He came up with the observations, marking International Anti-Corruption Day and outlining BNP's plan to fight graft.
The acting chairman said the day serves as a reminder of Bangladesh's long struggle against corruption and the periods when the country made "real progress," especially under BNP governments.
He highlighted that early governance reforms under former president Ziaur Rahman focused on administrative discipline, clean public service, and economic reforms that reduced gatekeeping and discretionary power.
The BNP leader said that the administrations of former prime minister Khaleda Zia modernised state institutions through procurement rules, financial administration laws, strengthened audits, and clearer oversight mechanisms.
A key milestone, he noted, was the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2004 as an independent statutory body, replacing the Bureau of Anti-Corruption.
The move – recognised by the World Bank and ADB – aligned Bangladesh with global standards by granting the ACC independent investigative and prosecutorial authority.
Despite reservations about the methodology used at the time, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) reported improvements during the BNP era, with Bangladesh's CPI score rising from 1.2 in 2002 to 1.7 in 2005.
Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer (2003) also found that 66% of citizens felt corruption had decreased.
Tarique said BNP takes pride in achievements such as stronger financial governance, early procurement reforms, market liberalisation, decentralisation, and civil service improvement, arguing that BNP remains the only party to have made sustained progress in reducing corruption.
