Awami League made the country a champion in corruption: President

POBNEWS24, Dhaka Mar 12, 2026 : Bangladesh President Md. Shahabuddin said that the then Awami League government made Bangladesh a champion in corruption. He said this in his speech at the first session of the 13th National Parliament on Thursday.
Md. Shahabuddin said that the government has introduced the family card. It is being used as a symbol of women’s empowerment. The government is implementing various works.
Stating that ‘the fascist government has fallen through a mass uprising’, he highlighted the activities of the interim government in memory of the July mass uprising and the July martyrs. He also highlighted various activities of the current government.
He commented that the Awami League government made Bangladesh a champion in corruption.
The President said that after the end of a long decade and a half of fascist rule, the mass uprising of students and the public in July-August 2024 is a unique milestone in the history of Bangladesh. He said, in exchange for the blood of thousands of martyrs, a new democratic Bangladesh free from subjugation and fascism has been inaugurated.
The President said, about 30,000 people were injured and maimed in this movement, more than 500 people lost their eyesight. The government has provided 1,243 health cards to ensure treatment of the injured and sent 137 seriously injured people abroad for better treatment.
In his speech, he mentioned that work is underway to establish memorials in 64 districts and a July Uprising Memorial Museum in Dhaka to preserve the memory of the martyrs.
The President said, the journey of this great parliament has begun today with representatives elected through a peaceful, free and impartial election.
Stating that the spontaneous participation of the people in this election under the leadership of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will be a shining example in the history of democracy, he recalled the contribution of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and said, Begum Khaleda Zia has given uncompromising leadership in establishing and protecting parliamentary democracy in the country.
Highlighting the country’s economic situation, the President said that Bangladesh’s economy has stabilized considerably in the fiscal year 2024-25 compared to the fiscal year 2023-24. Inflation has decreased to 8.58 percent in January 2026, which is expected to decrease further in the coming days.
He mentioned that foreign exchange reserves have increased to 34.78 billion US dollars as of February 19, 2026.
In his speech, the President mentioned strict steps to restore good governance in the banking sector and investigate irregularities in the capital market.
Md. Sahabuddin said that an economic reform commission will be formed to restore public confidence in the banking sector and control defaulted loans. In addition, a separate commission will be formed to reform the capital market, which will investigate all the irregularities committed during the fascist regime.