Businessmen who used to pay Tk1 lakh in bribes are now paying Tk5 lakh: Fakhrul

Extortion has risen significantly in Bangladesh, with no sign of improved governance, and the country urgently needs sweeping reforms alongside a return to democratic rule, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.

"A businessman who previously had to pay Tk1 lakh in bribes is now paying Tk5 lakh. There is no good governance or control anywhere. There has been no change in the police," he said at the launch of Hossain Zillur Rahman's latest book at the Cirdap auditorium in Dhaka today (26 July).

Fakhrul noted that the aspirations of the Liberation War have been systematically undermined. "In 1971, we fought to bring change to the economy, politics and governance. But after independence, that dream was never fulfilled," he said. 

He added that the country has suffered its greatest damage in the last 15 years, as democratic practices have been eroded and institutions destroyed. "The state has been systematically dismantled. Enforced disappearances have become a reality. The political structure has been crushed," he added.

He admitted that some control may still exist within the Secretariat, but said the rest of the administration is plagued by disorder. "There's no real change in the police force. So restoring governance will not be easy – but that doesn't mean we stop trying."

Fakhrul said change is a gradual process and cannot be enforced overnight. "Reform is not like antibiotics. It takes time. Political parties are not outside society. If you want change, you must first change the people within," he said.

"Reforms must be brought about by sending people's representatives to parliament through democratic means," he said, warning against authoritarianism masked as reform. 

"We must not abandon democratic practices in the name of reform. Nothing should be imposed on the people," Fakhrul said. "We need to send representatives to parliament through a democratic process, not delay it any further."

'Country can't be run by foreigners'

In a separate programme titled "July Revolution: Expectations and Achievements" at the National Press Club, Fakhrul said Bangladesh cannot be run by hiring foreign consultants or experts. "A few individuals brought from abroad can't run the country. This should be clear to everyone."

He criticised current discussions around proportional representation in elections, calling it disconnected from public understanding. "Ask ordinary people what PR means, and they won't know. All they understand is that their party picks a candidate, and they vote for them."

Fakhrul reiterated the BNP's position that reforms must be rooted in democratic legitimacy. "Elections are essential because without them we can't have real representatives. And without representatives, how will we establish people's governance?"

Fakhrul also called for moral leadership, saying integrity is fundamental to BNP's future. "Without honesty, we cannot stand before the people. The recent headlines don't reflect BNP's ideals or Ziaur Rahman's legacy. Those who claim to follow him must first be honest."

He concluded by warning that international factors, such as US tariffs under Donald Trump, could further destabilise Bangladesh's fragile economy. "Political parties must always act in the national interest. And that means prioritising the people, not just power."