Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday urged the prime minister to direct the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate all allegations of corruption during the 18-month tenure of the interim government.
“Those who are now demanding accountability over corruption and foreign loans should welcome such an investigation. Let the ACC find out where corruption occurred, how it happened and who was responsible,” he said while taking part in the discussion on proposed budget for 2026-27 fiscal at the parliament.
Referring to a recent report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), he claimed that allegations had been raised regarding corruption during the interim government's tenure and said those claims should be thoroughly investigated.
Responding to earlier remarks in parliament, the home minister also raised questions about Jamaat’s role in the Liberation War, and whether it is truly a religious party.
He noted that Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury had said the party’s history spanned 100 years. “In fact, Jamaat was founded on August 26, 1941. So, its history spans 84 years, not 100,” he said, adding that Jamaat split into separate Indian and Pakistani branches after the Partition, later reorganising in Bangladesh.
He said Jamaat opposed the creation of Pakistan in 1947 and stressed that any discussion of Jamaat’s history must also include its role in 1971. “The National Freedom Fighters Council Act clearly states that then Jamaat opposed the Liberation War. That has been settled.”
He pointed out that two Jamaat members served in the then East Pakistan governor Malek’s cabinet during the liberation war. “In 1979, when President Ziaur Rahman allowed religion-based politics, you became Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh.”
He said they took part in 1986 election held under the HM Ershad government when most opposition parties did not take part. They also held simultaneous movement with Awami League, he said. He argued that although Jamaat calls itself an Islamic party, its election manifesto contains no commitment to Sharia law, an Islamic state system, or Islamic jurisprudence. “Where have you said you will establish Sharia, an Islamic economy, or an Islamic judiciary? Even the earlier slogan of ‘establishing deen’ has disappeared.”
At the same time, he acknowledged Jamaat’s role in 1990 and 2024, saying, “We recognise those contributions.”
The home minister said that the budget has given people relief and will help move the economy toward self-reliance. “This budget has comforted the people. I hope we will pass it collectively.”
On governance, Salahuddin criticised past corruption, citing white papers and reports that documented illicit financial outflows averaging $16 billion annually between 2009 and 2023. He claimed Tk 29.25 lakh crore had been siphoned abroad through various channels, including labour migration scams. He also addressed law and order, noting that police now register cases more readily, which has increased recorded crime figures.
Responding to Jamaat’s challenge over Islami Bank’s Rural Development Scheme, Salahuddin presented figures showing Tk 10,527 crore was disbursed between August 2024 and January 2026, close to his earlier claim of Tk 11,000 crore. He claimed that Tk 11,000 crore had been disbursed under Islami Bank's Rural Development Scheme (RDS) on political considerations between August 5, 2024 and the February 12 national election held in 2026.
"When the issue of Islami Bank is raised, it appears to me that the bank's board of directors is sitting on the opposition benches. They speak as though they are defending the bank," Salahuddin said, pointing towards Jamaat lawmakers.
Displaying documents, the minister said he had brought a breakdown of the disbursed amount and challenged opposition lawmakers to refute his claims. "If any of you wants to respond or challenge the authenticity of my claims, you can collect these documents from me," he said.
The minister said the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year was formulated against the backdrop of an economy devastated by massive capital flight and institutionalised corruption, expressing hope that its economic and social benefits would become visible within six months. "The economic and social impacts of this budget will not be seen right now. In sha Allah, after six months, the changes will become visible," he said.
The minister said prices of some essential commodities have already declined to some extent and asserted that the country's development journey would continue uninterrupted.
"None will be able to resist our journey [of progress]," he said, expressing optimism that the government would be able to implement the budget successfully.
"We are formulating this budget while standing on an economy that has virtually been turned into a bottomless basket," he said. He alleged that the previous fascist regime had institutionalised "the economics of plundering", leaving behind a legacy of crony capitalism, oligarchy and endless corruption.
