A Truly Effective Parliament Has Returned After 17 Years: Speaker

Photo: CNI

News Desk: Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram has said that the activities of the media will further enhance the dignity of the National Parliament and strengthen public confidence in the institution. He noted that the people of Bangladesh had long been waiting for a parliament of this nature and that the country had not experienced such an effective parliament for the past 17 years.

He made these remarks while addressing the Fruit Festival 2026, organized by the Bangladesh Parliament Journalists Association (BPJA) at the Parliament Journalists' Lounge on Thursday as the chief guest.

The Speaker said, “For 17 years, we did not have a parliament of this kind. I was elected to several parliaments. In particular, I was a member of parliament during the era of Hussain Muhammad Ershad, and I am embarrassed to even mention it. Many times, I would see on television or hear on the radio that one person had been elected from a constituency, only to find another person occupying the seat two days later. Many individuals became members of parliament through irregular means.”

He added, “After years of such ineffective parliaments, we have finally obtained a genuine parliament. I witnessed a good parliament in 1991, and now again in the current term. This time, the election was conducted in a highly free and fair manner. Many candidates were elected on their own merit despite having limited political recognition.”

The Speaker further said that voting patterns indicate that ordinary citizens desire change. According to him, people were dissatisfied with the nature of previous parliaments and the conduct of many lawmakers. “The people want a real parliament,” he said, adding that the responsibilities of the current elected members are therefore much greater than before and that they must work to serve the people.

Expressing hope, he said that just as everyone was enjoying the fruit festival, he wished for ordinary citizens to enjoy similar prosperity and develop a positive outlook as well.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal said that parliament must be established as the central institution of national affairs and that cooperation from the BPJA would be important in achieving that goal.

He emphasized the need to institutionalize democracy in its true sense and stated that cooperation from all stakeholders is necessary to ensure that parliament can effectively serve the public.

The Deputy Speaker also noted that such events help strengthen ties between journalists and members of parliament and that journalists can play a vital role in making democracy more institutionalized and accountable.

Chief Whip, Md. Nurul Islam Moni said that the fruit festival would help further strengthen mutual goodwill, harmony, and relationships. He also expressed the hope that journalists' pens would become even more powerful in serving the public interest.

He added that parliament would continue to support all necessary initiatives by journalists aimed at bringing the legislature closer to the people.

The event was attended by government whips G.K. Ghaus, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, Akhtaruzzaman Mia, and A.B.M. Ashraf Uddin (Nizan); Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam; BNP MP Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik; Jamaat-e-Islami MPs Barrister Mohammad Najibur Rahman, Rashedul Islam Rashed, and Salah Uddin; Parliament Secretary Barrister Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, Chief Information Officer, Syed Abdal Ahmed, and numerous lawmakers, journalists, and public officials.

The program was chaired by BPJA President Harun Jamil and moderated by General Secretary Shawkat Ali Khan Litho. Other BPJA office bearers and members were also present.