PM vows tough stance on money laundering, says public funds belong to the people

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (17 June) declared his government’s firm stance against money laundering, stressing that public wealth must be used to improve the lives of citizens rather than being siphoned abroad.

“We will take a tough position from today against those who have laundered money from this country and those who want to siphon off people’s money abroad,” he said while addressing the inauguration of the third phase of the Family Card distribution programme at Victoria High School ground in Sreemangal.

Urging collective vigilance, he said, “If we all keep our eyes and ears open, no one will be able to launder the country’s assets abroad. We will work together and use that money to change the lives of our people.”

When he asked whether the crowd would stand with the government in that effort, thousands of attendees – including tea workers and local residents – responded with a resounding “yes.”

The prime minister also introduced a new slogan: “We will work, we will build the country. Bangladesh first, Bangladesh for all.”

Referring to the past 17 years, he said public money was siphoned out of the country by a political group instead of being spent on the people. Responding to opposition questions about funding welfare schemes, he said the government would no longer allow public funds to be sent abroad. 

“People’s money will be spent on the people. It will be used for the country’s development and for changing the fate of its citizens. So, there will be no shortage of money, Insha-Allah,” he said.

Tarique Rahman defended the proposed 2026-27 budget, saying it allocates funds for mothers through the Family Card programme, farmers through the Farmers’ Card scheme, persons with disabilities, students, and healthcare. 

He criticised those describing the budget as anti-people despite the removal of duties on 60 essential commodities.

“When a budget contains measures for the welfare of citizens and relief for consumers, can those who oppose it truly claim to be friends of the people? The answer is no,” he said, urging the public to remain alert to attempts to create confusion and instability.

He warned that if those seeking to cause unrest gained ground, programmes such as the Family Card, support for persons with disabilities, and tax relief on essential commodities would be at risk. 

“If people remain united, no conspiracy can succeed and no one will be able to undermine democracy in Bangladesh,” he said.

The prime minister also paid tribute to late BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, saying she never abandoned the people during difficult times. “Bangladesh was her first address and her last address. We are the soldiers of Khaleda Zia,” he said.

The programme, organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, began with recitations from the Holy Quran and other religious scriptures. The national anthem and the BNP party song were also played.

Tarique Rahman personally handed Family Cards to 10 women representing beneficiary families before formally inaugurating the third phase of the programme. 

He also distributed housing grants of Tk2,00,000 each to tea workers, scholarships for their children, and financial assistance cheques for persons with disabilities.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain chaired the programme. State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Moulvibazar district BNP Convener Faizul Karim Mayun, lawmaker Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Additional Secretary Kamal Uddin Biswas, and beneficiaries Shiuly Rani Das and Wajeda Begum also spoke.