Bangladesh Home Minister calls for probe into interim govt corruption, questions Jamaat's war role

Bangladesh's Home Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed, has called on the prime minister to direct the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate all corruption allegations that surfaced during the 18-month tenure of the interim government. Speaking in parliament on Sunday night during discussions on the proposed national budget for 2026-27, Ahmed stated that those demanding accountability for corruption and foreign loans should welcome such an investigation.

Ahmed also challenged Jamaat-e-Islami's historical narrative, questioning its role in the Liberation War and its identity as a religious party. He pointed out that Jamaat was founded in 1941, not 100 years prior as claimed by a Jamaat MP, and highlighted the party's opposition to Bangladesh's independence in 1971. He noted that two Jamaat members served in the cabinet of the then East Pakistan governor during the war. Furthermore, he argued that Jamaat's election manifesto lacks commitments to Shariah law or an Islamic state system, despite its claims.

“

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

Addressing economic concerns, the home minister alleged that massive capital flight and institutionalized corruption had severely weakened the economy before the current government took office. He cited reports indicating illicit financial outflows averaging $16 billion annually between 2009 and 2023, with an estimated Tk 29.25 lakh crore siphoned abroad.

Responding to challenges regarding Islami Bank's Rural Development Scheme, Salahuddin Ahmed presented figures showing Tk 10,527 crore disbursed between August 2024 and January 2026. He claimed this disbursement was made on political considerations between August 5, 2024, and the national election on February 12, 2026. He displayed documents in parliament, offering them to 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