Country gets a real parliament after 17 years: Speaker

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Wednesday said that the country has finally achieved a real parliament after 17 years, and urged journalists to make the institution even stronger.

Expressing optimism about the media's role in governance, he said, “The activities of the media will further glorify the Jatiya Sangsad. I hope the public trust in parliament will grow stronger. The people had been waiting for this kind of parliament for a long time.”

The Speaker made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the “Fruit Festival 2026,” organised by the Bangladesh Parliament Journalists Association (BPJA) at the journalists’ lounge at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed shared his disappointment with previous legislative terms, particularly during the regime of HM Ershad. “I have been elected to several parliaments. I am honestly ashamed to admit that I was a member of the parliament during Ershad’s era,” he said.

The Speaker, however, praised the current 13th Parliament alongside the 1991 Parliament.

He said that the recent voting patterns clearly indicate the public’s desire for change.

“People were dissatisfied with the past parliaments and the conduct of previous MPs. They want a genuine parliament. As elected members of this House, our responsibility is now far greater. We must serve the people,” he added.

Speaking at the event as special guest, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaysar Kamal emphasised that the parliament must be established as the centrepiece of all national affairs, urging cooperation from the journalists.

Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam Moni, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam as well as whips GK Gous, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, ABM Ashraf Uddin (Nijan), and Akhteruzzaman Mia joined the event.

Among the lawmakers present were, BNP MP Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, Jamaat MPs Barrister Mohammad Nazibur Rahman, Rashedul Islam Rashed and Salah Uddin Aiyubi.

BPJA President Harun Jamil chaired the event, while general secretary of the organisation Shawkat Ali Khan moderated it. Secretary of Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat Md Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan and Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed also attended the event.