Politicians and journalists are hopeful that people would start working towards building a progressive country in 2025, leaving behind the age-old culture of looting.

They aired the hopes at a round-table discussion organised by Bangla daily Bangladesh Pratidin at the Bashundhara City Conference Hall in the capital on Wednesday. At the event, some business leaders also joined the call for ending the trand of corruption.

The culture of looting has pushed the national economy to the brink, heightened security concerns, aggravated political doubts, frightened investors, and caused unsustainable disparities in all strata of life.

Bangladesh Pratidin Acting Editor Abu Taher presided over the discussion, and it was moderated by Executive Editor Manjurul Islam. The meeting featured speeches by BNP Vice Chairman and former FBCCI President Abdul Awal Mintoo, Citizens’ Unity President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, 12-Party Alliance leader and Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and former MP Hamidur Rahman Azad, National Press Club President and Kaler Kantho Editor Hasan Hafiz, former Secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, National Citizens’ Committee Spokesperson Samanta Sharmin, Joint Member Secretary Saif Mostafiz, and Joint Convener Ali Ahsan Junayed, among others.

Abdul Awal Mintoo stated that there is a significant gap between people's expectations and their fulfillment in the country. He emphasized that inequality in education, healthcare, and food is extreme, and the government has the responsibility to ensure equitable distribution of surplus resources to reduce this inequality. However, no government has fulfilled this duty effectively. He noted that reform is essential but is a continuous process requiring public consensus to ensure sustainability; otherwise, it could lead to future challenges. Referring to the reforms during the One-Eleven period, he said 190 laws were reformed, but the subsequent government only presented six to Parliament, diluting them to the extent that they became worse than before.

Mostafa Jamal Haider expressed his hope for a patriotic and democratic government in the new year, capable of dismantling the syndicate of fascist collaborators and ensuring law and order and affordable commodity prices for citizens.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna remarked that reform is a continuous process, and the current government must clarify its intentions and timelines for reforms. He warned that the longer the election is delayed, the more problems the government will face.

Hamidur Rahman Azad stressed the need for a concrete plan to build a better country, including realistic strategies for the next 5, 10, and 20 years, focusing on reform and elections.

Hasan Hafiz mentioned that while initial victories have been achieved by removing authoritarian Sheikh Hasina, the primary responsibility of consolidating this success lies with political parties. However, growing distance between the government and political parties is concerning, and an electoral roadmap is necessary to bridge this gap.

Samanta Sharmin called for constitutional recognition of the July Declaration and a rewrite of the constitution to make it people-centric, alongside transitioning to a modern foreign policy based on equality and fairness, moving away from Sheikh Hasina's submissive approach.

Abu Alam Shahid Khan demanded professional, competent, and impartial civil servants, free from corruption and political subservience. He highlighted the need to reform institutions plagued by corruption, embezzlement, and misuse of power.

Saiful Haque expressed a desire to see accountability for the corruption and looting of the past 16 years, along with control over commodity prices in the new year.

Mohammad Hatem emphasized the urgent need for banking sector reform, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize the country’s trade and business, with 150-160 factories already shut down.

Saif Mostafiz shared that senior politicians are encouraging youth participation in politics, and efforts are underway to implement a new political framework.

Ali Ahsan Junayed underscored the importance of making state institutions professional, impartial, and strong, free from ruling party influence. He also called for ensuring the effectiveness of reform commissions initiated by the government.