News Desk
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on April 1 assured the national parliament that his government will take comprehensive and decisive steps to recover money that has been illegally transferred abroad, describing the issue as a major national priority.
Speaking in the National Parliament, the Prime Minister emphasized that laundered money rightfully belong to the people and must be brought back to serve the country’s development needs. He stated that as an elected government, it bears full responsibility to ensure that public money is recovered and utilized for the welfare of citizens.
“These siphoned funds are the property of the people. We are accountable to them, and it is our duty to bring this money back and use it for national development,” Prime Minister said during the session.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while responding to a supplementary question from treasury bench lawmaker Md Abul Kalam. The session was chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.
In response to another query raised by opposition lawmaker Md Mujibur Rahman MP, Prime Minister confirmed that the relevant authorities are currently preparing a list of individuals allegedly involved in money laundering. He noted that this process is being conducted by designated government agencies in accordance with existing legal frameworks and due process.
The Prime Minister also criticized the previous administration, alleging that certain officials had acted arbitrarily and disregarded ethical standards and institutional discipline. He stressed that the current government is committed to transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law.
“The present government respects the law and follows established legal procedures. We want to ensure that every accused individual receives a fair trial so that justice is upheld and no one is deprived of their legal rights,” he said.
Tarique Rahman further underscored that all actions against suspected offenders will be guided strictly by legal provisions. He added that any punishment for those found guilty of financial crimes, including money laundering and fraud, will be determined based on the country’s laws without exception.
The renewed emphasis on combating financial crimes comes at a time when concerns over capital flight and corruption are increasing. Economic analysts suggest that successfully recovering laundered funds could significantly strengthen the country’s financial capacity, enabling greater investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other public services.
Officials also indicated that, in addition to domestic legal measures, the government may seek international cooperation to track and recover illicit funds held overseas. This could involve collaboration with foreign governments, global financial institutions, and regulatory bodies to identify, freeze, and repatriate stolen assets.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, the Prime Minister said that restoring public confidence and ensuring financial transparency remain key priorities. He added that the government will continue to take firm and lawful action against money laundering in the coming months as part of its broader governance and economic reform agenda.
