BNP lawmaker Zainul Abdin Farroque has issued a strong call to the finance minister to increase the allowances for freedom fighters.
Taking part in the general discussion on the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in Parliament on Saturday the MP began his speech by thanking the finance minister and the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, for presenting a “beautiful budget”.
Addressing the finance minister directly, he said, “At least increase the allowance for the 1971 Liberation War freedom fighters, so that your name may be written in letters of gold in the history of Bangladesh.”
He said increasing these allowances is essential to further solidify the honour of those who made the supreme sacrifice for the country’s independence.
Farroque remarked that implementing such an initiative would be considered a landmark step in the history of the government.
While paying tribute to those killed and injured in the July uprising, Farroque emphasised that while recent sacrifices must be remembered, the history of the Liberation War must never be forgotten.
He thanked the finance minister for allocating Tk20,000 crore to restart industrial factories that had long been closed due to power and gas crises, saying this would boost industrial production and create new employment opportunities.
Furthermore, the MP praised the budget’s steps towards women’s empowerment and tackling youth unemployment. Regarding the legal system, he commented that the collective efforts of all political parties in Parliament are necessary to ensure the independence of judiciary.
Farroque said while the opposition should certainly criticise the government, such criticism must be constructive. “You criticise, and we shall respond. But the criticism should be constructive,” he remarked.
