President Md Sahabuddin on Thursday described the student-led July mass uprising as a unique milestone in the history of Bangladesh, marking the end of a decade-and-a-half of fascist rule.
Addressing the first session of the 13th National Parliament, the president stated that the country has entered a new democratic era, freed from subservience and fascism, through the blood of thousands of martyrs.
He further noted that a peaceful, free, and fair election has led to the commencement of the current Parliament. During his address, the president highlighted that nearly 30,000 people were injured or maimed during the movement, with over 500 individuals losing their sight.
He informed the House that the government has issued 1,243 health cards to ensure treatment for the injured and has sent 137 seriously injured persons abroad for advanced medical care. Additionally, the construction of memorials in 64 districts and a July Uprising Memorial Museum in Dhaka is currently underway.
In a sharp critique of the previous administration, President Sahabuddin stated that the Awami League government had turned Bangladesh into a “champion in corruption” during its tenure.
As the president began his speech, Members of Parliament from Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP staged a walkout in protest. Despite the walkout, the president continued his address, outlining the government’s core policy – “Work we do, build the country, Bangladesh first”.
The president praised the leadership of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, mentioning that the spontaneous participation of the public in the election under his guidance would serve as a bright example in the history of democracy.
He also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, recalling her “uncompromising leadership” in establishing and protecting parliamentary democracy in the country.
Turning to the economy, the president reported that the financial situation had stabilised significantly in the 2024-25 fiscal year compared to 2023-24. He noted that inflation dropped to 8.58 per cent in January 2026, with expectations for further decline.
Foreign exchange reserves reached $34.78 billion as of 19 February 2026.
To restore public confidence in the financial sector, the president announced the formation of an economic reform commission to address defaulted loans and a separate commission to reform the capital market.
These bodies will investigate all irregularities that occurred during the fascist regime.
Highlighting social welfare initiatives, the president mentioned the introduction of “Family Cards” as a symbol of women’s empowerment, free education for women up to the postgraduate level, and microcredit programmes.
Shahabuddin also noted that an initiative to plant 50 million trees annually has commenced. He concluded by affirming that the government’s top priorities remain the prevention of corruption and the maintenance of law and order.
