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Zeauddin Ahmed

  • Economist

Former Managing Director of Bangladesh Bank and Former Managing Director of The Security Printing Corporation (Bangladesh) Limited, or Takshal 

Why is embezzled money not being returned
interim government
State and Politics

Why is embezzled money not being returned

The interim government has published a white paper on the corruption that took place during the Awami League’s tenure. The white paper states that over the past 15 years, $234 billion have been illegally laundered from Bangladesh abroad through 28 different means. Eminent individuals of the country prepared this white paper in a very short time. This valuable white paper is full of speculative information and inconsistencies. These capable experts described the history of corruption in a 400-page white paper within three months; yet, even after six months of publishing the white paper, the government has not managed to detain a single thief. The Awami League government had started catching thieves even without a white paper, and the corruption records of IGP Benazir Ahmed and National Board of Revenue’s Matiur Rahman were widely reported in the media. But have only Benazir and Matiur stolen the entire $234 billion? If not, there must be more thieves.

Clear the path for reform and economic progress
economic progress
State and Politics

Clear the path for reform and economic progress

“Reform, reform, reform”—Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government, repeated the word three times to emphasise the importance of reform. He called upon everyone to jump into reform initiatives and repeatedly urged for more and more discussion and review on the subject. Driven by a strong desire for reform, he quickly formed several reform commissions. These commissions submitted their reports, and opinions from various political parties have been taken—and are still being taken—regarding several of the commissions’ recommendations. Based on these opinions, the “July Charter” will be formulated, which will include the signatures of political parties. But all these activities are unrealistic and dreams that cannot be implemented. The ideological difference between the left and the right is as vast as the distance between the North Pole and the South Pole. Therefore, the reforms that come through the “July Charter” will be very limited and will not be able to prevent the emergence of an autocratic government.

Nature of corruption in mega projects
mega projects
State and Politics

Nature of corruption in mega projects

Adviser on Women and Children Affairs Sharmin S Murshid has said that during the tenure of the previous government, corruption devoured all our progress like termites; every project during that time was marred by corruption. On the other hand, the interim government is following a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards corruption. Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin remarked that past governments indulged in a spending spree. Brigadier (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, refered the ministry during the Awami League’s tenure as the ‘Pacific Ocean of theft.’ During the Awami League’s rule, opposition parties, including the BNP, alleged massive corruption in mega projects. If project cost estimates are set high, it becomes easier to embezzle.

The Election Commission is now the accused
The Election Commission is now the accused
Politics and Bureaucracy

The Election Commission is now the accused

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has filed a case against 24 individuals mentioning position or name alleging of holding an “unjust and farcical” election. The election commissioners involved in holding 2014, 2018, and 2024 national elections,

Hats off salute to Iran
foreign investment
Diplomacy

Hats off salute to Iran

June 21, 2025; America launched airstrikes on three nuclear installations in Iran and destroyed them. Unless peace is restored swiftly, US President Donald Trump has threatened to strike again with precision at the remaining targets. Iran retaliated through compromise. Iran informed in advance and then attacked the American base in Qatar. After the US had evacuated everything from the base, Iran launched its missiles.

The notes finally reach the market
notes
Economics

The notes finally reach the market

The ‘new note’ of the ‘new Bangladesh’ has finally reached the market, though it has not come into the hands of the larger public. It was possible only because there was a firm resolve to release the note before the Qurbani Eid. Before the Bakri Eid, the chief adviser, the finance adviser and the governor pressed for the printing of the note. I heard that during this great endeavour, the governor and the finance adviser regularly monitored the process. Due to this created pressure, the employees concerned of Bangladesh Bank and Bangladesh Security Printing Press were on edge, not at ease for a single moment. However, some credit for printing the note in a short time also goes to the suppliers of the note’s paper and ink.

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