'Don't ask for extra time': Speaker tells MPs

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has directed parliament members to finish their speeches within the allotted time during the general discussion on the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, urging them not to ask for extra time.

"Don't ask for extra time and embarrass yourselves," the speaker said before the budget discussion began on Saturday, June 27.

He said time is very limited, and the government and opposition whips have fixed time slots for members, which will not be extended.

"Discussion on the budget will continue today and tomorrow. After that, other business will begin. You must finish your speeches within the time allocated for you," he said.

Earlier, the speaker had also set time limits during the discussion on the motion of thanks for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visits to Malaysia and China.

When Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury sought to speak after the motion was moved, the speaker said, "If you finish your speech in five minutes, we can quickly return to the budget discussion."

After the motion was adopted, MP Hamidur Rahman of Dhaka-7 was given six minutes to speak as the first speaker in the budget discussion. When his time was up, the speaker stopped him.

Later, MP A K M Fazlul Haque Milon of Gazipur-5 was given 10 minutes. When he asked for two more minutes at the end, the speaker rejected it, saying, "There is no time."

When Milon insisted, the speaker joked, "In grocery shops, there is a sign: 'Don't ask for credit and embarrass yourselves.' Similarly, don't ask for extra time and embarrass yourselves."

MP Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman Kiran of Shariatpur-2 was given six minutes, with the speaker advising him to keep an eye on the clock and wrap up his speech at least one minute before the time ended.

Similarly, when MP Gias Uddin Kader Chowdhury of Chattogram indicated he would seek extra time, the speaker again instructed him to finish within the allotted time, repeating, "Don't ask for extra time and embarrass yourselves."