TIB slams minister’s remarks on road extortion

Staff Reporter :

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly criticised the Transport Minister for describing road extortion as a form of negotiated transaction, calling the remarks an attempt to justify a serious criminal offence.

In a statement issued on Friday, TIB said the minister’s comments were deeply worrying and went against the government’s recent pledges to fight corruption.

The organisation urged the Prime Minister to give top priority to reform within her own party and to stop any effort that may support corrupt practices.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the definition given by the minister contradicts the strong anti-corruption position declared by members of the Cabinet after taking office.

He noted that less than 48 hours after renewing commitments to curb corruption, the minister appeared to defend the long-standing problem of extortion in the transport sector.

According to TIB, presenting illegal collections as a welfare measure for owners and workers is misleading.

The organisation argued that such practices directly harm transport workers and ordinary citizens, who ultimately bear the financial burden.

Dr Zaman also warned that if extortion on roads is accepted as a “compromise”, similar arguments could spread to other public service sectors, including licensing, healthcare, education, law enforcement, public procurement and banking.

He called on the government to clearly reject the minister’s statement and ensure proper accountability.

TIB recalled that in 2012 a similar attempt was made to justify road extortion under a previous administration, which it had strongly opposed at the time.

In conclusion, Dr Zaman urged the Prime Minister to prioritise internal party reform in order to maintain public trust.

He cautioned that failure to act could lead to public disappointment and create space for forces whose ideology conflicts with the core values of Bangladesh shaped through historic struggles.