‘Tk5tn laundered during AL’s last decade’

At least Tk 5 trillion was “moved out of the country, both officially and unofficially,” over the past 10 years of Awami League rule, alleged Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan.

He made the remarks while addressing an aid distribution programme at the Sakhipur Upazila Council in Tangail on Saturday. The minister claimed that the state treasury was “completely empty” when the Awami League left office.

“After that, the interim administration had to run the government in a very constrained manner for 18 months. When we took charge, the condition across all sectors of governance was extremely fragile,” he said.

Referring to the 1974 famine, during which thousands died and many more suffered severe hardship, Azam said the country’s situation began to improve significantly after BNP founder Ziaur Rahman assumed power. “I witnessed Bangladesh transform from what was once called a ‘bottomless basket’ into a more stable and developing nation during his leadership,” he added.

The minister further said that restoring economic stability remains one of the government’s top priorities, stressing the need for stricter financial oversight and accountability to prevent capital flight in the future. He noted that institutional reforms and transparency in banking and governance would be essential to rebuild public trust and strengthen the country’s economic foundation.

He also called on all stakeholders, including financial institutions and regulatory bodies, to work together to curb corruption and ensure that public resources are used for national development. Emphasising long-term planning, Azam said sustainable growth would depend on responsible fiscal management and stronger enforcement of laws.

Highlighting ongoing efforts, he expressed hope that coordinated policies and reforms would gradually stabilise the economy, boost investor confidence, and create a more resilient financial system capable of supporting Bangladesh’s development goals.