Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has criticized the proposed national budget for FY2025–26 as lacking innovation and vision, saying it does not align with the spirit of national rebuilding following last July’s uprising.
In a statement issued Monday night, Jamaat’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum labeled the budget “conventional and uninspired,” claiming it mirrors previous financial plans and lacks fresh initiatives to address the country’s current needs.
He expressed particular disappointment over the absence of a concrete strategy to recover laundered or illicit wealth stashed abroad. Jamaat also condemned the proposed expanded scope for legalizing undisclosed (black) money, calling it “unjustifiable” and harmful to economic integrity.
The party questioned the credibility of the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) ambitious BDT 4.99 trillion collection target, especially given the failure to meet last year’s goal. It warned that revenue shortfalls would again pose serious challenges.
Jamaat also voiced concern over the government’s increasing reliance on foreign loans to cover the BDT 2.66 trillion budget deficit, cautioning that such dependence could worsen the country’s debt burden.
Highlighting structural issues, the party noted that the budget leans heavily on indirect taxes while failing to broaden the base of direct taxation. It also warned that raising import duties on yarn could inflate production costs in the RMG sector, harming Bangladesh’s export competitiveness.
Despite its criticisms, Jamaat welcomed the government’s allocation for those injured in the July uprising, calling the support “a positive gesture” and urging further enhancement of this fund to ensure broader social protection.
LND/BG
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