DHAKA, March 30, 2026 (BSS) - Treasury bench lawmakers today congratulated the President for admitting that the previous regime was a “fascist regime” during his address at the maiden session of the 13th parliament.

Speaking in a parliamentary discussion on the president’s speech, lawmakers said President Mohammed Shahabuddin deserves thanks for acknowledging that the country witnessed widespread corruption, money laundering, forced disappearances and fascism under the previous Awami League-led government over the past 17 years.

The first session of the 13th parliament began on March 12 with the president’s address. The Business Advisory Committee later allocated 50 hours for debate on the speech. After Sunday’s sitting, parliament was adjourned for 13 days until 3:00pm on March 29.

Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam moved the motion of thanks on the president’s address, which was seconded by Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu.

Participating in the discussion, SK Azizul Bari Helal, MP for Khulna-4, said the president’s admission -- though late -- was important and merited thanks. He added that acknowledgement of past wrongs can help resolve unsettled matters.

Helal also praised the government’s role in keeping commodity prices stable during Ramadan and ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, calling the situation rare in the country’s 55-year history. He noted fuel prices remained stable despite the Middle East crisis and mentioned a seven-member committee formed to address the global situation.

On the July charter, Helal said the opposition criticizes the government’s implementation, but claimed the BNP is sincere about the charter and was its first signatory, asserting the government remains firm on exhaustive implementation.

BNP lawmaker Tahmina Rushdi of Sylhet-2 said the president accurately described the country’s situation over the past 17 years and expressed hope a safe Bangladesh will be built under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

NCP lawmaker Atiqur Rahman Mujahid of Kurigram-2 urged transparent implementation of the July charter. BNP lawmaker M. Shahidul Islam of Faridpur-4 criticized opposition tactics, saying the July charter is a core demand though they oppose constitutional reform in its name.

Other participants in the debate included BNP lawmakers Shawkatul Islam (Moulvibazar-2), Shafiqul Huq Milon (Rajshahi-3), Anisur Rahman (Madaripur-3), SM Jilani (Gopalganj-3), Kamruzzaman Kamrul (Sunamganj-1), M. Mostafizur Rahman (Jamalpur-3) and Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Fazlur Rahman Sayeed (Joypurhat-1).