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SANGSAD BHABAN, June 28, 2026 (BSS) - BNP lawmaker Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain today expressed optimism that the proposed national budget for FY2026-27 could be implemented successfully under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman if all political parties work together in the national interest.

Taking part in the general discussion on the proposed budget in the Jatiya Sangsad, the veteran politician said the people of Bangladesh had overcome many challenges in the past and would be able to face the current economic difficulties through unity.

Returning to Parliament after recovering from a prolonged illness, Mosharraf said the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister had presented a timely and pragmatic budget despite inheriting an economy devastated by what he described as the "plundering" of the previous autocratic government.

Speaking emotionally, he recalled suffering a stroke in November 2023 and thanked Almighty Allah, the people of the country and his colleagues for their prayers, saying he had been given a new lease of life. He expressed satisfaction at witnessing the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government and returning to Parliament for a fifth term through a free and fair election.

Reflecting on his political journey, the BNP veteran said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had inspired him to enter politics while he was a young teacher at the University of Dhaka and entrusted him with the responsibility of organising Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. 

Following Ziaur Rahman's assassination, he said, many had predicted the BNP's collapse, but Begum Khaleda Zia courageously took over the party's leadership and went on to serve as Prime Minister three times.

Mosharraf said he had the privilege of serving as a minister three times under Khaleda Zia and expressed gratitude to the party's current leadership.

He also thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for leading the party during difficult times from abroad and playing a key role in restoring democracy and national sovereignty.

Describing the Prime Minister's recent visits to Malaysia and China as "revolutionary" and highly successful, Mosharraf said the tours had significantly enhanced Bangladesh's international standing. 

He noted that 11 major Chinese companies had already announced investments worth US$9.21 billion in Bangladesh and that China had pledged support for implementing several long-pending development projects.

He said the proposed budget deserved appreciation as it had been formulated despite the country's fragile financial condition caused by alleged large-scale irregularities during the previous government's tenure and amid the ongoing global economic challenges.

During his speech, the lawmaker also placed several long-standing demands of the people of his Cumilla constituency before Parliament. He urged the government to implement its commitment to declare Cumilla as a division under the name "Cumilla" without further delay.

He also called for the early renovation and reopening of the historic Cumilla Airport and the speedy completion of the new Dhaka-Cumilla railway chord line project, saying it would significantly reduce travel time and transportation costs between Dhaka and Chattogram, thereby contributing to the national economy.

Mosharraf further demanded that Daudkandi be upgraded into a full-fledged district.