Press Release
Dhaka, 20 February, 2026: Terming the Transport Minister’s justification of road extortion as a “transaction based on mutual understanding” an attempt to legitimize a serious criminal offence, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern and condemnation. At the same time, the organization has called upon the Hon’ble Prime Minister to accord highest priority to internal rectification within his own party in order to nip such corruption-enabling attempts in the bud.
In a statement issued today, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “The definition of extortion put forward by the Transport Minister stands in complete contradiction to the firm anti-corruption stance declared by him and nearly every member of the Cabinet upon assuming office. Barely 48 hours after the Prime Minister’s address to the nation reaffirming the government’s commitment to effectively control and prevent corruption, as also pledged earlier in the ruling party’s election manifesto, the Minister’s remarks seeking to shield the ‘cancer’ of extortion in the transport sector are deeply disappointing. Through such comments, the Transport Minister has blatantly undermined the anti-corruption commitments in his party’s election manifesto and the government’s declared position.”
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman further stated, “By positively portraying and defending the prevailing culture of extortion in the road transport sector, the Minister is clearly attempting to legitimize an unethical and collusive form of corruption. The direct victims are transport sector stakeholders and ordinary citizens, who bear the burden of such illegality both directly and indirectly. Moreover, presenting owners’ and workers’ welfare as justification for such practices is not only misleading but indicative of efforts to protect and perpetuate the long-standing disorder and anarchy prevailing in this sector.”
He added, “If extortion on the roads is granted acceptability in the name of mutual understanding, how will similar logic be prevented from spreading to other sectors such as BRTA, health, education, social protection, law enforcement, customs, passport services, land administration, public procurement, development projects, banking, electricity and beyond? The question naturally arises. If the repeated commitments made by the newly formed government in its manifesto and public statements to prevent and effectively control corruption are not mere rhetoric or populist slogans, then the Prime Minister must immediately reject the Minister’s remarks and ensure exemplary accountability through due process. It must be remembered that following the fall of authoritarian rule, widespread changes in control over extortion, partisan dominance and unlawful occupation have taken place across the country. The Minister’s position, therefore, cannot be viewed as an isolated matter. The government should also recall that in February 2012, the Road Transport Minister of the then authoritarian regime similarly sought to legitimise extortion on the roads based on comparable arguments, an initiative that TIB strongly protested and condemned at the time. TIB is deeply concerned that the newly formed government may be treading the same path.”
Dr. Zaman called upon the Prime Minister, stating, “To reinforce public confidence in the expectations already placed upon you, and to prevent a section of party leaders and activists from pursuing a self-destructive path, you must accord highest priority to internal rectification and reform within your party. Otherwise, citizens will be disillusioned. In that case, forces whose ideology, training and objectives stand in grave contradiction to the fundamental spirit and identity of Bangladesh, nurtured through the sacrifices of 1952, 1971 and 2024, may gain ground. Hon’ble Prime Minister, the time to set the right priorities is now.”
Media Contact:
Mohammad Touhidul Islam
Director, Outreach and Communication
Phone: 01713107868
Email: tauhidul@ti-bangladesh.org
