PM must now convert zero tolerance into zero excuses 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's pledge of “zero tolerance” towards corruption and extremism is both timely and necessary. As the government seeks to strengthen its democratic institutions and restore public trust, we welcome his commitment to building a people-oriented and accountable state. Yet, as history has repeatedly shown, the true measure of political leadership lies not in the strength of its promises but in the courage and consistency of its actions.

However, corruption remains Bangladesh's top challenge to economic and social progress. The PM's claim that approximately US$16 billion was siphoned out of the country annually under the previous regime is staggering. To put that figure into perspective, it amounts to more than Tk 1.9 trillion each year�"money that could otherwise have financed hospitals, schools, climate resilience projects and modern infrastructure across the country. Even a fraction of such losses could significantly improve the lives of millions of Bangladeshis.

Bangladesh's performance in global governance indicators further underlines the urgency of reform. The country has consistently struggled in international corruption rankings, reflecting longstanding institutional weaknesses and inadequate accountability mechanisms. On that note - corruption is not merely an economic crime, it erodes public confidence, discourages investment while deepens inequality. 

The government's decision to recruit 10,000 new police constables is a positive step, given it forms part of a broader programme of institutional reforms. However, increasing the number of police alone will not guarantee better policing. Professionalism, human rights training, technological modernisation and political neutrality are equally important. We expect our law enforcement agencies to be efficient, accountable and trusted by the people they serve.

Similarly, the government's firm stance against extremism and militancy deserves bipartisan support. Bangladesh has paid a heavy price whenever extremism has ripped apart our social fabric and international reputation. 

Lest we forget, combating militancy requires more than just robust security measures. It demands investment in education, community engagement, intelligence capabilities and online monitoring while safeguarding civil liberties and democratic values.

The least we expect in our country today is not to witness another cycle of ambitious declarations followed by institutional inertia. If corruption is to be tackled, by whatever means, the government must introduce measurable reforms. These should include strengthening and ensuring freedom of anti-corruption institutions, ensuring transparent public procurement, enforcing asset declarations for public officials and guaranteeing swift prosecution of financial crimes. Progress must be publicly reported and independently scrutinised.

To finish with, Bangladesh does not need any more promises. It needs proof. The people have heard the pledges; now they deserve to see them become reality. Only then will zero tolerance translate into zero excuses.