Jamaat rejects FY27 budget, calls it ‘anti-people’

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday strongly criticized the proposed FY2026-27 national budget, describing it as a measure that would increase financial pressure on ordinary citizens while benefiting a privileged section of society.

The party voiced its objections during a protest rally in Dhaka shortly after Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the Tk 9.38 lakh crore budget in Parliament.

Addressing the gathering, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and former lawmaker Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad claimed the budget failed to address public expectations and instead relied heavily on taxation and borrowing.

He argued that the country‍‍`s largest-ever budget would place additional pressure on citizens through increased tax collection targets while expanding the government‍‍`s debt burden.

According to Azad, the proposed revenue target of Tk 6.95 lakh crore could lead to higher indirect taxes, customs duties and advance taxes, ultimately increasing living costs for consumers.

The Jamaat leader also questioned the scale of the budget, alleging that a larger spending plan could create greater opportunities for misuse of public funds and inefficiencies in development spending.

He said the party had earlier proposed a smaller budget framework, arguing that a more restrained spending plan would reduce waste and direct more resources toward public welfare.

Azad further expressed concern over the proposed budget deficit of Tk 2.43 lakh crore. He warned that significant borrowing from the banking sector could limit access to credit for private businesses, potentially affecting investment and employment growth.

Speaking at the same programme, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Moazzem Hossain Helal alleged that the proposed budget would not adequately serve the interests of ordinary citizens and urged the government to reconsider several of its fiscal measures.

Party leaders also criticized the proposal to require Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates for opening bank accounts, arguing that it could create additional challenges for many people.

The rally, held near the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, was attended by several Jamaat leaders and supporters. Following the event, participants brought out a procession that marched through key roads in the capital, demanding revisions to the proposed budget.

Jamaat leaders said they would continue raising their concerns and called on the government to revise the fiscal plan to make it more responsive to public needs and economic realities.