TIB Says Interim Govt Yielded Control to Bureaucracy

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has alleged that the interim government has failed to deliver meaningful reforms and has instead “effectively surrendered to the bureaucracy”, raising serious concerns over a series of reform-related ordinances enacted by the administration.

The allegation was made by TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman while speaking at a press conference on Sunday.

“Whatever initiatives have been taken in the name of reform have, in almost all cases, failed at the implementation stage. The interim government has effectively surrendered to the bureaucracy,” he said.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman noted that the reasons behind this situation remain unclear.

“Why this surrender happened and where the weakness lies are the key questions. But I do not have a definitive answer, as I have no direct experience of how decisions are made within the government,” he added.

At the briefing, TIB shared its assessment of eight ordinances issued by the interim government. These include ordinances related to amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission law, formation of a Police Commission, reforms of the National Human Rights Commission, government audit systems, revenue policy and management, cyber security, personal data protection, and national data governance.

In its overall evaluation, the anti-corruption watchdog said the reform process lacked a clear and coherent strategy, particularly in selecting sectors or institutions for change.

TIB pointed out that several crucial sectors—such as education, agriculture and private enterprise—were excluded from the reform agenda without any explanation.

The organisation also observed that, apart from the decision to hold a referendum, no specific or actionable roadmap has been outlined to implement the recommendations made by various reform commissions.

TIB warned that without clear direction, institutional accountability and effective execution, the reform initiatives risk remaining symbolic rather than bringing about substantive change.