The initial momentum of the interim government’s reform agenda has significantly waned, raising concerns that it may have “lost its way,” said Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Honorary Fellow of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and convener of the Citizen Platform.
Speaking at the launch of Bangladesh Reform Watch at a Gulshan hotel on Monday, he warned that a “storm” is sweeping across the nation, deeply affecting social and economic life.
“Is this government lacking ambition, facing conflicts of interest, or is something else at play?” he asked, urging urgent reflection.
Debapriya, who chaired the white paper committee on the country’s economic condition, highlighted growing uncertainty about the direction and effectiveness of reforms.
In his keynote address, renowned economist Dr Rehman Sobhan, Chairman of CPD, questioned the feasibility of meaningful reform in just six months.
“After 54 years of independence, we still lack a coherent reform framework,” he said. “Signing agreements with 30 parties doesn’t equal reform. We need executive orders, ordinances, and budgetary support.”
He cautioned that without clarity on what reforms will be implemented, demands for pre-election reforms risk becoming hollow slogans.
Taufiqul Islam Khan, CPD senior researcher, noted that while high hopes followed the July uprising, progress remains unclear.
“How much reform can be achieved in the remaining time? Will political parties include real reform in their manifestos? These are the critical questions now,” he said.
The newly launched Bangladesh Reform Watch, initiated by the Citizen Platform, aims to monitor reform progress and assess public participation, especially from marginalised groups.
Professor Selim Raihan of Dhaka University stressed the state’s limited capacity and political will, pointing to resistance from bureaucrats, business elites, and political leaders as major roadblocks.
Mostafizur Rahman, CPD Honorary Fellow, echoed concerns, noting that past reform programmes failed to materialise. “What makes us think this time will be different?” he asked.
The event drew political leaders, economists, civil society representatives, and business leaders, reflecting growing national anxiety over the pace and authenticity of reform in Bangladesh’s crucial transition period.