Lack of political will stalls critical reforms

Several heads of key reform commissions have voiced concern over the lack of political will to implement long-pending reform proposals, accusing political parties of prioritising power over equity and justice.

Their observations came on the second day of the 4th International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka.

Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, chief of the Electoral System Reform Commission, said politicians selectively support reforms that benefit their electoral interests.

"We are trying to build consensus and enact laws to prevent the return of autocracy. But politicians only support reforms that help them gain or retain power, not the ones that ensure justice and equity," he said.

We are trying to build consensus and enact laws to prevent the return of autocracy. But politicians only support reforms that help them gain or retain power.

— Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar Chief of Electoral System Reform Commission

Dr Majumdar criticised proposals for an upper house in parliament, saying political parties are demanding equal representation as the lower house, defeating the purpose of bicameralism.

Prof Dr Tofayel Ahmed, chief of the Local Government Reform Commission, said, "Ideally, politicians should engage with academics and experts on reforms. Instead, we are left knocking on their doors."

Prof Ahmed emphasised the lack of decentralisation in governance, with local bodies deprived of authority over crucial sectors like education and health.

"We've recommended district-level planning, but we don't even know what a district's budget is. This must be made public," he said.

Speakers at the event stressed that both urban and rural planning must centre on the working-class population.

Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, head of the labour reform commission, said, "From the 1960s to the 1980s, planning consistently overlooked workers. Any development effort should begin with the working class."

Dr M Shamsul Hoque, professor of Civil Engineering at BUET, called for a coordinated, eco-conscious transport policy. "Globally, transport ministries operate in harmony across rail, road, air, and waterways. In Bangladesh and India, it's the opposite," he said.

Prof AK Enamul Haque, director general of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), said, "Every kilometre of Dhaka's roads serves around 80,000 people daily. At New Market junction alone, 5,000 people cross every hour."

"Yet, we don't even have public restrooms. Footpaths last just 1.5 years before being dug up again. Our development is so unplanned that we're turning cities into vertical slums," he added.

No ruling party has taken a holistic approach to governance. Our cities are shaped by a nexus of bureaucrats, political-business elites, and foreign agencies.

— Prof Anu Muhammad Eminent economist

Eminent economist Prof Anu Muhammad said, "No ruling party has taken a holistic approach to governance. Our cities are shaped by a nexus of bureaucrats, political-business elites, and foreign agencies acting as a shadow government."

While Bangladesh has natural advantages -- fertile land, rivers, canals, and biodiversity -- it is spending billions to destroy them, he warned. "In the Middle East, they're turning deserts green. Here, we are turning green into desert," he said.

Feroz Ahmed, member of the Constitutional Reform Commission, said Dhaka is being designed to exploit youth labour rather than function as a humane city.

"All professionals must take responsibility for the roles they play in shaping this reality," he said.

Dr Adil Muhammad Khan, president of BIP, presided over the programme, while BIP General Secretary Shaikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan moderated the sessions.