Senior parliamentarian Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, who chaired the first sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday, called upon the members of parliament to work together to strengthen the country’s democratic system, ensure transparency and uphold accountability.
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr Mosharraf welcomed and congratulated the newly elected members of parliament, stating that the new assembly marks a significant moment in the country’s democratic journey following the national election held on 12 February 2026.
He said the lawmakers have arrived at the parliament with a mandate from the people and bear a great responsibility to serve the nation. He remarked that the active and responsible participation of all members would help make the renewed journey of democracy much more dynamic and prosperous.
In this connection, he placed emphasis on collective efforts to meet public expectations and establish good governance. Dr Mosharraf, who is also a former minister, expressed his gratitude to the lawmakers for giving him the opportunity to preside over the historic first sitting of the 13th parliament.
At the beginning of his speech, he paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War, the language movement activists, and those who sacrificed their lives in the long struggle for democracy. He also remembered those who were killed or injured in the July mass uprising, saying their sacrifices remind the nation that safeguarding freedom requires continuous commitment.
Describing the recent national election as a milestone for restoring democracy, Dr Mosharraf said citizens were able to exercise their voting rights freely after many years. He congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for forming the government for the fourth time and extended his greetings to Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman.
He also congratulated Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for assuming the role of the opposition in parliament for the first time. During his remarks, Dr Mosharraf paid rich tribute to BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, describing him as the proclaimer of independence and a key figure in establishing multi-party democracy in Bangladesh.
He further remembered former three-time prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, praising her role in restoring the parliamentary system in the country and continuing the struggle for democracy despite significant political challenges and imprisonment.
Dr Mosharraf said the new parliament should work towards building a humane, inclusive and accountable state by ensuring justice for alleged human rights violations, strengthening judicial independence and preserving an impartial history of the Liberation War.
Expressing optimism, he said the 13th parliament would play a constructive role in rebuilding state institutions and advancing the country through cooperation and mutual respect. He concluded by saying that the journey of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad began on Thursday and that by learning from the past, they would move Bangladesh forward on the path of development and progress.
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