Dhaka, June 2 (V7N) — Bangladesh is poised to announce its 55th national budget in 54 years of independence — but for the 11th time, the announcement will take place without a functioning parliament.

This year's budget, for the fiscal year 2025–26, will be presented by Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed of the interim government. He will become the 14th individual in the country's history to deliver the national budget, following in the footsteps of finance ministers, presidents, and financial advisors who have done so under a wide range of political systems — including elected, military-led, and caretaker governments.

In contrast to previous years, there is no preparatory activity in the National Parliament building, as the budget will be delivered through state-run media channels. This unusual setting is reflective of the current interim government's structure and echoes a pattern seen in previous non-parliamentary regimes.

The history of Bangladesh’s budget presentations is marked by key moments of political transition. The very first budget was presented without a parliament in the 1972–73 fiscal year by the country’s first finance minister, Tajuddin Ahmed. Notably, President Ziaur Rahman also delivered three budgets during his time in office — including the first ever presented by a sitting president.

In the decades that followed, budgets were again announced outside of Parliament during transitional periods. The 1980s saw Finance Ministers Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and M Sayeduzzaman each present budgets amid military-led governance. Later, in 2007 and 2008, during a caretaker government, Financial Advisor Mirza Azizul Islam presented two consecutive budgets without parliamentary oversight.

Budgets Announced Without Parliament:

  1. 1972–73: Tajuddin Ahmed

  2. 1976–77: Major General Ziaur Rahman

  3. 1977–78: Lt. General Ziaur Rahman

  4. 1978–79: President Ziaur Rahman

  5. 1982–83: Abul Maal Abdul Muhith

  6. 1983–84: Abul Maal Abdul Muhith

  7. 1984–85: M Sayeduzzaman

  8. 1985–86: M Sayeduzzaman

  9. 2007–08: Mirza Azizul Islam

  10. 2008–09: Mirza Azizul Islam

  11. 2025–26: Salehuddin Ahmed

Tajuddin Ahmed, in his June 30, 1972 budget speech, expressed his regret for not being able to place the national budget before elected representatives. “I would have been happy to present this budget in front of an elected Parliament rather than via radio and television,” he said. “But I hope this will be the last time the budget is announced outside the elected house.” Yet, more than five decades later, the tradition continues during times of political transition.

As Bangladesh approaches this milestone, the evolution of its budgetary process reflects the broader political journey of the nation — one that continues to adapt amid change.

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