Governance and public policy expert Dr Yusuf Zarif argues that political reform and good governance in Bangladesh depend fundamentally on reform-minded political parties and leadership. Writing on August 19, 2026, he says the July Charter received broad public support in the February 12 parliamentary and referendum election, but the post-election government has not approved key ordinances related to state reform and human-rights protection.

Zarif says reform is a political process because parties ultimately run governments. He argues that Bangladesh’s major parties have repeatedly endorsed reform publicly and in election pledges, yet set aside governance reforms after taking power. He attributes this gap partly to party cultures that, in his view, do not cultivate ethics or good-governance values among activists and supporters.

The article cites Hong Kong, South Korea, Rwanda and Singapore as examples where governing leadership played important roles in governance or economic progress. Zarif criticizes patronage-based politics and non-merit appointments in Bangladesh, while alleging that politically connected business groups have used influence to take over banks, loot resources and move money abroad. He concludes that sustained reform is unrealistic unless leading political forces promote accountability and ethics.