Major Hafiz and Barrister Kayser Kamal Sworn In as Speaker and Deputy Speaker

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office following their unanimous election during the inaugural session of the House earlier this morning. The event marks the formal commencement of the legislative journey for the 13th Parliament, formed 18 months after the fall of the previous regime on August 5, 2024.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman, along with senior cabinet members and top government officials. However, the notable absence of lawmakers from the main opposition party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, drew significant attention. This absence follows recent remarks by the party's leadership questioning the moral authority of the current President, signaling potential friction between the opposition and the presidency as the new term begins.

Earlier in the day, the inaugural session was graced by the presence of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the former Chief Adviser of the interim government, as a special guest. His attendance served as a symbolic transition from the interim administration to a sovereign, elected parliament. During his opening address, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid solemn tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 July Revolution. He also honored the struggle of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and outlined a national vision focused on making every household self-reliant.

As the first parliament to convene following the participatory general elections of February 12, the 13th National Parliament is being viewed as a cornerstone for restoring democratic stability in Bangladesh. With the leadership of the House now formally installed, the assembly is expected to proceed with ratifying the institutional reforms initiated during the interim period and debating the government’s 31-point reform agenda in the coming weeks.