‘Don’t Ask for More Time’

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has instructed lawmakers to finish their speeches within the allotted time during the general discussion on the proposed 2026-27 national budget, rejecting requests from several members for additional speaking time.

At the start of Saturday’s parliamentary session, the speaker said time for the budget debate was limited, with discussions scheduled for only Saturday and Sunday before Parliament moved on to other business.

He said both the government and opposition whips had already allocated speaking times and urged lawmakers to adhere strictly to those limits.

“For the successful conclusion of the budget session, we have no choice but to enforce the allotted time,” the speaker said. “Once again, I request that you do not embarrass us by asking for more time. Please finish your remarks within the time given.”

Earlier in the session, Parliament discussed a motion of thanks on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visits to Malaysia and China. The speaker also imposed time limits during that debate.

When Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury sought to speak, the speaker asked him to conclude within five minutes so the House could proceed to the budget discussion.

Following the adoption of the motion of thanks, the budget debate began. The first speaker, Hamidur Rahman, MP for Dhaka-7, was given six minutes. When his allotted time expired, the speaker interrupted him, saying, “Thank you. Thank you, honorable member. Next speaker.”

Later, AKM Fazlul Haque Milon, MP for Gazipur-5, was given 10 minutes. Near the end of his speech, he requested an additional two minutes.

“There is no time,” the speaker replied.

When Milon repeated his request, the speaker responded with a lighthearted remark: “I said at the beginning of the session, just as grocery stores often display signs saying, ‘Don’t ask for credit,’ I’m saying, ‘Don’t ask for more time.’“