Do MPs have houses in Begum Para?

Opposition Jatiya Party lawmaker Mujibul Haque Chunnu today in parliament asked the finance minister whether the news published in media -- on assets of Bangladeshis abroad, including MPs -- is true or not.

He also demanded that the government investigates these matters.

Chunnu came up with the demand while speaking on a point of order in parliament.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, however, was not present in parliament at that time.

Mujibul Haque also said news was published in different media that the Dhaka Wasa MD has 23 houses in the US. Such allegations are being raised against two members of parliament.

"I will request the finance minister to answer whether all these news are true or not. Because our foreign minister earlier said there are many bureaucrats, among others, are constructing houses in Canada's Begum Para. There should be an inquiry into these allegations."

Urging the finance minister to speak up on these issues, Mujibul Haque said that different media are publishing such reports ahead of the next election, which is tarnishing the image of the government, as well as, the image of the opposition party.

The JP MP said such reports are sending wrong message to the people of the country that MPs and ministers earn hundreds of crores of taka and build houses at home and abroad.

The finance ministry along with Bangladesh Bank should conduct an investigation and make a clear statement on the matter, he added.