The article critiques the persistent governance failures in Bangladesh, emphasizing that the core issue lies not in the existence of laws and reforms but in their poor implementation. Despite numerous laws addressing critical issues like building safety, women’s protection, environmental conservation, and financial sector reforms, enforcement remains weak due to administrative incompetence, political resistance, and judicial inertia. The interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus has focused heavily on formulating reform initiatives and securing political consensus, including proposing a referendum alongside the upcoming national elections, but has paid insufficient attention to diagnosing and addressing the root causes of implementation failures.

Looking ahead, the article argues that the success of any reform agenda depends on multiple factors: the legitimacy and inclusivity of the February 2026 elections, the political will of the elected government, a strong and proactive opposition, effective parliamentary oversight, a committed bureaucracy, and active civil society engagement. While the interim government’s intentions are commendable, real progress will require a fundamental shift in political, bureaucratic, and civic culture to ensure that reforms move beyond legislation to effective implementation, fulfilling the aspirations of the youth who led the 2024 July Uprising.