Dhaka, Dec. 8 -- Bangladesh's long-running bad loans problem began under former president Ziaur Rahman but has never been properly examined in parliament, one of the country's most prominent economists has said.

Prof Rehman Sobhan, who chairs think tank the Centre for Policy Dialogue, told a conference in Dhaka on Monday that although parliament is meant to hold the government to account, there has never been meaningful debate on corruption, economic policymaking or development practice.

Speaking at a session titled "Development and Democracy" during the BIDS annual conference, Prof Sobhan used this historical reference to critique Bangladesh's political culture.

"When parliament held its budget sessions, the opposition would almost al...