Shafiqur alleges government busy taking over Islami Bank with partisan governor at cenbank

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today (2 June) alleged that the government is busy attempting to take control of Islami Bank while ordinary customers continue to suffer due to instability in the banking sector.

Speaking at a views-exchange meeting organised by Sylhet city Jamaat at the district Shilpakala Academy auditorium in Shah Eidgah area of Sylhet this afternoon, he also criticised the appointment of the Bangladesh Bank governor labeling him loan defaulter and politically partisan.

Referring to the recent developments surrounding Islami Bank, Shafiqur claimed the government was trying to seize control of the bank through “late-night Zoom meetings”.

“The result will not be good if a fugitive, fascist and looter former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank is forcibly installed as chairman of Islami Bank,” he said.

He said even shareholders holding only five shares are owners of the bank and warned that customers would not remain silent if control of a “prosperous bank” was taken away.

“As a customer myself, I may also have to take to the streets,” he added. 

Shafiqur also said customers of five banks brought under a coordinated banking arrangement during the interim government period were still struggling to withdraw their money, alleging that no effective initiative had been taken to resolve the issue.

Criticising the central bank governor’s appointment, the Jamaat chief said Bangladesh Bank, which he described as the “heart of the economy”, should not be led by a weak individual.

“In Bangladesh’s history – or even the world’s history – there is hardly any example of such a weak person being appointed governor of a central bank,” he claimed.

He further alleged that the governor had previously been a loan defaulter and questioned his credentials to lead the central bank.

“He owns a garment factory and could not run that properly, yet he is expected to run Bangladesh’s economy. It is ridiculous,” he said.

The Jamaat chief also stated that the opposition was strong enough to resist what he termed unlawful actions by the government.

“As an opposition party, we are not weak. If we can properly fulfil our responsibilities, then even from the opposition bench we will be able to correct the ruling party,” he added.