The opposition lawmakers alleged that during the previous government, genuine shareholders were pushed out and shares were transferred to the S Alam Group.
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo: TBS
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Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo: TBS
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today (9 June) told parliament that Islami Bank would remain safe under the BNP-led government, while urging the opposition to practice proper politics instead of creating unrest over the institution.
He made the remarks during a parliamentary debate on a notice placed by the Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman under Rule 68, which called for steps to ensure the return of Islami Bank’s shares to their lawful owners and an end to unjust interference in the bank’s management.
Five members of his party supported the notice, while four other lawmakers also took part in the discussion.
The opposition lawmakers alleged that during the previous government, genuine shareholders were pushed out and shares were transferred to the S Alam Group.
They further claimed that although shareholders had regained control during the interim period, subsequent appointments to key positions such as chairman and managing director were again opening the way for undue influence.
Rejecting the allegations, the finance minister urged the opposition to focus on constructive politics and said attempts to destabilise Islami Bank would not be tolerated.
He also said that the BNP considers the bank’s future secure under its political stewardship, noting that its foundation was laid by late president Ziaur Rahman and that restoring its dignity and financial discipline remained a priority.
He warned that unregulated financial behaviour in politics posed broader risks to democracy, referring to past elections where candidates, according to him, spent Tk50–100 crore despite unclear income sources.
Responding to concerns raised over the bank’s chairman, the minister said the remarks were opinions of the opposition and said that Bangladesh Bank had found no evidence of irregularities following its review.
He alleged that organised groups were attempting to create unrest inside and outside the bank through coordinated demonstrations, warning that such actions were linked to broader efforts to undermine financial discipline.
Khosru said Bangladesh Bank was working through legal channels to return the institution to its legitimate owners and warned against attempts to create a mobocracy aimed at obstructing reforms.
Meanwhile, Shafiqur Rahman told parliament that ‘once again, a group attempting to take over Islami Bank has set its eyes on the institution.’
He claimed that renewed attempts were now being made to influence the bank, including the appointment of a ‘controversial’ chairman and interference in management decisions, including pressure on the managing director to resign.
Shafiqur warned that such interference undermines governance and investor confidence.
He also rejected attempts to label Islami Bank as a ‘Jamaat institution,’ saying that its earlier management had earned trust from millions of depositors and foreign investors through professionalism and integrity.
Warning of wider consequences, the opposition leader said any harm to Islami Bank would severely impact the national economy and called for its shares to be returned to their legitimate owners.
In a separate intervention, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said neither Islami Bank, Mirza Fakhrul Islam, nor Jamaat should be equated with Islam, warning against the misuse of religious identity in politics.
He alleged that Islami Bank had once been taken over in the name of religion and referred to ongoing controversies around its Rural Development Scheme, claiming irregularities in loan disbursement and CSR spending.
Salahuddin called for investigations into alleged money laundering involving several groups, including S Alam Group, and said all such cases should be thoroughly examined under Bangladesh Bank supervision.
The home minister said actions related to the appointment of the bank’s current chairman must follow legal procedures, noting that no proven allegations had been established so far and that the principle of presumption of innocence must be upheld.
Jamaat-backed reserved-seat lawmaker Nurunnisa Siddiqui criticised an ‘unexpected’ intervention in the affairs of Islami Bank and urged the government to refrain from supporting such actions.
‘The people of Bangladesh will not tolerate unjust activities for long. The July uprising is the latest example,’ she said.
Speaking on the same notice, another Jamaat-backed reserved-seat lawmaker, Mardia Momtaz, alleged that an ‘inefficient’ individual had been appointed to lead Islami Bank.
‘Following his appointment, Tk4,200 crore was withdrawn within seven days. Later, Islami Bank sought Tk10,000 crore from Bangladesh Bank, which was a matter of great embarrassment for both the country and the banking sector,’ she said.
Dhaka-12 lawmaker and Jamaat leader Saiful Islam questioned the appointment of the current Bangladesh Bank governor.
He also urged the government to disclose comprehensive information on defaulted loans and loan defaulters and to keep the banking sector free from political influence.
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