Dhaka, Jun 10 (V7N) – Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has demanded the immediate return of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC's shares to their legitimate owners and urged authorities to stop what he described as unjust interference in the bank's management.
Speaking during a general discussion under Rule 68 in the second (Budget) session of the Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday, Dr. Rahman said Islami Bank represents a “pyramid of trust” and warned that any collapse of this trust would undermine public confidence in the country's entire banking sector.
The discussion, held under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, focused on protecting the national economy, ensuring banking sector stability, and safeguarding the interests of millions of depositors.
Responding to remarks made by the Home Minister regarding controversial shareholders of the bank, Dr. Rahman criticized the government's position, stating that the matter of how certain individuals became shareholders should be addressed immediately rather than postponed.
He also alleged that around 10,000 employees were recruited during the previous government without following proper procedures, including public advertisements and competitive examinations. According to him, after August 5, these employees were asked to sit for examinations to regularize their appointments, but none participated.
Highlighting Islami Bank's significant contribution to the national economy, Dr. Rahman expressed concern over the institution's current challenges. He said expatriate Bangladeshis had raised concerns about the bank during his recent Hajj journey and warned that disruptions in remittance flows could have serious consequences for the economy.
Referring to the ongoing crisis, he claimed that customers withdrew approximately Tk 70,000 crore from the bank within just four days, reflecting growing uncertainty among depositors.
Drawing the Prime Minister's attention to the issue, Dr. Rahman urged the government to take realistic measures to protect the bank rather than acting on preconceived notions. He argued that restoring Islami Bank to its former position would help rebuild confidence across the banking sector.
He further noted that depositors of several troubled banks are struggling to recover their savings and called for urgent action to prevent a broader financial crisis.
“We want the bank to survive,” he said, emphasizing the need to protect both depositors and the country's financial stability.
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