Banks for people, not parties Jamaat Ameer
Leader of the Opposition and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, on Friday warned of growing risks in the country’s banking sector, alleging that a “black hand” is now being extended towards scheduled and commercial banks following developments at the central bank.
“Banks do not belong to any party; they belong to the people,” he said while addressing the opening session of Jamaat’s district and metropolitan ameer conference at Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar.
Expressing concern over the financial sector, Shafiqur claimed that vast sums—amounting to “hundreds of thousands of crores of taka”—had been looted from banks and siphoned abroad in the past, with little visible progress in recovering the money or holding those responsible accountable.
He further alleged that political interference had affected changes in leadership at Bangladesh Bank, describing the situation as risky for financial stability. According to him, even a loan defaulter had been allowed to reschedule loans and was later appointed to a key position.
Urging public vigilance, the opposition leader called on citizens to act as “guardians” of their deposits to safeguard the banking system.
Turning to the energy sector, Shafiqur pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in government statements. While authorities claim there is no energy crisis, he said, prolonged load-shedding and difficulties in accessing fuel tell a different story.
He warned that shortages of furnace oil are threatening industrial production, while rising transport costs are pushing up commodity prices. Allegations of extortion, he added, are further compounding the hardship faced by ordinary people.
Criticism of Parliamentary Practices
The Jamaat chief also criticised parliamentary proceedings, saying the opposition has not been given adequate opportunity to speak on key national issues. He said his party was compelled to stage a walkout due to restrictions on participation.
“No meaningful parliamentary debate can take place in two minutes; in that time, one can only make a comment,” he said, adding that although speaking time was slightly increased later, it remained insufficient compared to that given to government members.
He also expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of neutrality from the Speaker, despite assurances at the start of the parliamentary session.
Shafiqur acknowledged that global factors have affected Bangladesh’s economy but argued that internal weaknesses and policy shortcomings have worsened the situation.
He called on the government to engage in open and inclusive dialogue—both inside and outside parliament—to address the crisis in the national interest. He also urged authorities to implement referendum outcomes and place reform ordinances before parliament in line with public expectations.
Warning against ignoring public opinion, he said such actions could undermine democratic practices and lead to deeper crises.
“The culture where the party is placed above the country must change,” he said, calling for collective efforts to address the challenges facing the nation.
