Opposition leader urges PM to address Islami Bank crisis, rejects RDS allegations

Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the opposition and Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, has called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to take the Islami Bank situation seriously to safeguard the institution and restore public trust in Bangladesh's banking system. Speaking in parliament, Rahman alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, using S Alam as a tool, has destroyed the bank.

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Sheikh Hasina destroyed this [Islami] bank, using S Alam as her instrument. We now clearly see that the way is being paved for S Alam’s return. Proof of this is in the appointment of a former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as chairman.

Rahman specifically criticized the appointment of a former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as the new chairman, viewing it as a sign that S Alam's return is being facilitated. He claimed that shareholders were pressured by a special agency to transfer their shares against their will, stating, "They did not buy these shares to hand them over. They had been with this bank for generations."

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They did not buy these shares to hand them over. They had been with this bank for generations.

Addressing the Rural Development Scheme (RDS), Rahman defended its non-partisan and non-religious nature. "It belongs to no party, no religion. I myself was on the board. Beneficiaries came from different faiths. The focus was on target groups, not party or religion," he asserted. He challenged accusations that funds were diverted to party coffers, stating, "If even a single taka went into party funds, I say, searchlight should be used."

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It belongs to no party, no religion. I myself was on the board. Beneficiaries came from different faiths. The focus was on target groups, not party or religion.

Rahman further alleged that the newly appointed chairman, a former deputy governor previously removed for collaborating with a dictatorship, aided S Alam's alleged misdeeds. He described the official as "dishonest and unfit" to lead a bank in crisis. Rahman urged the government to take responsibility, emphasizing that competent leadership is crucial for the bank's survival and the nation's benefit.

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If even a single taka went into party funds, I say, searchlight should be used.