Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday warned against any move to interfere with the management of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, saying the people would not accept attempts to place the bank under the control of individuals linked to the previous Awami League government.
Speaking at an Eid reunion programme of party leaders and activists of Dhaka-15 constituency at Mirpur, the Jamaat chief alleged that efforts were being made to hand over the bank to persons appointed during the tenure of the former government.
"Nobody will be allowed to create uncertainty over Islami Bank. Our leaders and activists are ready to stand by the institution if necessary," he said.
Shafiqur claimed that around Tk 34,000 crore had been looted from the bank during the previous Awami League administration and warned that any further damage to the country's largest Islamic bank could adversely affect the national economy.
He also criticized the Bangladesh Bank governor and urged the government to ensure stability in the banking sector.
Referring to the role of the opposition, Jamaat Ameer said his party would continue to act as a strong voice for the people and would not function as a rubber-stamp opposition.
He said ongoing tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to maritime trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, had affected Bangladesh's energy sector and contributed to public hardship.
Calling for effective measures to address economic challenges, he said artificially created crises should be resolved immediately, while alternative solutions should be pursued for problems arising from global or natural causes.
The Jamaat leader expressed concern over rising electricity, fuel and gas prices, alleging that the government had failed to take adequate initiatives to explore new gas fields. He also criticized recent gas price adjustments and the continued rise in living costs.
Shafiqur said Jamaat would soon announce programmes to protest issues affecting public welfare.
TZ
