Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday told Parliament that the BNP government is committed to maintaining financial discipline.

He came up with the remarks following a demand placed by the opposition seeking steps to “return” the shares of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC to the genuine owners and an end to “unjustified and illogical interreferences” into its management.

Islami Bank depositors continue protests to press for 7-point demand

“Bangladesh Nationalist Party believes in financial discipline and will not compromise on it under any circumstances,” the minister said, joining a discussion on a notice of public importance.

Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman placed the notice of public importance in Parliament under the Rule 68 of the Rules of Procedure.

In response, Khosru said BNP has a long-standing record of ensuring macroeconomic stability and prudent financial management whenever it has been in government. “When we speak about macroeconomic stability, investment and financial prudence, we do not merely talk about them – we implement them.”

He said financial discipline is indispensable for restoring confidence in the economy and strengthening the banking sector, particularly at a time when the government is working to stabilise what he described as a fragile economic situation inherited from the previous regime.

Referring to concerns surrounding Islami Bank, the minister dismissed suggestions that the appointment of a bank chairman could trigger large-scale withdrawals by depositors, arguing that customers are primarily concerned with the safety of their deposits and the institution’s overall stability.

“There is no precedent anywhere in the world where depositors withdraw funds simply because of the appointment of a chairman,” he said, adding that customers care about whether their money is secure and whether the bank remains trustworthy.

Khosru alleged that organised attempts were being made to create instability around the bank through agitation and demonstrations, both inside and outside its premises.

He suggested that certain groups were seeking to undermine confidence in the institution for political purposes.

The minister said the government remains committed to ensuring the stability of the banking sector and allowing the Bangladesh Bank to carry out its regulatory responsibilities independently and in accordance with the law.

He noted that the central bank is continuing efforts to return ownership and management structures to their lawful stakeholders through established legal procedures, and urged all parties to allow the process to proceed without disruption.

Highlighting BNP’s economic credentials, Khosru said previous BNP governments had maintained strong macroeconomic stability and financial order, adding that the party fully understands the critical role of the financial sector in driving economic growth.

He warned against activities that could erode confidence in financial institutions, noting that creating disorder in or around banks could have serious consequences for the wider economy.

The finance minister said the government has exercised considerable restraint in dealing with disruptive activities and called on all political forces to contribute to maintaining stability.

“We want a stable Bangladesh,” he said. “The government is committed to restoring economic strength, and that requires a disciplined and credible financial system.”

Reiterating BNP’s position, Khosru said the future of Islami Bank and the broader financial sector will remain secure under a framework based on transparency, regulation and financial discipline.

Jamaat's Concerns:

In his notice, Shafiqur Rahman claimed Islami Bank had gradually begun recovering and rebuilding customer confidence after the fall of the “fascist regime.”

According to the notice, the bank's profit rose from Tk 108 crore to Tk 137 crore within a year. However, he alleged that a new attempt was underway to gain control of the bank through the appointment of controversial persons to key positions and through interference in management, which he claimed forced the managing director to resign.

The notice also alleged that attempts were being made to portray Islami Bank as a Jamaat-controlled institution.

While acknowledging that such perceptions exist among some sections of the people, the notice argued that millions of depositors and foreign investors had placed their trust in the bank under the management now being labelled as Jamaat-oriented.

It further alleged that tactics similar to those used during the previous takeover of the bank were again being employed and claimed that customers withdrew nearly Tk 2,000 crore in deposits in a single day, reflecting a crisis of confidence.

Participating in the discussion later, the opposition leader said changes in a bank's management could occur at any time but should be made in the interests of customers, shareholders and the institution itself.

Referring to the appointment of a former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as chairman of Islami Bank, he alleged that the person had previously been used as tools of Sheikh Hasina to destroy this bank by S Alam Group.

Citing that the former BB deputy governor was punished for his proven irregularities of Tk 52 lakh, the Jamaat ameer said placing such a person at the head of a struggling bank cannot be justified.

Noting that he was an accomplice in all of S Alam's misdeeds when he was deputy governor, he said, "It is unacceptable to bring that dishonest man and put him at the head of a collapsed bank."

Shafiqur Rahman warned that any further damage to Islami Bank could undermine confidence in the entire banking system. “Islami Bank is a pyramid of trust. If that trust collapses, public confidence in the banking sector will be severely affected,” he said.

He urged the government to return shares allegedly acquired through coercive means to their former owners at the original value and then reconstitute the board in accordance with legal procedures.

The Jamaat chief also challenged remarks made by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed suggesting that a Tk 700 crore loan from Islami Bank may have been linked to election financing of a particular party. “If he meant Jamaat, I challenge him to prove it. If he can prove it, I will personally award him a medal,” he said.

Home Minister for Investigating All Irregularities:

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who also joined the discussion, said all allegations relating to Islami Bank should be investigated.

He referred to a Tk 700 crore loan reportedly provided to Nabil Group against letters of credit and alleged that the money had not been returned to the bank after the sale of imported goods.

“Questions have been raised about where the money went. Those matters should be investigated,” he said.

The home minister also called for investigations into the use of corporate social responsibility funds, recruitment practices, loan approvals and alleged political financing linked to the bank.

He claimed that around 9,000 employees were dismissed following the takeover of the bank and that approximately 6,000 new employees were recruited, allegations that he said also warrant scrutiny.

Salahuddin further said allegations of all money laundering incidents, including alleged incidents by the S Alam Group, will be investigated.

“We will protect the interests of all customers and shareholders. We will establish justice and conduct proper investigations,” he said.

Addressing criticism over the appointment of the bank's chairman, the minister said Bangladesh Bank had informed the government that no allegations against the official had been proven.

Besides, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher and three other Jamaat lawmakers – Saiful Alam Khan, Nurun Nesa Siddika and Mardia Mumtaz – took part in the discussion.