The Governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Md Mostaqur Rahman did not meet representatives of the Customers’ Forum despite a scheduled dialogue, instead assigning Deputy Governor Kabir Ahmed to hold discussions with them on Wednesday.
At around 12:15pm on the BB premises, Professor Nur Un Nabi, convener of the Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum, told reporters that the governor had remained absent from the meeting. He said the delegation had expected a direct meeting after being assured earlier by a central bank official.
“When we submitted the memorandum, we were told we would meet the governor. But today we were informed that he would not attend and instead the deputy governor would speak with us,” he said.
The forum presented its seven-point demand charter to Deputy Governor Kabir Ahmed, calling for the formation of a neutral and professionally qualified board for Islami Bank Bangladesh.
The group stressed that the new board should consist of individuals free from political influence and financial irregularities. They also demanded that shares held by the S Alam Group be confiscated and sold, with proceeds used to settle outstanding loans.
According to forum members, the deputy governor assured them that an acceptable board for Islami Bank would be formed in the near future.
The forum also warned that stronger protest programmes could follow if concrete action was not taken soon to protect depositors’ interests.
Their demands further include prosecution of alleged bank looters, revision of banking laws, and removal of disputed ownership structures. Meanwhile, the BB continues to oversee Islami Bank operations through appointed officials after dissolving its previous board structure in mid-June.
