The Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum has announced a fresh round of protest programmes, demanding improved corporate governance, protection of depositors’ funds and the restoration of the bank’s ownership to its “legitimate owners.”
At a press conference held on Monday at Islami Bank Tower in Dhaka’s Dilkusha area, the forum called for the recovery of allegedly siphoned-off funds, prosecution of those responsible and stronger measures to safeguard customer deposits.
Reading a written statement, the forum’s convener, Prof. Nurunnabi Manik, described Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC as a key financial institution that plays a vital role in remittance inflows, SME financing and public savings.
The forum said it has been holding demonstrations, submitting memorandums and meeting Bangladesh Bank officials since May 24 to press for better governance and financial stability at the bank. It also reiterated its demand for the reinstatement of former Managing Director Omar Faruk Khan to help restore customer confidence.
The group presented a seven-point charter of demands, including the appointment of a professional board, recovery of misappropriated funds, formation of a special tribunal to prosecute those responsible for alleged financial irregularities, and repeal of Section 18A of the Bank Company Act.
As part of its new programme, the forum announced a protest march from Islami Bank Tower to the National Press Club on July 9, sit-in demonstrations outside Islami Bank branches in district towns on July 14, and a customers’ rally in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh on July 18.
