Jamaat leaders raise concerns over BB governor appointment and institutional independence
Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said, 'No one has the right to insult respected figures such as the Governor of Bangladesh Bank and his advisers in this manner'
Jamaat-e–Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has raised serious concerns over the appointment of the new Bangladesh Bank Governor, while the party's chief, Shafiqur Rahman, also commented on the matter.
Porwar, in a statement shared on the party's official Facebook page, warned that political considerations in the appointment may have influenced the decision and could undermine the central bank's credibility and independence, saying, "After the July movement, when people demanded systemic reforms, restoring trust through merit-based leadership should have been the government's highest priority. The movement was never solely about quotas but fundamentally about meritocracy and competent governance."
The statement also read that the role of a central bank governor is not ceremonial but one of the most critical positions in any country, responsible for safeguarding monetary stability, regulating banks, maintaining financial discipline, and building both public and international confidence in the economy.
Porwar raised alarm that an industrialist has been appointed to lead the central bank despite his company reportedly having Tk89 crore (over $7 million) in loans rescheduled under special policy provisions shortly before the appointment.
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He noted that the appointee's role on the ruling party's election steering committee raises serious questions about conflict of interest and institutional independence, cautioning that Bangladesh's progress depends on strong, qualified, and experienced leadership in its institutions.
"Placing someone who benefited from loan restructuring in charge of regulating the entire banking sector inevitably raises questions about credibility," Porwar said in the statement, stressing the importance of impartial leadership at the central bank.
"Appointments based on political affiliation rather than competence risk eroding both domestic and international trust," Porwar said, questioning how someone with limited experience managing a medium-sized company could be expected to oversee the financial stability of an entire nation.
Porwar concluded that the appointment could signal the erosion of Bangladesh Bank's independence at a time when professionalism, merit-driven leadership, and credibility are most urgently needed to safeguard the country's economy.
In a separate post, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said, "No one has the right to insult respected figures such as the Governor of Bangladesh Bank and his advisers in this manner."
He said the situation at Bangladesh Bank yesterday (25 February) appears to mark the start of government-supported mob culture, calling it deeply unfortunate and unacceptable.
"The country's economy is already in severe distress, teetering on the edge of fascism, plagued by systemic corruption at all levels, extortion, and syndicates. If such unwarranted actions continue even at the highest and most critical level of the state, such as Bangladesh Bank, the remaining pillars of the national economy will be destroyed," the post reads.
Saying reports are already emerging daily of disruptions in state institutions targeting competent, patriotic, and qualified officials, he expressed hope, "I believe that all segments of society, irrespective of political affiliation, should protest against this disorder."
Shafiqur urged that misdeeds be halted immediately and that key government appointments be made on the basis of merit, patriotism, and competence rather than party loyalty.
Earlier, Md Mostaqur Rahman FCMA was appointed governor of Bangladesh Bank for a four-year term through a gazette notification on 25 February, replacing Ahsan H Mansur whose contract was cancelled the same day.
Mostaqur is managing director and CEO of Hera Sweaters Limited and was a member of the BNP's election steering committee during the 13th national election held earlier this month.
