Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has acknowledged improvements in Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves and the gradual activation of the banking sector under the current interim government. However, he urged the government to play a more active role in revitalizing the economy, stating that the nation’s expectations are higher.
Speaking at a workers' meeting organized by Jessore District Jamaat at the Eidgah Maidan on Friday, Jamaat ameer emphasized the need for further economic action. “The government must take more responsibility to energize the economy,” he said.
While criticizing the previous Awami League government for its economic policies, he accused it of misleading the public by claiming to have turned Bangladesh into a development model. "Now, cries are heard everywhere, as mill owners, factory operators, and business leaders struggle to pay workers. State-run industries are in disarray, and the banking sector is failing to provide capital to businesses. Banks are empty, with funds allegedly being smuggled abroad,” he added.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also raised concerns about the rising cost of living, particularly the soaring prices of essential goods, blaming market syndicates for exacerbating the crisis. "The market is burning, and people are suffering," he remarked, pointing out that the government has yet to dismantle the previous syndicates. "In some cases, the syndicates have simply changed hands. We do not want new extortionists to emerge," he said.
The Jamaat leader reiterated his vision for a more equitable state, calling for the elimination of economic disparities and a fairer distribution of resources. "Jamaat dreams of a balanced state where no citizen has to cry for their rights," he said, pledging to restore judicial independence and ensure that justice is blind to political influence. "A just system would mean no one would need to demand their rights—the state will take responsibility for all its citizens,” He concluded.
Expressing disappointment over the country's collapsed education system, the Jamaat ameer said, "The Awami League has done the most damage to the education system. Young men and women with master's degree certificates are going door to door looking for jobs, but they are not getting jobs. The moral value of education has completely departed from our education system."
Showing respect and sympathy for all those who were martyred, crippled, imprisoned and victims of cases from all parties in the movement to overthrow the dictatorship, he said, "More than two thousand of our children have given their lives with the fresh blood of their chests and given us an open environment. Let us not be dishonest, treacherous, or treasonous with their blood. They have raised their voice against discrimination, misrule, and corruption. If anyone does the same thing now, they will undoubtedly be hated and condemned."
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
