Jamaat to recover laundered money

FE Team | Published: February 03, 2026 00:07:44

Activists and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami gather at the party's election rally in Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar, on Monday. — Collected

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday vowed to recover laundered money from abroad if his party comes to power.
Speaking at an election rally at Gorakhata Adarsha High School ground in Cox's Bazar, he claimed that US$234 billion had been looted from Bangladesh and smuggled abroad-an amount four times the country's annual budget, according to Bangladesh Bank, report agencies.
He added, "This is the people's money. It has been stolen by thieves, robbers and looters and sent abroad. We promise to recover it and deposit it in the state treasury. Then Bangladesh will develop on the basis of justice. No more injustice will be allowed." Dr Shafiqur said that his party does not seek victory for itself alone. "We do not want the victory of Jamaat-e-Islami. We want the victory of 180 million people. If the people win, everyone wins. If a party, family or group wins, violence will be unleashed on the nation. We condemn that type of victory. We do not need it," he said.
On youth employment, he said young people do not want unemployment allowances but demand jobs.
He highlighted Maheshkhali-Kutubdia as a potential development hub and suggested that, with Matarbari as the centre of the deep seaport, Bangladesh could become a regional hub surpassing Singapore or Hong Kong.
At another rally at Padua ACM High School ground in Lohagara, Chattogram, Dr Shafiqur urged voters to learn from past mistakes and make the right choice in the upcoming parliamentary election. He said, "Voters would act in line with the aspirations of the youth and the need for a corruption-free, just society. Those who deny the spirit of 2024 cannot claim the mandate of 2026."