Thieves siphoned off Tk28 lakh crore from Bangladesh: Jamaat Ameer
Published: 04 February 2026, 3:07:49
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has claimed that an amount equivalent to four times Bangladesh’s annual national budget has been smuggled out of the country, saying the money should be recovered and those responsible punished.
He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon while addressing an election rally at the Mymensingh Circuit House ground as the chief guest.
Dr Shafiqur alleged that “thieves” had siphoned off Tk28 lakh crore from Bangladesh and transferred it abroad. “We have enough money in this country. Allah willing, we will bring that money back,” he said, using strong language to describe efforts to recover the funds.
He said the alleged amount was four times the country’s annual budget and accused those involved of living lavishly abroad with money taken from Bangladesh.
“We will not let them sleep peacefully. They will be brought back to the country and punished,” he said.
Referring to law enforcement, Dr Shafiqur said people were sometimes beaten to death over minor thefts such as stealing poultry or cattle, while “big thieves” often went unpunished.
He said Jamaat-e-Islami would not allow such double standards to continue.
The Jamaat Ameer said people wanted change and described the upcoming election as not an ordinary one. He said voters would cast two votes, describing the “yes” vote as a vote for freedom and the alternative as submission.
He added that a “yes” vote would reflect the hopes and aspirations of women and urged voters to cast their first vote in favour of “yes” and the second for the candidate of the 11-party alliance to establish justice.
