Islami Bank had called a board meeting to facilitate the joining of its new chairman, but the meeting could not take place due to protests by customers. The bank’s acting managing director (MD) obtained permission from the central bank to hold the meeting online, yet that plan also failed under pressure from protesting customers. Allegations emerged that law enforcement officials pressured the MD to proceed with the online meeting.

On Monday afternoon, police officers were reportedly seen in the MD’s office urging him to conduct the meeting online, while customers gathered outside in protest. Leaders of the customer forum told journalists that police and Detective Branch officials were applying pressure similar to what they claimed happened during a 2017 takeover of the bank. They vowed to resist any such attempt.

Acting MD Altaf Hossain stated that despite receiving central bank approval, he refrained from holding the online board meeting out of respect for customer demands.