Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said his party neither engages in extortion nor will allow anyone else to do so, pledging a tough stance against corruption, false cases and financial crimes.

“We do not practise extortion, and we will not allow anyone to practise it,” he said while addressing an election rally at Bauphal Public Ground in Patuakhali’s Bauphal upazila in the morning.

The rally was organised by the upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami. Among others present were Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, the nominee of the 11-party electoral alliance for Patuakhali-2 (Bauphal), former DUCSU vice-president Sadik Kayem, and nominated candidates from the district’s four parliamentary constituencies.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Jamaat would dismantle what he described as entrenched networks of corruption. “We do not indulge in corruption, and we will break the web of corruption. There will be no place for corruptionists here,” he said, adding that the party detests what he termed “case trading.”

Those who file false cases to ruin innocent lives will not be spared, he warned. “If proven, they will be brought under strict punishment.”

The Jamaat chief also vowed to prevent large-scale financial crimes, including bank looting, stock market manipulation and the siphoning off of development funds abroad. “No one will be allowed to loot banks or plunder the stock market. There will be no scope to embezzle development money and launder it overseas.”

Referring to money allegedly laundered abroad, he added, “If Allah grants us the ability, we will recover the stolen money and deposit it into the state treasury, Insha’Allah.”

Dr Shafiqur Rahman further said development would prioritise areas that have suffered the most deprivation and repression. “There will be no room for favoritism or recommendations. It will not matter whose house is where. People’s rights will be determined on the basis of justice and merit alone.”