In addition to his teaching, from 2009 to 2014 he was the former chairman of Janata Bank Ltd.[1] He is the present elected president of the Bangladesh Economic Association.

[2] Barkat was born on September 27, 1954, in Kushtia District to his parents Abul Quasem and Mst Nurun Nahar.

5,504 crore loan or 25 percent of bank's capital base, was provided to AnonTex Group, owned by Md Younus Badal.

[5][6] He criticized Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Minister of Finance, for questioning the governance of Janata Bank and denying an extension to his chairmanship.

[7][8] Barkat said Muhith was not loyal to either Awami League or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and had undue favors from the CSR fund.