NBR unfreezes bank accounts of Ananta Group MD, family members
The unfreezing order came just 5 days after initial freeze
The Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has directed banks and financial institutions to lift the freeze on the bank accounts of Ananta Group Managing Director Sharif Zahir, his family members, and some directors of the company.
The unfreezing order, issued today, came just five days after the initial freeze, according to a CIC document obtained by The Business Standard.
Sharif Zahir has recently assumed the position of chairman of United Commercial Bank (UCB).
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Earlier in the week, the CIC sent a letter instructing all banks and financial institutions to freeze the accounts of Sharif Zahir, his mother and Ananta Group Chairperson Qamrun Nahar Zahir, his brother and Deputy Managing Director Asif Zahir, along with directors Syed Ishtiaq Alam and Anisuddin Ahmed Khan.
A senior CIC official, seeking anonymity, confirmed that banks were instructed on Thursday evening to unfreeze the accounts of these individuals.
Sharif Zahir also confirmed the update, saying the tax intelligence found no evidence of irregularities, which led to the unfreezing of the accounts.
"After my appointment as UCB Limited chairman, certain vested interests have been trying to damage our reputation," he said.
In a letter signed by CIC's assistant director Md Mottakenur Rahman, banks and financial institutions were asked to lift the freeze, specifying that all accounts except lockers and vaults belonging to the individuals and their family members were now unfrozen.
When asked about the reasons for freezing and unfreezing the accounts within five days, Md Mottakenur Rahman declined to provide detailed comments.
