Bank account transactions of former Minister of State for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak, his wife, family and businesses owned by them have been suspended.

Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit has issued instructions to BFIU. This instruction has been sent to all banks and financial institutions.

According to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), any bank account opened in the name of Junaid Ahmed Palak, his wife Arifa Jasmin Kanika, their family members and businesses owned by them has been ordered to suspend their transactions for the next 30 days. This order has been given in accordance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012.

In the directive, the BFIU has also requested the banks and financial institutions to send the account-related information or documents, such as account opening form, KYC and transaction statement, etc., within three working days from the date of the letter, in case of suspension of an account.

Section 26 (2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2019 will apply to this order to suspend transactions, the BFIU’s letter said.

Junaid Ahmed Palak was a Member of Parliament from a constituency in Natore. After Sheikh Hasina left the country on August 5, this former state minister was arrested while fleeing abroad through the airport and taken into the custody of the law and order forces.