The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has ordered the unfreezing of Khaleda Zia's bank accounts after 17 years on Monday, following directives from its newly appointed chairman after discussions with the Chief Adviser.
Official sources stated that the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) has issued a note that will be sent to all financial institutions today (Tuesday).
In 2007, the bank accounts of former Prime Ministers Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina were frozen during the caretaker government regime.
Later, the CIC unfroze Sheikh Hasina's bank account, while Begum Zia's account remained frozen despite several requests from the BNP during the last 15 years of the Awami League regime.
A senior official of the NBR, speaking to the FE, mentioned that according to section 116A of the previous income tax ordinance, any bank account frozen by tax authorities automatically turns unfrozen after a year.
However, banks and other financial institutions kept Begum Zia's account frozen due to the 'sensitivity' of the issue.
He also mentioned that Begum Zia's tax lawyer submitted a letter requesting to unfreeze the bank accounts of former prime minister, to which the CIC responded accordingly.
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