NBR freezes bank accounts of Ananta Group MD and UCB Chairman Sharif Zahir

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has directed banks to freeze the accounts belonging to Ananta Group Managing Director and Chairman of United Commercial Bank Sharif Zahir as well those owned by his family members.

In a letter to chief executives of banks issued on December 1, the NBR's Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) asked banks to block withdrawals and transfers from the accounts.

The accounts belonging to Sharif's mother Qamrun Nahar Zahir and his brother Asif Zahir were also frozen.

Both are involved in Ananta Group, with Qamrun Nahar serving as chairperson of the leading garment exporter and Asif Zahir as deputy managing director.

The NBR also instructed banks to block access to lockers maintained by the individuals and their family members.

A top official of the NBR confirmed the development.

Sharif said they had contacted top officials of the NBR following the move, adding: "They could not give us any specific reason till now. The whole issue is embarrassing for us."

He said he took charge of UCB after the political changeover on August 5 and has taken steps against irregularities, saying: "This is why a vested quarter is trying to harass me."

He added: "It becomes challenging for us to do business if such steps are taken for unspecific reasons. Apart from the bank's employees, around 32,000 people are employed in our businesses. So, when personal bank accounts are frozen, it affects the business of the group."