Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized today that the government is placing utmost importance on recovering assets that have been laundered overseas. He highlighted this as a key component of a broader strategy aimed at combating corruption, money laundering, and financial crimes.
During his inaugural question-answer session in parliament, the Prime Minister mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively collaborating with relevant ministries and agencies to finalize a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and facilitate the exchange of Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLAR) for this purpose.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment, as outlined in its election manifesto, to release a comprehensive white paper investigating instances of money laundering and corruption during the Awami League’s administration. In response to a query from Abul Kalam, MP for Cumilla-9, he affirmed that legal actions would be taken against those found responsible.
According to a report by the White Paper Preparation Committee established by a previous interim government, a staggering $234 billion, averaging $16 billion annually or approximately Tk 1.8 lakh crore, had been illicitly transferred between 2009 and 2023. The Prime Minister further disclosed that negotiations are ongoing with seven out of ten countries initially identified as destinations for the laundered funds, with agreements already secured with Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the UAE.
To expedite the process, an inter-agency task force headed by the governor of Bangladesh Bank has been established, focusing on 11 priority cases identified by the body. These cases involve prominent figures such as ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, and various business conglomerates including S Alam Group, Beximco Group, and Bashundhara Group.
Joint Investigation Teams, comprising representatives from the Anti-Corruption Commission, Bangladesh Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, the National Board of Revenue’s Central Intelligence Cell, and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department, have been instrumental in conducting thorough investigations. As of March 25, 2026, movable and immovable assets worth Tk 57,168.9 crore within the country have been attached and frozen, along with assets amounting to Tk 13,278.13 crore frozen abroad by court orders.
In total, assets valued at Tk 70,446.22 crore have been seized both domestically and internationally, with 141 cases filed to recover laundered funds. Notably, charge sheets have been submitted in 15 cases and verdicts reached in six cases.
In response to a follow-up question from MP Mujibur Rahman, the Prime Minister affirmed that authorities are compiling a list of individuals implicated in money laundering activities. He stressed the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice through legal channels, and holding accountable those who have unlawfully misappropriated national wealth and laundered money.
Tarique Rahman underscored the government’s dedication to adhering strictly to legal processes to guarantee justice and emphasized that penalties would be imposed in accordance with the country’s existing laws for individuals involved in financial malpractice.
