September 01, 2007	Saturday	Sha’aban 18, 1428

DHAKA, Aug 31: Authorities in emergency-ruled Bangladesh have ordered banks to freeze the accounts of former prime minister Khaleda Zia as part of their major crackdown on corruption, media reports said on Friday.

Khaleda’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led a coalition government until last October.

Her son Arafat Rahman and nine other members of her family will also have their bank accounts frozen, the Daily Star newspaper said in a report quoting a National Board of Revenue notice sent to banks.

The decision follows the former premier's submission of details of her financial affairs to the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Last month, the board allowed Khaleda to pay $48,000 to legalise income worth $188,000 but rejected similar applications from her two sons, the newspaper added.

Bangladesh's military-backed government launched its anti-graft campaign in February.

It has since arrested more than 150 prominent figures including Khaleda's bitter rival Sheikh Hasina Wajed, also a former prime minister who leads the opposition Awami League party.Khaleda’s elder son Tareque Rahman has also been detained.—AFP