APG meet to be updated about anti-terrorism measures

A meeting of National Coordination Committee on Anti-Money Laundering yesterday decided to update the anti-terrorism steps to the APG, said Bank and Financial Institutions Division sources. The meeting, presided over by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, was attended by Finance Secretary Mahbub Ahmed, Senior Home Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan and Attorney General Mahbubey Alam. According to the meeting sources, Law Secretary Mahmand Shadiul Haq was asked to prepare updates of actions taken by different government agencies. Finance Minister asked the Attorney General’s Office and home ministry to expedite process of the anti-money laundering cases as the progress on the cases will be presented at the next APG meeting. Home ministry, police and intelligence agencies will take necessary steps to prevent terrorist activities, according to the meeting sources. The last APG meeting found the slow pace of anti-money laundering cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. It also found lack of coordination between home ministry’s office and police administration. According to the APG, Bangladesh’s performance to prevent money laundering is moderate. After July 1 terror attack in Dhaka, APG postponed its 19th annual general meeting scheduled on July 23-28 in Dhaka. The venue was later shifted to the US and fixed new date though Muhith said the APG annual meeting would be held in due time.