Bank freezes G-B teacher’s account over spouse’s Schedule-IV status

GILGIT: A private bank in Gilgit-Baltistan has frozen the bank account of a female teacher under Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism, and Countering Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) regulations due to the inclusion of her husband’s name in Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Nishat Perveen, who served as an Assistant Education Officer (AEO) in the Tangir area of the Diamer district, is the wife Awami Action Committee (AAC) Vice-chairman Javed Naji, who is among seven individuals placed in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, in July last year. 

The ACC is an alliance of political, religious, and nationalis parties that advocates for the rights of Gilgit-Baltistan.

In a letter sent to Perveen by the private bank, it was stated that her account was frozen due to her husband’s inclusion in Schedule-IV, restricting transactions from his account to hers.

“It was identified that on the same day of Javed Naji’s enlistment, an incoming IBFT transaction was credited to your account. Upon investigating the transaction details, it was found that the amount was transferred from your husband’s account,” the letter from the private bank stated. The bank clarified that the action to block her account was taken in accordance with regulatory guidelines.

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In a brief conversation with HUM News English, Javed Naji stated that Nishat Perveen had served as an Assistant Education Officer (AEO) in Tangir and had also worked as a master trainer for Aga Khan University’s home schools project, Creating Pathways for Educational Success of Girls (CPESG), for three years.

“In return for her services, the state and the government of Gilgit-Baltistan not only terminated her from her post but also froze her account,” he said.

AAC Deputy Information Secretary and Awami Workers Party Gilgit-Baltistan General Secretary Sher Nadir Shahi condemned the move, questioning its legality. “How can you punish a wife for her husband’s actions?

Shahi criticized the authorities, saying, “Naji was placed in the Fourth Schedule for his peaceful political activism, and now his family is being targeted. First, his accounts were frozen, and now his wife’s personal account has been blocked.”

Shahi praised Perveen as a courageous woman who, despite challenges, trained local women as teachers and increased the number of home-based schools for girls in the area from a mere three to 45.

“At a time when schools for girls were being torched and no one dared to teach, Perveen stepped forward under the support of her husband and made a difference,” he added.

 Shahi demanded Perveen’s immediate reinstatement to her position and the unfreezing of her account, warning of severe reactions if such “cruel actions” against political activists and their families continue.

When HUM News English contacted G-B Home Minister Shams Lone, he said he would get back after receiving a briefing from the home secretary, but he did not reply by the time of filing of this report.