Faiz, the son of a tree-cutting laborer, is now the owner of hundreds of millions of taka

Photo: Pictured are three officials of the Press Wing, accused Faiz Ahmed (far left)

❐ Special Correspondent

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Allegations of financial irregularities, influence peddling, and abuse of power are coming to light one after another surrounding Faiz Ahmed, the former senior assistant press secretary of the interim government’s press wing.

According to information found in the investigation and claims from various sources, the wealth of his family and close associates increased abnormally in a short period of time after he moved from a journalistic profession to a position close to state power.

Faiz Ahmed’s home is in Hatani Bazar area, adjacent to Mirganj Bazar in Ramganj Upazila of Lakshmipur. His father’s name is Amir Hossain.

Local sources say that Amir Hossain was a simple tree cutter about two decades ago. Later, he got involved in a small business of buying and selling trees. However, the rapid change in the family’s financial situation in recent times has sparked discussions among locals.

The investigation revealed that after the political upheaval of August 5, 2024, two brick kilns were purchased in Ramganj Upazila at a cost of approximately Tk 63 crore.

Multiple local sources claim that Faiz Ahmed’s family is involved in the ownership of these institutions.

In addition, a review of Pubali Bank’s loan documents revealed that there was a case against Faiz Ahmed’s father Amir Hossain and brother Farooq for recovering defaulted loans.

They were identified as defaulting borrowers before August 5. However, after the political change, the entire loan was repaid within a short time, according to relevant sources.

At the same time, questions have also been raised about government work orders. It is alleged that Amir Hossain received government work orders worth around Tk 112 crore through various contracting companies.

The question from those concerned is how someone who was involved in a limited income profession at the local level a few years ago ended up involved in government work worth hundreds of crores of taka in a short time.

Faiz Ahmed’s past activities have also been the subject of renewed discussion. He previously worked as a reporter for the ACC bit of the New Age newspaper. He also regularly worked for the then ruling party Awami League, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Parliament bit.

After the fall of the Awami League government, he joined Yunus’ press wing and is currently working as a freelance writer at New Age.

Multiple sources related to the banking sector claim that during the Awami League government, ‘management’ was done in exchange for financial benefits to prevent the publication of news about irregularities and corruption related to Basic Bank. It is alleged that Faiz Ahmed played a role in this process.

Apart from this, similar allegations have been raised regarding the ACC’s investigation into former NRBC Bank chairman SM Parvez Tamal.

Sources related to the bank claim that crores of taka were transacted to prevent the publication of news about various allegations and investigations against Tamal from 2017 to 2025. It is alleged that Faiz Ahmed received that money.

Earlier, Faiz Ahmed’s name also came to the fore in connection with the ACC’s settlement of the case against MGH Group founder Anis Ahmed Gorky.

It is alleged that he played an active role in coordinating with several officials of the Press Wing to change the course of the case, secure financial transactions, and secure investment in a newspaper.

However, Faiz Ahmed’s statement regarding these allegations is not known.

Concerned sources say that an impartial investigation into the allegations could reveal a larger picture of influence and economic exploitation built up behind the scenes of state power.