The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Government has lifted the embargo on indoor politics from today with a view to create congenial atmosphere for the Election Commission's dialogue with political parties.

Making the announcement through an address to the nation yesterday evening, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said his Government would hand over power to the elected representatives within the stipulated time after holding free, fair and credible general election before December 2008.

The announcement will come into effect from this (Monday) morning, he said.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels telecast his address to the nation live last night

The Chief Adviser's announcement came against the backdrop of the insistence of the Election Commission (EC) and the demand of the political parties to withdraw ban on indoor politics before the beginning of the dialogue on September 12.

"Our ultimate goal is not only to hold a peaceful election but to give democracy a permanent shape as democracy is the best way to ensure human emancipation and achieve progress," he said, adding that his Government would help the Election Commission to hold the general elections much before December 2008, if the voters' list with photographs was ready.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said the Government's efforts to create an environment free from corruption and muscle power and establishing a solid foundation of good governance will continue so that our march towards building a progressive and democratic society is not hampered in future.

In his 24-minute speech, he also covered different activities and actions of the Caretaker Government, including anti-corruption drive, preparation of voter list and voter ID cards and its future goal towards holding a free, fair and credible election.

He said to establish foundation of a corruption free, progressive democratic society in the country, his Government has implemented quick steps for the Separation of Judiciary from the Executive, freed the Election Commission Anti-Corruption Commission and Public Service Commission from political influence through reorganisation of these institutions.

"The Election Commission is now totally independent (of Government influence). It is already preparing voters' list with photographs and National ID card. The Government has allocated and disbursed necessary funds for the programmes," the Chief Adviser said.

Regarding the Armed Forces, he said, "Our Armed Forces are very professional and they have been playing a very praiseworthy role in improving law and order, taking part in relief and disaster management as well as development programmes along with participating in the peace missions under the UN for the interest of the nation.

"At present, they are significantly assisting the Caretaker Government, specially to check serious crimes, curbing corruption and terrorism and conducting relief and rehabilitation activities among the flood-hit people," he pointed out

Besides, the Chief Adviser said, the Armed Forces are also playing a significant role for the preparation of voter ID cards with photographs.

"Our Armed Forces are very much commited to provide their assistance aiming at ensuring establishment of real democracy in the country through holding a free, fair and impartial election," he said.

Referring to anti-corruption drive of the Government, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said the National Task Force on Anti-Corruption would not publish new list of corrupt people after this month.

But, he said, other agencies of the government will continue their anti- corruption activities as per law and regulations.

Stressing the need for united efforts from government and private levels to prevent corruption, he said it is not possible for the government alone to achieve final success in curbing corruption.

"It needs to exercise good wishes at individual, family, social and political levels and also practicing morality and values at all stages for building a corruption free society," he added.

The Chief Adviser said from the very beginning, the government has remained strongly determined to ensure real reflection of public opinion against corruption.

A section of corrupt people plundered thousand of crores of taka in their real and fake names in the past by misusing their power and influence, he said.

Under these circumstances, he said, the government has taken steps to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission to check their misdeeds.

"As a result of our concerted efforts different individuals have returned Tk 820 crore which they had earned through corrupt practices and other unholy means," he added.

Referring to the unfortunate incident that took place on Dhaka University campus recently, he said, although the government has fulfilled the demands of the students, but unfortunately a rowdy group indulged in destructive activities in Dhaka and other places of the country.

Elaborating the situation, the Chief Adviser said, after the unexpected incident, FIR (First Information Report) was filed against several thousand unidentified persons.

After investigation under the existing laws, police filed cases against 36 persons including four university teachers of Dhaka University and 14 students, he said, adding that the final report was submited giving amnesty to the rest of the unidentified persons.

He assured all that no case would be lodged against anyone and nobody would be harassed in this connection anymore.

The head of the Caretaker Government made a clarion call to all concerned, including teachers and students to maintain peace and discipline on the campus for the sake of ensuring congenial academic atmosphere

On price hike, he said the Government has taken steps to import 9 lakh tons of foodstuff while OMS would begin from today allover the country. Rice will be sold at Tk 19 per kg through OMS while other programmes, including food for works and 'operation dal-bath' of the BDR will continue with a view to bring down the price level during the month of Ramzan.

Chief Adviser reminded the business community that they have a social responsibility to help bring down price level as the Government has lowered interest rate of bank loan for importing essential goods.

He ensured the business community that they would not be unnecessarily harassed anymore and they could do their business without any fear and intimidation.

Referring to the devastating effect of the recent flood on the economy, he said the deluge, which badly affected 10 million people, also engulfed 39 of the total 64 districts of the country.

Highly praising the farmers for their courage to face natural calamities, he said the Government has already released funds for post-flood agricultural rehabilitation.

Regarding fresh floods, he said the Government is firmly determined to face the new situation by all possible means.

On power situation, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said generation of electricity had not increased in the past although the demand went high but the present Government has taken effective programmes to meet demand within two to three years time.

Kailash Sarkar

Police of seven thanas in the city yesterday submited charge sheets of 13 cases in connection with the campus violence in August

In the charge sheets submited to the Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, at least 36 persons, including four Dhaka University teachers and 14 students, were accused of their involvement in the three days of violence.

Meanwhile, police also submited the final reports of 38 other cases.

A total of 53 cases were lodged in this connection, of them 15 were filed under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR), 36 under the penal code, 1 under Speedy Trial Tribunal Act and 1 under the Explosives Act

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Naim Ahmed yesterday told journalists that the rest two cases under EPR were under investigation.

He said that the 36 accused were identified from video footages and through police investigation.

After inaugurating a training programme on Personnel Information Management System (PIMS) Software at Rajarbagh Police Lines Telecom auditorium, the DMP Commissioner said that police speeded the submission process of the charge sheets with the view to remove fear from the minds of the guardians and students who were not involved in the offence.

Among the four charge-sheeted teachers, Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) General Secretary Prof Anwar Hossain and Social Science Faculty Dean Prof Harun-or-Rashid are in custody.

The other two teachers are DUTA President Prof Sadrul Amin, who is also the Dean of Arts Faculty, and former Jagannath Hall Provost Prof Neem Chandra Bhowmink.

Among the students named in the charge sheets are Jatiyatabadi Chhatradal (JCD) DU unit President Hasan Mamun, GS Saiful Islam Firoj, AF Rahman Hall unit leader Kamrul Hasan Kabir, Shamsunnahar Hall unit president Tanjil Chowdhury Lily, Rokeya Hall unit President Shahinur Nargis, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Vice-President Aparna Paul, BCL Zia Hall leader Reaz Hossain Ziku, FR Hall JCD leader Anwar Hossain, JCD Zia Hall leader Monir-uz-Zaman, JCD leader Aziz Hasan, Nazrul Islam Russel, Shamsul Kabir Rahat, Rokonuzzaman, Kamruzzaman, Mohammad Farid, Ahsan Habib, Fatema Tuz-zohora, Asif alias Atiq, Harunur Rashid, Rokon, Shamim, Maksudur Rahman, Kazi Monirul Islam, Imtiaz Bijon, Mostofa Zaman Shibli, Din Mohammad, Delowar Hossain, Lalon, Khairuzzaman Sabuj, Farid, Indrajit alias Sagor and Mitul.

Of the charge sheets, 3 each were submited by Shahbagh and Dhanmondi thanas, 2 each by Gulshan and Mirpur thanas, 1 each by New Market, Kotwali and Motijheel thanas.

According to police sources, among the 36 persons, the highest 19 persons were accused by the Shahbagh thana while 4 by Motijheel thana, 2 by New Market thana and the rest by the other 4 thanas.

After the violence on August 20 to August 22, police accused a total of 76,106 unidentified persons.

As the unrest kept spreading like wildfire - from campus to campus - the caretaker government had clamped curfew and shut down all universities and colleges in six divisional cities, including Dhaka.

Staff Reporter

Former Education Minister and Awami League leader ASHK Sadique expired yesterday. He was 78.

He died of cardiac arrest at his Keshabpur upazila residence in the morning.

Family sources said the veteran politician, who came Keshabpur alone on Friday afternoon from Dhaka to distribute relief materials among flood affected people, felt chest pain at about 7:45 am and died shortly.

He left behind his wife, a son and a daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. His son and daughter are setled in America.

His first Namaj-e-Janaza was held at Keshabpur Eidgah at about 11:40 am where several thousand people atended.

Family sources said the body of ASHK Sadique would be kept at a mortuary in Dhaka until the arrival of his son and daughter from USA.

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed has expressed his deep shock at the death of former Education Minister ASHK Sadeque.

In a condolence message, the President recalled his professional life and said that ASHK Sadeque, as a former CSP officer, had played an important role in public administration.

"Later, he joined politics and as a Member of Parliament and a Cabinet Minister, made his contribution to the welfare of the country and the nation," he said.

Acting President of the Awami League (AL) Zillur Rahman and Acting General Secretary Mukul Bose, in separate statements, last evening condoled the death of party leader and former Education Minister ASHK Sadique.

Zillur Rahman in a statement said, "The nation lost an eminent leader and social worker with the death of ASHK Sadique."

He prayed for the departed soul and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Mukul Bose said as a leader of the party ASHK Sadeque made valuable contribution for the development of the country and welfare of its people.

BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan in a condolence message also paid rich tribute to the memories of ASHK Sadeque.

He prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and consoled the family members of the deceased.

Staff Reporter

The prevailing flood situation in the country's northeastern part deteriorated further marooning thousands of people again, while north, north-central and south-central parts are under threat of a second spell of flooding.

Vast areas of the country's northeast and southern areas have been inundated by floodwaters that triggered by incessant rains over the last three days, disrupting road communications and inundating many dwelling houses.

The fresh floods also inundated newly planted saplings of rice and other crops on more than 10 lakh hectares of land.

Officials at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department told The New Nation yesterday that nearly 20 of the country's 64 districts were flooded after three days of rain swelled major rivers flowing through India into Bangladesh.

Health Department sources said the death toll from diarrhea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases has climbed up to 833 across the country since the flood onslaught began on July 30.

The flood situation in the northeastern part comprising Sirajganj, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Moulvibazaar, Netrakona and Sherpur worsened and could "aggravate further" over the next 24 hours, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

The southeastern Comilla, Feni, Noakhali, Chitagonj, Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari are experiencing flashflood and the situation may deteriorate slightly during the period.

Monsoon remains are "very active" over the country and south, southeast, north and northeastern parts of the country received heavy

to very heavy rainfall during last 24 hours ending at 6:00am yesterday.

The FFWC said worse could lie ahead because the annual monsoon was still very active in the Ganges, Meghna, and Brahmaputra river basins.

"Experience shows that the floods of late August or September last longer," said FFWC chief Saiful Hossain.

Our Sirajganj Correspondent Selim Reza reports: The entire Sirajganj town is now under two feet of water again due to fresh flooding.

At least 600 houses at Kopdaspara, Banglabari, Natun Banglabari, Bahirgola Moholla of the Sirajganj municipal area have been inundated by the floodwater.

Floodwater has also inundated Barabazar, Sirajganj Sarak, Munshi Meherullah Sarak, Vocational College Road and Alia Madrasha Road of the town creating great panic among the town dwellers.

The Water Development Board sources said that Jamuna river is flowing 48cm above danger level at 6:00pm yesterday.

Vast areas of the newly constructed alternative embankment at Shubhagacha village under Kazipur upazila was washed away yesterday damaging at least 600 houses of 12 villages under water.

The district administration officials visited the flood-affected areas yesterday.

The low-lying areas including Kazipur, Belkuchi, Chowhali, Shajadpur and Ullapara have been flooded inundating newly sowed saplings of Aman paddy and marooning hundreds of people.

The FFWC said the Dharla at Kurigram recorded rise and was flowing above danger level by 90 cm.

The Brahmaputra-Jamuna observed rise at Noonkhawa, at Chilmari, at Bahadurabad, at Sirajganj and at Aricha maintaining 2cm, 30cm, 39cm, 70cm and 10cm above danger level respectively.

The Buriganga at Dhaka recorded rise, the Balu at Demra while the Turag at Mirpur. The Lakhya at Narayanganj also marked rise.

The Ganges-Padma swelled at Pankha, Rajshahi, Hardinge Bridge, Goalundo and at Bhagyakul. The mighty river was flowing 46cm and 33cm above danger level at Goalundo and Bhagyakul respectively.

The Surma registered rise at Kanighat, at Sylhet and at Sunamganj and is flowing above danger level by 183cm at Kanaighat, 25cm at Sylhet and 45cm at Sunamganj yesterday morning.

The Kushiyara registered rise at Amalshid Sheola. It was flowing above danger level by 184cm at Amalshid and 85cm at Sheola.

The Manu registered rise at Manu Railway Bridge and at Moulvibazar flowing 86cm and 9cm above danger level respectively.

The Khowai registered rise at Habiganj, flowing 60cm above its danger mark. The Meghna recorded rise by 1cm at Bhairab Bazar.

The Gumti marked rise at Comilla and at Debiddar, flowing 30cm and 7cm above the danger mark respectively.

Monsoon remains mostly active over the Ganges, Meghna Brahmaputra basins both in and outside of the country and also over the south-eastern hill basin.

Quoting the Indian meteorological department forecast, the FFWC said isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Assam and Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh under the Brahmaputra basin. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura under the Meghna basin and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim under the Ganges basin during next 48 hours.

Bangladesh meteorological Department (BMD) also forecast for moderate rainfall at many places over the country during next 24 hours.

High flood situation prevails in Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Sonitpur and Shivsagar districts in Indian state of Assam and moderate flood situation in many districts of Assam and Meghalaya. The floodwater will automatically be drained by the Brahmaputra through Bangladesh.

Faizabad of Utar Pradesh and Muzaffarpur of Bihar are experiencing high flood situation and the flood water travelling by the Ganges to Bangladesh.

The mighty Brahmaputra-Jamuna continued rising alarmingly and the rate of rise expected to be slowed down in the next 24-72 hours.

The Ganges-Padma is also in rising trend and the river is likely to rise further in the next 24-72 hours.

North, north-central and south-central parts of the country are in a threat of 2nd spell of flooding by next 24-48 hours.

Flash flood situation in the northern districts is likely to remain static and expected to start improving in the next 24-48 hours as monsoon became relatively week over the area.

The prevailing flood situation in the north-eastern part (Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Netrokona and Sherpur) of the country deteriorate further and spread over more areas, the situation is likely to aggravate further in the next 24 hours.

South-eastern districts Comilla, Feni, Noakhali, Chitagonj, Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari are experiencing flash flood and the situation may deteriorate slightly in the next 24hours.

Staff Reporter

Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday claimed himself as the legal Secretary General of the BNP and urged the Election Commission (EC) to ignore the expulsion order served against him and not to communicate with the newly appointed Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain and respond to his leter submited earlier.

The expelled BNP leader in a leter submited to the Chief Election Commissioner said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has 'illegally expelled' the party secretary general and joint secretary general to foil the ongoing reform process of the party.

A five-member pro-Mannan Bhuiyan leaders led by former minister Maj (Retd) Hafiz Uddin met with the CEC at his office and handed over the leter to him.

The leaders requested the EC not to take into account the leter submited to it on September 5 by a pro-Khaleda leader informing it about the recent events of expulsion and changes in the party posts and requesting it to discuss all maters with its 'legal' secretary general.

"The contents of the leter (of Sept 5) are totally irrational and motivated. And Mannan Bhuiyan is still the legal secretary general of BNP," read the pro-Mannan Bhuiyan leter.

The later said that the BNP chairperson has taken the steps (of expulsion) to foil the reform process when a good reform effort has started everywhere since the Election Commission has inspired for reforms of political parties and other institutions besides its own structure.

Talking to reporters, Major Hafiz said, the delegation requested the CEC not to take the leter (submited on September 5) into account so that the party remain combined.

"We have requested for taking necessary steps in this regard according to the party constitution and realising the opinions of tens of thousands of supporters of the party," he said.

The BNP leader said the EC officials told them that they would read the leter (of pro-Mannan Bhuiyan) and discuss it and inform about their decision in due time.

He said Mannan Bhuiyan is not informed about the leter that was sent to the EC on September 5.

"Even he isn't sure whether the chairperson (Khaleda) has truly writen the leter of the expulsions," he said.

Such incidents of expulsion occurred in the past too, but the decisions used to be taken in the party standing commitee, he said adding that it is not believable that Khaleda Zia has writen such a leter.

"No show-cause notice was sent to the secretary general and joint secretary general before the expulsion. The chairperson has taken the decision alone without discussing the mater with the national standing commitee and national executive commitee," the leter said.

Around 100 members of parliament requested the chairperson not to take such a step and most of the members of the standing commitee think the step was not right, Major Hafiz said.

He said that they hope to take part in the next election as a united BNP puting behind all the differences of opinion.

"We can resolve our differences of opinion discussing within ourselves… If BNP splits, it would give an advantage to our opposition, that is, Awami League," he added.

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court, apparently out of reluctance, struck off from its cause list the hearings of long-pending petitions for quashing more graft cases, including one on frigate-purchase scam, against detained former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and co-accused persons.

The court order came following a time petition moved by Barrister Shafique Ahmed, counsel for Hasina.

On Thursday, a division bench comprising Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury and Justice M Ataur Rahman Khan discharged the long-pending petitions for quashing Mig-29 purchase- scam case against Hasina and others and thereby removed impediments to trial proceedings in the case.

Earlier, it was agreed between the court and the counsel for the accused facing the graft cases that all long-pending petitions for quashing the purchase scams of Mig-29, Frigate, consultant appointment to BEPZA and Meghnaghat power plant site preparation would be resolved one after another.

Later, Barrister Shafique Ahmed put forward the unresolved petitions before another division bench comprising Justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Syed Abu Kowser M Dabirush-shan for fixing the hearings.

The mater will come up on the cause list tomorrow (Monday) for fixing the date of hearings of the petitions, court sources said. Meanwhile, the counsel for Hasina and other accused Sunday filed with the Supreme Court leave-to-appeal applications to overturn Thursday's High Court judgment that discharged their petitions trying for quashing the Mig-29 case.

"The applications are likely to be heard tomorrow (Monday) by the apex chamber judge," said a counsel for Hasina.

Staff Reporter

With a view to revamp food stock in the country the Government has decided to procure 1-lakh tonnes of imported wheat from local suppliers.

The decision came at a meeting of the Advisers Commitee on Public Purchase yesterday as the Food Ministry proposed procurement of wheat against the backdrop of growing concerns about the country's food reserves in the wake of fresh floods.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam after the meeting apprised newsmen that wheat per kg would be procured at prices between Tk 25.78 and Tk 26.83. The total procurement cost will stand at Tk 260.53 crore and the government will float tender for the purpose.

The Adviser, however, ruled out any food crisis and claimed that the country has sufficient food stock.

"The supply of food is satisfactory… there's nothing to worry," he said.

He noted that the prices of foodstuff in the international market are on the rise, "but we are selling rice at a lower price than that of the import".

Meeting sources said the commitee, also approved a proposal of the Industries Ministry for seting up of a central effluent-treatment plant at a cost of Tk 296 crore in the proposed Savar Leather Industrial Zone (SLIZ).

But the project will be subject to approval by the SLIZ, which is yet to be approved by the government, Aziz said.

Sources also said the purchase commitee gave nod to another proposal of the Housing and Public Works Ministry for earth filling of the third-phase project of Utara Model Town.

Agencies, Islamabad

Pakistan put airports on high alert and detained hundreds of opposition activists Sunday as exiled former premier Nawaz Sharif prepared to fly home to challenge President Pervez Musharraf.

Sharif, the man Musharraf ousted in a 1999 coup, has defied international appeals to stay away and could face immediate deportation to his Saudi Arabian home-in-exile or even be arrested on his expected arrival on Monday.

The looming return of the two-time prime minister threatens to further destabilise the nuclear-armed Islamic republic ahead of key elections due in coming months, with the popularity of key US ally Musharraf flatlining.

"I and my brother Shahbaz are going back to Pakistan on September 10 and that will be the day of the people's victory," Sharif told a news conference in London on Saturday.

Sharif was due to leave London's Heathrow airport at 1930 GMT Sunday to return to Islamabad, via Muscat, arriving in the Pakistani capital at 11:45 am (0645 GMT) on Monday, his spokesman Nadir Chaudhri said.

"His plan is to go back to play his role in Pakistani politics, which is his right," Chaudhri told AFP. "He's head of his own party. Elections are coming up. He will mobilise his party for those elections."

Meanwhile, the US State Department has urged former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhuto to honour the terms of Pakistani law and Constitutional process when they return to the country.

The statement is the first indication from the US Government that it would not like the two leaders to rock the boat

Commenting on return of the two former Prime Ministers Of Pakistan, State Department's deputy spokesman Tom Casey said: "These are issues that are before the Pakistani political and judicial system. We'd expect them to honour the terms of Pakistani law and constitutional process."

There are speculations in the US media that the return of the two former Prime Ministers - particularly that of Sharif - could trigger a chain of events that may force President Pervez Musharraf to step down.

The Pakistani government on Sunday placed all major airports on high alert, an airport security official told newsmen, amid speculation that Sharif may try to land somewhere other than Islamabad or be diverted by the government

Former industrialist Sharif, 57, says he plans to lead a triumphal motorcade from Islamabad to Lahore, his family's power base -- recreating a procession by the country's top judge earlier this year when Musharraf tried to sack him.

"Nawaz Sharif should respect his commitment to the most revered Muslim country (Saudi Arabia) and its leadership and complete 10 years in exile," Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said.

Sharif was sentenced to life in prison on tax evasion and treason charges but was released in December 2000 on condition that he and his family live in exile in Saudi Arabia for 10 years.

Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled last month that they could fly back.

Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief and the influential son of assassinated former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri at the weekend joined calls from Musharraf for Sharif to scrap his plans.

A senior Pakistani cabinet minister told AFP that the Saudi comments meant the government "now has the justification to send him back to Saudi Arabia if he defies the agreement and flies into Pakistan."

One Middle Eastern diplomat told journalists that the Saudis would support such a decision.

Another option is to arrest Sharif, whose terms in power from 1990-1993 and 1996-1999 were tainted by corruption claims.

Media reports say a cell in a centuries-old fort has been prepared for his possible arrival, but such an option risks sparking mass protests.

"He's not worried about that He'll face any charges in court," said Sharif's spokesman.

With growing public support behind him, Sharif is a potential obstacle to a power-sharing deal that Musharraf is trying to reach with another former premier, Benazir Bhuto, which could see the president quit the army.

An apparently nervous administration has ordered a police crackdown against workers from Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party. Party leaders claim more than 2,000 have been arrested.

"Despite hurdles and the arrest of more than 2,000 people, our workers will reach the airport in large numbers," senior party official Saad Rafiq said, adding that several hundred were seized overnight

Several dozen Sharif supporters staged a protest in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, on Sunday.

An anti-terrorism court Friday ordered the arrest of Shahbaz Sharif in a murder case and the government asked another court to grant an arrest warrant for Nawaz on corruption charges.

UNB, Dhaka

Despite receiving the inquiry report on his wealth statement about 45 days back, the Anti-Corruption Commission is yet to file any case against detained BNP senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman as it is conducting further inquiry into his wealth details.

Tarique, the eldest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, submited his wealth statement to the Commission on June 10. ACC deputy director Jahirul Huda submited the inquiry report to the Commission on July 25 recommending filing of a first information report against Tarique.

"The Commission is conducting further inquiry (into Tarique's wealth)," ACC secretary Mokhles ur Rahman told reporters this afternoon replying to a query about the detained young BNP leader, who used to be accused by many for rampant corruption during the last BNP government's rule.

Asked if there is any specific timeframe for filing FIR against an individual after receiving inquiry report, he said he would make it clear after having a clear idea about it

Replying to a question about detained former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, Mokhles said the investigations are going on against them.

He said the draft recruitment and service rules of the Commission were sent to the Cabinet Division today for its approval. Asked how long it might take to get the rules approved, the ACC secretary hoped to have the two sets of rules approved soon. He, however, said three ministries-Law, Establishment and Finance -and the head of the government would be involved in the process. About granting bail to the dependants of the accused individuals, he said the issue of granting bail would be looked into by courts. "We' ll never interfere in the activities of courts."

He said a liaison office has been set up at the High Court for coordination between the ACC and its lawyers.

Mokhles said the ACC filed a first information report on September 6 with Dhanmondi police station against former chief whip and Awami League leader Abul Hasnat Abdullah. The case has been filed in accordance with sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, section 5(2) of the Corruption Prevention Act, 1947 and section 15(D)/5 of the Emergency Power Rules, 2007.

He said the Commission also submited a charge sheet against former Power secretary ANH Akhter Hossain and his wife Naznin Banu for acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income. The ACC secretary said the Commission has also approved the submission of a charge sheet against former State Minister for Communications Salahuddin Ahmed and former MP Kazi Salimul Haque. He said former BNP lawmaker from Kushthia Prof Shahidul Islam today submited his wealth statement to the Commission through his wife.