The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday declined to accept the Standing Committee decision appointing M Saifur Rahman as the party Acting Chairman and Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed as the Acting Secretary General, terming meeting as 'illegal'.

"Nobody other than the Chairperson can call the Standing Committee meeting as per the BNP constitution, as such the meeting was illegal and its decisions unacceptable," he told journalists from his hospital bed at BIRDEM hospital in the city.

"I will not relinquish my post as party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia appointed me the Secretary General, showing confidence in me," he said, asserting that he would continue to the party office even in exchange of his life.

Meanwhile, member of the BNP Advisory Council Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah, at a separate press briefing at his DOHS residence, urged Acting Chairman M Saifur Rahman to sit with both the groups to unite them for strengthening the party. Hannan Shah, who is siding with Khandaker Delwar, said,"With respect to elderly leader Saifur Rahman Saheb. Talking of unity with one group is not enough. He should sit with us and clear his position."

He said if the BNP people who love the party are taken and strengthened the unity in the party, we will certainly cooperate with Saifur Rahman. "But the people will reject him if those engaged in dividing the party are involved by him," he asserted.

He said the BNP leaders seen at the residence of Saifur Rahman on Monday night were used to roam in the house of Mannan Bhuiyan

Khandaker Delwar claimed that some people came to his apartment on Sunday night and threatened to kill him and his family members if he does not relinquish his office as the party Secretary General.

He said he came to know the names of the people and identified them, he, however, did not disclose those names.

After the incident, he said he was scared, fell sick and got admitted to the BIRDEM on Monday.

"In my long political career, I have never received such death threat…I' m scared," the BNP Secretary general said.

Seeking security of his life and family from the President, the Chief Adviser and lawyers of the Supreme Court, Delwar said, "I will disclose the names of the people who threatened him if the higher judiciary assured that I will get justice."

Narrating the incident, he said the people from certain quarters came to his NAM apartment at about 9:30pm on Sunday and asked him to sign on a paper.

Delwar said the paper contained his resignation, withdrawal of expulsion orders against Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and others and appointment of acting chairperson and acting secretary general of BNP by dropping Begum Khaleda Zia as chairperson.

"I did not sign the paper and I will not do it even if it costs my life," said Delwar who is undergoing treatment at BIRDEM cabin no.1530. He is suffering from acute diabetes.

Delwar said because of the threat, he had to stay outside the Hospital overnight without telling his doctors.

Expressing confidence in Begum Zia's leadership, Delwar urged the BNP leaders and workers not to be misled and remain united under her leadership.

He said BNP had overcome many such storms and adverse situation and came to power thrice. "We'll be able to install BNP in power again under Begum Zia's leadership with people's support."

Staff Reporter

Head of European Commission Delegation Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein said Bangladesh needs remove sense of uncertainty in business arena, arising out of the anti-corruption drive, which has made foreign direct investment or predictability of economic activities difficult.

He said this yesterday at a seminar on EC Information Day about how EU visualizes the country's trade and investment scenario over the next one year against the backdrop of anti-corruption drive and political syndrome on the ground. Dr Frowein observed that the anti-corruption drive, being carried out by the present interim regime, is good but it has to go for a situation where things are more confident and people can look forward.

"Anti-corruption drive is good, but it has to be done and implemented through respecting due process," he said adding, "It is clear from the business community that they do not know how far it goes and how long it goes; it contributes to the feeling of uncertainty and uncertainty is the worst thing for businessmen."

The EC Ambassador stressed smooth functioning of the private sector and foreign investment to ensure pro-poor growth and employment generation. "Without private sector and foreign direct investment, this country cannot get further--it is so much desperately needed" he said.

He said the Bangladesh business community are concern because overseas import orders of their products are going down. "Maybe, orders are shifting away from this country due to political situation or perception of the situation," he said.

Dr Frowein presented a paper at the seminar on the role of the European Commission and its place in the EU's architecture. First Counselor Ms Francoise Collet presented an overview on the EC and Development Cooperation in Bangladesh. Charles Whitley gave a resume on the EU's Trade Policy while Zillul Hye Razi presented Challenges in EU-Bangladesh Trade and Jenni Christensen presented a paper on Trade-related Technical Assistance in Bangladesh.

The Ambassador said Bangladeshi media is unfortunately producing all bad news like floods and natural calamities and deaths. But he encourages foreigners to come to Bangladesh, as what they hear from outside about Bangladesh is not always the reality.

Underscoring the need for improving the image and perception about Bangladesh, he said foreign companies with millions and billions of dollars are simply looking for the best opportunity to put their money in. But, if there is uncertainty and no clear-cut information about the country, people from outside would hesitate to come.

Staff Reporter

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed has directed the Bangladesh Biman to reintroduce Dhaka-New York flight for the convenience of expatriate Bangladeshis living in the United States to travel to the country.

"Bangladesh Biman will reintroduce a flight on Dhaka-New York route by March 24," said Managing Director of Bangladesh Biman Dr MA Momen yesterday.

Keeping the expatriate Bangladeshis in mind Bangladesh Biman introduced Dhaka-New York flight in 1993. But, the Bangladesh Biman stopped its flight on the route in June last year due to constant losses.

"Bangladesh Biman is likely to lose its right to operate flights on the Dhaka-New York route if the flight operation is not started on this valuable route by March 24," Dr Momen also said. In such a situation, the Chief Adviser ordered to operate flights on the Dhaka-New York route again.

A high official of the national flag carrier said since Biman has no modern aircraft, it would have to operate flights on this route according to the wish of Federal Aviation Authority of New York.

"Not only the New York route, Bangladesh Biman is now about to lose another eight international routes permanently," the official said.

Bangladesh Biman suspended operation of flights on these eight routes in the context of incurring losses amounting to Tk 1.10 crore every year.

UNB, Gazipur

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Tuesday urged the Muslim countries to strive hard to revive the past glory of Muslims in science and technology to fulfill the future promise. "…not a single member of the OIC currently holds the status of a technologically developed nation," he lamented. The head of the caretaker government expressed the views while addressing the 21st Convocation of Islamic University of Technology (IUT), a subsidiary organ of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), at the IUT auditorium on the outskirts of the capital. Dr Fakhruddin said the arrival of Islam over fourteen hundred years ago transformed world civilization. Muslim scholars enriched different branches of science and technology during the golden era of Islamic civilization.

Recalling that the Muslim scholars made immense contributions to mathematics, chemistry, medicine, physics, architecture, arts and philosophy, he said the renaissance in Europe, in fact, owes much to the enlightened minds of Islamic scholars.

"Sadly Muslims have not always lived up to that glorious heritage. It is quite unfortunate that not a single member of the OIC currently holds the status of a technologically developed nation." The Chief Adviser said the technological revolution of recent years has dramatically changed the lifestyle of human societies all over the world.

He said the march of technology is also accelerating the process of globalization. Markets are becoming more and more competitive and to remain competitive the Muslim countries must continuously update their technological know-how as well as acquire, adapt and apply necessary skills efficiently and effectively.

"Islamic countries must devote more resources, time and effort to set up and run world-class educational institutions, universities and R&D establishments in order to transform themselves into truly knowledge-based societies."

OIC member states currently spend under half a percent of their GDPs on research and development, compared to 2.4 percent by developed states, he told the function.

The Chief Adviser requested the General Secretariat of OIC to consider introducing academic scholarship like that of Commonwealth to enable the science graduates of OIC member states to pursue higher education.

He also urged the Secretariat to generate a fund from member countries to support R&D activities for the common good of the Ummah. "We in Bangladesh remain fully prepared to provide all possible help and assistance in these areas."

A total of 191 students, most from Bangladesh and others from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine, Libya, Gambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Somalia, Senegal, Jordan, Maldives, Niger and Yemen for academic year of 2006-07 got Bachelor, Masters and post-Graduate degrees and diplomas in Technical Education, Computer Science & Information Technology, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical and Chemical Engineering.

The Chief Adviser distributed certificates as a token among the fresh graduates and Masters degree obtaining students at the function. He also distributed IUT Gold Medal 2007 and OIC Gold Medal 2007 among the recipients.

BSS, Rangpur

The ongoing Programme Initiative for Monga Eradication (PRIME) project of 'Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation' (PKSF) for Monga eradication in 18 upazilas of four districts in greater Rangpur has created huge job opportunities for the unemployed people in Monga areas.

Eleven NGOs have been implementing the works under PKSF assistance creating income-generating activities through earthworks in the flood-hit and natural disaster-prone char areas on the river basins of greater Rangpur since last September 22 and it will continue for a total of 41 days till November 15 next, officials concerned said yesterday. A total of 96,311 men and women labourers of 2,493 villages in 168 UPs under 18 upazilas are earning a daily income of Taka 70 under the programme in the worst flood-hit areas in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts, officials said.

As it never happened before and the poorer section and distressed people of the poverty-prone char areas are passing their days with certainty of food security for the first time by getting cash money as daily wages for earthworks at this lean period.

Monga, locally known as a seasonal curse that repeats every year for decades mainly due to the job crisis of the farm labourers during the months of Aswin and Kartik, could not take a severe turn this year anywhere as the poor are getting assured livelihoods, officials said.

UNB, Chittagong

The date for framing charges against former state minister Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin and his son Barrister Mir Helaluddin in tax evasion cases has been re-fixed on November 14. Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin and Mir Helal were produced before the court today but Acting Judge of the Divisional Special Judge Court Manjurul Alam re-fixed the date as their lawyers submitted a lawyers' certificate claiming that the High Court issued a stay order on the charge-sheet framing in the tax evasion cases for three months.

"The charges will be framed on November 14 against them in the tax evasion cases if their lawyers fail to submit the copy of the High Court's order on that day," the Judge said.

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Although rickshaw fare has increased unusually in the last few years in the city, Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) did not find it necessary to implement a fare chart for the benefit of the commuters till now.

In the absence of a fare chart rickshawpullers demand fare at will, leading to regular arguments with the passengers on the city streets.

Rickshaw users, DCC officials and leaders of the rickshaw owners' associations said that rickshaw fare has almost doubled in the last two years.

The rickshaw fare for a distance of between Shantinagar and Motijheel was Tk 10 to Tk 12 a year ago but now it is Tk 25, said a resident of Shantinagar area who regularly uses rickshaw.

"If a passenger hires a rickshaw without fixing the fare beforehand, he or she has to suffer at the end of the travel when the rickshawpuller nags for higher fare," he said.

The DCC and the rickshaw owners' associations remain silent over the issue of fixing a fare chart for this essential mode of transport.

In 1982-83, DCC fixed rickshaw fare at Tk 1 for each kilometre and planned to implement a fare chart but the chart did not see the light of the day. After that, DCC did not take any step to control rickshaw fare spiral. Now rickshaw fare in the city is on the average Tk 8 to Tk 10 per kilometre.

For about four kilometres distance between Motijheel and Jatrabari, the rickshawpullers charge at least Tk 30 while for the same distance between Dainik Bangla crossing and New Market, the pullers demand between Tk 35 and Tk 40.

According to the Traffic Control and Public Transport Regulation approved in 1973, the DCC is mandated to fixing and upgrading fare charts for the non-motorised vehicles.

The DCC is supposed to publish such charts and distribute among the pullers who should carry the fare chart along with other documents.

Sayed Jahangir, Chief of the Wheel Tax Department of DCC, said, "The fixed rickshaw fare chart is too unfair to implement now. No puller would follow the chart if it remains Tk 1 for a kilometre. The fare chart should be upgraded before implementation."

The Wheel Tax Department would inform the higher authority about the issue, he added.

Monwarul Islam, a rickshawpuller, said, "The fare of Tk 1 for a kilometre is now absurd. It was fixed more than 20 years ago. Moreover, daily deposit for rickshaw is increasing day by day. It was between Tk 40 and 50 two years ago and now it is over Tk 80."

"It would be inhuman for rickshawpullers if the present price of essentials are not considered while fixing a rickshaw fare chart," he also said.

Bangladesh Rickshaw O Van Pullers and Owners Oikya Parishad, an umbrella organisation of the rickshawpullers' and owners' associations in the city also seem to be indifferent to the fare issue.

Fazlur Rahman, Convenor of the Parishad, said that they had talked unofficially with the DCC over the issue but the DCC officials did not show any interest. Asked why they did not demand it officially, he said, "Actually none takes this issue seriously."

Strategic Transport Planning (STP), the latest transport programme for the city, reveals that rickshaws carry about 34 per cent of the daily passengers. "An uncontrolled fare of such a huge mode of transport must have some adverse impacts on the users and they will suffer," said a transport expert, who worked as a planner.

Staff Reporter

Former President Abdur Rahman Biswas yesterday urged the present caretaker government to hand over state power to the elected representatives of the people as early as possible.

Like all democratic states of the world, Bangladesh has a constitution and general election in the country should be held according to the constitution, reminded.

While speaking as chief guest at a memorial meeting and doa mahfil organised by Jatiya Lekhak Forum at National Press Club to commemorate the death of Maulana Obaidul Haque, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque he said, "According to Article 7 of the Constitution people are the source of all power."

Presided over by Anwar Hossain, President of the Forum, Maulana Mohiuddin Khan, Editor, The Monthly Madina, Mustafa Kamal Mojumder, Editor, The New Nation, Shafiul Alam Prodhan, President, Jatiya Gonatantrik Party, Abdul Kader Mollah, Assistant Secretary General, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, Maulana Jafar Ullah Khan, Secretary General, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Prof Hedayet Ullah, Maulana Zakaria Hossain, Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu, Convener, National Peoples Party, Dewan Azad Rahman, General Secretary of the Forum ,among others , addressed the meeting.

He was also behind the creation of many Islamic institutions including the Islamic Foundation.

Terming the Khatib the guardian of Islamic Banking in the country, The New Nation Editor Mustafa Kamal Mojumder said he was one of the main source of inspiration for the nation.

Abdul Kader Mollah said, '' Those who attempted to dishonour the late Khatib were themselves dishonoured by the people.

Shafiul Alam Prodan demanded naming of the road from Jatiya Edgha to Dainik Bangla Crossing after the late Khatib, while Anwar Hossain demanded renaming of the Islamic Foundation Library after Maulana Obaidul Haque.

Staff Reporter

Commerce Ministry officials are of the opinion that meetings with the business leaders never help attain any respite in the price hike of essential commodities, which reached out of the range of middle and lower income people.

"We will sit with the businessmen to discuss the issue but I am less hopeful of any good result. Such meetings never bring any positive result… no respite in the price hike of essentials," an official of the Ministry told The New Nation.

"We sit for meeting with the business leaders as we have to do it compulsorily to demonstrate people that the Government is trying to do something," he added. The official said, "We met with the business leaders in different occasions, even before Ramzan. They promised several times not to increase price of commodities but they did rise."

"When we sit with the business leaders requesting them to bring down the price of essentials they always talk about international market price of commodities but never speak about their high profit making," he said.

In the wake of abnormal price rise of essential commodities in the kitchen market the Government price monitoring committee will sit Wednesday with business leaders from different fields. Representatives from the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, edible oil importers and other business leaders will attend the meeting with Commerce Ministry joint secretary Mohammad Ali Patwari in the chair.

In the recent days price of rice, sugar, powder milk, edible oil, onion, egg, flour and lentil marked sharp rise. Price of most of the commodities rose by Tk 4/5 per kg. Price of per kilogram of flour reached record high of Tk 38.

On the other hand para-military Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) yesterday said there is no chance of reduction of price of essential commodities in the next six months, as the country has to depend on import for most of the commodities.

AFP, Islamabad

Pakistan's top judge Tuesday ordered the government to allow Nawaz Sharif to return home, saying its deportation of the former prime minister in September violated an earlier court ruling.

Hundreds of Sharif's supporters clapped and shouted slogans against military ruler President Pervez Musharraf outside the Supreme Court after the move by chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

The judge also accused current premier Shaukat Aziz of disobeying the Supreme Court's orders when Sharif was put onto a plane to Saudi Arabia on September 10, hours after ending his seven-year exile.

Chaudhry, a thorn in the government's side since Musharraf tried to sack him earlier this year, had ruled on August 23 that Sharif had an "inalienable right" to come home and told authorities not to hinder him.

"The judgment passed by this court is very much intactt and is required to be implemented in letter and spirit," Chaudhry told the court as he adjourned a hearing on appeals against the deportation until November 8.

"There was a clear-cut violation of our judgment."

Sharif's party said earlier this month that he would make a fresh attempt to come home in November, following the return from exile on October 18 of his political rival and fellow former PM Benazir Bhutto.

The chief justice earlier expressed anger that in the days just before Sharif was sent packing, "steps were being taken to violate the orders of this court by the prime minister (Aziz)."

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League finalized its own proposals for placing with the Election Commission at dialogue, opposing major points in the EC-formulated draft politico-electoral recipe, according to party sources.

Awami League advisory council member Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, who was assigned to prepare the draft, submitted his proposals to the party subcommittee concerned in its meeting.

Earlier, the party formed the 21-member subcommittee to review thoroughly the EC's draft proposals for electoral reforms, and this panel would participate in the EC- sponsored dialogue on reform issues on Nov 4.

According to the proposals, AL would oppose a number of the EC-designed conditions, including not using picture of anyone else than party chief on poster, at least 33 percent women on all committees, dismantling front organizations and foreign units, Commission's rules for registration of political parties.

"At the talks, the party will also ask the EC to determine the electoral deposit Tk 5000 instead of 25000 and to simplify the registration rules," said one source.

Sources informed that the party thinks that the EC's rules for registration of the political parties could "hamper the democratic system".

They also will ask the Commission to make a guideline for engaging foreign observers during the holding of the general election, stalled amid the recent political crisis over electoral issues. The party will propose to the EC to make rules amending the provision for forfeiture of security if a candidate gets 1/5 of total vote cast instead of 1/8.

It will raise a demand for declaring political parties that are accused of war crime, militancy, and fundamentalism and engaged in religion-based politics ineligible for taking part in the polls and national politics.

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar in the city yesterday called upon the government to turn Khilgaon Rehabilitation Area into a residential area as per the Master Plan.

They also urged to stop the government rehabilitation plan beside the officers' quarters in the west of Matir mosque under the ward No 23. Chowdhurypara Children's Park in the same ward should be free from the occupants and opened to the public, they opined.

They made the call at a seminar titled "Jeopardised Khilgaon Residential Area and Remedies" jointly organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Khilgaon Samjik Sangstha at the National Press Club. Prof Muzaffar Ahmed was present as chief guest, while former minister Mostafa Jamal Haider and eminent economist Prof Anu Muhammad as special guests.