The New Nation - Internet Edition

Hold dialogue with parties soon: EU envoy: Donors want lifting of emergency

Staff Reporter

European Union Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein yesterday said no donor like to see state of emergency and it has to be lifted sooner or later.

"Nobody, no donor in the world likes to see emergency situation. We hope, sooner or later this will be over. But it is on and it is being handled with pragmatic approach," he told reporters after a meeting with Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman at his Secretariat office.

The EU top envoy in Bangladesh also urged the Government to begin dialogue with political parties immediately.

Asked if he likes to see the withdrawal of the state of emergency, he said, "The Chief Adviser has already stated that the emergency would be relaxed when necessary and when possible-and it would be done."

"To hold elections it has to be relaxed," he said, adding, "I think it is the question of time, question of situation that has to be ready to do so."

Dr Frowein said the investors, both domestic and foreign, feel much safer under a democratically elected Government as it could ensure stability.

He expressed the hope that investment, including of foreign investors, would increase after the installation of a democratic Government after the next general elections.

When asked, Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman refused to comment on Dr Frowein's statement.

He told journalists that during his meeting with the European Union (EU) Ambassador they have discussed about Bangladesh's export facilities in the EU market and cooperation in education sector.

"The EU Ambassador expressed the willingness to extend EU technical cooperation to Bangladesh's education sector," the Adviser added.

First Secretary to the EU Delegation in Dhaka Charles Whiteley was also present during the meeting.

Azam J Chy refuses to identify Hasina in dock: Complainant tells court, I know Sheikh Selim only as accused, I do not know anyone else

Sheikh Hasina

Staff Reporter

Testifying in the Court yesterday, plaintiff Azam J Chowdhury refused to identify detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as an accused and said he filed the Tk 3 crore extortion case only against former Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim.

He also told the Court that he did not know Sheikh Rehana, the younger sister of Sheikh Hasina..

"I know Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim only as the accused in the case. I do not know anyone else," said Azam J Chowdhury in reply to a question posed by a lawyer during trial in the Court of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Azizul Haque yesterday morning, when the case proceedings resumed after suspension thrice earlier.

Earlier on June 13, 2007, plaintiff Azam J Chowdhury, Managing Director of a power company-East Coast Pvt Ltd-filed the case with Gulshan police station in the capital, alleging that he had to pay Tk 3 crore (US 435,000 dollars) extortion money to Sheikh Hasina's cousin Sheikh Selim in 2000 when she was the Prime Minister. Later, Sheikh Hasina was made the number one accused of the case, while Sheikh Selim and Sheikh Rehana, who lives in London, co-accused.

In his written case statement or FIR, Azam J Chowdhury wrote Sheikh Hasina's name at nine places, while Sheikh Selim's in 11 places.

Testifying in the Court for the first day yesterday, Azam J Chowdhury said he was threatened by Sheikh Selim that if he failed to pay the money, "the Prime Minister would cancel his power project," prosecution lawyer Borhanuddin told journalists after the trial.

"He (Azam) said that Sheikh Selim had told him that part of the money would be given to the prime minister. He said after he handed over the money to Selim, he was never disturbed again," the prosecutor added.

Sheikh Hasina, 60, has denied the charges, accusing the Government of trying to destroy her political career.

Her lawyer, Kamrul Islam, said the power company owner "could only identify Sheikh Selim as the accused, not the former Prime Minister."

Wearing a off-white sari, Sheikh Hasina was seem smiling during the two hours on the dock, a witness said. The room was packed with dozens of defence lawyers, journalists and security official, lawyers said.

The trial is to resume again on February 4 when the plaintiff is expected to be cross-examined by the defence lawyers.

Immediately after resumption of the trial, Sheikh Hasina's defence team complained to the Court that her lawyers were not able to see the detained former Prime Minister in special jail despite a court order.

The court ordered prison authorities to submit a report explaining why they had not complied with the court order.

Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Azizul Haque, who adjourned the hearing till February 4, when the defence lawyers would cross examine Azam J Chowdhury on his testimonies.

Sheikh Hasina and cousin Sheikh Selim were produced before the judge at 10am.

Her Canadian lawyer Payam Akhavan was also present in the courtroom and had discussion with Sheikh Hasina. The Court is set up on sprawling Parliament building complex.

On January 24, the Supreme Court ruled out the High Court stay order on the proceedings of the case.

The High Court had earlier stayed the proceedings of the case until the legitimacy of trying the case under emergency powers rules (EPR) was settled.

Sheikh Hasina's lawyers had argued that it was in no way appropriate to try the case under EPR, pointing out that the alleged incidence of extortion was dated before a state of emergency was imposed in the country.

On January 21, the Government appealed to the Supreme Court against the High Court stay order, and the Appellate Division ruled out the stay order.

Sheikh Hasina, President of the Awami League, faces a maximum 14 years in jail if convicted. The trial is expected to be concluded within the next two months, as required under the emergency power rules.

Dozens of supporters and leaders of Sheikh Hasina's party muzzled their mouth with black badges to protest against the trial, with hundreds of police in riot gear guarding the parliament complex, witnesses said.

Tension flashed again in DSE on oil share prices

Small investors stage a demonstration in front of
Dhaka Stock Exchange as the index of share prices declined
yesterday. FocusBangla

Staff Reporter

Group of small and medium investors in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) staged demonstration yesterday, protesting against the sharp index fall yesterday.

It was an expression of disappointment among the relatively new investors, who have been upset by the sloth movement of market for the last couple of days, said a DSE official.

The demonstration was against the petroleum shares, which have not witnessed healthy growth for quite a long time. Further index fall yesterday sparked tension among investors, said an investor. They staged demonstration against the DSE authorities as well as the representatives of the state owned oil burse.

According to the market statement, shares of Jamuna Petroleum closed on the day with Tk7.6 per share, closing at Tk 343.8. Another major market player on the day was Meghna Petroleum, which also closed in the negative, losing Tk10.1 per share. The share closed day's trading at Tk331.0 per share yesterday.

Traders' anger is explainable, these two shares were the focus of their investment, which didn't respond favourably, an expert added.

Moreover, there were few shares available in those scripts, he claimed.

The general index of DSE closed trading yesterday with 19.56 points loss, pulling the index at 2374.02 point.

Total 99.95 lakh shares from 37210 companies were traded on the day. Among them, shares of 91 companies advanced, 139 declined and 12 issues remained unchanged.

Top ten performing scripts on the day were the SUMITPOWER, JAMUNAOIL, BRACBANK, ABBANK, GRAMEEN1, MPETROLEUM, IFIC, DESCO, NBL, POWERGRID. Almost all of them ended into red.

Cold, drizzles hit normal life

A thick blanket of fog covered the capital city for
most part of the day yesterday. Banglar Chokh

UNB, Dhaka

Normal life was disrupted once again for inclement weather as a cold spell coupled with rain swept the country, including the capital, Wednesday.

The sun was almost unseen on the day in many parts of the country, aggravating the current calamitous situation after a short break, according to reports reaching UNB newsroom from various districts.

Sufferings of poor and distressed people knew no bounds as they were forced to stay in shelter amid inclement weather in the last couple of days. Damage of robi crops was reported from different parts of the country.

Rajshahi city-dwellers faced a lot of difficulties amid continuous drizzling from the morning.

A Met Office official here said drizzle occurs across the country, excepting the extreme southern coast, "under the influence of eastern low pressure".

The official also said current weather would be improving from today (Thursday). "Drizzling will be stopped and cloudy sky will be cleared."

A Met Office bulletin said light rain or drizzle is likely at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Chittagong and Barisal divisions in the next 24 hours till 6pm today (Thursday).

Light to moderate fog may occur over the river basins of the country during early morning, the Met Office said, adding that night temperature may rise by 1-2 degrees Celsius over the country.

Country's lowest temperature 8.7 degree Celsius was recorded yesterday (Wednesday) at Srimongal.

In Sherpur, two deaths were reported in Nakla upazila as the mercury dipped further in the district. One of the dead was identified as Jhaokan Ali, 50, of Kurshabadaigar village.

UNB Rajbari correspondent said ferry service on Doulatdia-Paturia route was disrupted yesterday (Wednesday) amid continuous drizzling. Several hundred buses and trucks got stranded on both sides of the ferry route.

In Rajshahi, city-dwellers, mostly low-income-group people, were in misery as they were forced to stay indoors amid continuous drizzling. Robi crops, including potatoes and mustard, were damaged badly due to rain.

The dry-season crops were damaged badly in Thakurgaon, Rajbari and Sirajganj districts.

Trial of Hasina cannot take place under EPR: Four amicus curiaes submit opinions to HC

Staff Reporter

The extortion case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury against former prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina cannot be included in the Emergency Powers Rule as the incident mentioned in the case happened before declaring the EPR, said four amicus curiaes while delivering their expert opinion in the High Court yesterday.

They also opined that there was no legal barrier to grant bail to Sheikh Hasina in the case.

The four amicus curiaes were Advocate Abdur Rouf Chowdhury, Advocate Mansurul Huq Chowdhury, Barrister Mahbubur Rahman and Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah.

Giving their opinions at the High Court division bench, comprising Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman and Justice Shahidul Islam, the four amicus curiaes said the trial of any crime committed during the state of emergency would be included in the EPR. No incident happening before could be included in the EPR, they said.

The trial of the case must be held according to the laws which were in force when the crime was committed, they said.

Challenging the inclusion of the case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury in the EPR, Sheikh Hasina filed a writ petition to the High Court last year. Later, the High Court granted bail to Hasina and issued a rule on the government asking why the inclusion of the extortion case in the EPR would not be declared illegal and unlawful. The government later appeal against the High Court verdict to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court stayed the High Court judgement and ordered to resolve the writ petition through regular hearings. The regular hearing of the writ began last week. On January 28, the High Court appointed seven lawyers as amicus curies to assist resolving the writ petition filed by Hasina. Of them, Advocate Mahmudul Islam expressed his inability to become the amicus curie. Among the six amicus curies, four gave their expert opinions to the High Court division bench yesterday. The rest two amicus curies are likely to give their opinions today.

Advocate Abdur Rouf Chowdhury gave a four-page written opinion to the HC bench.

He told the court that the state of emergency was declared in the country on January 11, 2007, while the incident mentioned in the FIR of the case happened earlier. "That is why the case cannot be included in the EPR. It will violate the constitutional rights of the accused," he said.

Explaining the Articles 7, 27, 29, 31 and 35 of the Constitution, Chowdhury said if the case is included in the EPR it would curtail the authority of the highest court of the country. "But the High Court had functioned even when the martial law was declared in the past. So, it will not be right to allow curbing the authority of the highest court of the country during the state of emergency," he said.

The amicus curie said when the case was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, necessary documents were not examined before its inclusion in the Emergency Power Rules. The Home Ministry is not a post office box and it is also not desirable that whatever is sent there will be posted.

Former justice Mansurul Huq Chowdhury said any incident that happened before January 11, 2007 could not be included in the EPR in any way. Only the incidents that happen during the state of emergency can be included in the EPR. Even, nothing can be done using the state of emergency which does not match with the country's Constitution.

Explaining several sections of the Emergency Powers Rules 2007, Barrister Mahmudul Islam said the President declares the State of Emergency for a brief period. So, the trial of any incident happening before the declaration of the State of Emergency cannot not be included in the EPR.

He said the cases which are to be included in the EPR and which not are clearly mentioned in the Constitution of Bangladesh and the EPR. So, the trial must take place according to the previous laws.

HC declares detention of Tarique, Hannan illegal

Tarique Rahman and Hannan Shah

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court on Wednesday declared illegal the detention of Tarique Rahman, senior joint secretary general of BNP, and Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah, adviser to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

On separate habeas corpus writ petitions challenging the validity of the impugned detention orders, the High Court delivered the judgments after hearing both sides.

Passing the orders, a Division Bench comprising Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Mamnoon Rahman asked the government to release Tarique Rahman and Hannan Shah forthwith, if they are not wanted by police in any other criminal cases. The court in its judgements found the grounds for detaining both as vague and unspecific.

On March 7 last year, the joint forces arrested Tarique from her mother's Cantonment residence after an extortion case was filed against him amid the clampdown in the interim period on ruling party politicians of the yesteryears. Later, he was served with a detention order under the Special Powers Act (SPA) on April 13 the same year. Police arrested Hannan Shah on November 7 last year on charge of violating the Emergency Powers Rules. Later, on November 25, he was given detention order under the SPA.

Phulbari Coalmine Project: Deal with Asian Energy against interest of country: Mir Nasir

Mir Nasir Hossain

Pulack Ghatack

Former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Mir Nasir Hossain said the agreement with the Asian Energy Company on Fulbari coalmine project goes against interest of Bangladesh and it should be reviewed.

"The existing agreement with the Asia Energy on Fulbari coalmine project is unjust one and it goes against national interest of Bangladesh. I strongly favour review of this agreement," he said while talking to this correspondent in an exclusive interview.

Bangladesh, to keep pace with its GDP growth, needs gas exploration to meet increasing demand for energy. The question of electricity generation and industrial growth is tagged with it, he said.

He said that the country would become industrialised in near future as its trading capital has been transforming into industrial capital. "Few years back we could not think about local investment as high as Tk 500 crore to Tk600 crore. But now many of us are investing to this tune."

He said group of big businessmen of the country can emerge in the form of consortiums to invest in multibillion take projects for the betterment of the country. "You can see lot of local business consortiums are coming to invest in large projects like coal and gas exploration."

Focusing on the utilisation of national resources including natural gas and coal he said people of Bangladesh are the owners of its resources. Their opinion should be considered seriously. About open mining coal extraction, he said the issue needs extensive policy debate before taking any decision in this regard. The coal policy should be drawn to protect national interest. "I cannot be biased to say that open mining is impossible. But, the country should evaluate the cost-benefit ratio before approving any open mining project," he said.

About the existing business situation he said, "It is a transition period when investment cannot be hoped. When everything is set, policy is set and the situation is hopeful for business - people go for investment. Investment will increase in future if good governance is established."

"A situation was created in the country when real businessmen were not being able to do business for the lack of good governance. But after the 1/11 change some activities of the new Government damaged the business environment. They secred godowns and evicted many small traders. But some things became transparent with the initiatives taken by this Government."

Though businessmen suffered the immediate shock, they will benefit in future, as reform in rules and regulations about taxation, licencing and permissions are underway, he said.

Mir Nasir said, building of the Better Business Forum and formation of a Regulatory Reform Commission is welcome move to remove barriers to business.

The country now needs political stability. If politics stabilises and if the country does not face hartal or any destructive political programmes in future -investment will get momentum shortly.

The business leader called upon his community to increase import of essential items and supply those in the market for minimum profit. "We should remember that the country is passing a transition period. As businessmen we have social responsibilities. We have our duties to our future generation. So businessman should act effectively in favour of the nation."

He identified the price hike of essential commodities as the main challenge before the Government at present. He blamed international price hike for this situation and at the same time pointed out the Government's failure in timely food procurement.

"The annual budget of 2007-08 has a plan to procure 8 lakh metric tons of rice from home and abroad. But the Government procured only one lakh metric ton rice in the first half of the fiscal year. For that reason the Government failed to intervene into the market at the time of sharp rise of food prices."

He suggested regular intensive monitoring of the local and international markets by the Commerce Ministry to check any further crisis and take timely action. Indiscriminate monitoring does not work.

"We should be aware that the market forces are working properly. Price is determined by supply and demand situation. So sufficient supply should be ensured. The private sector should be encouraged to supply properly."

The food prices not only increased in the international market, there is also shortage of supply in the international market, he said. "We should intensify agriculture to build up a food security. Unless there are chances of greater danger in future."

A law should be framed on hoarding of food items, he suggested. "The law will make it transparent how much hoarding is permissible and for how long. Consumer protection law is also urgent," he said.

Mir Nasir Hossain is Director of Mir Akhter Hossain Ltd (one of the leading Construction Mir Nasir firms in Bangladesh), Managing Director of Mir Ceramic Ltd and Mir Holdings Ltd, Director of Agrani Insurance Co. Ltd. and Peninsula Housing and Development Ltd, and Proprietor of Fair Trading.

He is in the following lines of business: construction Industry, export & import, banking, insurance, transport, information technology, ceramic tiles manufacturing industry, etc.

Mir Nasir Hossain is the senior Vice president of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In business leadership he has a very rich background having been Director, FBCCI for five terms; President, Faridpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) for 2004-2006 and Director of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry for seven terms earlier for 2004-2006 and for two terms previously.

As Chairman of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry Arbitration Committee he framed the SAARC CCI Arbitration Rule which was approved at the SAARC-CCI meeting in Male in the year 1998. He was Past District Governor, Lions Club International District 315A1, Bangladesh and Past Council Chairman, Lions Club International Multiple District 315, Bangladesh.

In social activities, he is President, Faridpur Diabetic Association, Life Member of Red Crescent Society, School for Mentally Retarded Students, Dr. Zahid Memorial Shishu Hospital, Faridpur and different Orphanages, Bangladesh Lions Foundation, etc.

Mir Nasir graduated B.Com. (Hons) M.Com and was placed in the 1st class from Dhaka University. He was born on February 1, 1951.

Independence of EC: CEC to comment after gazette notification

Staff Reporter

Although the Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday refused to comment on the Council of Advisers approval to a new law freeing the Election Commission from the government control and setting up its independent secretariat, leaders of different political parties welcomed the decision as a major development in national history.

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) told reporters that he would not pass his observation before publication of gazette on the approval.

According to sources the gazette is likely to be published within a day or two. Comment can be made after publication of the gazette. Then, it will be easy to say what things we have got and what not. We cannot say the Election Commission has been independent before the publication of gazette, the CEC said while talking to reporters at his office yesterday.

He said many suggestions were given in the draft proposal. We do not know which were taken and which were not, he said.

We will formally disclose our observation after publication of the gazette, he said.

Shamsul Huda said it would not be enough to free the Commission Secretariat from the PMO; rather it should be mentioned as to how will the Election Commissioners be appointed. "Otherwise, the Election Commission cannot work independently after separating it from government control," he said.

Meanwhile, Awami League Acting President Zillur Rahman yesterday appreciated the Caretaker Government for approving the separation of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

AL Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed said separation of EC Secretariat from the PMO was a long-cherished demand of the party.

Through the approval, the hopes and aspirations of the people have been fulfilled, he observed.

Acting Office Secretary of BNP Rizvi Ahmed said success of the separation of EC would come if the Commission could work independently to hold elections in a free and fair manner.

If there is authority of the government in appointing CEC or Election Commissioners it cannot be said that the Commission has become independent, he said.

Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Executive Director of the Hunger Project, greeted the decision saying that the authority of preparing rules and regulations for the EC should also been given to it.

Businessmen asked to pay default loans

Staff Reporter

Law Adviser A F Hassan Ariff urged the businessman to contribute to the country by developing the agricultural sector, as the country is predominantly agricultural.

The adviser also urged the businessmen to pay default loans considering that the money is not only an asset of the bank, but also of the people.

The Law adviser was addressing as chief guest the 2nd Annual General Meeting of International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel in the city yesterday.

Denise Rollins, Charge d' Affaires of US Embassy in Dhaka also addressed the meeting chaired by the IBFB President Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury.

The adviser said the forum is a platform, which is always needed for discussion with government to retain good atmosphere for business in the country.

Adviser Hassan Ariff said the businessmen and banks face hiccup over licencing, revenue and loan collection. The businessmen could help to remove the hiccup by formulating a rational revenue structure to reduce suffering of the businessmen, he added.

There are lack of communication and information between businessmen and the government. The forum can help to minimise the gap and can formulate a policy that would be congenial for the government policy, he further added.

Denise Rollins said, "The government's election preparations, its anti-corruption campaign and its efforts to reform rules and regulations all impact investors. Investment often does not happen in the state of uncertainty. The government needs to adhere to the election roadmap to ensure election by the end of the year."

She said the caretaker government had also tackled corruption. A long-term decline in corruption would give foreign business the confidence to invest in Bangladesh, she added.

Denise Rollins said anti corruption campaigns must be carried out in a fair and transparent manner.

IBFB President Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury urged the government to reduce interest rate of bank loan for non-defaulter businessmen.

He said the idle money of the bank should be kept in flow for the sake of the country's economy.

Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury said IBFB has been founded as a bridge between stakeholders and decision makers with a vision of improving the country's business arena for economic growth, which should be number one issue of the country.

The president demanded more transparency on the anti-corruption related matters to build people's confidence and support for the action.

He said the Anti-Corruption Commission should go for more decentralisation in different regions with some of the authorities not confining to the city.

Dialogue with govt 14-party to raise identical issues

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League-led 14-party combine will raise identical issues during the proposed dialogue between the incumbent caretaker government and the political parties ahead of the parliamentary elections.

The party will communicate with its allies in the combine in a few days to finalize the issues to be raised at the dialogue.

While receiving donation for the Sidr victims at his Gulshhan residence, acting AL president Zillur Rahman said the party central leaders are united and the grassroots-level

leaders and workers, despite various limitations are getting organized ahead of next parliamentary elections.

Asked whether Awami League would discuss with its "ally" Gano Forum, he said Gano Forum had already quit the AL-led mega combine.

Zillur appreciated the caretaker government for approving the separation of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat from the Prim Minister's office (PMO).

Party presidium member Tofael Ahmed told the reporters that the AL-led 14-party combine would raise identical issues during the dialogue with the government similar to that of the EC-sponsored dialogue.

"To finalize the issues that will be raised at the proposed dialogue between the government and the political parties, Awami League will communicate with its allies in the 14-party combine within a few days," he said.

Tofael said the proposed dialogues with the caretaker government would be bilateral, but the 14-party combine would place identical issues. "Awami League will not discuss with Gano Forum ahead of the dialogue, as it had not done during the dialogue with EC."

He further cleared the AL stand that they would not take part in the proposed dialogue with the government with any pre-condition.

Party leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Suranjit Sengupta, Abdul Mannan, Aktaruzzaman and Maj Gen (retd) M Subid Ali Bhuiyan were present on the occasion.

Lack of response: BNP reformists backtrack from unity move

Staff Reporter

Top leaders of the reformist group of the BNP, at a meeting to finalise their strategy after reviewing latest political situation, yesterday night said there was no development in their move to unify the party.

Held at the Banani residence of the party Acting Secretary General Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed, the meeting was attended, among others, by former Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Standing Committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman.

Party Acting Chairman M Saifur Rahman was conspicuous by his absence from the meeting.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Major Hafiz, who on Sunday said he was ready to relinquish his post for the sake of unity with the anti-reformist group led by Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, yesterday dropped a broad hint that they were backtracking from the unity move as their was no response from the other side.

Claiming himself as the legitimate Secretary General of the BNP since most of the party leaders and activists were with them, Hafiz said the unity would only be achieved if the other side' (Khandaker Delwar group) agrees to the reforms agenda.

Hafiz, who recently said Mannan Bhuiyan became isolated from the rank and file of the party by 'launching the reform proposals unilaterally', last night said, "The former Secretary General gave the reform proposal on the basis of the discussion with other leaders and former MPs."

He said the reforms in politics and the party was necessary to ensure non-return to the pre-January 11, 20007 situations of confrontations.

"Not only Mannan Bhuiyan, three senior leaders of the Awami League had also floated reform proposals," Hafiz said, adding, "Reform is essential to democratise the party and politics both."

When asked, he said, "There is no development in the unification move of the party after Acting Chairman M Saifur Rahman's phone call to Khandaker Delwar."

Major Hafiz, however, expressed the hope that the BNP would be reunited under the leadership of detained party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia before the next general elections. "And there is much time left for the party to unite," he asserted.

Hiding wealth info: Ex power secy Akhter jailed for 10 years

Staff Reporter

Detained former power secretary Engineer ANH Akhter Hossain was sentenced 10 years to prison by a special court yesterday for concealing information about his assets and amassing huge wealth through illegal means.

Delivering the judgment, judge Amal Kumar Roy of the special court-2 at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex, also fined him Tk 1,00,000, in default to suffer three months more in jail. Besides, the court, trying high profile corruption suspects, sentenced Akhter's wife Nazneen Akhtar to three years in prison with fine of Tk 50,000 for aiding and abetting her husband in amassing property illegally.

The court also asked the government to confiscate the wealth of Akhtar and his wife, which were acquired illegally and deposit to the national coffer.

On May 31 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission assistant director Mahbubul Alam lodged the case against Akhter Hossain and his wife with Uttara Police Station for concealing information of wealth worth over Tk 2.23 crore in the statement submitted to the ACC earlier.

Akhter Hossain is now in jail, while his wife Nazneen Akhter is absconding.