The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday said the government would start formal dialogue with the political parties by this month after completion of the ongoing pre-dialogue for holding a meaningful election in the country.

"We are hopeful to start formal dialogue with the political parties this month with a view to holding a free, fair and transparent election and establishing a healthy politics in the country" he said while launching a daylong workshop on " Reforms Measures Undertaken by the Caretaker Government: How to Sustain them in the Post Election Scenario". It was organised by Bangladesh Heritage Foundation (BHF) at a city hotel.

"The primary goal of the caretaker government as per the constitutional obligation is to hold a free, fair an credible election before the end of December 2008," he said adding that that the responses from the concerned political circles have been positive.

Justice Mustafa Kamal, former Chief Justice and Chairman of the Law Commission chaired the event.

Professor Ataur Rahman of Political Science Department of Dhaka University and Mohammad Aminul Karim separately presented keynote papers while Manzoor Hasan, Director and Niloy Ranjan Biswas and Asif Mohamaad Shahan, Research Assistants, Institute of Governance Studies of BRAC University jointly presented another keynote paper.

Wali-ur-Rahman, chairman of BHF, and some high government officials and members of the civil society also attended the workshop.

Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who also in charge of the ministries of Expatriates Welfare and Labour Employment said " We are holding preliminary dialogue with political parties and other stakeholders with open minds and preparation for open agenda is already underway in an effort to create a congenial atmosphere for the holding of free, fair and credible elections and establishing a sustainable and healthy democracy in the long run,".

Listing the reforms taken by the government he said reforms in the Public Service Commission, separation of the Judiciary from the executives and establishment of Human Rights Commission and dirve against corruption by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) are the major achievements, which have been universally welcomed within and outside the country.

"Reform is not an event rather than a continuous process," he said and hoped that the next elected government would carry out reform initiated by the present caretaker government.

"It is our duty to create a healthy political trend in the country" he said and mentioned that the government has introduced institutional changes to infuse positive values in the society.

Justice Mustafa Kamal called upon all to cooperate with the government so the national election would be held as per the road map of the Election Commission could be held.

Asked whether the election would be possible by keeping Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina in prison the BHF president Ambassador Wali-ur-Rahman replied in the affirmative.